Visiting Volunteers for MOTG

Our hospitality programme consists of three main activities: Chai point distribution inside the camp, barista training, and Community Kitchen in Ergon - our educational center in Mitilini. 

• CHAI POINT 

One of our core programs inside the camp is the chai point, offering all residents a free, warm cup of chai or coffee, served by our Community Volunteers. The Chai Point goes beyond offering warm cups of chai as it provides a vital physical space for residents to gather, play games, and for volunteers to share lunch together. The Chai Point is managed by a group of Community Volunteers from all different backgrounds present in the camp, building trust and communication in the community. They prepare the warm beverages, take care of the maintenance and cleanliness of the space and more than everything is making sure everyone is welcomed and served with a big smile. Our Chai Points have always been in all locations, community spaces that gather all the camp communities. More than drinking tea, camp residents come to our Chai Point for the social life, for the atmosphere our team is creating. It is always heartwarming to see so many people gathering around the chai point and spending hours drinking tea and talking to each other, playing cards. We want to keep providing this essential service to all camp residents. At the moment, only one Chai Point - out of the three we originally had - is running as we are limited in our weekly supplies. With more resources, we are hoping to increase our opening hours and re-open the two other distribution points to answer the needs of the community. 

• BARISTA TRAINING

The barista training is one of our newest projects. Core to the Movement philosophy is connecting the local community with the refugee community. Our vision is for everyone to one day realize how migration can enrich society. Employability is key to this vision. It allows people on the move to gain agency over their lives, pursue what they enjoy, and achieve economic independence without relying on aid. At the same time, local employers, especially during the summer season on an island, struggle to find employees. Therefore, the barista training aims to teach both soft and hard skills to prepare people for the job market on the island of Lesvos in the hospitality sector.

• ERGON COMMUNITY KITCHEN

Ergon is an education center located in Mitilini on the island of Lesvos. Focused on educational and vocational training for adult camp residents, it’s a space that brings communities together and hospitality is at the heart of our programs. Everyone coming to Ergon should feel welcomed and able to fully focus on their education. Last year, we realized that many of our students were coming empty stomach to class or were arriving late because of the never-ending food distribution in camp. We want all our students to be in the best learning conditions and it starts with having a nutritious breakfast. From Monday to Friday, our Hospitality team prepares and distributes breakfast to over 40 students. During the day, the team is in charge of the Ergon tea point - making sure it is clean and accessible to all - and the lunch distribution. As every day we receive cooked meals from another organization, our volunteers make sure that the portions are fairly distributed among all students present. In addition, the team is cooking for special occasions, such as our team Christmas dinner or the Ramadan Iftar gathering. Those are always special moments that gather all communities together around good food and are essential to team building. Hospitality is an important part of Ergon. Both breakfast and lunch are very much appreciated by our students who see it as a plus value in the services provided. We want to continue providing food on a daily basis and increase the amount of meals distributed especially in the morning as the need is getting higher.

With your support, we can: 

• Provide breakfast to our students in Ergon: good learning conditions start with a full stomach, every student should start the day with a nutritious breakfast. 
• Provide warm beverages to camp residents: gathering communities around a cup of tea (or coffee) and a good chess game is the backbone of a peaceful camp atmosphere.
• Provide employability opportunities: employability opportunities arise from building skills. Help us connect camp residents with job opportunities.

Our goal? To raise € 750 per month. With your donation, we can continue our Hospitality programme: from providing healthy daily breakfast for our students to create social interactions opportunities around a cup of tea, those services are essential and greatly appreciated by all the residents we serve.

• Your donation of €15 can provide a healthy breakfast and a warm beverage to 40 Ergon students. 
• Your donation of €30 can contribute to distributing 1500 cups of tea to camp residents.
• Your donation of €60 can provide a week of breakfast to 200 students in Ergon. 
• Your donation of €100 can contribute to set up our barista training in Ergon