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We change
refugee narratives

Second Tree works to change the way that refugees are seen by society, and the way that they see society and themselves.

Our work is underpinned by an approach that tackles the stereotype that refugees are villains, heroes or hopeless victims – and promotes the reality that refugees are just people.

Our model is applied in all our activities:

Through thought leadership and training that challenges the narratives of refugees as victims

With refugees

Through language learning, youth wellbeing and integration projects that take refugees out of camps and into local life

We are Second Tree

Second Tree is a grassroots, volunteer-run humanitarian organisation that works with refugees in Northern Greece.

Our work is underpinned by a core ethos: to treat refugees as the people they are and overcome stereotypes of victimization and romanticization.

Do some good today

  • Meet movie-loving Bakhtawar from Afghanistan, one of the students in our digital literacy class! ⁠
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“I first met Bakhtawar 6 months ago when she came to a Second Tree information session, and ever since, she’s been super helpful in translating for me during meetings”, says Teacher Juliette, tightly hugging her friend, who’s at least two heads shorter. ⁠
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“I want to be a good and useful person”, Bakhtawar smiles, “and I want a job that I enjoy”. When making digital wedding invitations in last week’s computer class, Bakhtawar’s career dreams shone through -- she’s aiming to become an event planner. “My own hard work is what first of all will help me reach my dream”, she continues, “and secondly good support”, mentioning CV-writing and typing skills as the most useful things she has learnt with Teacher Juliette. ⁠
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Help students like Bakhtawar realise their dreams by donating through the link in our bio!⁠
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 #refugeeswelcome #everydayrefugees #refugeecrisis #refugeestories #leavenoonebehind #standwithrefugees #refugeesarepeople #solidarity #refugees #refugeecamp #nonprofit #education #volunteer #socialgood #humanitarian #bethechange #donate #causes #fundraising #activism #hope #refugee #humanity #humanrights #greece #nonformaleducation #learning #movie #digitalliteracy #computer
  • 📢 London-based theatre company @phosphorostheatre is a platform for the migration experience – bringing the challenges faced by refugees in the UK to public attention. The shows that Phosphoros produce allow actors to reclaim their own stories, breaking away from the bias & hostility that often dominate newspaper headlines. ⁠
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This Spring, Phosphoros Theatre is starting an exciting new project! Tender (2024) will see a cast of refugee actors take centre stage, bringing their audience on journeys of financial & social struggles through the lens of young people with a loud determination to make a better future!⁠
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Tender is the first production where the main cast began their acting journey through Phosphoros’s Young Company. The Young Company youth project was set up for refugee actors to learn creative skills & use storytelling for shared feelings of belonging.👏⁠
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Travelling to Derby, London and Manchester, Tender’s tour will include workshops for young refugees! ⁠
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🎟️ Interested in learning more or attending a performance? Link in bio for details ⬆️⁠
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#community #refugeeswelcome #theater #everydayrefugees #refugeestories #leavenoonebehind #standwithrefugees #refugeesarepeople #solidarity #britain #watch #refugees #refugeecamp #nonprofit #education #volunteer #socialgood #humanitarian #bethechange #donate #causes #fundraising #activism #hope #skills #humanity #humanrights #learning #workshops #support.
  • Calling all our Italian friends! 🇮🇹⁠
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Support refugee children’s education in Northern Greece by giving your 5x1000 to Second Tree! ⁠
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With a small action & no extra cost to you, you can multiply students like Hamid’s opportunities to grow their individual characters, reach their potential, & have the same opportunities we have: to contribute to our community! 🌟⁠
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Visit the link in our bio to learn how to give your 5x1000 to Second Tree! ⁠
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#refugeesarepeople #community #opportunita⁠
#refugeeswelcome #noborders #refugeecrisis #openborders #leavenoonebehind #standwithrefugees #solidarity #refugees #refugeecamp #nonprofit #ngo #humanitarianaid #humanity #fundraising #greece #giveback #dogood #change #bethechange #cause #student #grow #free #socialchange #inspire #support #5x1000
  • In 1 hour, we will speak at Harvard Law School to tell Fatmata's story. Abu Bakar will be there with his testimony from Skopje, as well as Глигор Ќато, who immediately offered to represent Abu pro bono. The fact that the European Parliament, OSCE, the Pope, and now even the most important university in the world takes an interest in what happened to Fatmata shows that not all injustices are just forgotten, that in our unforgiving world, there is still a flicker of hope, that our Fatmata is gone but she is still leaving a mark.⁠
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The link to join (at 17.30 UK, 18.30 CET, 19.30 Greece) via Zoom in the first comment ⬇️⁠ & link in bio!
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#borderviolence #refugeesarepeople #standwithrefugees ⁠
#leavenoonebehind #refugeestories #humanitarian #humanrights #justice #community #refugeeswelcome #activism #nonprofit #causes #human #hope #refugee #solidarity #unity #humanity #equlity #donate #people #refugees #bethechange #ngo #europe #humanrightswatch #opensociety #news #event
  • 🌳 Meet Rachel, the former Communications & Fundraising mastermind at Second Tree & supreme crafter! She first volunteered with us in 2019 & has since returned several times & supported us remotely 🫂⁠
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As so often happens at Second Tree, where work, memories & the common belief that #RefugeesArePeople knit people tightly together, she has gained long-lasting friends.⁠
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One of those friends is Iraklis! He owns @thimomenoportraito, a café that has given generations of Second Tree volunteers a second home where they can work, socialise, & organise community events. While coming back to visit Second Tree last month, Rachel gifted a handmade tribute of @thimomenoportraito to its owner ​🖼️⁠
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You can join our community too! Simply reach out to volunteer, support us remotely, or fundraise from home. We look forward to hearing from you!⁠ ⁠
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#refugeeswelcome #standwithrefugees #refugeesarepeople #solidarity #nonprofit #volunteer #crossstitch #socialgood #humanitarian #activism #greece #handmade #community #art #refugeestories #leavenoonebehind #refugees #refugeecamp #education #bethechange #donate #causes #fundraising #hope #humanity #humanrights #learning #home #friends