Orgamites: An educational program promoting healthy living and organ donation
Healthcare and organ donation become part of the national curriculum in Greece. Through the Orgamites, the discussion about health major solid organs but also organ donation opens in primary schools. The Orgamites give rise to the hope that in the future more and more generations will be familiar with health care, as well as with the concept of organ donation, which can and does change the world.
Participation in the monthly online presentations of the program is free of charge provided that the relevant coordinating teacher has registered.
To participate in the 2023-2024 planning, please fill in the application form.
It’s what’s inside that counts
Which is the busiest organ in our body with more than 200 different functions? Which one looks like a powerful pump pushing blood throughout the body? Which organ “loves” water and which one “adores” regular exercise the most? But also, how can a doctor replace an organ when it is not functioning properly? These difficult questions turn into fascinating stories through the characters of the Orgamites, designed specifically for children (aged 7-11). This educational program, which started in England and has already traveled to Scotland and Canada, has reached Greece and it is included in the actions and interventions of the Primary Healthcare Programs of the Hellenic Ministry of Health (thematic area 19). Its aim is to inform us what we can do to look after our health and teach us all about organ donation.
The concepts of transplantation and organ donation become topics for discussion among children, their parents, and their teachers. The Orgamites provide answers through fun stories. This new group of characters has come to help children understand the importance of organ donation and transplantation in an easy and fun way. It’s what's inside that counts - literally and metaphorically!
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Guided by a vision to breathe new life into the organ transplantation sector but also to increase awareness and create an organ donation culture in Greece, the Onassis Foundation decided to undertake a National Initiative in collaboration with the Hellenic Transplant Organization and the Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center.
Adopting a holistic approach in its set of actions, the Onassis Foundation is supporting the work of the Greek State and of the Hellenic Transplant Organization and is helping breathe new life into the transplantation sector by creating new infrastructure, investing in innovation and reinforcing the structures of the National Health System. At the same time, the Foundation bolsters and promotes scientific research, and organizes a series of actions aimed at raising awareness and informing the public. The construction of the Onassis National Transplant Center lies at the heart of this National Initiative, which is expected to be delivered to the Greek State in 2024.The educational program Orgamites is part of this National Initiative. The program was discovered by the National Transplant Organization (NTO), while the Onassis Foundation secured the exclusive rights and undertook its promotion and dissemination in Greece, under the scientific auspices of the NTO. The program will soon be able to travel to Cyprus as well.Orgamites became part of the healthcare programs of the Ministry of Health in the school year 2021-2022, with a view to informing and raising awareness among pupils. More specifically, it was included under Thematic Area 19 entitled: “Promoting Organ Donation and Transplantation to children and teenagers”. In this context, teachers and health visitors can download the materials and introduce the Orgamites to pupils; or the relevant coordinating primary school teachers can fill in the relevant form and register with their pupils for the monthly webinars (October 2022-May 2023). At the same time, parents can also download the material and share it with their children at home.
Through the use of the Orgamites main presentation and the information contained in the booklet for Parents, Teachers and Health Visitors, as well as the other games included in the material, the discussion for healthcare and organ donation enters the public arena for the very first time.
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Download the material developed for schools (only in Greek)
Find out all the new educational tools and games (only in Greek)
Poster
Who are the Orgamites
If you require any further information, please contact education@onassis.org.
The program is addressed to all primary schools around Greece.
The available places on the program are limited. Participating schools will be selected on a first come, first served basis.
©The Orgamites is an All Good Co. (CIC). Created by Roydon Turner. © Copyright, Creative Direction and Production by Awesonova. All rights reserved.
