ORPHAN CHILDREN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4693, 2 May 1924, Page 4

ORPHAN CHILDREN.

An admiral example of self-help in the solution of housing proplems is offered by Greek refugee children on the island of Syros, in the Aegean Sea. Five thousand orphan children exiled from Asia Minor were taken to this island, and for a time the authorities were at their wits’ end to provide them with housing accommodation. To-day, however, these little homeless waifs and strays are actually taking a big part in the work of constructing a town for their own accommodation, and that of others who will later join the colony. According to the American “Carpenter,” the boys of , the party are learning how to be good carpenters ; in fact, they are learning every single operation that goes to the completion of a home, for the boys in this juvenile colony are working with might and main to construct the six dormitories required, to say nothing of a laundry, a bakery large enough to bake nearly 10,000 pounds of bread a day, besides a public bath house, a hospital, and schools with workshops. Such forests as flourished ou the island have been unwisely cut, with the result that the hills have been washed until the marble beneath creeps out. However, there is enough wood to meet the present requirements for the buildings that are to be constructed of marble supplies by ten quarries The stone is carried on the backs of the workers and the crudest ot implements are used to place it In position. However, the stone is being carefully laid under the direction of skilled workmen, and- the children are learning in the most practical way every detail of construction. As soon as money can be provided, modern machinery. and hardware will be shipped from America to supply the needs of the little workmen. Meanwhile the building of the orphan city is providing work for about 750 refugees, who are wholly dependent on the Near East Relief as their only means of support.