As Greece continues to endure economic and humanitarian crises, one issue in particular is plaguing the country in a severe way — dropping birth rates.
The country’s fertility rate — about 1.35 births per woman, is among the lowest in Europe, and well below the rate of 2.1 needed for a stable population, not accounting for immigration.
HOPEgenesis is working to change these alarming statistics.
Founded in 2015, the Greek NGO aims to provide comprehensive medical care and treatment for women in remote rural areas or isolated islands who become pregnant until the day they give birth. The overall mission is to contribute to the revival, development and the gradual increase of Greece’s population.
Last month, the organization reached a critical milestone by assisting in the birth of its 100th child.
HOPEgenesis focuses mainly on women who live in remote rural areas or isolated islands in Greece. In order to be more effective, the charity has established close collaboration with local communities in order to provide the necessary assurances to women who are or want to become pregnant.
The organization’s research has shown that the key reasons for low birth rates in these areas are not purely economic. Insecurity and lack of medical facilities have also contributed to this situation.
HOPEgenesis provides women living in remote areas, which lack prenatal provisions, with a wide range of services and care. The goal is to reverse the alarmingly negative birth rates in such regions.
HOPEgenesis has provided aid for more than 200 families in its three and a half years of work. In addition to the 106 babies that have already been born, another 95 births are expected in the coming months.
The organization operates in 354 regions, 317 of which are remote continental villages and 37 are Greece’s southernmost islands. The HOPEgenesis staff includes more than 60 doctors, midwives and other health professionals, as well as more than 90 volunteers.
In April, the New York-based Greek America Foundation made a $5000 grant to HOPEgenesis. The grant is helping the organization provide travel and accommodation for pregnant women to medical centers; offer maternal care at reliable, nurturing hospitals; deliver coverage for emergencies that might occur during pregnancy; and cover all maternity labor costs and provide mothers with transportation and accommodation at locations close to the medical centers during labor week.
HOPEgenesis is one of six Greek charities that the Greek America Foundation is supporting financially through its #ChildrenOfGreece campaign. The campaign aims to build a sense of awareness among North Americans about the challenges faced by children in Greece.
The foundation has invited supporters to offer help by donating their birthday or becoming an Ambassador of Hope for the campaign.
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