Eurochild Greek member the Smile of the Child supported 60.468 children and their families with a 56% increase compared to 2022.
On 19 July the organisation held a press conference. Mr. Yannopoulos, Chairman of the Board of Directors, highlighted some of the achievements such as receiving the ward for Best Volunteer Organisation in Greece at the Hellenic Responsible Business Awards 2023 ceremony.
Compared to 2022 the Smile reported a 12% increase in the incidents involving the disappearance of children and teenagers, a 17% increase in reports of child abuse and neglect and a 100% increase in the number of students they have supported with interactive prevention and intevention awareness.
The organisation received 240 calls per day - 10 calls per hour – at the National Helpline for Children SOS 1056 for serious incidents of children and provided psychological support to at least 3 children daily.
Two Smile of the child homes for children in Peristeri and Marousi were converted to day care homes using the operational methods of our the other homes in Agrinio, Pyrgos and Chalkida. The home in Iraklitsa, Kavala will continue to operate as a reception center for unaccompanied minors in collaboration with the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum. The organisation has also prepared 9 apartments in Athens and 3 in Thessaloniki to house children aged 15 and older. These homes are part of the programme framework for semi-independent living.
