"The only changes I can see are superficial: A lick of paint on the wooden bars to make the cages seem more cheerful."

The BBC-Journalist Chloe Hadjimatheou visited the Child Care Center in October 2014, asking what has changed after the Greek Ministry of Health promised changes to the instition 4 years ago. 

Her conclusion is disillusioning: "The only changes I can see are superficial: A lick of paint on the wooden bars to make the cages seem more cheerful."

Read and hear more about her findings and the backgrounds here:

Article on BBC News Online:  

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30038753

Report on BBC Radio:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02bvkkn

In the Radio report Ioannis Papadatos who used to be on the board of trustees for the children's centre at Lechaina until last year and who left it frustrated, said "The only time anything is likely to change for this children is when they die."

This might be the right assesment of the situation now. It also means that we have to work together to prove him wrong!  

Let's work for meaningful changes!

Photo by Maro Kouri (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-30038753)

Update: In December 2014 the BBC made a follow up and made an interview with the Deputy Minister for Health who has been to visit the centre for herself and has concluded that the cages ARE acceptable.

Listen to the interview here.