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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

  • 📚 Since 2016, we have delivered English classes to 1,500 refugees in Northern Greece. ⁠
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Last week, 4 more classes of kids were added to the list as they finished our English module "Us & the Universe"! After 7 weeks & 35 hours of classes each, they are more comfortable with their English skills than ever.⁠
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"My favourite thing is when the kids start using things they learnt in class," says Teacher Darius. "Like Benedite, who scored full marks on questions about stars, space, & Earth, comfortably using all the words she’d learnt!"⁠
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Teachers, students, siblings & parents celebrated the module's completion with a certificate ceremony & lots of running, laughing & panting as we played some of our favourite games! 🏃⁠
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In two weeks, we'll jump into our next English module. The topic? We'll be speaking about "My Future"! 💭⁠
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Help provide our students with all the material needed to discover their dreams & ambitions! Donate 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 #humanity #humanrights #greece #nonformaleducation #learning #party #universe #englishclass #games
  • Intelligence + Character ➡ the goal of true education! 🏆⁠
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Encouraging our students to be critical & giving space for discussion without avoiding confrontation is crucial to treating refugees as the people they are. Find out more about our #refugeesarepeople approach through the link in our bio! ☝⁠
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#secondtree #refugeeswelcome #noborders #refugeecrisis #openborders #leavenoonebehind #standwithrefugees #solidarity #refugees #refugeecamp #nonprofit #education #volunteer #socialgood #humanitarian #bethechange #donate #causes #fundraising #activism #hope #refugee #humanity #humanrights #greece #quoteoftheday #inspirationalquotes #character #nelsonmandela
  • 🚲️ 22-year-old Ethiopian cycling champion Trhas Tesfay is preparing to lead London's @ridelondon 100-mile event in May! But her training period has not been without challenges.⁠
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After seeking asylum in 2023 due to conflict in her home country, she was placed in an asylum-seekers hotel by the UK’s Home Office, where she shares a cramped room with two other women. Banned from working, Trhas & others in her situation receive £8.86 a week to live on. Trhas shares that the daily meals provided at her temporary home leave her feeling unwell & lack nutrients. ⁠
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Despite cycling providing an outlet away from her subpar living conditions, Trhas worries that the difficulties she faces are stopping her from “competing on a level playing field” with other cyclists participating in the race. ⁠
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@teklehaimanottrhas determination inspires, but collective action is still needed to provide people in her position equal opportunities. When given the chance, refugees can achieve remarkable things just like anyone else. Trhas, as you prepare for your race, know that we stand with you! 🏆️ #RefugeesArePeople⁠
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#athlete #cycling #refugeeswelcome #refugeestories #leavenoonebehind #standwithrefugees #solidarity #refugee #refugeecamp #nonprofit #education #volunteer #socialgood #care #humanitarian #everydayrefugees #bethechange #donate #causes #fundraising #activism #hope #humanity #humanrights #goals #learning #motivation⁠ #inspiration ⁠#success⁠
  • Picture 1: Goodbye dinner celebrations with Muzda, Yahya, Zahra & family as they move on to their new home! 🍲 ⁠

Picture 2: Young Gulsom gets ahold of teacher Juliette’s sunglasses during a busy community theatre event 😎⁠

Picture 3: Clapping & music brought everyone together as Amidullah traded his handmade lute for a cello. 🎻 ⁠
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Picture 4: Ibrahim & his friends managed to beat their teachers in a game of tug of war in workshop class 💪 
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Picture 5: A homemade kite flew high above Agia Eleni refugee camp, made by a family who perfected the skill back home in Afghanistan 🪁 ⁠

Picture 6: Teacher Darius explains the force of gravity to refugee kids in their workshop class about “Us and The Universe” 🌌 ⁠
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Picture 7: We were treated to a beautiful sunset over @pasgianninafc for our highest-ever attendance to a football excursion with 66 attendees! ⚽⁠
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Picture 8: Football action at Agia Eleni sports, whilst teacher Cameron & young Gulsom compare bib sizes in the background 🎽 ⁠
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Picture 9: The brilliant @winduppenguin performed two shows for our refugee communities in Katsikas & Agia Eleni 🎭 ⁠
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April has certainly been a memorable month for our community, and we have plenty more ideas to keep our community thriving. Donate now to make our ideas a reality this May! Link in bio ✨

#refugeeswelcome #everydayrefugees #refugeecrisis #refugeestories #leavenoonebehind #standwithrefugees #refugeesarepeople #solidarity #refugees #refugeecamp #nonprofit #education #volunteer #socialgood #humanitarian #bethechange #donate #causes #fundraising #activism #hope #humanity #humanrights #greece #nonformaleducation #learning #community #handmade #football #sunset
  • 📢 Today is World #PressFreedom Day!⁠
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Greece remains in the bottom half of the 2023 World Press Freedom Index, ranking 107 out of 180 countries. Greece also holds the worst press freedom standards among all EU member states. ⁠
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But why such a low ranking? Swipe left to find out more! ⬆️⁠
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#journalism #pressfreedomday #freedomofexpression #refugeeswelcome #noborders #refugeecrisis #openborders #leavenoonebehind #standwithrefugees #refugeesarepeople #refugees #refugeecamp #nonprofit #humanitarian #humanrights #greece #humanity #causes #aid #humanitarianaid #dogood #rights #ngo #refugeesupport #nomorecamps #europe #opensociety #news #freedomofpress