“We consider this our house…now”

57,000 refugees are currently stranded within the borders of Greece. More than 260,000 have arrived by sea during 2016 alone.

2016: Kara Tepe site, Lesvos, Greece

There’s nothing more natural for parents than the desire to give their children a safe home. But how do families who flee war zones begin to rebuild their kids’ sense of security? Read the compelling story about a brave family from Syria that has escaped the war in their country and survived the journey across the Mediterranean Sea from Turkey. The Better Shelter team met them while the family was staying in a ‪‎Better Shelter‬ on the island of Lesvos, Greece on their journey towards safety.

“When there are no loud sounds, no planes, no shooting, I can make my kids go to sleep…”, says Amina, mother of five.

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Clothes line are seen all over in Kara Tepe. Photo: Better Shelter, 2016

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Photo: Better Shelter, 2016

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Photo: Better Shelter, 2016

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Photo: Better Shelter, 2016

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Photo: Better Shelter, 2016

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Even grown ups play games to make time pass in the camp! Photo: Better Shelter, 2016

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Photo: Better Shelter, 2016

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Volunteers at a site in Scala, in the north of the island where many boats arrive. On this day it was still calm and the staff played a board game and drank tea. Photo: Better Shelter, 2016

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Health and safety information for children, provided by the Red Cross. Photo: Better Shelter, 2016

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Photo: Better Shelter, 2016