A Garden Paradise for Refugees in the center of Larnaka

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Cypriots and non-Cypriots have come together in the centre of Larnaca to create a new urban garden of earthy delight where refugee families will be able to plant their own vegetables.

The Oasis Refugee Project whose work is entirely volunteer/donation-based, first saw the light of day at Larnaca’s Grace Church about five years ago. It is now supported by five of Larnaca’s Christian communities – the Greek Evangelical Church, Trinity Church, Grace Church, Larnaca Community Church and Home Church.

Today, at any one time, the joint project assists from 30 to 80 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. In late May, volunteers devoted a day-long effort to begin transforming a large space surrounding an old traditional house in the centre of Larnaca into a flower and vegetable paradise.

“The Cyprus Permaculture Association visited us numerous times and made detailed plans as to what we would need to do to create the garden,” recalls Heather Lewis-Shayesteh, one of the coordinators of the Oasis Project Centre, which operates out of the old house. Their aim is a practical project designed to help refugees, asylum seekers and migrant workers in the Larnaca area.

Once a week, on Mondays, the centre prepares around 75 bags of fresh vegetables. These are a welcome treat among the resource-strapped families who visit the centre, providing them with nutritional choices and variety that might otherwise be unaffordable and unavailable to them.

The centre has a wide range of activities directed at making the life of Cyprus-based immigrants a bit easier. One hub of activity is the social café where visitors and clientele can talk, play games or simply relax. Greek and English language classes are available. Clothing is distributed.

The centre also offers film screenings, sports events, barbeques and a range of workshops for the handicapped and for skills development. An informal translation/interpreter service is also in place to help clients in need of assistance when visiting hospitals or government offices.