Wilstar entered into a partnership with Dråpen I Havet (A Drop in the Ocean) in 2019. Wilstar is supporting their work in developing an education centre in Northern Greece where the refugee camp Nea Kavala is located.

The purpose of Dråpen I havet is to provide support for people who are fleeing war and persecution as well as to spread the word about the current situation for refugees and migrants. Where appropriate, their main focus is helping children and their mothers. A Drop in the Ocean was founded in September 2015 and has since then organised more than 6500 volunteer field workers to go to Greece, where the need for help is high.

A Drop in the Ocean is present in the island of Lesvos, Northern Greece and the Athens area. They work directly inside the refugee camps, run by Greek authorities. Their main work tasks are to distribute food, clothes and non-food items, however they are also involved in planning and organising different activities for children and adults in the camps. Furthermore, they assist in teaching English as well as provide material and logistical support for bilingual education.

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Thousands of refugees have been moved from the Moria to Nea Kavala camp, which is why Dråpen I Havet decided to resume their activities and build and educational centre there.

At the new Drop Centre in the refugee camp Nea Kavala Dråpen I Havet arrange different activities for every age. The centre, which has been renovated by their volunteer field workers and camp residents, is now filled with laughter and good conversations.

Nea Kavala refugee camp has around 750 residents. Almost half of the population are from Afghanistan, and 40 percent of them are children. Many of them have been relocated from the islands and now live in tiny isoboxes or tents unfit for winter.

The hope for the centre is for it to be a place where the residents can relax and feel a sense of achievement and belonging. The Centre used to be a Drop Shop for distribution of clothes. However, the needs in the camp changed, which is why the decision was made to renovate the building and make it into a community centre and an informal educational facility. After many hours of work, the centre was finished in December 2019.

The centre is now filled with people and activities and has become a place where camp residents can relax and feel like they are a part of a community. They can learn Greek, English, computer skills, sports or handicrafts. Children can play, draw and watch movies. Additionally, there is a workshop where the residents can learn how to fix and build furniture.

In only two months, the Centre has already become an essential social arena in the camp and we look forward to seeing this work become even more impactful.