OUR HISTORY
The Children Support Centre of Elefsis was established in 1964 by the Head Priest of Elefsis Giorgos Pirounakis, for all the children of the city, but especially for the children whose families were facing financial and social problems.
The Friendly Nest, which is the main activity of the Children Support Centre of Elefsis, the children find friendly support for their problems, but at the same time, through organized pedagogical activities, they cultivate their talents and skills. The goal is to mature as personalities and integrate smoothly into society.
At the Friendly Nest, which is the main activity of the Children Support Centre of Elefsis, children receive friendly support for their problems, and at the same time, through organised pedagogical activities, they cultivate their talents and skills. The goal is to mature as personalities and to be smoothly integrated into society.
Today, as global developments significantly affect Greece (economic migrants, political refugees, economic crisis, unemployment, poverty), the Children Support Centre of Elefsis, strongly motivated to actively participate in the development of society, offers a lot of organised psycho social support programmes to children and families not only of Elefsis, but also of the surrounding areas, such as Mandra, Magoula and Aspropyrgos. Βy strongly believing that all the children of the world have the right to equal opportunities in life, we eat together with each and one of the children and occupy them with creative activities on a daily basis.
The Children Support Centre of Elefsis especially these days, when financial issues concern most families every day, focuses on offering children everything they are deprived of. Because of the economic crisis the number of people coming to us, seeking for help is rapidly increasing. These people do need Support Centers like ours.
The main feature of the efforts of our space always was and still is volunteering as a way of life for fellow human beings. These perceptions are strongly expressed by people who, as volunteers, support the vision and goals of Children Support Center of Elefsis and actively participate in its efforts.
Father George Pyrounakis.
The Friendly Nest, which is the main activity of the Children Support Centre of Elefsis, the children find friendly support for their problems, but at the same time, through organized pedagogical activities, they cultivate their talents and skills. The goal is to mature as personalities and integrate smoothly into society.
At the Friendly Nest, which is the main activity of the Children Support Centre of Elefsis, children receive friendly support for their problems, and at the same time, through organised pedagogical activities, they cultivate their talents and skills. The goal is to mature as personalities and to be smoothly integrated into society.
Today, as global developments significantly affect Greece (economic migrants, political refugees, economic crisis, unemployment, poverty), the Children Support Centre of Elefsis, strongly motivated to actively participate in the development of society, offers a lot of organised psycho social support programmes to children and families not only of Elefsis, but also of the surrounding areas, such as Mandra, Magoula and Aspropyrgos. Βy strongly believing that all the children of the world have the right to equal opportunities in life, we eat together with each and one of the children and occupy them with creative activities on a daily basis.
The Children Support Centre of Elefsis especially these days, when financial issues concern most families every day, focuses on offering children everything they are deprived of. Because of the economic crisis the number of people coming to us, seeking for help is rapidly increasing. These people do need Support Centers like ours.
The main feature of the efforts of our space always was and still is volunteering as a way of life for fellow human beings. These perceptions are strongly expressed by people who, as volunteers, support the vision and goals of Children Support Center of Elefsis and actively participate in its efforts.
Father George Pyrounakis.
- 1910 Papa-Giorgis Pyrounakis is born in Milos (his parents came from Sfakia region, Crete).
- 1928 A student of Theology enters the social struggles with irreconcilable passion and special interest in youth. He founded in Piraeus the first night High School in the country, the camps for young workers and the first People's University.
- 1940 He is awarded by the Academy of Athens for his projects. In the same year, the dictatorship of Metaxas stopped its activity.
- 1941-1945 He saves thousands of children from starvation during the occupation with the organization "Friendly Youth Society".
- 1949 He is ordained a priest in Elefsis. His belief is that through the Church, society and man can be regenerated. The Church leadership considers the democratization of the Church and the awakening of the people to be dangerous and persecutes him until the end of his life.
- 1952 He inaugurates in the Mount Pateras, in a privately owned space, the camps "Happy Children - Happy Youth", for the children of Elefsis, which operates until today.
- 1964 The Friendly Youth Nest is established in Elefsis for the children of the city in need.
- 1967 - 74 During the dictatorship he is one of the few priests who declares his opposition to the regime in practice. He preaches to the people, protests against what is happening and strongly defends many resistance fighters in the well-known junta trials. He published the magazine "Problem" with the main slogan "Wake up priest - Wake up people", with which he tries to sensitize all citizens on social, national and theological issues. It raises concerns about nuclear, environmental pollution, Cyprus, etc.
- 1988 He dies in May. However, his spirit with us even today. Through his work he guides us to good and meaningful actions.