In Vergina, ‘To Spiti tis Verginas’, a residential care home for children, has been beautifully transformed. The ‘Irene’ Association carried out a substantial upgrade of the building infrastructure.
‘To Spiti tis Verginas’ is a Child Protection Unit of the Organization ‘Initiative for the Child’ in Veria. It accommodates up to 15 children by prosecutorial or court order, offering them a stable care environment, a new sense of family.
In the unit, which has been operating since 2012, only limited repairs had previously been carried out. Last year, it was deemed necessary to implement interventions in the building infrastructure in order to meet the operating requirements of Child Protection Units (MoPP) and to complete the process of renewing its operating license.
The ‘Irene’ Association accepted the request of the Organization ‘Initiative for the Child’ in Veria and funded and implemented the works that ensured the renewal of the unit’s operating license. At the same time, it carried out additional necessary improvement interventions in the building. The implementation of the projects by the Social Welfare Association ‘Irene’ took place within the framework of cooperation supporting the structures of the Union ‘Together for Children’.
The infrastructure works and equipment upgrades implemented by the ‘Irene’ Association include:
• Installation of external thermal insulation on the western side of the building to improve thermal efficiency.
• Replacement of the water supply, heating, and sewage systems to ensure the safe and proper operation of the infrastructure.
• Maintenance or replacement of gutters to ensure the correct drainage of rainwater.
• Repair and maintenance of window frames and skylights.
The children now live in a home that feels renewed, warmer in winter and cooler in summer. A home that is now effectively protected from rainwater, where the sanitation facilities have been significantly upgraded. The daily living conditions of both the children and the staff have improved substantially.
A home is not a given for all children, nor is the sense of warmth and stability it provides. When the environment in which children live and grow becomes safer and more modern, these changes carry particular significance, especially for children who have faced great difficulties.
The “Irene” Association also responded to additional needs of the Organization “Initiative for the Child.” Firstly, it undertook, at its own expense, the supply and installation of a 60 cm fridge-freezer to improve the living conditions of the residents of the “Semi-Independent Living Shelter for Youth.” Furthermore, it also funded the supply and installation of three 18,000 BTU air conditioning units, as well as one 12,000 BTU unit, at the “Day Care Center for Children,” aiming to improve the daily conditions for the children and the working conditions for the staff at the center.
In the facilities of the Veria Social Initiative Organization “Initiative for the Child,” the children now smile more often, play more carefree, and, above all, dream about the future with greater optimism. After all, the dreams of today’s children are the future of us all.
Total budget: €25,349.34
