Diary

We are very proud of Fahimeh for receiving the Sigma Iota Rho Honor Society Outstanding First Year Student in International Relations award at the end of her first year at Roger Williams University! Fahimeh has been with us since she was 17. From the moment she arrived in Greece, she set ambitious academic goals and worked tirelessly to achieve them. She attended the ACS Athens high school thanks to a  Shapiro Foundation scholarship and upon graduation, she was admitted to Roger Williams University in the US on a full-ride scholarship. We know this is just the beginning of many more achievements for Fahimeh, and we will continue to support her in her next steps.

Members of this year’s cohort from the Harvard-NKUA Summer Program on Migration and Refugee Rights visited our shelters, engaging in a meaningful discussion with our COO, Maria Kaldani, about our mission and our unique child protection model. Organized by the Harvard FXB Center for Health and Human Rights and the NKUA Refugee and Migration Studies Hub, this program offers participants a blend of conceptual and practical insights into contemporary forced migration issues. We are honored to share our work and collaborate with institutions dedicated to addressing critical global challenges.

Building bridges with the communities we operate in is a vital part of our work. During Refugee Week Greece, teenagers from one of our shelters participated in the creation of a mural in the heart of their neighborhood, at the Kypseli Municipal Market. This beautiful piece, commissioned by Counterpoints Arts Greece and Menelaos Karamaghiolis' Døcumatism, was brought to life by Alexandros Simopoulos, with local teens putting in the finishing touches. Collaborations like this one are essential for facilitating integration, as they connect our youth to the communities they call home and foster a sense of belonging.

Teenagers living in our shelters, along with interns and staff, gave back to their communities by volunteering at the Refugee Week Greece Community Celebration in the heart of Athens. Their dedication and hard work highlight the spirit of service and community fostered within our HOMES, through a child protection model focused on integration and holistic support that empowers our youth to become active, compassionate members of society.

On this World Refugee Day, we honor the resilience, strength, and achievements of unaccompanied refugee children and reaffirm our commitment to a child protection model focused on integration and support. Today, we celebrate a member of our community who just graduated from ACS Athens! She will be continuing her academic journey at Roger Williams University in the US, studying applied math on a full-ride scholarship. Her journey exemplifies the power of equal access to education and the importance of open and inclusive learning environments.

We are happy to introduce the newest member of our community – meet Aldo, a 7-year-old dog we recently adopted from Navarino Pet Community, through an adoption program implemented by stray.gr. The program “We live with Animals” is supported by the A.G. Leventis Foundation as part of the Points Of Support program, co-funded by 10 philanthropic foundations. Aldo now lives in one of our shelters accommodating teenage boys and enjoys the endless stream of pets, treats, and walks.

Mental health is one of the pillars of our child protection model and we are always open to finding alternative ways to promote mental wellbeing in our shelters. The teenagers in the shelter have embraced the joy and therapeutic benefits of spending time with and taking care of Aldo and have learned valuable lessons about responsible pet ownership.

Last night, children and youth living in our shelters, staff, neighbors, friends and supporters from all corners of the globe came together at the Kypseli Municipal Market to celebrate the connections we have built with the neighborhoods our HOMES operate in, embrace diversity, enjoy home-cooked food prepared by our shelters, and witness the power of community and networks of mutual support.

Thank you to our guest of honor and former CEO of the IKEA Foundation, Per Heggenes, whose unwavering commitment to our mission has helped us persevere and grow, to our partners from Hip Hop 4 Hope, El Sistema Greece, Free Movement Skateboarding, to our volunteers running the art workshops, and to everyone who gathered to support our community!

Participation in cultural activities is important for fostering integration and positive interactions with the communities we operate in and allowing children to explore new interests and talents. With the support of Friends & Patrons of the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center, children and teens living in our shelters attended a performance of Coppelia at the Greek National Opera. After 7 years of operations, we are proud to have built a network of partners that understand our mission and provide opportunities for children and youth to grow and connect with the cultural institutions in the city they call home.

Our CEO, Sofia Kouvelaki, moderated an enlightening panel discussion at the 2024 GCDN Convening at the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center on how three Athens-based initiatives are activating public spaces to foster cultural integration and social cohesion. Public spaces are vital for human interaction and cultural exchange, offering platforms for sharing stories and perspectives. The session, featuring Anis Barnat from El Sistema Greece, Will Ascott from Free Movement Skateboarding, and Yolanda Markopoulou from Polyplanity Productions, delved into what these processes look like in action, discussing the impact of music, theatre, and sport in promoting successful cultural integration.

The youngest children under our care spent their Saturday at the ARCHELON Sea Turtle Festival, held at the Sea Turtle Rescue Center in Glyfada. They had an amazing time learning about the journey of Caretta caretta turtles in the Mediterranean through engaging games and activities. They particularly enjoyed discovering what scientists do to protect sea turtles and how each one of us can contribute to environmental conservation. Environmental education and hands-on activities like this one help children develop new skills, explore new interests, and grow up to become socially aware citizens.

In April 2022, we welcomed 10 children who were urgently evacuated from a children’s home in Slavutych, Ukraine, into the safety of one of our shelters in Athens. Today, we are celebrating two years since their arrival and their amazing achievements, showcasing that when a holistic child protection model is in place, children and youth can seamlessly integrate into the communities they call home. We remain committed to caring for all children fleeing war and persecution, safeguarding their fundamental rights to education, health, and safety, and providing them with a supportive environment where they can reach their full potential.

Seven young adults —once unaccompanied minors living in our shelters— stepped onto the runway in an open street fashion show by Parthenis, presented by Orsalia Parthenis at Omonia Square. These individuals brought their uniqueness and their stories to the heart of Athens, showcasing the beauty of diversity in a spectacular showcase of inclusion and multiculturalism. We are immensely proud of their achievements and always grateful for opportunities that empower our youth.

Another cycle of the School Project, our educational program in collaboration with Athens College, has come to an end. Every Saturday, our teens joined forces with students from the school to engage in a variety of classes and sports activities. This program demonstrates how educational experiences can be transformed into powerful tools for empowerment and community building. On the final day, students presented their countries of origin, shared music and dances, and celebrated each other's cultures in a vibrant exchange. We are excited to continue building our educational partnerships, proving that together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society.

The youngest children under our care who participate in the sports program at The Moraitis School every Saturday were also invited to join the school’s “Panigiri” celebration.  The event was a wonderful opportunity for the children to further connect with the school community. Our Saturday educational programs, developed in partnership with private schools in Athens, build bridges between the schools and the refugee community, challenge prejudice, and foster equal learning opportunities for all children. We are glad to have educational partners like The Moraitis School, who share our values of acceptance, diversity, and inclusion.

Honoring the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, we came together at Pedion tou Areos in the center of Athens to celebrate our vibrant and inclusive community. During the event, children living in our shelters planted a tree in the park to acknowledge the support of Per Heggenes, former CEO of the IKEA Foundation and Chairman of our Advisory Board, and Stelios Kyriakakis, COO of the IKEA Foundation and President of our Board, over the past 7 years. This tree symbolizes the roots we want every child and youth under our care to put down in Athens, and we hope that it will serve as a landmark they can return to when they are older. 

Thank you to our guest of honor, Mr. George J. Tsunis, US Ambassador to Greece for his commitment to our mission, to our partners from stray.gr, Diversity United, WWF Greece, The Flying Seagull Project, and Contaminando Sonrisas for their engaging workshops and performances, to the Region of Attica for providing this beautiful spot in the park for us to gather, and to everyone who attended!

“My dream is simple but very meaningful: I want to create opportunities for women to rebuild their lives, to find their voices, and reclaim their dignity. In every obstacle, I see potential for growth, resilience, and solidarity.”

As we approach International Womens Day, we celebrate the women of The Home Project. Andrely arrived at one of our shelters from Congo as an unaccompanied teenager 5 years ago. She learned English and Greek, graduated from Greek high school, and now works as a caregiver in our shelters, while also volunteering as a French and Lingala interpreter in other NGOs. Her next goal is to get a scholarship to study international relations and create an NGO to make a difference in the lives of women and children in Congo.

Andrely is one of the incredible women of The Hope Brigade, a photography series curated by WOW Athens and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center.

When the war in Ukraine broke out two years ago, there was an urgent need to evacuate an orphanage in Slavutych and welcome a group of children to the safety of one of our shelters in Athens.

A few days ago, one of the children celebrated his 9th birthday by inviting classmates from school, friends from the neighborhood, and teammates from soccer practice to the shelter. His birthday party was a community event, showing that when a holistic child protection model is in place, children and youth can seamlessly integrate into the communities they call home.

Few people can motivate the children and youth under our care like Kostas Antetokounmpo, who visited our shelters and inspired the kids with his love for basketball and his resilience and determination. The story of the Antetokounmpo family shows that youth from all backgrounds can shine if they are provided with the opportunity and the work that the Charles Antetokounmpo Family Foundation does to create inclusive environments for all closely aligns with our mission to empower children to develop into active, socially conscious citizens.

Community, diversity, and inclusion are powerful forces that guide our work. Events that bring together children and youth under our care, staff, supporters, and friends not only celebrate unity, but also connect the Greek and the refugee community, directly tackling racism and xenophobia. We are grateful to our guest of honor, Mr. George J. Tsunis, US Ambassador to Greece, for his inspiring leadership and his commitment to our mission, and to everyone who attended our first community building event of the year.

Building partnerships that transcend borders and exchanging knowledge with organizations working in child protection worldwide is a mutually empowering endeavor. Last week, we had the pleasure of hosting a team from the Wubanchi Project, an organization that provides housing and equal opportunities to vulnerable children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, alongside representatives from Greenwood Place. The team and our staff exchanged best practices and delved into shared insights through a clinical meeting and a capacity building training on our child protection model. The team also visited our shelters and educational programs and spoke with young adults we are supporting in their next steps, gaining a deeper understanding of our work.

We take pride in collaborations that benefit children across borders. A heartfelt thank you to the Bleu Blanc Rouge Foundation and Greenwood Place for fostering these connections and supporting our joint efforts in the global mission to protect children in need.

Embracing the power of education to change lives, ACS Athens stands as an invaluable partner in our efforts to provide equal educational opportunities to children and youth under our care. We are happy to share that two brothers, 8 and 9 years old, have secured full scholarships to attend the ACS elementary school. The school’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity not only provides these boys with an opportunity to thrive but also contributes to the creation of a rich and safe learning community.

Originally from Congo, the two boys grew up in South Africa and arrived at one of our shelters last spring. As they embark on this educational journey, the older brother aspires to become the CEO of an AI company, while the younger one wants to be either a doctor or a pilot.

At just 12 years old, O. from Palestine is one of many children who have been separated from their families and forced to flee their homes in Gaza in search of safety. Upon arriving at one of our shelters this past fall, he enrolled in the 22nd Primary School of Athens. His story touched his classmates, highlighting that children innately understand the importance of peace.

With the support of our legal team, O. received a positive family reunification decision to join his brother in Belgium. In a heartwarming farewell gesture, O. and his classmates planted an olive tree in the schoolyard to symbolize peace and solidarity. They named it “O.’s Olive Tree” and the school community pledged to take care of it, fostering a lasting connection with their friend. This symbolic act reflects their shared commitment to building bridges and overcoming divides. Witnessing children and youth supporting each other inspires us to continue working to provide all children with a stable and nurturing HOME and equal opportunities to develop into community-minded citizens

Some of the children living in our shelters got to experience an afternoon filled with laughter at Allou Fun Park and enjoy the rides and games. We are grateful for partners like Allou supporting us in our work helping lone children reclaim their childhood.

Fotis Parthenidis, Head of our Child Protection Unit, participated in a panel discussion alongside representatives from Elix, Network for Children's Rights , and ARSIS - Association for the Social Support of Youth. The conversation focused on the challenges that migrant and refugee children face in Greece, including equitable access to the educational system, school retention, and education as a means of integration. Thank you to KMOP for organizing the event and for inviting us.

Launched into a new cycle of the School Project, our educational partnership with HAEF Athens College - Psychico College. Every Saturday, teenagers under our care team up with students from the school and participate in classes and sports activities. Beyond helping students develop new skills, this program is a force for positive change —combating xenophobia, challenging stereotypes, and bridging communities. With education at the core of our child protection model, we are proud to continue creating equal learning opportunities for lone children.

On this World Children’s Day, we stand firm in our commitment to uphold and protect the rights of children whose lives have been wrecked by war and persecution. In our shelters, we implement a holistic child protection model built on four pillars: education, mental health, legal support, and providing lone children with all the necessary tools and life skills to develop into active, community-oriented citizens. Our vision is a society where all children have equal access to opportunities and can forge their own futures and transform their dreams into reality.

Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of Greece and Heracles Moskoff, General Secretary for the Protection of Vulnerable Persons & Institutional Support for inviting us to the Presidential Mansion gardens to attend an open rehearsal of the El Sistema Greece Youth Orchestra. This unique event celebrating music and inclusion gave three teenagers under our care the opportunity to explore the world of orchestra music and try out various instruments.

Kids under our care enjoyed the Okeanida Regatta, organized by ΝSailingTeam78, thanks to the kind invitation by Daphne Zoumpoulaki. The kids took part in sailing demos and environmental workshops, but everyone’s favorite had to be the skateboarding lesson with Greek Surfing Academy.

We are grateful to President Barack Obama and the Obama Foundation for supporting our CEO, Sofia Kouvelaki, in changing the lives of lone refugee children, empowering them to integrate and create a future for themselves. We are honored to have you be part of the HOME Project community. #nochildalone

Our staff organized a workshop for girls and minor mothers with their babies, detailing the importance of recycling and the dangers of pollution, with the goal of raising environmental awareness. Together, they watched informative videos and learned about the ways they can contribute to creating a greener future. The girls were tasked with creating and decorating pots using milk cartons and plastic bottles, and planting small indoor plants.

We welcomed Red Noses International to our shelters, where they brought a lot of magic and smiles to children under our care. Their positive energy and enthusiasm created a lively and uplifting atmosphere that brightened everyone's day. 

M. asked for a visit to the Acropolis, so we did it. One of our goals at The HOME Project is to introduce children under our care to Greek culture and history. A big thank you to the Acropolis Museum, The Association of Licensed Tourist Guides and our amazing guide Konstantina Griva for a beautiful day. 

We were happy to welcome Nicole De Moor, Belgium Secretary of State for Asylum and Migration, in one of our shelters for girls and minor mothers with their babies, operated in collaboration with Movement On The Ground. Members of The HOME Project team discussed with her the urgent need for an elaborate and effective system of child protection leading to integration for refugee children on a national and international level. 

In collaboration with our partner Hip Hop 4 Hope, we have organized dance workshops in our shelters for girls and minor mothers with their babies. The aim is to create a safe space of interaction where all girls can join, bond as a community, learn about the diverse elements of Hip-Hop culture, build confidence and establish a healthy state of mind. 

Momodou, 18 years old, is from Gambia. Ηe arrived in Greece two years ago and found protection and support in one of our shelters. After a long asylum process, which lasted almost two years, and with the tireless efforts of our legal unit he has been granted asylum. During his stay in the shelter he attended multicultural school and completed a cooking training. Now, he is getting ready to leave to work at Kos island during the summer season. His story inspires us to continue providing child protection services to lone refugee children, empowering them to grow into active citizens.

Following the continuous support of our legal team Ali, a young boy under our care, just received back his legal documents. His asylum request was rejected twice exposing him at risk of being excluded from the public welfare system despite his vulnerable situation as a victim of child labor. Ali arrived in Greece 5 years ago but his immersion into Greek society started when he found a home in our shelters 3 years ago. Today, we are here to reiterate once more our call for an individualized legal approach for every child during the asylum process.

Sofia Kouvelaki, THP CEO, participated at the “The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Initiative (CAMHI)” conference at Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. Sofia spoke about the challenges that both our children and our staff are facing on a daily basis around mental health support. Thanks Stavros Niarchos Foundation and Child Mind Institute for providing such platforms where we can voice and share learnings to best empower professionals in supporting children in vulnerable conditions.

Constant training is part of The HOME Project child protection model, ensuring the staff responds to the changing needs of the children under our care. Our Child Protection Unit completed the first capacity building session of the year. The training was focused on the updated child protection protocols and guidelines of our operational manual.

Our educational programs started again this past Saturday. We are grateful for our collaboration with HAEF Athens College - Psychico College, ACS Athens and Moraitis School, enriching the educational aspect of our child protection model. The HOME Project child protection unit along with teachers and staff from the schools are implementing a curriculum designed according to children's needs and age, including language classes and sports, while integrating them with the rest of the student community.

Anna Maria Kountouri, Head of Legal Unit of The HOME Project was invited by WeSolve ProBono as a keynote speaker at the Library of the Law School. She presented our child protection model and our individualized legal approach during asylum and family reunification process to law students who wish to pursue careers on the humanitarian field. 

During the holidays season The HOME Project shelter staff and children decorated and set up Christmas trees. In one of our shelters for minor girls and minor mothers with their babies, this particular tree has a sparkle with ornaments and lights that have fascinated one of our youngest girls.

Youngest children under our care enjoyed the theatrical play “Planet Agents: Attack of the Sea Monsters” aiming to empower children aged 4-12 to take action on environmental issues. At The HOME Project, we aim to teach children social and environmental values necessary for protecting our planet and shaping a better future for everyone. 

Professional rehabilitation is one of the key tools for social integration. We are grateful to our partner ODYSSEA-Greece for offering the opportunity to children under our care who have reached adulthood to develop their skills and talents via vocational and technical training.Two of our youngsters completed a cooking training and have been employed to work at Kos island during the summer season. 

We are grateful to Red Noses International for bringing magic and smiles at The HOME Project shelters. With their artistic and interactive clown interventions they filled our shelters with positive energy. 

We were honored to visit the residence of the U.S. Ambassador in Greece, Mr. George J. Tsunis, and celebrate Thanksgiving together with his family, children under our care, our staff, and members of the U.S. EMBASSY ATHENS. We are grateful to him and his family for offering us the opportunity to spend a wonderful day, play, enjoy a delicious lunch and get inspired by his presence and genuine care throughout the day.

On World Childrens Day we want to take the opportunity and thank all of those who protect children’s undeniable right to education. We are grateful for our educational collaboration with HAEF Athens College - Psychico College, ACS Athens (American Community Schools) and Moraitis School, enriching the educational aspect of our child protection model and the interaction of children under our care with the wider student community.

Children under our care together with members of our staff joined Boutari team in order to participate and run the 5km of the 39th Athens Marathon. The Authentic. We’re beyond proud to be a part of such a diverse group aiming to raise more awareness and support for lone refugee children. 

We participated at “Okeanida 2022”, organized by SailingTeam78 providing the opportunity to children under our care to learn about the marine environment, admire sailing boats, try skateboarding, learn the first steps of surfing with the support of Greek Surfing Academy and enjoy refreshments offered by Desmos.

We were so happy to celebrate “Daphne” shelter second anniversary. “Daphne” shelter officially started its operation two years ago in collaboration with Movement On The Ground in an effort to provide more safe and enabling environments for vulnerable lone children in Greece. Since its opening, 53 girls and minor mothers with their babies have received a holistic network of child protection services including psychological, pedagogical, legal and social support as well as education and employment opportunities after reaching adulthood. Girls and staff shared their feelings and remembered some of the best moments they had together these last two years.

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This week we participate at the 2nd IKEA Foundation Ambassador Hub in Greece along with partners UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Medecins Sans Frontieres, Justdiggit, HIGGS, What Design Can Do. Following shelter visits we worked in groups to introduce ambassadors from all over the world to our mission and explore ways to work all together to raise more awareness and support for lone refugee children.

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Thank you Stavros Niarchos Foundation for providing support to one of our shelters for lone refugee children and for sharing the amazing story of Chanel.

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Rosie was a minor when she arrived in Greece and found a home in one of our shelters for unaccompanied girls and minor mothers with their babies. Today, as an adult, she has joined our team as a caregiver and last week she participated as a speaker at the national workshop discussion on “Children’s Alternatives to Detention Protecting their Rights in Europe”. We are proud of her progress and how committed she is to helping and advocating for lone refugee children in Greece.

Our children, staff, volunteers, friends and supporters joined the first community building event organized by Brown Club of Greece aiming to communicate the importance of coexisting and offering in a spirit of respect at the wonderful premises of Organization Earth. Everyone was involved in an outdoor cooking activity with the goal to produce extra food portions to support people in need via Boroume NGO. Children under our care interacted with children in the autism spectrum supported by Avali, enjoyed a bubble show presented by Kokoika, participated in art and jewellery making workshops implemented by our staff, and attended the #Eat4change educational workshop by WWF Greece. A big thank you to Desmos and Café Femenino Greece for supporting us.

We are thrilled to share that Moraitis School will further mobilize the active participation of the school community to support our Little Pugad shelter accommodating children aged 6-12 years old. We strongly believe that every child has the right to education and the opportunity to succeed. Via this initiative, the school community will support children with home tutoring, school supplies while supporting the shelter’s maintenance needs, contributing to the provision of a safe and healing environment.

Thank you Emmanuelle Béart for supporting the children under The HOME Project care and raising awareness about the issue of lone refugee children in Greece. We are grateful to have your humanism and sensitivity bringing us inspiration during these challenging times. We want to extent our gratitude to Ambassade de France en Grèce and Institut français de Grèce for making this happen. It is our honor to welcome you in our shelters and at a Philanthopy Gala organized in collaboration with St. George Lycabettus Hotel.

S., 16 years old from Somalia, came to Greece as a lone refugee child one year ago. When he arrived, his first wish was to enroll in school. Today, he attends the 8th Lyceum of Athens and has developed into an active member of the student community. With the support of his teachers, he presented to his classmates Somalia and discussed aspects of culture, customs, religion and traditional food recipes of the country.

Following the continuous support of our legal team two of our children received positive decisions to their asylum requests. Previous rejected asylum requests had exposed both of them at risk of being excluded from the public health system even though they have serious medical conditions. We reiterate once more our call for an individualized legal approach during the asylum process protecting lone refugee children in Greece according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Mustafa, 19-years from Iraq, was under our care for 4 years. With hard work and proper support, he learned Greek and English and gradually developed into a responsible, dynamic and friendly young adult. Today after receiving constant training from our Child Protection Unit, he has been moved to the 18+ shelter of The HOME Project and has been hired as a caregiver in one of our shelters for teenage boys. Our goal is to provide children under our care with the tools to become active and responsible citizens, and be in a position to build a future for themselves.

We are very proud for our Alpha, a young adult who is working as a bakery assistant at Choc Chip Bakery. We would like to thank Alexandra Tsatsou for welcoming him and giving him the opportunity to gain valuable work experience. His story is a vivid example of a child transitioning into adulthood and becoming an active citizen. Because he was able to have access to opportunities after receiving the necessary, care and support.