It was with great pleasure that we received the visit of the Swiss Ambassador in Athens, Mr. Stefan Estermann, to one of the Supported Independent Living apartments for unaccompanied children, aged 16-18 years old in Athens. The Ambassador wanted to have a close look at one of METAdrasi’s three apartments which, thanks to the support from the Swiss Confederation/SEM, have become a safe environment in which more than 20 teenage refugees have been able to prepare themselves for a smooth transition to adult life.

Mr. Estermann and his team heard all about the children’s daily life and their activities; they also heard about the household chores that the children are involved in such as cooking, cleaning, etc., which they do all by themselves!

The children shared their dreams for the future, the difficulties they face and their great anxiety about what will happen when they turn 18. All young people are anxious when reaching adulthood, but unaccompanied children know that they have to face an unknown future in which they lose from one day to the next, any supportive framework and the only option left for them is to go back to where they started, namely to a refugee camp. 

We would like to thank the Ambassador for his visit, his interest and his words of encouragement to the children.