Archive note: This text comes from the old archive of Nomika Epilekta and is preserved with care for historical and informational reading.

Many women, married or unmarried, often victims of abandonment, abuse, domestic violence, are led to the violent taking of the life of their unborn child. Social and economic reasons do not allow them to bring it into life and raise it. The Association for the Protection of the Unborn Child, “Agkalia”, supports these women and offers whatever is needed so that a child can find its mother’s embrace.

Agkalia was founded in 1998 and is a charitable association of nonprofit character. It provides free services, moral and material support to expectant mothers who are in need, supports the institution of the family and encourages childbearing. At the same time, it offers information on issues of pregnancy, motherhood and human rights, through the organization of seminars, lectures and conferences.

The services offered to the child through the Mother and Child Care Center create the conditions for securing its development within a healthy family environment. The center provides counseling support from psychologists and social workers, monitoring of pregnancy by obstetricians, legal advice from lawyers, housing in apartments made available by donors and cooperating hostels, provision of basic necessities, diapers, food, medicines, clothing and apparel, baby items, strollers, toys, etc. It also provides wedding and baptism items to women who turn to the association, household items, new or used, stoves, refrigerators, furniture, all donated by friends of the association, and it also provides monthly financial assistance for the mothers’ emergency financial needs. The help, however, does not stop here, because the association’s purpose is for the child and mother to acquire their own life. Thus, in cooperation with private bodies, work is found for the mother or even the husband, and training seminars are organized for mothers on issues of preschool education and family.

The association receives no subsidy from the state. Its income comes exclusively from donations and sponsorships by private individuals and businesses, as well as from gift exhibitions, recreational events and excursions organized for this purpose.

Recently Agkalia acquired a new home, following a donation (84 Athens Avenue - Athens). This two-storey residence needs renovation on the ground and first floors and construction on the second and third floors, so that it can house the dreams of mothers who seek support from Agkalia. The house for the children of Agkalia, a dream of many years, can now become a reality with everyone’s support.

At this moment, the Agkalia association covers the needs of eighty single-parent and other families, while in its thirteen years of supportive action, 1500 children were born and grew up. Help these numbers become larger, therefore, by offering whatever each person can, in the kinds of goods available to them.

For more information, visit the association’s website at www.unborn.gr