"The HOME Project team is like my second family. They always had my back and I am grateful for that".
Maliheh, 20 years old, Afghanistan
Originally from Afghanistan, Maliheh grew up in Iran, and was forced to leave her home after facing significant tribulations within her family. She arrived at our shelter for young girls and teenage mothers in 2019, when she was just 15. From day one, she had a strong desire to learn and expressed her ambition to go to school in order to become fluent in both Greek and English.
Thanks to her hard work and dedication, she earned a full-time scholarship at ACS Athens, and graduated from middle school in just one year. She then transitioned to Greek high school, which she successfully completed last year. After reaching adulthood, Maliheh found support in our 18+ shelter, which allowed her to continue her education while further integrating into the community.
She took on several summer jobs in hospitality in order to gain valuable work experience, until getting hired at a call center.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and is always listening to music. "I love upbeat songs, they fill me with positive energy", she says. As for her favorite and least favorite dishes, she admits: "I absolutely love souvlaki, and despite all my time in Greece, I still can’t stand pastitsio, it’s way too cheesy".
Over the years, Maliheh has become a Youth Ambassador for The HOME Project, advocating for unaccompanied minors in Greece and emphasizing the importance of education in the integration process.
"I think I’d like to be an ophthalmologist or a gynecologist. I’ve worked in a health clinic before, and I’m confident that I want to do something that helps other people. Even better, I’d like to be able to travel the world and help people everywhere I go", she claims, while knowing that she's now able to make her own decisions and take charge of her future.
We’re incredibly proud that Maliheh recently moved into her own apartment, marking a significant milestone in her journey towards independence. Her story exemplifies how our holistic child protection model can enable and empower young girls to become strong, independent women.
"The HOME Project team is like my second family", she concludes. "They always had my back and I am grateful for that".