Hamogelo

“Hamogelo,“The Smile of the Child”, is a voluntary organisation for the protection of children, which began 28 years ago as a vision of the 10-year old Andreas Yannopoulos. 

Andreas passed away at the age of ten after battling cancer from the age of nine.  His dreams, however, did not dissipate with his passing.  Instead, they became the Vision for The Smile of a Child.

Andreas kept a diary.  And, in this diary, he asked his father to help all children live a healthy and happy life. His wishes and dreams came true and live on at The Smile of a Child.  His encouragement is what inspires the organisation to reach more children and families in need.

Hamogelo is run by committed professionals with the support of hundreds of volunteers. Throughout Greece it implements all kinds of programmes for the welfare and protection of the physical and psychological health, as well as for the safety, of thousands of children in danger. The organisation is funded exclusively by monetary donations from the public and donations (both in money and kind) by corporations, which contribute towards the numerous needs faced by the children.”

In Corfu, the support center of “The Smile of the Child” assists families with financial difficulties and the serious medical issues that their children go through. This place is also used for the storage and distribution of food and hygiene products that the families utilise.”

Melissa

The Melissa Foundation was founded by parents in 1983 to address the deficiencies in government services for mentally disabled children.

The association represents those with Autism Spectrum disorders, Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. In essence it represents those who cannot defend their rights and have no voice in society and strives to improve living conditions and educational opportunities for mentally-handicapped people, while also supporting their families.

In the beginning Melissa provided outreach to the families of disabled children who were overwhelmed and isolated. Since then it has lobbied the government to establish special-education schools on the island and has established its own private, vocational school for children over the age of 14 for whom no other educational opportunities existed. At present, a fully-functioning bakery operates out of the school and sells to retailers. In addition, the school provides music, art and physical education as well as excursions and summer camps.

The association continues not only to provide support but also to promote awareness within the local community of the challenges that the disabled face. To this end it organises educational seminars for caregivers, teachers and the general public as well as engages in a variety of public fundraising activities.

The Children’s and Youth Choir

The “St. Spyridon” Choir was founded in September 2023, under the auspices of the Holy Metropolis of Corfu and is conducted by maestra Christina Kalliaridou, who also directs all the choral ensembles. Together with the Children’s and Youth Choir, supported by the Corfu Arts Foundation, it includes the following:

• The Preparatory Department
• The Women’s Choir
• The Children’s Department in Korakiana, Corfu

All ensembles also serve as training laboratories for students of the Ionian University’s Department of Music Studies, specialising in Conducting Children’s, School and Youth Choirs, under the guidance of maestra Kalliaridou.

The “St. Spyridon” Choir places particular emphasis on the educational dimension of choral practice, promoting both basic and lifelong music education on the island of Corfu. On 20 July 2025, the Children’s and Youth Choir won the Golden Award at the 14th World Peace Choral Festival in Vienna. Competing in the category of mixed youth choirs , they presented an ‘a cappella’ programme including Viva la musica (I. Eröd), Locus iste (A. Bruckner), Brotherly Love (P. Vlastos) and Hope lingers on (L. Schneckenburger). The choir can be followed on all social media platforms with @st.spyridon.choir.