SAMA COMMUNITY CENTRE
Sama is a community centre providing activities and services with and for the residents of two refugee camps in Malakasa: the largest camps on mainland Greece.
Refugee camps are deliberately built in isolated locations and organisations are systematically denied access. This means camp residents are unable to easily access the services they need.
We partner with NGOs to provide essential support to people on the move.
“Sama” means sky in Arabic and Kurdish, and is a traditional Persian dance. We carefully selected a name that resonates with the communities we work with.
THE STORY OF SAMA
We began our work in Malakasa through a community-led sports-program, running from 2018 to 2024. During this time, we saw how access to support became more difficult for people living in the camps.
This made the need for a space outside the camp increasingly clear. A place where people could access services more freely and feel part of a community.
In response, we renovated a small taverna in the nearby village and created Sama: a safe and welcoming space within walking distance of both camps.
OUR
VALUES
We are conscientious of where our funding comes from, and we do not engage with groups that are counterproductive to the safety of asylum seekers and global welfare.
This means we do not accept funding from certain institutions: including the EU, governments, and corporations that perpetuate systems of violence or oppression.
Instead, we rely on the generosity of individuals like you, whose contributions allow us to continue supporting our community safely and with integrity.