Head of office, Samos
How would you describe your work?
Our work is demanding and carries a significant mental burden. This is mainly because we work with people who have been uprooted from their homes and separated from their loved ones under incredibly difficult circumstances. They continue to be deprived – both they and their children- of a sense of normalcy in their lives. Many of them have vulnerabilities and special needs that remain unmet.
Yet, it’s for the same reasons that this work is so rewarding. It’s not just about completing tasks; it’s about changing people’s lives. And when we succeed, even in small ways, the satisfaction we gain is immense. It’s these moments that inspire us to keep giving our best every day.
What made you decide to become a humanitarian worker?
During my studies, I had the opportunity to delve deeply into human rights, humanitarian and refugee law. Applying these concepts in practice was a challenge for me and I quickly realized that at the time in Greece, effective access to asylum was still far from being guaranteed. By the end of 2010, I decided to join the Greek Council for Refugees in Athens. Getting to know well the reality of refugees in Greece, I made the decision in 2016, at the time of large flows to Greece, to leave Athens and provide direct assistance with UNHCR at one of the main entry points, Kos island, and then in Chios and Samos islands. The humanitarian sector wins you over, fills you up, makes you want to give most of your time every day to whatever the job requires, without second thoughts.
Share with us a story from your work in the field, that has been engraved on your mind forever.
During all these years, there are quite a few stories that I will never forget. A man told us once that he wanted to bring his piano to Greece and with modesty and shyness, he asked for our help to make it happen. How could I ever forget that?
But if I had to choose one image that remains vividly etched in my memory, like a video scene, it would be the image of people being transferred in large groups from the then reception centres on the islands to open facilities or ESTIA apartments on the mainland, with the help of UNHCR. The faces of those leaving and those saying goodbye; the hugs and dances, the smiles, and tears of joy: it felt like a celebration for the people taking a step closer to finding solutions, to restoring normalcy in their lives, to embracing the future. The greatest reward was people saying “thank you”, even without words, for this opportunity we were able to offer them.
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