Bahar

This year has brought so many changes for Bahar, keeping up and keeping going has been tough at times. Yet through community and solidarity we have created a space for refugees and asylum seekers to set up and run community centered projects in Athens. As is often the case in this work, things have grown far beyond what we could ever have visualised when things had just begun. Thanks to the enthusiasm and imagination of migrant communities in Athens.

The success and popularity of Bahar and the many projects we are supporting is entirely testament to the core vision we began with back in January. Refugees and asylum seekers have the skills, knowledge and passion to empower and engage their communities.

From first getting access to the space in October, we have seen interest and enthusiasm from the community steadily grow. Starting with English classes, painting lessons and creative writing, within a week word spread, interest grew and we had over 10 project proposal forms!

Current projects are:

• English class (2 levels) 
• Creative writing (In English and Farsi) 
• Painting lessons 
• A first aid and medical emergency course 
• Yoga classes
• A visual art project

Projects set to start in 2022 are: 

• Music classes 
• Fashion design and jewellery making
• Drama and acting
• Tattoo-style art practice
• Farsi debating/discussion class 
• Photography project
  
  

The budget and required support varies from project to project, and we hope to be able to provide all materials that project leaders request. To be able to do this, we estimate that we need 3,000 euros. 

This will go towards things like camera equipment, material and sewing equipment, musical instruments, a projector, a laptop, art materials like paint, canvases and brushes, jewellery-making materials and hopefully costumes for the final production of the drama class!

As you probably know, we are a small grassroots association and we hope to stay this way. Nobody in Bahar is paid and our general overhead is low. All money is put into running the projects. We are open and transparent about how we choose to allocate funds, and will never take money from groups that seek to control how we spend money.

We would like to extend endless gratitude for standing with all of us through this turbulent year. Your solidarity and support means the world, whether you are in the financial situation to donate or not.

Bahar is more than a learning center or school. It is an example of what can be achieved through participation, integration and community, a thriving alternative to capitalistic responses to crises and inequality.

So while we ask for your financial support, we ask for your imagination and hope in equal measure, to stand with us in the belief that building community and creative spaces for social change is more powerful than any oppressive regime or divisive governments.