By Nefeli Lamis Jordan Shehadeh
On Wednesday, 4th of March 2020 a group of us visited the offices of Caritas Cyprus in Nicosia. There we had the chance to hear about their work with vulnerable groups of people and also, about their work in the Migrant Centre they run.
We started our visit with a discussion with Ms. Elizabeth Kassini’s, the Executive Manager of the organisation, and some other members of the organisation’s staff. They opened our eyes on how many people migrated to our country and are in need of help.
Caritas supports the migrants by helping them with administrative matters, like filling in forms for the government, as they might not understand them, due to language. They also help by providing clothes, shelter and food to those who might need it, due to a lack of access to basic needs. The main office coordinates the work of the organisation, while the Migrant Centre is covering daily needs. The organisation also runs a number of shelters for persons who are homeless, including a shelter for women who are pregnant or have children.
The work of the organisation is supported by volunteers who assist in the daily work at the Migrants’ Centre or the office, or who undertake specific projects, like helping children with their homework.
We are very thankful to Caritas for welcoming us to their premises and giving us the opportunity to see and learn about the difficulties that vulnerable migrants are facing in Cyprus.
More information on Caritas Cyprus is available on their website: https://caritascyprus.org/