Every woman who walks through the doors of Stepping Stone brings with her a unique personal journey—often shaped by loss, perseverance and hope. Zoi and Susanna are two of these women. With courage and determination, they chose to rebuild their lives in Greece. From the outset, they understood that learning the language and gaining access to employment were not simply practical tools, but the foundations of their independence. With the consistent support of METAdrasi through the organisation’s Stepping Stone integration programme, they were able to turn their efforts into meaningful change. This effort has been made possible through the implementation of the programme, supported by UNHCR and the Captain Vassilis and Carmen Constantakopoulos Foundation, as well as through METAdrasi’s own resources.
“The most important step for a woman seeking employment in Greece is to learn Greek,” Zoi and Suzanna tell us, during the very first week in their new jobs.
With the Greek language and her professional experience as her tools, Zoi is making a fresh start in Greece.
Suzanna, from Armenia, and Zoi, from Russia, know this from personal experience. With the support of METAdrasi’s Stepping Stone programme, they attended Greek language classes consistently for two academic years. Today, they can navigate their daily lives independently and with confidence.
Through perseverance, commitment and a strong desire to learn, they developed their language skills and took a meaningful step towards entering the Greek labour market. Following a series of targeted employment counselling sessions at Stepping Stone, they are now working for Aposto Catering, which operates the canteen of a large private school.
Suzanna is turning her perseverance and passion for learning into new professional opportunities in Greece.
Both women bring valuable professional experience with them. Zoi holds a degree in economics and worked for many years in the banking sector in Russia, while Suzanna trained in beauty therapy and worked in beauty salons in Moscow. Today, they are making a fresh start, drawing on their knowledge and experience while creating new opportunities for their future in Greece.
“At METAdrasi, I see every day how essential it is to combine education and employment counselling as part of a single, integrated process. These are not two separate areas, but two interconnected paths that come together to build trust, foster genuine empowerment and shape people’s lives. For these women, the Greek language becomes their first tool for independence—a key that opens doors to everyday life, social participation and employment. At the same time, through employment counselling, I witness first-hand how access to work can transform their lives. When a woman finds a job, she gains stability, confidence and the space to rebuild her future. She learns to recognise her skills, advocate for herself and participate in the Greek labour market with confidence and dignity. Employment integration is not a one-off event; it is an ongoing process of empowerment that requires guidance, support and professionalism,” says Spyridoula Tsoukala, educator and employment counsellor at METAdrasi.
Zoi and Suzanna remind us that integration is not a single moment, but a journey built step by step—with commitment, trust and professional guidance.
