ABOUT US
"We came together because it was simply the right thing to do…in a world full of darkness, we are showing that humanity can prevail. Our biggest mission is not only to nurture bodies but also to nurture souls. Better Days is fueled by the incredible power of open hearts and minds."Our Story
Together for Better Days is a Swiss-registered non-governmental organisation formally founded by Elena Moustaka and Anrika Velychko in Zurich in January 2015 in response to the influx of refugees on Lesvos, Greece. Shortly thereafter, we established Better Days Greece, our Greek entity. Together we are known as ‘Better Days’. Our first project was the Olive Grove, an unofficial camp adjacent to Moria Camp to support the needs of thousands of people passing through Lesvos. During its first six months of operation, Better Days and its partners provided aid (medical, food, shelter, and non-food items) to approximately 70,000 people.
Our Story
Over the Years
2015
Founded
Better Days was founded to provide emergency aid to refugees sleeping rough in sub zero conditions.
Nov 2015 - Apr 2016
Olive Grove Camp
The Olive Grove was an informal camp adjacent to the Moria hotspot providing medical care, food, NFI distribution, shelter and information.
Jun 2016 - Dec 2016
Elpida Home
Elpida home was an alternate model for accommodation in a warehouse context established after the evacuation of Eidomini.
Aug 2017 - Active
Gekko Kids
School for unaccompanied and separated children providing alternate models of education through Social Emotional learning methodologies in a trauma aware environment.
Sep 2017 - Active
EcoHub
Permaculture garden in a refugee community centre.
Mar 2018 - Mar 2019
Tapuat
Tapuat is a child and family support hub providing non formal education for children and protection and educational activities for mothers.
Feb 2019 - Active
Socrates
Socrates Sports and Development provides football to UASC with a dedicated socio-emotional learning focus.
Jun 2019 - Active
Gekko X
Gekko X provides science, technology and arts programming to UASC including Theatre, Photography, Robotics and 3D printing.
Dec 2019 - Active
Themida / UASC Moria
Themida provides legal aid to UASC applying for family reunification. The program involves identification, locating and monitoring of UASC living outside the formal camp and NFI distribution.
Our Projects
Better Days runs a wide variety of projects focused on responding to the needs of displaced populations. Those we help are at the heart of everything we do.
Our Philosophy
We embrace participatory practices, supporting and collaborating with local actors, and fostering agency among the communities we support. Underlying everything we do is the simple belief that everyone, everywhere, deserves to be treated with dignity and humanity.
Our Team
Elena Moustaka
Managing Director & Co-founder
Andrew Foley
Director - Co-Founder
Dan Teuma
Emergency Response & Programming Director
Romane Bernet
Program Coordinator
Anna Taxeidi
Compliance Officer
Daniel Larios
Outreach & Communications Coordinator
Maro Galanou
Chief Financial Officer
Nasir Haidary
Cultural Mediator & IT Officer
Kleopatra Nikiforou
Liaison / Outreach Officer
Olga Saliampoukou
Photographer
Elena Panagiotopoulou
Senior Protection Officer / Psychologist
Magda Veloutsou
Procurement Officer