The Roma people are a stigmatized and impoverished population in Greece. Since Greece is a member of the European Union, all citizens are eligible for care from the national health care system. But the Roma don’t always access it for a variety of reasons. Some health care providers won’t work with them, and some Romanis have difficulties finding the transportation or money needed for care.
Mercer On Mission teams’ past work in Greece identified health needs among the Roma community. In 2019, Mercer held its first health clinics in Greece using telemedicine. In 2022, Mercer was able to provide care from an on-site physician.
The Mercer On Mission program in Greece will continue to work with Romani Hope to address the health needs of Roma communities. Students will receive training in first aid and hygiene maintenance and then train cohorts of Roma in various communities to provide these services. Students will also engage Roma children from different communities in environmental clean-ups in various locations.
In addition, students will visit archaeological sites and may participate in archaeological fieldwork. Past program participants have visited Ancient Corinth, Nemea, Mycenae, Epidaurus and Athens.
