Together for Children & Minerva Marine: Supporting 1,162 Students with Significant Interventions in Kalymnos Schools

In 2024, Together for Children implemented interventions in Kalymnos that improved infrastructure and enhanced the educational process in six schools, benefiting a total of 1,162 students and supporting the work of 144 teachers as part of the “Together in Remote Areas” program.

The support provided to the schools included the creation and upgrading of 15 modern educational spaces, as well as enhancements to play and sports areas.

Specifically:

  • At the 1st Vocational High School (EPAL) of Kalymnos, the largest school on the island in terms of student population and one of the largest in the Dodecanese, the equipment in the Electrical and Marine Engineering Laboratories was upgraded. Additionally, video projectors were provided for five classrooms, meeting the needs of 447 EPAL students, as well as those of the co-housed Night EPAL and Vocational Training Institute (IEK) of Kalymnos.
  • At the 3rd Primary School of Kalymnos, a STEM room and a Creative Activities & Playroom were established, featuring educational aids, games for all ages, knowledge and literature books, and sports materials. The intervention aims to offer the school’s 160 students the opportunity to engage with modern sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and other disciplines. Through play, experimentation, and physical activity, they can participate in group activities, gain knowledge, and develop life skills.
  • At the 2nd Nursery School of Chora, Kalymnos, educational materials were modernized, including aids for mathematics, biology, geography, astronomy, and robotics, as well as tools for fine motor skill development and sensory integration. These resources benefit the 20 students of the school. Additionally, a love for reading is encouraged with 150 new book titles.
  • At the Panormos Primary School, attended by 121 children, the Reception Class for Educational Priority Zones (ZEP) was equipped to facilitate the smooth integration of students whose native language is not Greek, along with 218 new book titles.
  • At the 1st Gymnasium of Kalymnos – Nikiforeio, electronic equipment was provided, and the Natural Sciences Laboratory was enriched with additional materials, serving the needs of 240 students.
  • The 3rd Gymnasium received laptops and educational robotics kits to meet the educational needs of its 174 students.

These interventions were made possible thanks to the generous support of Minerva Marine.

Ms. Tatiana Moulouli, Head of the Remote Areas Program Development at Together for Children, stated:
“Through our interventions, we aim to improve the educational conditions in Kalymnos schools so that the children and youth of the island have the necessary resources for their development. We deeply thank Minerva Marine, our valuable partner, for sharing our vision and supporting our efforts to provide every child access to quality education and opportunities to pursue their dreams.”

Captain Ioannis Sakaleros, Representative of Minerva Marine’s Office in Kalymnos, commented:
“We are particularly pleased that our company had the opportunity to support this commendable initiative by Together for Children, which upgraded the infrastructure and educational equipment of Kalymnos schools. True to our commitment to support the local community of Kalymnos – where many of our seafarers, valuable members of our company, originate from and reside – we are always delighted to strengthen actions and initiatives that improve daily life and contribute to the social progress of this island, which is closely tied to our maritime history and tradition.”