The Learning Refuge

Who we are

A safe place in Paphos where refugee, asylum and local women and children learn, belong, and are not alone.

We are one of Paphos' longest-running volunteer groups: a registered Cyprus association, around 30 volunteers. Just food, classes, workshops and someone on your side, since 2016.

2016running every week since

250+children supported

25-30families helped weekly

100%volunteer-run · zero salaries

Music class

Mosaic workshop

Art workshop

Art and homework club

Sewing circle

Our volunteers

What we do

Practical help, learning, and a community to belong to

Practical support

Food bags, medicines and travel cards
Clothes and shoes, especially for children
Household and baby essentials
School uniforms, bags and stationery
Emergency supplies for families in need

Learning and workshops

Greek and English language classes
Homework support for school children
Art, music, theatre and mosaic workshops
Sewing circle for women

Community and guidance

Listening and evaluating needs
Guidance with family issues
Access to Cyprus Refugee Council and UNHCR expertise
Free and confidential

We stand beside the most vulnerable in our community

Single mothers and their children
Women enduring violence and oppression
People facing eviction and homelessness
Those facing religious or ethnic persecution
Adults and children living with trauma
Adults and children with special needs

* As volunteers we are exempt from any responsibility for any legal, medical or official matters affecting beneficiaries.

Donate

Small amounts do real things here

We are a small local centre, run entirely by volunteers, so nothing disappears into overheads. Pick a goal, or simply give, and we'll use it where it's needed most this week.

Until 30 June

Winter shoes for 40 children

Good shoes are the thing parents ask us for most. €25 buys one solid pair from the factory outlet in Paphos.

€1,240of €2,000

62%26 donors

Every month

Keep our doors open

Rent and utilities for the centre cost €650 a month. A few steady standing orders would cover it for good.

€380of €650 / month

58%11 donors

For September

School kits for 30 children

Backpack, notebooks, pencils and a uniform shirt: €30 sends one child to school with everything they need.

€510of €900

57%19 donors

Bank transfers reach us with zero fees: 100% of your gift goes to the project.

Our story

Ten years, one street at a time. Still here.

2016

A handful of Paphos volunteers start collecting food and clothes for refugee families.

2017

First Greek and English classes: twelve women, one borrowed classroom.

2019

Collaboration with Caritas International to provide regular food distribution for needy families.

2020

Lockdowns: we deliver emergency food parcels door-to-door across Paphos.

2021

A grant from the Passionists Congregation (UK and Ireland) funds the rental of a new home: 30 Alexandrou Papagou, Paphos.

2023

We receive Association status, a Cyprus-registered non-profit organisation with registration No ΠΑΦ/Σ/0172.

2024–2026

We continue to welcome our volunteers and expand our presence in Paphos. Join our community!

2026

We are now appealing for your continued help to stay open, active and always aware of those in need!

Where your support goes

Direct help: food, clothes, classes, supplies86%

Rent and utilities for the centre14%

Salaries: we are all volunteers0%

Registered and recognised

Registered Cyprus association · Reg. no. ΠΑΦ/Σ/0172 Caritas Paphos ↗ Pan-Cyprian Volunteerism Council ↗

Most weeks it's shoes, homework and someone to listen. Small things, until they're yours.

MariaVolunteer coordinator, since 2017

Get help

Need help? Just come.

If you or your children need food, clothes, classes or simply advice, come and see us, or write first. We will find a way to understand each other.

No documents needed Always free Confidential

Message us on WhatsApp +357 99 595385

Address

30 Alexandrou Papagou, Paphos
Open in Google Maps →

Open hours

Tuesday and Thursday 10:00–14:00
Saturday 09:00–12:00

We speak

English, Greek, Arabic, and we always find a way.

Our entrance: look for the heart

Volunteer

Two hours a week is enough

Teachers, artists, musicians and helping hands are always welcome, whatever your background or beliefs. Pick a role, send one message, done.

Tutor

Help children with homework, or teach basic English or Greek to women. No teaching degree needed.

Tue or Thu, 16:00–18:00 I'm in! Message us

Workshop leader

Run art, music, theatre, mosaic or sewing sessions. Share whatever you love doing.

Flexible: you set the rhythm I'm in! Message us

Saturday helper

Sort donations, pack food bags, set up the room. The engine room of everything we do.

Saturday, 09:00–12:00 I'm in! Message us

Driver

Pick up donations around Paphos and bring supplies to families who can't reach us.

A few hours, flexible I'm in! Message us

Quick answers

Do I need experience or a teaching degree?

No. Warmth and showing up reliably matter far more. Experienced volunteers will guide you through your first sessions.

Do I need to speak Greek?

No, English is enough for almost every role, and Arabic or Farsi are a wonderful bonus.

How much time do I have to commit?

Two hours a week for a month or two is genuinely useful. Tell us what you can give and we'll build around it.

Can I join if I'm not religious, or from another country?

Of course. We welcome volunteers of every background and belief, exactly like the families we support.

Bring things

This week we're collecting

Warm jackets, ages 6–1012 of 20

School kits: backpack and stationery8 of 30

Working laptops for classes0 of 2

Nappies size 4–5 and baby formulaalways welcome

Drop-off: 30 Alexandrou Papagou, Paphos. Tue and Thu 10:00–14:00, Sat 09:00–12:00. Everything goes straight to families, never to resale.

Learning, belonging, and a place to feel safe.