In a March 2019 statement, FAROS – a non-profit organisation working with unaccompanied refugee children in Athens – has praised the contribution Brunel Law School students have made to the project.
Since 2015, FAROS, a non-profit organisation that provides care and humanitarian support to unaccompanied refugee children and youth, as well as refugee families with children in Athens, has worked in close co-operation with Brunel Law School staff.
In turn, the Athens Refugee Project, initiated by the Law School, inspire students to volunteer visits in Athens to help refugees.
For an organisation of FAROS’ size, such volunteer work has been immensely important to help them efficiently deliver a number of services to some of the most vulnerable refugees – unaccompanied children.
FAROS’ Finance and Programme Manager, Kenneth Brant Hansen, extolled the integrity of the Brunel students who bring more than their time to the project:
“The volunteers from Brunel Law School are always very open, hardworking and curious in how they assist us. Brunel students come from diverse backgrounds which serves as an example and role models for the refugee children which motivates them to continue their studies.”
On return to Brunel, the law students have said that this has been a life-changing experience. Some even kept in contact with some of the refugee children on social media. FAROS psychologists have confirmed this to be a positive influence, as unaccompanied minors have very few contacts outside their protective environment in Athens. The students’ visits help them develop friendships and feel connected to the wider world.
FAROS is also grateful for financial generosity of the law school volunteers, “On every visit the students have collected funds throughout their time here which has helped us to provide computers, printers, games, etc., so the projects educational and recreation activities can continue to expand.”