The Smile of the Child

The dramatic situation of children and families in crisis-hit Greece and today’s financial deadlock in which “The Smile of the Child” finds itself were presented to national media and foreign correspondents today during a press conference that was held by the Greek NGO for children in Athens, Greece. “The Smile of the Child” with zero financial liquidity and zero donations at the current moment is experiencing a financial deadlock while requests for help and assistance are soaring from children and families with children. “We are very anxious if we will be able tomorrow to stand by those children in need. Today we need to consider cutting down our human resources, our actions and services for children and families. Greece is financially falling apart and under this situation “The Smile of the Child” is also falling apart. Even though today we are here, tomorrow we don’t know if we will be able to stand by those children in need of support” said Costas Giannopoulos, President of the BoD of the Greek Organization.60.804 children and their families were supported over the 1st Semester of 2015 through a wide spectrum of activities in health, welfare and direct intervention for children at risk. In 2014 “The Smile of the Child” supported 82.802 children and their families all across the country.Potential cuts in the actions of “The Smile of the Child” imply detrimental consequences to children and families in need. The services of the Greek NGO are more crucial and necessary than ever before due to the worst effects of the current financial and social crisis that Greece is undergoing. The medical mobile units of intensive care for newborns and children, the Amber Alert mechanism, the National Helpline SOS 1056 and so many other services are providing a safe net of protection for children that needs to sustained. (Photo: smile of child)