Together for Children, Trafigura Maritime Ventures & Trafigura Foundation: Providing Equal Opportunities in Education and Healthcare for the Children of Thrace in 2024
In 2024,Together for Children with the valuable support of Trafigura Maritime Ventures and the Trafigura Foundation, strengthened educational and healthcare units in Thrace, offering substantial assistance to students, teachers, and local communities. These initiatives were implemented under the “Together in Border Regions” program, which aims to reduce inequalities in education, healthcare, and mental health in Greece’s remote areas.
Education: Supporting 11 Schools and 1,962 Students
Together for Children supported 11 schools of all levels in Xanthi, Avdira, Topeiros, and Komotini, addressing the needs of 1,962 students and 282 teachers.
The interventions focused on ensuring equal access to modern educational tools for students in remote and border areas. Through the program’s initiatives, collaboration, creativity, innovation, digital literacy, and engagement with new sciences were promoted, helping students across all educational levels develop high-level skills.
Each supported school received materials and equipment tailored to its educational needs and priorities. After on-site visits and close collaboration with teachers, Together for Children provided:
- A fully equipped STEM classroom
- Upgraded science and computer labs
- Enhanced facilities for a special needs integration class
- Physical education materials
- Toys for break-time activity areas
- Sensory integration equipment for a special education school
- Educational materials for preschool children
Healthcare: Strengthening Medical Equipment in Three Health Centers
Under this initiative, essential medical equipment was donated to the Health Centers of Echinos, Avdira, and Stavroupoli, enhancing pediatric services. Donations included vital signs monitors, electrocardiographs, resuscitation bags (Ambu), otoscopes, examination beds, height-measuring devices, weighing scales, thermometers, and optometry charts. These contributions significantly improved healthcare services for infants and children in these regions.
Social Impact in Thrace
Trafigura Maritime Ventures and the Trafigura Foundation have been steady supporters of the “Together in Border Regions” program since 2019. To date, the program’s impact in Thrace includes:
- Supporting 56 schools, benefiting 5,231 students and 728 teachers
- Donating 42 pediatric medical devices to 6 healthcare units (hospitals and health centers)
- Conducting 24 free psychoeducational seminars on family communication, setting boundaries, and anger management, benefiting 339 parents, teachers, and students
Volunteering
Employees of Trafigura Maritime Ventures actively participate in Together for Children’s volunteer initiatives, including:
- The “Collect” campaign, which gathers food and essential items to support child protection organizations across Greece
- The “Secret Santa” initiative, which fulfills the wishes of children living in care facilities
Statements
Tatiana Moulouli, Head of Together for Children’s Border Regions Program, stated:
“Education and healthcare are two fundamental pillars for every child’s future. Through this program, we aim to provide students in remote areas with equal opportunities for knowledge and skill development while equipping teachers with modern tools. Additionally, strengthening local healthcare units plays a crucial role in children’s well-being by providing access to modern and reliable services. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Trafigura Maritime Ventures and the Trafigura Foundation, steadfast supporters of our vision for a society with more opportunities for all.”
Fay Fragkedi, representative of the Trafigura Philanthropy Committee in Athens, added:
“Employees take great pride in supporting Together for Children through various volunteering and fundraising initiatives. The Trafigura Foundation’s financial support, including grants and matching funds, ensures that we can continue making a meaningful difference throughout the year.”
