Michael Kientzle (Greece)
BH 2020 Fellow
Michael Kientzle
Mobile Info Team
Michael Kientzle
At the height of the refugee crisis in 2016, Michael Kientzle left his career as an actor in Germany, packed his bags, and moved to Greece. He didn't know what he would find when he arrived or what he would be doing, but he felt compelled to help those fleeing danger. Michael wanted to demonstrate the best qualities of his native continent by welcoming those who would now call it home: resourcefulness, compassion, civic engagement. After working in the informal structure of Idomeni, Michael identified asylum seekers' growing need for accessible and reliable information, especially as an antidote to the maelstrom of rumors circulating through Northern Greece. To such an end, Michael founded Mobile Info Team (MIT) to provide vital information, clarification, and assistance in the most relevant languages (Arabic, English, Persian, Urdu, Sorani and French) for the full duration of their user’s asylum procedure and beyond.
BH 2020 Fellows
Michael Kientzle & Tate Lyverse (Greece)
Mobile Info Team
Michael Kientzle
At the height of the refugee crisis in 2016, Michael Kientzle left his career as an actor in Germany, packed his bags, and moved to Greece. He didn't know what he would find when he arrived or what he would be doing, but he felt compelled to help those fleeing danger. Michael wanted to demonstrate the best qualities of his native continent by welcoming those who would now call it home: resourcefulness, compassion, civic engagement. After working in the informal structure of Idomeni, Michael identified asylum seekers' growing need for accessible and reliable information, especially as an antidote to the maelstrom of rumors circulating through Northern Greece. To such an end, Michael founded Mobile Info Team (MIT) to provide vital information, clarification, and assistance in the most relevant languages (Arabic, English, Persian, Urdu, Sorani and French) for the full duration of their user’s asylum procedure and beyond.
Tate Lyverse joined Mobile Info Team (MIT) in early 2020, where he is eager to use his background in consulting to integrate new technologies into its everyday operations. Before this, Tate worked at many different levels of international development policy and programming, and is excited to work on the ground in Greece's robust grassroots response to refugee arrivals. A firm believer in civil society, Tate is committed to helping communities organize to innovate solutions to their most pressing needs. Through his work at MIT, Tate hopes to empower Greek and refugee communities with the information they need to once again, champion their own futures.
OUR PROGRAMS
We fund programs, projects and products that aim to positively impact the lives of communities (children, youth, families, etc.) affected by conflict and war in the Middle East.
Technology
Refugee children live under unusual and difficult conditions with little or no access to technology that can improve their lives. With our innovative programs, we are reaching a wide range of children with groundbreaking technology that teach them literacy skills and improve their access to higher education.
EDUCATION
Millions of refugee children are missing out on an education. Without an opportunity to learn, they risk becoming a lost generation with little chance for a better future. Through sustainable programs, our Fellows are working to ensure refugees can learn and develop the skills they need to succeed in life.
CHILD DEVELOPMENT
The development of the "whole child" from early childhood through adolescence is critical to long-term development and success of all children. Blossom Hill is committed to providing innovative initiatives for refugee children that will not only prepare them for learning and academic success, but empower them with life skills as they continue to live under difficult conditions.
JOB TRAINING
For refugee youth whose education has been interrupted and ability to earn a livelihood undermined by war and conflict, the future is bleak. We are dedicated to empowering these youth to break from the cycle of poverty by offering innovative vocational training in computer skills, business entrepreneurship and language instruction.
