About us
Our story starts in 2005, when a young boy, 7 years old, came to our home. We offered him hospitality during weekends over a period of a few months. Then, all of a sudden, our communication with him ended, as they gave him for adoption to another family. Our heart broke. We cried for the separation from our beloved young boy.
My husband and I were in our 50s. We begun to realize that God was leading us to see the needs of the children and to open our arms to them. So, in 2006, the Lord brought to us a 7 year old girl, and at this time, we were ready to welcome and love her. Her mother was sick and so they came to live with us. After a while, the mother got better and went out to the workplace, but the little girl stayed with us and she became a joy to our home.
In 2011, the Lord added 2 more boys, ages 11 and 12 years old along with their mother. They brought a blessing and a joy to our life. Their mother was terminally ill and 5 years later and she passed away but her boys stayed with us.
Today, all of these 3 children are senior University students and they are also working.
During the time that followed the Lord opened doors for us in houses in the center of Athens. We helped children with their home studies. As we went around the different neighborhoods it was impossible not to hear the cries of the children. Children who had suffered injustice, neglect, abuse. This cry is burning our hearts and it is impossible to continue our lives without responding to this enormous need.
Even though for many years we had the desire to create a hospitality center for children, it wasn’t until 2012 that we felt a pressing need to actually create it. Along with associates that shared a common burden, we formed the civil non-profit company Philadelphia – Microlimano, with the purpose of creating hospitality centers to support children in need.
Today, in the home of Philadelphia - Microlimano, we have 3 new children who are with us since 2017.
DINA GANTE
Co-founder of Philadelphia-Microlimano