Ararat (AMKE) is a non-for-profit organization (NGO), born out of ELBA, an inter-Balkan project on social economy. It aims to spread the concept of solidarity and responsible tourism by raising awareness of tourists and the local population by offering travelling services with a focus on solidarity issues across Greece.
More specifically, Ararat aims to:
– Establish links between the Caritas organizations abroad and local Caritas in Greece and/or other organizations and dioceses. – Inform visitors about the social reality of the hosting country and the impact of the different social projects that are currently taking place in Greece, by various institutions, both inside and outside of Caritas network;
– Assist visitors in the co-organization of their travels which include, (in addition to their hospitality in a number of local Catholic premises), an introduction to the different social projects run by Caritas network and the possibility of active involvement, through voluntary work. – Enable the local community, the visitors and the social and humanitarian project that are in partnership with Ararat to empower each another, through the creative inter-exchange of skills, knowledge and competences.
Ararat helps in taking care of your travelling needs from the planning to the implementation of the journey. The main aim is to spread the idea of responsible and solidarity traveling.
SOCIAL – HUMANITARIAN PROGRAM Such involvement has included till present recreational, manual and other specific activities relevant to the volunteer’s individual skills or experience.
ORGANIZED TOURS & SOLIDARITY TESTIMONIES Visitors have the opportunity to participate at a number of organized tours in the following three thematic areas: – conventional – alternative (developed with a concept in mind) -solidarity (with a specific solidarity / social component in focus). The testimony sessions can include topics like social and solidarity economy, the refugee crisis and many others …
ACCOMMODATION The groups of travelers shall be accommodated in appropriate premises that operate in partnership with Ararat. Such premises do provide autonomous accommodation facilities, however, they do also host Greek and refugee families, as they are part of humanitarian projects. CATERING Visitors can enjoy their meals on a number of occasions, organized in the different sheltering premises. They have the opportunity to test their own cooking skills, learn from cooking together, experiment with a number of different cuisines (Armenian, Greek, Syrian, etc.).Furthermore, they can participate in parties, community dinners with the wider community of guests, volunteers and personnel of the programs.
ARARAT SOLIDARITY TRAVE LS