School work? What...?!

I present to you a group photo of the 2nd Diapolitistiko School of Plateia Vathis.

Within the photo you can see four of our volunteers with lots and lots of young smiley faces (this was suppose to be a funny picture)!

I get a lot of questions with my use of the term 'School Work.'  Therefore, I'm going to take the time to explain its meaning.

Each week, I begin by posting a request (like this) on facebook:
"One of the projects that Streetlights frequently does is a broad social work in school of Bathis Square (a depressed area of Athen's center). It includes a two hour weekly program and there is a need for VOLUNTEERS ... hint, hint. The activity operates on Thursday from 2 to 4 in the afternoon and 22 kids ages 13-15 years old participate on average. If someone is interested and speaks Greek, please send a message to get in touch!!!"

I stay open to the fact that a lot of people want to participate in projects that have to do school, so I try to keep a look out for such people :)

After that I move along to create an outline of what the time scheduled will be (I try and make this as clear as possible), this way all the volunteers know what to expect and know what will be required of them. I try to avoid any confusion since we are dealing with a large group and we need the team to be on the same page, focused on what each team member will be doing.

The schedule usually looks like this:

THURSDAY SCHOOL PLAN.2:00pm – 2:10pm Arrival and chill with the kids. Balloon animals?2:10 – 2:30pm Ice breaker games. 22:30 – 2:50pm Watch the movies from last week. Laugh.
2:50 – 3:00pm Break. Chill with kids. More Balloon animals?3:00 – 3:05pm Get into 4 groups.3:05pm – 3:50pm ain activity: The “MUSIC VIDEO”.3:50pm – 4:00pm Icebreaker and finish off.

Each team leader is given a paper with the schedule. Before we go to the school, we like everyone to debrief together and make sure everyone has an understanding of the plan. Usually when we arrive at the school, the students can be found "all talking at the same time" or blowing off steam by hitting each other - their actions are similar to unsupervised sibling relations. Therefore, in order to create peace and some sort of order we begin by asking the students to tell us what the team's values should be! We remind them our simple answers: to enjoy our time together, to respect one another, no hitting, or swearing, to listen...etc. Furthermore, each time we go to the school we take time to remind the whole group that these are the teams values and this is what we live by.

Why do we do video? Its a very current topic, it teaches each student a skill, it gives a quick reward, and its something they can't find anywhere else.

Prayer needs:
We would love to be able to continue next year running this program, by increasing the days we go to the school (from one to two).  Also, we hope to have an end of the year festival.

On another note I want to share two videos that Isaac Owen has made during his visit with us. These are just two small clips that show the school work, streetlights, and my house! please enjoy and do follow Isaac's small video adventures as he continues to travel!

Video #1: Streetlights / My Home

Video #2: School Work / Streetlights

just a fast update

i have two things to share with you today

on Friday the 29th we plan to have life web-streaming during our youth cafe that has a focus on fundraising. You can assess this on:
www.streetlights.gr
we will be going live at 7pm our local time till 10pm. This will be a small preview of our youth cafe is and the crazy events that take place. We are excited to have a lot of young bands and musicians sharing their art, so join in if you can :)


Meet the legends

is a small introduction video of the school work Streetlights has begun in Platia Bathis. We are very very very blessed to have partnered with this school and are very privileged to become friends with the students there. We hope to expand our programs there come September, until then enjoy the smiley faces.

school work beginning

just a small update on recent events:
today is the day!...
today a group of four volunteers from Streetlights began their first hours of school work.
We went to a school in an area called "Vathi Square" which is known to be a rough -even ghetto- area of down town Athens. We entered a school that is known for its students being foreigners. For most of the students, Greek is their second language. The room was filled with 20 students, all of them around the age of 13-14, boys and girls. And we were given 2 school hours to run our after-school activity ; which focused on filming. We spent some time getting to know the students and setting some ground rules and principles that we all agreed on, after that we spent some time in front of the camera so the students could feel comfortable. It wasn't long until the room was filled with laughter and smiles; it was a great experience to meet each and every one of these kids and just hang out with them for two hours on a Thursday afternoon. Our plan is to continue our weekly two hour visit up until the summer and to end our season with a bang; we will be having a party where we can show all the wonderful talents that were brought to the surface!

Here is an snapshot from today's class: our volunteers Philemon and Babis heading off a discussion on what the kids would like to create with this opportunity. :) 

long time no see

Hello reader,

It has been a while since I wrote a little update on my life. It's hard to sum up all the experiences and memories into one major post. It might be pointless to do so. As many of you are either reading this for the first time or have read previously other post but have forgotten.

Who am I? I am a 21 year old trying to figure out what to do in life and how to get things done. I work with many people and love meeting new people all in the hope of change. Changing my view/heart/understanding of life but also in the hope that I may affect those around me. I hope to make the world a brighter place. I work with an Organisation called Streetlights, located in down town Athens. This organisation's target is to help young people express themselves creatively/emotionally/physically/spiritually and they do so in many many different ways. From small groups, to training people to film and make videos, or even creative outdoor flash mobs or day trips. We now even have a small Youth Cafe that we run twice a week, with activities such as board game nights, karaoke, or live music and of course a free cup of chocolate is given to anyone that will receive it. This is one way of change occurring.

This type of organisation is not something that you will find easily. It's made out of strong individuals who  believe in change and believe that change begins first  in ourselves. This group gives me hope, for a better tomorrow. Because if the world had more groups like this one so many needs could be met. So I can proudly  say I am a streetlighter.

Something new has entered my world recently, the idea and possibility of creating a documentary. Not just any kind of documentary but one that focuses on a social issue that is much larger; not only does it affect Greece but the whole world. Many people live off of this issue and build mansions and castles. It has to do with social injustice, that many are trying to address and do something about. I am speaking about modern day slavery. The business that makes more money than any man should ever need. Trafficking of women, young girls, and even children. In the beginning I wasn't sure how to approach this issue but over a period of time I came to see how by filming and creating such a documentary could in fact bring about change. Greece is affected by this issue and it is sad to see how ignorant the majority of the population is about this issue. I must admit I'm excited to see this opportunity unfold. And to see what other opportunities present themselves.

Living life isn't enough. The question that keeps going off in my head is "what is of worth", looking back on my life I want to see things that are of value to myself but others. A big house with a nice yard and a white fence isn't my understanding of life, but a life filled with self-fulfilment and purpose is. The ways we reach our goal is not as important as the goal itself, but are equal in value. The people that love and affect us help shape who we are, and that is something that we all take to the grave.


I would like to share with you a video that I made recently, it's about the work that the Set Free Movement has been doing. This video was made to cover a specific need but it sums up a lot of truth and purpose into a 3 minute clip. If you have any questions please do contact me at mariettakalilong@gmail.com anytime. http://vimeo.com/57204083

one by one the days go by

For those reading this blog for the first time, please know I have a reason for writing.  Yes, posting blogs and interacting online is common, but know I am not a crazy blogger nor do I have a natural habit to journal.  However, the reason I choose to maintain this blog is for my family and friends, along with hopefully knew friends.  My goal is to help others understand and know what keeps me as busy as a bee these days.

Not to mention, allow others to see life through my eyes.

Four months have passed since my wedding day, and three since I officially moved to Athens where I've embarked on a new journey and adventure.  I must confess, I love the big city.  I love being able to drive around on my moped, because it's become so much easier to familiarize with the downtown area of Athens.  I may keep getting lost, finding myself in confusing and dangerous situations while driving downtown, but I love it.  My moped has spoiled me because I am completely over walking and taking the bus everywhere!

As for the reason for this very post - I realize it has been a while since I've shared my news.  Actually, my last time, I believe, was right after my return from England. As seen in my previous post, I got the privilege to enjoyed a week of training and discovering new things about myself and life.  Now, with my return home, I've settled into a weekly schedule.  Truthfully, it's a very wonderful thing to have.

Here's a look into my current main projects at Streetlights:

ANTI-BULLYING
Recently, the streetlights team has been forming and applying a new anti-bullying awareness package.  What does this mean?  Gathering data, figuring out how to approach this sensitive subject in Greek schools and coming up with the appropriate advance and message.  When the scheduling and all the information comes together, I hope to present our findings to the local schools and speak in classrooms about the importance of anti-bullying.  I am extremely exciting about this opportunity taking roots and the Streetlights team is coming along nicely, in concern to this project.  I have dreamt of anti-bullying being addressed in Greece, but have never thought or expected anything would come to pass.  However, it's amazing to see what is slowly set in motion.

YOUTH CAFE!
I'm very proud to announce that the youth cafe is set up and ready for action!  We have painted and set up the place and it looks absolutely beautiful, and definitely ready hold it's first activity nights.  The schedule for the Youth Cafe! is still being formed but my role is to oversee the whole project.  I am helping train other youth workers how to mentor but also how to run the group activities.  I cannot tell you how much I love my role for this project!  Especially, because I can see how my past experience and time as an Intern, at a church in England called Renewal, has affected me greatly and definitely has prepared me to lead in this very area.

MAMADOLOGIO (a.k.a. YOUNG MOMS GROUP)
I play an active role in supporting this group of young moms grow.  This past weekend, we finished a two-day seminar.  Our main speakers were two ladies from Australia.  Very wonderful ladies who took time to come and encourage the young moms.  They taught and trained a whole set of Greek mothers.  The time was very fruitful and therefore, I am excited to see this fruit continue to grow in the following months.

KYPSELI
The last but not least main project!  Kypseli is an area in Athens, very ghetto-like.  The Streetlights group has not officially began organized any active way to influence this area.  However, we have been in the stage of processing and planning our form of action.  The work-at-mind for Kyspeli is very simple.  We plan to go to the Kypseli square once a week (during the early evening) and come along with the many children who gather to play and spend time with them.

There you have it!  These are the main projects keeping busy Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.  Of course, there are many other things that should also be taking up my time.  However, I am very blessed to work with a team such as Streetlights.  Especially, because our work is building a better tomorrow and future for all of us.

There is a thunderstorm of fire coming

Four days have past since I returned from my trip to England and I can already sense the ways I was affected by it. 

I stayed in a small town outside Birmington, at a place called "House of bread at the Mill" - it was a beautiful location in which apromaxetly 20 participants were there for an one-week course. Our outline was living with God, living with others and living with yourself. This whole week was facilitated by the Fusion International team. I must admit God choices the most incredible ways to shape us. Each time I think I've understood the hand manual a new addition is added. I entered this one-week course believing I would find solitude and refreshment but instead God challenged me to the core of my beliefs, in order to refine me in ways I thought not possible.

If not stronger I came out victorious. 

As I left England I felt an ache in my heart, I love that land and the work people do there and at times I think life there would be so much easier and delightful. 

However, as I rode the air-plane home my heart began to fill with excitement, even as I returned home my eyes began to fix on the true prize. I know I'm not called to ease but of a life of pure dependency on grace. All the goodness I have come to know and love in lands far away from my own home, I desire to see them take shape within my own people. Yet again I returned to a city where streets are blocked, protests are taking place and beggars overwhelm the people. This is sad because even though people would usually respond to such needs, the people of this city have become numb. It is very difficult to address issues such as the homelessness, child abuse (neglect, prostitution, and taken advantage of) drugs, red light districts, sex trafficking, bullying etc.when, people's homes are in danger of being taken by the bank. Upon thinking of Greece you naturally think of banckrupsy, but no one thinks of the new issues created such as ghettos, gags, drugs, sex trafficking etc. This is a dramatic change for Greece, anyone who has lived or stayed in Greece will become aware of one ultimate truth: family is the strongest bond. To Greeks family is everything, but through this economical crisses we see that  this strong bond begins to break/change the core of our nations beliefs. I can't even imagine how 2013 will develop but I know it's time to do things a little differently. It's time we begin to live differently.

Rudolph Bahro said, "When the forms of a culture are dying, the new culture is created by a few people who are not afraid to be insecure."

I (we) am called to a life greater than myself. What does it mean to be the light? When I walk into a house that I just bought what are my first actions? I firstly access my house, what is good and what is not. If my kitchen's pluming is not working, I am not going to keep living as if it is fine. I need to replace it. If I don't my house will flood and new problems will be created. So when I walk in the streets of my own town, I need to find what is not working. I need to understand what dangers are around me, how I can help. I no longer desire a vain life to which I spend my days finding nice things to do for myself. I desire to live in a refined world/City in which through struggles it becomes pure.    

blog entree #2

Here's an update and a small introduction about the leadership team of Streetlights:

Philemon and Eva 

Philemon has left for Australia. In the next two weeks, he will be visiting churches, radio shows and news papers giving presentations, in order to fundraise for Streetlights.  His expected return to Athens is on the 28th of October.

Eva (Philemon's wife) is staying in Thessaloniki, Greece during her husband's absence.  As mentioned before, she is the coordinator for Streetlight's 'Young Moms' program.  Currently, she is staying in communication with the office and continues to lead the young moms group by broadcasting weekly videos.  She is expected to return on the 28th as well.



Therefore, until the 28th of October, Meta, Babis and I are left to run the office.

Meta and her three children

Meta (mother of three and sister to Philemon) oversees the media productions, and runs the streetlights radio show on a weekly basis that is broadcasted on Godradio.gr.

This is Babis!

Babis oversees the youth cafe and streetstore. He has a strong entepreneurial spirit that leads him to connect and support young adults and people around him.

And here's a picture of me.

And I run the Internships program and the Outreach to Local and International Churches.








I am please to anounce Streetlights will be functioning as a Youth Cafe this year. However, it will not be an ordinary youth cafe, because the cafe will run three afternoons a week with themed activities. We hope to accomplish an open door for youth interaction. Specifically, to create an atmosphere of acceptance, creativity, and empowerment for the young people. One of the events that will take place in the Youth Cafe is called "Κρύα Σοκολάτα" (Kria Sokolata) which means Cold Chocolate. A time for music and a drink of cold chocolate. During this event, young people will share time together enjoying the company of musicians who preform live their own songs or cover songs.  All the while, drinking a cold chocolate drink! This will be a consistent event in the following weeks and months, with live web streaming.

Although, the room for the cafe is still under construction I am happy to inform that our most recent and first hosting was a success. The evening was very blessed, the feeling of excitement was in the air as the room was filled with about 25-36 Streetlighters. Everyone enjoyed their cold chocolate and dreamed of how the youth cafe will continue to grow.

Here is a link of the recording of the night, it is in Greek but you can see how the night went:
http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/25938500

This week's project

On Thursday we will be holding a small arts and crafts workshop. A time for young people to participate and help us decorate the youth cafe with their creations.

On the 19th of October, I will be traveling to Thessaloniki to participate at a confrence taking place on the 20th called "I have a voice." This confrence is organised by the "24 hour watch for Greece" that fuctions as intercessional prayer for Greece, and for the first time they are organising a youth confrence. I will be traveling to participate as a member of the confrence. The workshops philosophy is how to unite art with prayer and worship. How God speaks to us in images and how we can transfer those images unto paper. :) I am very excited about this!  

On the 21st I will be traveling to London England for a week long of training, under Fusion International organization. This is also very exciting as I will be given the oportunity to reflect upon my life, God and what God has called me in life to do. Please pray that God blesses that time. 

On the 28th I will return to Athens, Greece where I will begin my classes at Mediterranean College as a second year studying in HND Counceling and Psychology. I'm also very happy for my change in schedual and it looks like I will be attending class twice a week, monday and wendsday from 5-9pm. I am very eager to see what God will teach me this year. :)

Please continue to pray for the work here in Greece. 

We had some crazy riots the other day and the whole downtown area was in lock down. There is a lot of pressure for answers and solutions. But I feel as if Streetlights is still fighting for its place here in the city, it is important we walk in victory and in God promices. The constant struggle for funds distracts the teams true prurpoce. 

I continue to look for monthly supporters, if God puts it in your heart to support me you can do so here: 

https://give.fmcusa.org/kali-long