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The number of people
As for as the number of people accepted in Kozani is concerned, it is important that there is a balance between the locals and refugees. The number of the refugees accepted should be the ten percentage of the local population, as in the successful example of Tilos. Otherwise, locals might feel threatened by the refugees. -
Accomodation
Any vacant, abandoned houses can be made available to the refugees, especially to families with young children. Another idea could be to talk to global organizations and convince them to build a camp for the rest of the refugees. Having a permanent residence will help refugees settle down and become part of the local society more easily. -
Entrepreneurship
Creating job opportunities for the refugees is of vital importance in order for them to feel useful and creative. Women can work in house cleaning or as waitresses in local restaurants. Men can work as craftsmen at local bysinesses or in the production and harvesting of safran. -
The ways school can help
Older students should be encouraged to help younger refugee school children with their homework. This will help build a relationship between the two. The local authorities should convince teachers to volunteer and offer Greek lessons to the children in the afternoon to help them learn the language. Also refugee children could be invited to birthday parties or join local children when they do sports or play in the central square. -
The local community benefits
Refugees can help the local community and its economy. Farmers have problems finding field workers so refugees can work in the fields. They can also offer some knowledge regarding the cultivation of plants. They can work as shop assistants, in bakeries and in all kinds of hard labour. Unfortunately, young people do not want to work in this kind of jobs. Moreover, refugees can enrich local communities with their customs, traditions and culture.