On Thursday, four of the female students went to the Center of Hope, an outreach that focuses on serving refugee women and children. The other women in our group had each gotten to volunteer another day, so that our numbers wouldn't overwhelm the center. Started in 2015 at the height of the refugee crisis, the ministry is currently switching over from emergency relief to integration into the Greek community. On this particular day, the students participated/led the weekly Culture Day, focusing on American culture. As their example of American culture, the students taught several women how to swing dance and a couple of line dances. More exciting for the students, the Afghani and Syrian women showed them several of their traditional dances, which far outshined our own. It was so special to be taught by the refugee women and give them control over a situation when they are so vulnerable after fleeing their homes.
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| Swing dancing at the Center of Hope |
While the rest of the group was planning to go to the University of Athens and survey students, heavy rain prevented this and instead, we participated in World Museum Day (free admission at all Athenian museums!). The National Archeological Museum and the Byzantine and Christian Museum were particular favorites. Later in the day, the entire group went to the Temple of Poseidon, took pictures, and enjoyed the sunset.
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| At the Byzantine and Christian Museum |
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| The Artemision Bronze, at the National Archaological Museum |
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| At the Temple of Poseidon, with friends Erikos and Lea (plus Nicholas, who took the picture) |
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