We Need Books
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Mission Statement
We Need Books is an Athens based NGO that believes that multicultural spaces and books serve several important functions that can be of great benefit to all layers of the population of the city, including marginalized and vulnerable populations such as the approximate 115,000 refugees and asylum seekers living in Greece.
About This Cause
"We Need Books" is a Greek grassroots organization founded in 2017 in response to the refugee crisis, aiming to provide individuals in camps with books in their respective languages. Its efforts are rooted in the firm belief that books serve as a means of social integration and communication across different cultures, thus fostering social cohesion. During its inaugural year, the organization established two libraries for refugees: one in Schisto camp and another in a Caritas shelter. Since then, it has continued to supply refugee shelters and small libraries throughout Greece with books. From October 2018 to July 2019, it conducted a small pilot multilingual library in Plateia Theatrou, as part of the Polis2 program by the municipality of Athens. Building on this experience, in November 2019, it inaugurated Athens' first multilingual library in the Kypseli area, which now boasts a collection of over 16,000 books in more than 60 languages. "We Need Books" views libraries as dynamic entities that mirror and address the needs of the communities they serve. Its services and activities, crafted through discussions with beneficiaries and stakeholders, aim to promote interculturalism. These offerings include after-school homework support, language practice sessions, creative workshops for both children and adults, a parenting support group, and cultural events. "We Need Books" stands out as an atypical NGO, having reached its current status primarily through financial support from individuals who contribute via crowdfunding campaigns, as well as the tireless dedication of its volunteers who have collectively contributed thousands of hours. It embodies a truly inclusive and joyful atmosphere, pioneering innovative approaches to community-building and cherished by its members, who often refer to it as a "haven."