<\/span><\/div>10th Training Seminar for Guardianship Mandated Persons and Temporary Representatives of Unaccompanied Minors<\/h2><\/div>
10th Training Seminar for Guardianship Mandated Persons and Temporary Representatives of Unaccompanied Minors<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\u2714\ufe0f How is an unaccompanied child\u2019s best interests assessed?\r\n\u2714\ufe0f What is the role of a Guardianship Mandated Person and a Temporary Representative?\r\n\u2714\ufe0f What steps lead from initial reception to access to asylum?\r\n\u2714\ufe0f How does interpretation help support children?\r\n\u2714\ufe0f How can Guardianship Mandated Persons manage stress?\r\n\r\nThese were some of the questions explored during METAdrasi\u2019s 10th Training Seminar for Guardianship Mandated Persons and Temporary Representatives of Unaccompanied Minors.\r\n\r\nThrough presentations, interactive workshops and case studies, participants deepened their understanding of child protection, the legal framework governing guardianship, foster care and the pursuit of durable solutions for unaccompanied children.\r\n\r\nThe seminar brought together 44 Guardianship Mandated Persons and Temporary Representatives, attending both in person and online. Speakers included METAdrasi staff and representatives from the General Secretariat for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection, the Reception and Identification Service, the Asylum Service, the Dublin Unit, and the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 1, 2023, the activity of Guardianship for Unaccompanied Minors in Greece, is being implemented with METAdrasi as the coordinating partner and Praksis as a partner, within the framework of the \"National Guardianship System\" with funding from the \u201cProgramme Greece \u2013 Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027\u201d, co-financed by the European Union.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Kalliopi: \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be afraid to embrace others\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>For Kalliopi, the classroom is a place where she can be herself. As she helps adults learn Greek, she shares in their stories and experiences while teaching a skill essential to everyday life. A volunteer with METAdrasi for almost a year, she teaches Greek and also accompanies unaccompanied children on their journeys to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nAn economics student, Kalliopi wanted to support refugees and migrants. She began looking for organisations, taught Greek at a school attended by migrants, and later discovered METAdrasi online. Her love of teaching encouraged her to take the next step.\r\n\r\n\u201cI love teaching, especially people who need it to get by. I want to help them integrate more easily into our society.\u201d\r\n\r\nAlongside her university studies, she attends workshops to develop her teaching skills. From her very first lesson, however, she felt at ease in the classroom: it was somewhere she could enjoy being, without feeling anxious.\r\nA classroom for sharing stories\r\nIn Kalliopi\u2019s classes, learning a language goes hand in hand with conversation and connection. Students talk about their lives, tell their stories and share their experiences. She describes their relationship simply:\r\n\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s more than a Greek lesson. We\u2019re a group of friends, too. The students look forward to coming, and so do I.\u201d\r\n\r\nTheir feedback means a great deal to her. They tell her they enjoy the classes, feel comfortable and are not afraid. \u201cAll I want is for them to feel comfortable and safe,\u201d she says. She also sees how quickly they learn, which she attributes to their motivation and their need to use Greek in daily life.\r\n\r\nSome classroom conversations have stayed with her. During a lesson about family, she learnt that most of her students had lost their parents. It made her reflect on how much she had taken the presence of her own family for granted.\r\n\r\nFor Kalliopi, teaching is also an opportunity to learn from the people she meets. \u201cIn the end, I learn more than they do, and that\u2019s what I love about it,\u201d she says.\r\nAlongside children on their journeys\r\nAccompanying unaccompanied children has introduced Kalliopi to another aspect of volunteering. She describes children who are far from their parents and need someone beside them: someone to look after them, offer guidance and support them on the journey to an accommodation facility.\r\n\r\nEven in the short time they spend together, a strong bond can form. She remembers the hours on the ferry, the affection the children show her and their laughter as they leave the camp to move to a facility. \u201cJust seeing them laughing all the time is incredibly powerful.\u201d\r\n\r\nSo far, she has devoted more of her time to teaching Greek. If she had to choose between teaching and accompanying children, though, she would try to continue doing both. The feelings she takes away from accompanying the children, she explains, are particularly strong.\r\nThe gift of volunteering\r\nLooking ahead, Kalliopi wants to finish her degree and keep teaching. \u201cThere\u2019s no way I\u2019m giving it up,\u201d she says. As for the rest, she is taking things as they come.\r\n\r\nTo anyone considering volunteering, she would say that it can be one of the best gifts they give themselves. The people she has met have shown her how much strength a person can find in difficult circumstances. They have also taught her to care for others and give without expecting anything in return.\r\n\r\n\u201cYou may give a lot, but you receive even more.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd when we ask whether there is anything else she would like to add, her message is simple: \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be afraid to embrace others.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>One world map, many home countries, and the children as our guides!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>The unaccompanied children at our shelter in Samos took us on a journey through their home countries, exploring the world and its cultures together.\r\n\r\nFirst, we found Greece and the children\u2019s countries of origin on the map. We explored distances and routes and practised our map-reading skills.\r\nThen, each child took a turn introducing their home country: its language, landmarks, customs and traditional foods. Through their presentations, we discovered new places and got to know one another better!\r\n\r\nThe children enthusiastically shared aspects of their cultures and felt proud of what they presented to the group.\r\n\r\nEvery child has something valuable to share \u2014 and we all have something to learn when we listen.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Maria-Zoulien: “Come and experience it for yourself – you will gain so much”<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Maria-Zoulien has been with METAdrasi for a few months. She began volunteering shortly before the summer, teaching English to adult refugees and migrants. Education has long been part of her professional life: she works as a freelance English teacher and is also a psychologist.\r\n\r\nHer connection with the English language developed through her work providing learning support at an American school. When she learned that METAdrasi's Education Department urgently needed volunteers, she decided to put her knowledge and experience to good use.\r\n\r\nAt first, however, she had been drawn to a different area of METAdrasi's work.\r\n\r\n\"I was interested in the protection of unaccompanied children, so that was the area I initially applied to volunteer in. There were no openings at the time, but I still wanted to volunteer with METAdrasi. When the team told me that there was a great need in education and that my experience was a good fit, I began teaching English.\"\r\n\r\nA first day she will always remember\r\nMaria-Zoulien's first day in the classroom was memorable for more than one reason. Alongside her students were two young people from the United States who were completing an internship.\r\n\r\n\"I will always remember my first lesson. It was a fascinating experience because two interns from the United States were there as well. While I was teaching, I was also helping them see how we teach English to refugee students here.\"\r\n\r\nThe different teaching approach caught the interns' attention. As Maria-Zoulien explains, grammar plays a different role in English-language instruction in Greece than it does in the American education system.\r\n\r\nWhat stood out most, however, was the students' response.\r\n\r\n\"It was a wonderful class. I loved how receptive everyone was and how eager they were to learn.\"\r\n\r\nA moving final lesson\r\nOver the months that followed, the classroom became a place not only for learning, but also for personal connection. The bond between Maria-Zoulien and her students was especially clear during their final lesson together.\r\n\r\n\"My students brought me gifts, which was very touching. Afterwards, we all went out together and had ice cream.\"\r\n\r\nThat simple outing after class brought their shared journey to a warm close, marking months of effort, interaction and memorable moments.\r\n\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMaria-Zoulien's wish to become involved in METAdrasi's work protecting unaccompanied children was eventually fulfilled. As a volunteer, she took part in a large escort mission from Kos to Athens.\r\n\r\n\"We travelled to Kos, where we met the children and accompanied them to Athens. It was a large escort mission with quite a few children, but everything went very smoothly. It was another fascinating experience.\"\r\n\r\nThat first experience of an escort mission ultimately opened a new professional chapter. Maria-Zoulien is now preparing to join METAdrasi's Escort Missions Department as a staff member, while continuing her work as a psychologist.\r\n\r\nHer move from volunteering to a professional role grew naturally from her participation in METAdrasi's activities, her contact with the people it supports and her close understanding of the organisation's work.\r\n\r\nBeyond first impressions\r\nFor Maria-Zoulien, volunteering with an organisation that works with refugees can challenge assumptions that are often far removed from reality.\r\n\r\n\"At first, people may form an impression that is simply not close to the reality. The people you meet are very warm and want to build their lives here. It is nothing like what someone might imagine from the outside.\"\r\n\r\nThe supportive environment she found at METAdrasi has been equally important. As she stresses, volunteers are not left to manage the demands of their role alone.\r\n\r\n\"The atmosphere at METAdrasi is very warm. People are welcoming, they listen to what you need and what you want to do, and they help you. Every volunteer receives support.\"\r\n\r\nIn just a few months, Maria-Zoulien has experienced several aspects of METAdrasi's work: adult education, contact with people seeking to build a new life and escort missions for unaccompanied children. These experiences brought new relationships and perspectives and ultimately led her towards a new professional path.\r\n\r\nHer message to anyone considering volunteering is simple and direct:\r\n\"It is worth coming and experiencing it for yourself. You will gain so much from it, and you may discover things you never imagined you would enjoy.\"<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>From Learning to Employment: A New Beginning for Two Women in Greece<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Every woman who walks through the doors of Stepping Stone brings with her a unique personal journey\u2014often 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\u2019s 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\u2019s own resources.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe most important step for a woman seeking employment in Greece is to learn Greek,\u201d Zoi and Suzanna tell us, during the very first week in their new jobs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSuzanna, from Armenia, and Zoi, from Russia, know this from personal experience. With the support of METAdrasi\u2019s Stepping Stone programme, they attended Greek language classes consistently for two academic years. Today, they can navigate their daily lives independently and with confidence.\r\n\r\nThrough 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoth 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\"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\u2019s lives. For these women, the Greek language becomes their first tool for independence\u2014a 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,\u201d says Spyridoula Tsoukala, educator and employment counsellor at METAdrasi.\r\n\r\nZoi and Suzanna remind us that integration is not a single moment, but a journey built step by step\u2014with commitment, trust and professional guidance.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>First day of school!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>A new school year begins, opening yet another meaningful chapter for the unaccompanied children hosted at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos.\r\nWith new books in their hands, smiles on their faces, and plenty of excitement and dreams for the year ahead, the children returned to their classrooms today, ready for another year of learning, creativity, and new experiences.\r\nFor the children in our shelter, school is much more than a place to learn. It is a space where they gain new experiences, build relationships, grow stronger, and gradually find their place within the school community.\r\nWe are especially happy to celebrate the progress of Z., who, after successfully completing the second year of lower secondary school, is now moving on to the third year!\r\nBecause every new school year is another step forward.\r\nWishing all children a wonderful school year!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>A Greek lesson that was truly out of this world!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Children aged 6\u201312 attending classes at METAdrasi\u2019s Educational Centre in Athens explored our solar system, learned the names of the planets in Greek, and then created their own planets using the papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 technique.\r\n\r\nThrough this creative activity, language learning became an opportunity for play, collaboration, and discovery!\r\n\r\nA big thank you to our volunteer, whose imagination and enthusiasm brought this special \u201cjourney through space\u201d to life for our students.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMETAdrasi\u2019s educational activities are funded through the Organisation\u2019s own resources, with the support of the Liu Kuo-Chun Educational Foundation, Hong Kong, and the invaluable contribution of volunteers.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When children\u2019s imagination comes to life!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Our young artists are creating something truly special!\r\n\r\nA little while ago, unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of ceramics and express their creativity through clay.\r\n\r\nToday, their unique creations are complete and have finally arrived!\r\n\r\nEach piece is one of a kind, reflecting the children\u2019s imagination, effort, enthusiasm and joy. Beyond developing new skills, this creative experience offered them a meaningful space for self-expression, experimentation and participation.\r\n\r\nCongratulations to all the children on their wonderful creations!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Eleni: \u201cI come to METAdrasi and always leave happier, feeling more fulfilled\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Eleni has been volunteering with METAdrasi since late 2024. She started by teaching Greek to children aged 6 to 12 and, more recently, has also begun taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children, working alongside METAdrasi\u2019s team to accompany them to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nShe studied Social Policy at the University of the Peloponnese and is about to begin a Master\u2019s degree in Migration Policy and Human Rights. Her first contact with METAdrasi was while she was still a university student, when she was looking for an organisation where she could complete her internship.\r\n\r\n\u201cAt first, I wanted to do my internship here, but in the end it didn\u2019t work out. I stayed in touch with the people at METAdrasi, though, and at some point they asked me, \u2018Would you like to volunteer with us?\u2019 I thought, \u2018Why not?\u2019 \u2014 and that\u2019s how I got started.\u201d\r\nAn unexpected start in education\r\nEleni had no previous experience in education and, as she admits, the prospect of being in a classroom with children made her quite anxious at first.\r\n\r\n\u201cI had no background in education at all, and I was really nervous about it. I kept wondering what it would be like and felt quite anxious. In the end, though, it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.\u201d\r\n\r\nBefore long, her interaction with the children became one of the most meaningful parts of her volunteering experience.\r\n\r\n\u201cBeing with the children gives you so much. It refreshes and energises you. Every time I come here, I see or experience something new. Even if I\u2019ve had a bad day, when I arrive here, everything changes. I leave feeling very happy. Fulfilled.\u201d\r\n\r\nThrough the Greek lessons, the relationship goes far beyond language learning. Over time, trust develops, and the children begin to share moments and stories from their lives: about their families, their first days in Greece, and the difficulties they may have faced.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs we get to know each other better, they tell us stories about when they were younger, about how they came here, and about their families. Some may have parents who are far away, while others hardly get to see them because they work long hours. Little by little, they begin to trust us with their stories.\u201d\r\n\u201cYou can see the children\u2019s dreams\u201d\r\nOne of the moments that has stayed with Eleni was a lesson about professions and what the children would like to become when they grow up.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe made cards, and each child drew what they wanted to be when they grew up. They really loved it, and at the end they took their drawings home to show their parents. You could see their dreams there. Some want to become scientists, others doctors\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Eleni, moments like these are particularly powerful. Despite the language barriers, the children find ways to express what they hope to achieve.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is very moving to see that, even though some of them still cannot communicate easily in Greek, they know what they want and they tell you, \u2018I want to stay here and do this.\u2019 Another thing I really like is that the older children, who are more familiar with Greek, spontaneously help the younger ones.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt the same time, Eleni has also experienced how difficult it can be to say goodbye. After METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre moved from Kallithea to Ano Patissia, she no longer sees the children with whom she had built a bond over the course of an entire year.\r\n\r\n\u201cI used to see them every week. We would catch up, joke around and have fun together. The transition was difficult because now I don\u2019t know where they are or what they are doing. When you become used to that kind of connection, having to part ways affects you.\u201d\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMore recently, Eleni decided to expand her volunteering by also taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children. Here too, she encounters deeply human and emotional moments.\r\n\r\nShe vividly remembers a group of teenagers, around 16 or 17 years old, whom she recently accompanied to different accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\n\u201cThey were trying to act grown-up and strong. But when the time came to say goodbye to their friends, they burst into tears. It was very moving.\u201d\r\n\r\nDuring the journeys and conversations along the way, the children often share where they come from and what they have been through, but also the small joys of everyday life.\r\n\r\n\u201cA child might tell you excitedly, \u2018I had ice cream today!\u2019 And you can see the joy on their face. Something that might seem so simple to us can, for them, mean the whole world in that moment.\u201d\r\nThe value of volunteering\r\nFor Eleni, volunteering is above all a way of being there for people wherever support is needed.\r\n\r\n\u201cI like being able to help wherever and however I can. Volunteering really helps you develop empathy. You learn to see people and their experiences differently.\u201d\r\n\r\nHer experience at METAdrasi has even changed the way she thinks about what she would like to do in the future. What began almost by chance gradually developed into something that now feels very close to her.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor me, METAdrasi is the \u2018unexpected\u2019. I entered a field I had no connection with at all, and in the end I found myself saying, \u2018This is what I want to do.\u2019 It changes everything you thought you knew.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps this is, for Eleni, the most important part of the volunteering experience: the fact that giving works both ways.\r\n\r\n\u201cI might come here after a difficult day when everything has gone wrong. But once I\u2019m here, something changes. Every time, I leave happier. More fulfilled.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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\u2714\ufe0f How is an unaccompanied child\u2019s best interests assessed?\r\n\u2714\ufe0f What is the role of a Guardianship Mandated Person and a Temporary Representative?\r\n\u2714\ufe0f What steps lead from initial reception to access to asylum?\r\n\u2714\ufe0f How does interpretation help support children?\r\n\u2714\ufe0f How can Guardianship Mandated Persons manage stress?\r\n\r\nThese were some of the questions explored during METAdrasi\u2019s 10th Training Seminar for Guardianship Mandated Persons and Temporary Representatives of Unaccompanied Minors.\r\n\r\nThrough presentations, interactive workshops and case studies, participants deepened their understanding of child protection, the legal framework governing guardianship, foster care and the pursuit of durable solutions for unaccompanied children.\r\n\r\nThe seminar brought together 44 Guardianship Mandated Persons and Temporary Representatives, attending both in person and online. Speakers included METAdrasi staff and representatives from the General Secretariat for Vulnerable Persons and Institutional Protection, the Reception and Identification Service, the Asylum Service, the Dublin Unit, and the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 1, 2023, the activity of Guardianship for Unaccompanied Minors in Greece, is being implemented with METAdrasi as the coordinating partner and Praksis as a partner, within the framework of the \"National Guardianship System\" with funding from the \u201cProgramme Greece \u2013 Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund 2021-2027\u201d, co-financed by the European Union.<\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>Kalliopi: \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be afraid to embrace others\u201d<\/h2><\/div>
Kalliopi: \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be afraid to embrace others\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>For Kalliopi, the classroom is a place where she can be herself. As she helps adults learn Greek, she shares in their stories and experiences while teaching a skill essential to everyday life. A volunteer with METAdrasi for almost a year, she teaches Greek and also accompanies unaccompanied children on their journeys to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nAn economics student, Kalliopi wanted to support refugees and migrants. She began looking for organisations, taught Greek at a school attended by migrants, and later discovered METAdrasi online. Her love of teaching encouraged her to take the next step.\r\n\r\n\u201cI love teaching, especially people who need it to get by. I want to help them integrate more easily into our society.\u201d\r\n\r\nAlongside her university studies, she attends workshops to develop her teaching skills. From her very first lesson, however, she felt at ease in the classroom: it was somewhere she could enjoy being, without feeling anxious.\r\nA classroom for sharing stories\r\nIn Kalliopi\u2019s classes, learning a language goes hand in hand with conversation and connection. Students talk about their lives, tell their stories and share their experiences. She describes their relationship simply:\r\n\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s more than a Greek lesson. We\u2019re a group of friends, too. The students look forward to coming, and so do I.\u201d\r\n\r\nTheir feedback means a great deal to her. They tell her they enjoy the classes, feel comfortable and are not afraid. \u201cAll I want is for them to feel comfortable and safe,\u201d she says. She also sees how quickly they learn, which she attributes to their motivation and their need to use Greek in daily life.\r\n\r\nSome classroom conversations have stayed with her. During a lesson about family, she learnt that most of her students had lost their parents. It made her reflect on how much she had taken the presence of her own family for granted.\r\n\r\nFor Kalliopi, teaching is also an opportunity to learn from the people she meets. \u201cIn the end, I learn more than they do, and that\u2019s what I love about it,\u201d she says.\r\nAlongside children on their journeys\r\nAccompanying unaccompanied children has introduced Kalliopi to another aspect of volunteering. She describes children who are far from their parents and need someone beside them: someone to look after them, offer guidance and support them on the journey to an accommodation facility.\r\n\r\nEven in the short time they spend together, a strong bond can form. She remembers the hours on the ferry, the affection the children show her and their laughter as they leave the camp to move to a facility. \u201cJust seeing them laughing all the time is incredibly powerful.\u201d\r\n\r\nSo far, she has devoted more of her time to teaching Greek. If she had to choose between teaching and accompanying children, though, she would try to continue doing both. The feelings she takes away from accompanying the children, she explains, are particularly strong.\r\nThe gift of volunteering\r\nLooking ahead, Kalliopi wants to finish her degree and keep teaching. \u201cThere\u2019s no way I\u2019m giving it up,\u201d she says. As for the rest, she is taking things as they come.\r\n\r\nTo anyone considering volunteering, she would say that it can be one of the best gifts they give themselves. The people she has met have shown her how much strength a person can find in difficult circumstances. They have also taught her to care for others and give without expecting anything in return.\r\n\r\n\u201cYou may give a lot, but you receive even more.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd when we ask whether there is anything else she would like to add, her message is simple: \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be afraid to embrace others.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>One world map, many home countries, and the children as our guides!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>The unaccompanied children at our shelter in Samos took us on a journey through their home countries, exploring the world and its cultures together.\r\n\r\nFirst, we found Greece and the children\u2019s countries of origin on the map. We explored distances and routes and practised our map-reading skills.\r\nThen, each child took a turn introducing their home country: its language, landmarks, customs and traditional foods. Through their presentations, we discovered new places and got to know one another better!\r\n\r\nThe children enthusiastically shared aspects of their cultures and felt proud of what they presented to the group.\r\n\r\nEvery child has something valuable to share \u2014 and we all have something to learn when we listen.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Maria-Zoulien: “Come and experience it for yourself – you will gain so much”<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Maria-Zoulien has been with METAdrasi for a few months. She began volunteering shortly before the summer, teaching English to adult refugees and migrants. Education has long been part of her professional life: she works as a freelance English teacher and is also a psychologist.\r\n\r\nHer connection with the English language developed through her work providing learning support at an American school. When she learned that METAdrasi's Education Department urgently needed volunteers, she decided to put her knowledge and experience to good use.\r\n\r\nAt first, however, she had been drawn to a different area of METAdrasi's work.\r\n\r\n\"I was interested in the protection of unaccompanied children, so that was the area I initially applied to volunteer in. There were no openings at the time, but I still wanted to volunteer with METAdrasi. When the team told me that there was a great need in education and that my experience was a good fit, I began teaching English.\"\r\n\r\nA first day she will always remember\r\nMaria-Zoulien's first day in the classroom was memorable for more than one reason. Alongside her students were two young people from the United States who were completing an internship.\r\n\r\n\"I will always remember my first lesson. It was a fascinating experience because two interns from the United States were there as well. While I was teaching, I was also helping them see how we teach English to refugee students here.\"\r\n\r\nThe different teaching approach caught the interns' attention. As Maria-Zoulien explains, grammar plays a different role in English-language instruction in Greece than it does in the American education system.\r\n\r\nWhat stood out most, however, was the students' response.\r\n\r\n\"It was a wonderful class. I loved how receptive everyone was and how eager they were to learn.\"\r\n\r\nA moving final lesson\r\nOver the months that followed, the classroom became a place not only for learning, but also for personal connection. The bond between Maria-Zoulien and her students was especially clear during their final lesson together.\r\n\r\n\"My students brought me gifts, which was very touching. Afterwards, we all went out together and had ice cream.\"\r\n\r\nThat simple outing after class brought their shared journey to a warm close, marking months of effort, interaction and memorable moments.\r\n\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMaria-Zoulien's wish to become involved in METAdrasi's work protecting unaccompanied children was eventually fulfilled. As a volunteer, she took part in a large escort mission from Kos to Athens.\r\n\r\n\"We travelled to Kos, where we met the children and accompanied them to Athens. It was a large escort mission with quite a few children, but everything went very smoothly. It was another fascinating experience.\"\r\n\r\nThat first experience of an escort mission ultimately opened a new professional chapter. Maria-Zoulien is now preparing to join METAdrasi's Escort Missions Department as a staff member, while continuing her work as a psychologist.\r\n\r\nHer move from volunteering to a professional role grew naturally from her participation in METAdrasi's activities, her contact with the people it supports and her close understanding of the organisation's work.\r\n\r\nBeyond first impressions\r\nFor Maria-Zoulien, volunteering with an organisation that works with refugees can challenge assumptions that are often far removed from reality.\r\n\r\n\"At first, people may form an impression that is simply not close to the reality. The people you meet are very warm and want to build their lives here. It is nothing like what someone might imagine from the outside.\"\r\n\r\nThe supportive environment she found at METAdrasi has been equally important. As she stresses, volunteers are not left to manage the demands of their role alone.\r\n\r\n\"The atmosphere at METAdrasi is very warm. People are welcoming, they listen to what you need and what you want to do, and they help you. Every volunteer receives support.\"\r\n\r\nIn just a few months, Maria-Zoulien has experienced several aspects of METAdrasi's work: adult education, contact with people seeking to build a new life and escort missions for unaccompanied children. These experiences brought new relationships and perspectives and ultimately led her towards a new professional path.\r\n\r\nHer message to anyone considering volunteering is simple and direct:\r\n\"It is worth coming and experiencing it for yourself. You will gain so much from it, and you may discover things you never imagined you would enjoy.\"<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>From Learning to Employment: A New Beginning for Two Women in Greece<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Every woman who walks through the doors of Stepping Stone brings with her a unique personal journey\u2014often 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\u2019s 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\u2019s own resources.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe most important step for a woman seeking employment in Greece is to learn Greek,\u201d Zoi and Suzanna tell us, during the very first week in their new jobs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSuzanna, from Armenia, and Zoi, from Russia, know this from personal experience. With the support of METAdrasi\u2019s Stepping Stone programme, they attended Greek language classes consistently for two academic years. Today, they can navigate their daily lives independently and with confidence.\r\n\r\nThrough 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoth 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\"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\u2019s lives. For these women, the Greek language becomes their first tool for independence\u2014a 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,\u201d says Spyridoula Tsoukala, educator and employment counsellor at METAdrasi.\r\n\r\nZoi and Suzanna remind us that integration is not a single moment, but a journey built step by step\u2014with commitment, trust and professional guidance.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>First day of school!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>A new school year begins, opening yet another meaningful chapter for the unaccompanied children hosted at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos.\r\nWith new books in their hands, smiles on their faces, and plenty of excitement and dreams for the year ahead, the children returned to their classrooms today, ready for another year of learning, creativity, and new experiences.\r\nFor the children in our shelter, school is much more than a place to learn. It is a space where they gain new experiences, build relationships, grow stronger, and gradually find their place within the school community.\r\nWe are especially happy to celebrate the progress of Z., who, after successfully completing the second year of lower secondary school, is now moving on to the third year!\r\nBecause every new school year is another step forward.\r\nWishing all children a wonderful school year!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>A Greek lesson that was truly out of this world!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Children aged 6\u201312 attending classes at METAdrasi\u2019s Educational Centre in Athens explored our solar system, learned the names of the planets in Greek, and then created their own planets using the papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 technique.\r\n\r\nThrough this creative activity, language learning became an opportunity for play, collaboration, and discovery!\r\n\r\nA big thank you to our volunteer, whose imagination and enthusiasm brought this special \u201cjourney through space\u201d to life for our students.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMETAdrasi\u2019s educational activities are funded through the Organisation\u2019s own resources, with the support of the Liu Kuo-Chun Educational Foundation, Hong Kong, and the invaluable contribution of volunteers.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When children\u2019s imagination comes to life!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Our young artists are creating something truly special!\r\n\r\nA little while ago, unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of ceramics and express their creativity through clay.\r\n\r\nToday, their unique creations are complete and have finally arrived!\r\n\r\nEach piece is one of a kind, reflecting the children\u2019s imagination, effort, enthusiasm and joy. Beyond developing new skills, this creative experience offered them a meaningful space for self-expression, experimentation and participation.\r\n\r\nCongratulations to all the children on their wonderful creations!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Eleni: \u201cI come to METAdrasi and always leave happier, feeling more fulfilled\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Eleni has been volunteering with METAdrasi since late 2024. She started by teaching Greek to children aged 6 to 12 and, more recently, has also begun taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children, working alongside METAdrasi\u2019s team to accompany them to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nShe studied Social Policy at the University of the Peloponnese and is about to begin a Master\u2019s degree in Migration Policy and Human Rights. Her first contact with METAdrasi was while she was still a university student, when she was looking for an organisation where she could complete her internship.\r\n\r\n\u201cAt first, I wanted to do my internship here, but in the end it didn\u2019t work out. I stayed in touch with the people at METAdrasi, though, and at some point they asked me, \u2018Would you like to volunteer with us?\u2019 I thought, \u2018Why not?\u2019 \u2014 and that\u2019s how I got started.\u201d\r\nAn unexpected start in education\r\nEleni had no previous experience in education and, as she admits, the prospect of being in a classroom with children made her quite anxious at first.\r\n\r\n\u201cI had no background in education at all, and I was really nervous about it. I kept wondering what it would be like and felt quite anxious. In the end, though, it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.\u201d\r\n\r\nBefore long, her interaction with the children became one of the most meaningful parts of her volunteering experience.\r\n\r\n\u201cBeing with the children gives you so much. It refreshes and energises you. Every time I come here, I see or experience something new. Even if I\u2019ve had a bad day, when I arrive here, everything changes. I leave feeling very happy. Fulfilled.\u201d\r\n\r\nThrough the Greek lessons, the relationship goes far beyond language learning. Over time, trust develops, and the children begin to share moments and stories from their lives: about their families, their first days in Greece, and the difficulties they may have faced.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs we get to know each other better, they tell us stories about when they were younger, about how they came here, and about their families. Some may have parents who are far away, while others hardly get to see them because they work long hours. Little by little, they begin to trust us with their stories.\u201d\r\n\u201cYou can see the children\u2019s dreams\u201d\r\nOne of the moments that has stayed with Eleni was a lesson about professions and what the children would like to become when they grow up.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe made cards, and each child drew what they wanted to be when they grew up. They really loved it, and at the end they took their drawings home to show their parents. You could see their dreams there. Some want to become scientists, others doctors\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Eleni, moments like these are particularly powerful. Despite the language barriers, the children find ways to express what they hope to achieve.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is very moving to see that, even though some of them still cannot communicate easily in Greek, they know what they want and they tell you, \u2018I want to stay here and do this.\u2019 Another thing I really like is that the older children, who are more familiar with Greek, spontaneously help the younger ones.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt the same time, Eleni has also experienced how difficult it can be to say goodbye. After METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre moved from Kallithea to Ano Patissia, she no longer sees the children with whom she had built a bond over the course of an entire year.\r\n\r\n\u201cI used to see them every week. We would catch up, joke around and have fun together. The transition was difficult because now I don\u2019t know where they are or what they are doing. When you become used to that kind of connection, having to part ways affects you.\u201d\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMore recently, Eleni decided to expand her volunteering by also taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children. Here too, she encounters deeply human and emotional moments.\r\n\r\nShe vividly remembers a group of teenagers, around 16 or 17 years old, whom she recently accompanied to different accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\n\u201cThey were trying to act grown-up and strong. But when the time came to say goodbye to their friends, they burst into tears. It was very moving.\u201d\r\n\r\nDuring the journeys and conversations along the way, the children often share where they come from and what they have been through, but also the small joys of everyday life.\r\n\r\n\u201cA child might tell you excitedly, \u2018I had ice cream today!\u2019 And you can see the joy on their face. Something that might seem so simple to us can, for them, mean the whole world in that moment.\u201d\r\nThe value of volunteering\r\nFor Eleni, volunteering is above all a way of being there for people wherever support is needed.\r\n\r\n\u201cI like being able to help wherever and however I can. Volunteering really helps you develop empathy. You learn to see people and their experiences differently.\u201d\r\n\r\nHer experience at METAdrasi has even changed the way she thinks about what she would like to do in the future. What began almost by chance gradually developed into something that now feels very close to her.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor me, METAdrasi is the \u2018unexpected\u2019. I entered a field I had no connection with at all, and in the end I found myself saying, \u2018This is what I want to do.\u2019 It changes everything you thought you knew.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps this is, for Eleni, the most important part of the volunteering experience: the fact that giving works both ways.\r\n\r\n\u201cI might come here after a difficult day when everything has gone wrong. But once I\u2019m here, something changes. Every time, I leave happier. More fulfilled.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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For Kalliopi, the classroom is a place where she can be herself. As she helps adults learn Greek, she shares in their stories and experiences while teaching a skill essential to everyday life. A volunteer with METAdrasi for almost a year, she teaches Greek and also accompanies unaccompanied children on their journeys to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nAn economics student, Kalliopi wanted to support refugees and migrants. She began looking for organisations, taught Greek at a school attended by migrants, and later discovered METAdrasi online. Her love of teaching encouraged her to take the next step.\r\n\r\n\u201cI love teaching, especially people who need it to get by. I want to help them integrate more easily into our society.\u201d\r\n\r\nAlongside her university studies, she attends workshops to develop her teaching skills. From her very first lesson, however, she felt at ease in the classroom: it was somewhere she could enjoy being, without feeling anxious.\r\nA classroom for sharing stories\r\nIn Kalliopi\u2019s classes, learning a language goes hand in hand with conversation and connection. Students talk about their lives, tell their stories and share their experiences. She describes their relationship simply:\r\n\r\n\u201cIt\u2019s more than a Greek lesson. We\u2019re a group of friends, too. The students look forward to coming, and so do I.\u201d\r\n\r\nTheir feedback means a great deal to her. They tell her they enjoy the classes, feel comfortable and are not afraid. \u201cAll I want is for them to feel comfortable and safe,\u201d she says. She also sees how quickly they learn, which she attributes to their motivation and their need to use Greek in daily life.\r\n\r\nSome classroom conversations have stayed with her. During a lesson about family, she learnt that most of her students had lost their parents. It made her reflect on how much she had taken the presence of her own family for granted.\r\n\r\nFor Kalliopi, teaching is also an opportunity to learn from the people she meets. \u201cIn the end, I learn more than they do, and that\u2019s what I love about it,\u201d she says.\r\nAlongside children on their journeys\r\nAccompanying unaccompanied children has introduced Kalliopi to another aspect of volunteering. She describes children who are far from their parents and need someone beside them: someone to look after them, offer guidance and support them on the journey to an accommodation facility.\r\n\r\nEven in the short time they spend together, a strong bond can form. She remembers the hours on the ferry, the affection the children show her and their laughter as they leave the camp to move to a facility. \u201cJust seeing them laughing all the time is incredibly powerful.\u201d\r\n\r\nSo far, she has devoted more of her time to teaching Greek. If she had to choose between teaching and accompanying children, though, she would try to continue doing both. The feelings she takes away from accompanying the children, she explains, are particularly strong.\r\nThe gift of volunteering\r\nLooking ahead, Kalliopi wants to finish her degree and keep teaching. \u201cThere\u2019s no way I\u2019m giving it up,\u201d she says. As for the rest, she is taking things as they come.\r\n\r\nTo anyone considering volunteering, she would say that it can be one of the best gifts they give themselves. The people she has met have shown her how much strength a person can find in difficult circumstances. They have also taught her to care for others and give without expecting anything in return.\r\n\r\n\u201cYou may give a lot, but you receive even more.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd when we ask whether there is anything else she would like to add, her message is simple: \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be afraid to embrace others.\u201d<\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>One world map, many home countries, and the children as our guides!<\/h2><\/div>
One world map, many home countries, and the children as our guides!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>The unaccompanied children at our shelter in Samos took us on a journey through their home countries, exploring the world and its cultures together.\r\n\r\nFirst, we found Greece and the children\u2019s countries of origin on the map. We explored distances and routes and practised our map-reading skills.\r\nThen, each child took a turn introducing their home country: its language, landmarks, customs and traditional foods. Through their presentations, we discovered new places and got to know one another better!\r\n\r\nThe children enthusiastically shared aspects of their cultures and felt proud of what they presented to the group.\r\n\r\nEvery child has something valuable to share \u2014 and we all have something to learn when we listen.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Maria-Zoulien: “Come and experience it for yourself – you will gain so much”<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Maria-Zoulien has been with METAdrasi for a few months. She began volunteering shortly before the summer, teaching English to adult refugees and migrants. Education has long been part of her professional life: she works as a freelance English teacher and is also a psychologist.\r\n\r\nHer connection with the English language developed through her work providing learning support at an American school. When she learned that METAdrasi's Education Department urgently needed volunteers, she decided to put her knowledge and experience to good use.\r\n\r\nAt first, however, she had been drawn to a different area of METAdrasi's work.\r\n\r\n\"I was interested in the protection of unaccompanied children, so that was the area I initially applied to volunteer in. There were no openings at the time, but I still wanted to volunteer with METAdrasi. When the team told me that there was a great need in education and that my experience was a good fit, I began teaching English.\"\r\n\r\nA first day she will always remember\r\nMaria-Zoulien's first day in the classroom was memorable for more than one reason. Alongside her students were two young people from the United States who were completing an internship.\r\n\r\n\"I will always remember my first lesson. It was a fascinating experience because two interns from the United States were there as well. While I was teaching, I was also helping them see how we teach English to refugee students here.\"\r\n\r\nThe different teaching approach caught the interns' attention. As Maria-Zoulien explains, grammar plays a different role in English-language instruction in Greece than it does in the American education system.\r\n\r\nWhat stood out most, however, was the students' response.\r\n\r\n\"It was a wonderful class. I loved how receptive everyone was and how eager they were to learn.\"\r\n\r\nA moving final lesson\r\nOver the months that followed, the classroom became a place not only for learning, but also for personal connection. The bond between Maria-Zoulien and her students was especially clear during their final lesson together.\r\n\r\n\"My students brought me gifts, which was very touching. Afterwards, we all went out together and had ice cream.\"\r\n\r\nThat simple outing after class brought their shared journey to a warm close, marking months of effort, interaction and memorable moments.\r\n\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMaria-Zoulien's wish to become involved in METAdrasi's work protecting unaccompanied children was eventually fulfilled. As a volunteer, she took part in a large escort mission from Kos to Athens.\r\n\r\n\"We travelled to Kos, where we met the children and accompanied them to Athens. It was a large escort mission with quite a few children, but everything went very smoothly. It was another fascinating experience.\"\r\n\r\nThat first experience of an escort mission ultimately opened a new professional chapter. Maria-Zoulien is now preparing to join METAdrasi's Escort Missions Department as a staff member, while continuing her work as a psychologist.\r\n\r\nHer move from volunteering to a professional role grew naturally from her participation in METAdrasi's activities, her contact with the people it supports and her close understanding of the organisation's work.\r\n\r\nBeyond first impressions\r\nFor Maria-Zoulien, volunteering with an organisation that works with refugees can challenge assumptions that are often far removed from reality.\r\n\r\n\"At first, people may form an impression that is simply not close to the reality. The people you meet are very warm and want to build their lives here. It is nothing like what someone might imagine from the outside.\"\r\n\r\nThe supportive environment she found at METAdrasi has been equally important. As she stresses, volunteers are not left to manage the demands of their role alone.\r\n\r\n\"The atmosphere at METAdrasi is very warm. People are welcoming, they listen to what you need and what you want to do, and they help you. Every volunteer receives support.\"\r\n\r\nIn just a few months, Maria-Zoulien has experienced several aspects of METAdrasi's work: adult education, contact with people seeking to build a new life and escort missions for unaccompanied children. These experiences brought new relationships and perspectives and ultimately led her towards a new professional path.\r\n\r\nHer message to anyone considering volunteering is simple and direct:\r\n\"It is worth coming and experiencing it for yourself. You will gain so much from it, and you may discover things you never imagined you would enjoy.\"<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>From Learning to Employment: A New Beginning for Two Women in Greece<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Every woman who walks through the doors of Stepping Stone brings with her a unique personal journey\u2014often 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\u2019s 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\u2019s own resources.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe most important step for a woman seeking employment in Greece is to learn Greek,\u201d Zoi and Suzanna tell us, during the very first week in their new jobs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSuzanna, from Armenia, and Zoi, from Russia, know this from personal experience. With the support of METAdrasi\u2019s Stepping Stone programme, they attended Greek language classes consistently for two academic years. Today, they can navigate their daily lives independently and with confidence.\r\n\r\nThrough 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoth 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\"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\u2019s lives. For these women, the Greek language becomes their first tool for independence\u2014a 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,\u201d says Spyridoula Tsoukala, educator and employment counsellor at METAdrasi.\r\n\r\nZoi and Suzanna remind us that integration is not a single moment, but a journey built step by step\u2014with commitment, trust and professional guidance.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>First day of school!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>A new school year begins, opening yet another meaningful chapter for the unaccompanied children hosted at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos.\r\nWith new books in their hands, smiles on their faces, and plenty of excitement and dreams for the year ahead, the children returned to their classrooms today, ready for another year of learning, creativity, and new experiences.\r\nFor the children in our shelter, school is much more than a place to learn. It is a space where they gain new experiences, build relationships, grow stronger, and gradually find their place within the school community.\r\nWe are especially happy to celebrate the progress of Z., who, after successfully completing the second year of lower secondary school, is now moving on to the third year!\r\nBecause every new school year is another step forward.\r\nWishing all children a wonderful school year!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>A Greek lesson that was truly out of this world!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Children aged 6\u201312 attending classes at METAdrasi\u2019s Educational Centre in Athens explored our solar system, learned the names of the planets in Greek, and then created their own planets using the papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 technique.\r\n\r\nThrough this creative activity, language learning became an opportunity for play, collaboration, and discovery!\r\n\r\nA big thank you to our volunteer, whose imagination and enthusiasm brought this special \u201cjourney through space\u201d to life for our students.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMETAdrasi\u2019s educational activities are funded through the Organisation\u2019s own resources, with the support of the Liu Kuo-Chun Educational Foundation, Hong Kong, and the invaluable contribution of volunteers.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When children\u2019s imagination comes to life!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Our young artists are creating something truly special!\r\n\r\nA little while ago, unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of ceramics and express their creativity through clay.\r\n\r\nToday, their unique creations are complete and have finally arrived!\r\n\r\nEach piece is one of a kind, reflecting the children\u2019s imagination, effort, enthusiasm and joy. Beyond developing new skills, this creative experience offered them a meaningful space for self-expression, experimentation and participation.\r\n\r\nCongratulations to all the children on their wonderful creations!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Eleni: \u201cI come to METAdrasi and always leave happier, feeling more fulfilled\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Eleni has been volunteering with METAdrasi since late 2024. She started by teaching Greek to children aged 6 to 12 and, more recently, has also begun taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children, working alongside METAdrasi\u2019s team to accompany them to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nShe studied Social Policy at the University of the Peloponnese and is about to begin a Master\u2019s degree in Migration Policy and Human Rights. Her first contact with METAdrasi was while she was still a university student, when she was looking for an organisation where she could complete her internship.\r\n\r\n\u201cAt first, I wanted to do my internship here, but in the end it didn\u2019t work out. I stayed in touch with the people at METAdrasi, though, and at some point they asked me, \u2018Would you like to volunteer with us?\u2019 I thought, \u2018Why not?\u2019 \u2014 and that\u2019s how I got started.\u201d\r\nAn unexpected start in education\r\nEleni had no previous experience in education and, as she admits, the prospect of being in a classroom with children made her quite anxious at first.\r\n\r\n\u201cI had no background in education at all, and I was really nervous about it. I kept wondering what it would be like and felt quite anxious. In the end, though, it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.\u201d\r\n\r\nBefore long, her interaction with the children became one of the most meaningful parts of her volunteering experience.\r\n\r\n\u201cBeing with the children gives you so much. It refreshes and energises you. Every time I come here, I see or experience something new. Even if I\u2019ve had a bad day, when I arrive here, everything changes. I leave feeling very happy. Fulfilled.\u201d\r\n\r\nThrough the Greek lessons, the relationship goes far beyond language learning. Over time, trust develops, and the children begin to share moments and stories from their lives: about their families, their first days in Greece, and the difficulties they may have faced.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs we get to know each other better, they tell us stories about when they were younger, about how they came here, and about their families. Some may have parents who are far away, while others hardly get to see them because they work long hours. Little by little, they begin to trust us with their stories.\u201d\r\n\u201cYou can see the children\u2019s dreams\u201d\r\nOne of the moments that has stayed with Eleni was a lesson about professions and what the children would like to become when they grow up.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe made cards, and each child drew what they wanted to be when they grew up. They really loved it, and at the end they took their drawings home to show their parents. You could see their dreams there. Some want to become scientists, others doctors\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Eleni, moments like these are particularly powerful. Despite the language barriers, the children find ways to express what they hope to achieve.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is very moving to see that, even though some of them still cannot communicate easily in Greek, they know what they want and they tell you, \u2018I want to stay here and do this.\u2019 Another thing I really like is that the older children, who are more familiar with Greek, spontaneously help the younger ones.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt the same time, Eleni has also experienced how difficult it can be to say goodbye. After METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre moved from Kallithea to Ano Patissia, she no longer sees the children with whom she had built a bond over the course of an entire year.\r\n\r\n\u201cI used to see them every week. We would catch up, joke around and have fun together. The transition was difficult because now I don\u2019t know where they are or what they are doing. When you become used to that kind of connection, having to part ways affects you.\u201d\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMore recently, Eleni decided to expand her volunteering by also taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children. Here too, she encounters deeply human and emotional moments.\r\n\r\nShe vividly remembers a group of teenagers, around 16 or 17 years old, whom she recently accompanied to different accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\n\u201cThey were trying to act grown-up and strong. But when the time came to say goodbye to their friends, they burst into tears. It was very moving.\u201d\r\n\r\nDuring the journeys and conversations along the way, the children often share where they come from and what they have been through, but also the small joys of everyday life.\r\n\r\n\u201cA child might tell you excitedly, \u2018I had ice cream today!\u2019 And you can see the joy on their face. Something that might seem so simple to us can, for them, mean the whole world in that moment.\u201d\r\nThe value of volunteering\r\nFor Eleni, volunteering is above all a way of being there for people wherever support is needed.\r\n\r\n\u201cI like being able to help wherever and however I can. Volunteering really helps you develop empathy. You learn to see people and their experiences differently.\u201d\r\n\r\nHer experience at METAdrasi has even changed the way she thinks about what she would like to do in the future. What began almost by chance gradually developed into something that now feels very close to her.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor me, METAdrasi is the \u2018unexpected\u2019. I entered a field I had no connection with at all, and in the end I found myself saying, \u2018This is what I want to do.\u2019 It changes everything you thought you knew.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps this is, for Eleni, the most important part of the volunteering experience: the fact that giving works both ways.\r\n\r\n\u201cI might come here after a difficult day when everything has gone wrong. But once I\u2019m here, something changes. Every time, I leave happier. More fulfilled.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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The unaccompanied children at our shelter in Samos took us on a journey through their home countries, exploring the world and its cultures together.\r\n\r\nFirst, we found Greece and the children\u2019s countries of origin on the map. We explored distances and routes and practised our map-reading skills.\r\nThen, each child took a turn introducing their home country: its language, landmarks, customs and traditional foods. Through their presentations, we discovered new places and got to know one another better!\r\n\r\nThe children enthusiastically shared aspects of their cultures and felt proud of what they presented to the group.\r\n\r\nEvery child has something valuable to share \u2014 and we all have something to learn when we listen.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>Maria-Zoulien: “Come and experience it for yourself – you will gain so much”<\/h2><\/div>
Maria-Zoulien: “Come and experience it for yourself – you will gain so much”<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Maria-Zoulien has been with METAdrasi for a few months. She began volunteering shortly before the summer, teaching English to adult refugees and migrants. Education has long been part of her professional life: she works as a freelance English teacher and is also a psychologist.\r\n\r\nHer connection with the English language developed through her work providing learning support at an American school. When she learned that METAdrasi's Education Department urgently needed volunteers, she decided to put her knowledge and experience to good use.\r\n\r\nAt first, however, she had been drawn to a different area of METAdrasi's work.\r\n\r\n\"I was interested in the protection of unaccompanied children, so that was the area I initially applied to volunteer in. There were no openings at the time, but I still wanted to volunteer with METAdrasi. When the team told me that there was a great need in education and that my experience was a good fit, I began teaching English.\"\r\n\r\nA first day she will always remember\r\nMaria-Zoulien's first day in the classroom was memorable for more than one reason. Alongside her students were two young people from the United States who were completing an internship.\r\n\r\n\"I will always remember my first lesson. It was a fascinating experience because two interns from the United States were there as well. While I was teaching, I was also helping them see how we teach English to refugee students here.\"\r\n\r\nThe different teaching approach caught the interns' attention. As Maria-Zoulien explains, grammar plays a different role in English-language instruction in Greece than it does in the American education system.\r\n\r\nWhat stood out most, however, was the students' response.\r\n\r\n\"It was a wonderful class. I loved how receptive everyone was and how eager they were to learn.\"\r\n\r\nA moving final lesson\r\nOver the months that followed, the classroom became a place not only for learning, but also for personal connection. The bond between Maria-Zoulien and her students was especially clear during their final lesson together.\r\n\r\n\"My students brought me gifts, which was very touching. Afterwards, we all went out together and had ice cream.\"\r\n\r\nThat simple outing after class brought their shared journey to a warm close, marking months of effort, interaction and memorable moments.\r\n\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMaria-Zoulien's wish to become involved in METAdrasi's work protecting unaccompanied children was eventually fulfilled. As a volunteer, she took part in a large escort mission from Kos to Athens.\r\n\r\n\"We travelled to Kos, where we met the children and accompanied them to Athens. It was a large escort mission with quite a few children, but everything went very smoothly. It was another fascinating experience.\"\r\n\r\nThat first experience of an escort mission ultimately opened a new professional chapter. Maria-Zoulien is now preparing to join METAdrasi's Escort Missions Department as a staff member, while continuing her work as a psychologist.\r\n\r\nHer move from volunteering to a professional role grew naturally from her participation in METAdrasi's activities, her contact with the people it supports and her close understanding of the organisation's work.\r\n\r\nBeyond first impressions\r\nFor Maria-Zoulien, volunteering with an organisation that works with refugees can challenge assumptions that are often far removed from reality.\r\n\r\n\"At first, people may form an impression that is simply not close to the reality. The people you meet are very warm and want to build their lives here. It is nothing like what someone might imagine from the outside.\"\r\n\r\nThe supportive environment she found at METAdrasi has been equally important. As she stresses, volunteers are not left to manage the demands of their role alone.\r\n\r\n\"The atmosphere at METAdrasi is very warm. People are welcoming, they listen to what you need and what you want to do, and they help you. Every volunteer receives support.\"\r\n\r\nIn just a few months, Maria-Zoulien has experienced several aspects of METAdrasi's work: adult education, contact with people seeking to build a new life and escort missions for unaccompanied children. These experiences brought new relationships and perspectives and ultimately led her towards a new professional path.\r\n\r\nHer message to anyone considering volunteering is simple and direct:\r\n\"It is worth coming and experiencing it for yourself. You will gain so much from it, and you may discover things you never imagined you would enjoy.\"<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>From Learning to Employment: A New Beginning for Two Women in Greece<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Every woman who walks through the doors of Stepping Stone brings with her a unique personal journey\u2014often 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\u2019s 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\u2019s own resources.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe most important step for a woman seeking employment in Greece is to learn Greek,\u201d Zoi and Suzanna tell us, during the very first week in their new jobs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSuzanna, from Armenia, and Zoi, from Russia, know this from personal experience. With the support of METAdrasi\u2019s Stepping Stone programme, they attended Greek language classes consistently for two academic years. Today, they can navigate their daily lives independently and with confidence.\r\n\r\nThrough 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoth 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\"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\u2019s lives. For these women, the Greek language becomes their first tool for independence\u2014a 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,\u201d says Spyridoula Tsoukala, educator and employment counsellor at METAdrasi.\r\n\r\nZoi and Suzanna remind us that integration is not a single moment, but a journey built step by step\u2014with commitment, trust and professional guidance.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>First day of school!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>A new school year begins, opening yet another meaningful chapter for the unaccompanied children hosted at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos.\r\nWith new books in their hands, smiles on their faces, and plenty of excitement and dreams for the year ahead, the children returned to their classrooms today, ready for another year of learning, creativity, and new experiences.\r\nFor the children in our shelter, school is much more than a place to learn. It is a space where they gain new experiences, build relationships, grow stronger, and gradually find their place within the school community.\r\nWe are especially happy to celebrate the progress of Z., who, after successfully completing the second year of lower secondary school, is now moving on to the third year!\r\nBecause every new school year is another step forward.\r\nWishing all children a wonderful school year!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>A Greek lesson that was truly out of this world!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Children aged 6\u201312 attending classes at METAdrasi\u2019s Educational Centre in Athens explored our solar system, learned the names of the planets in Greek, and then created their own planets using the papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 technique.\r\n\r\nThrough this creative activity, language learning became an opportunity for play, collaboration, and discovery!\r\n\r\nA big thank you to our volunteer, whose imagination and enthusiasm brought this special \u201cjourney through space\u201d to life for our students.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMETAdrasi\u2019s educational activities are funded through the Organisation\u2019s own resources, with the support of the Liu Kuo-Chun Educational Foundation, Hong Kong, and the invaluable contribution of volunteers.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When children\u2019s imagination comes to life!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Our young artists are creating something truly special!\r\n\r\nA little while ago, unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of ceramics and express their creativity through clay.\r\n\r\nToday, their unique creations are complete and have finally arrived!\r\n\r\nEach piece is one of a kind, reflecting the children\u2019s imagination, effort, enthusiasm and joy. Beyond developing new skills, this creative experience offered them a meaningful space for self-expression, experimentation and participation.\r\n\r\nCongratulations to all the children on their wonderful creations!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Eleni: \u201cI come to METAdrasi and always leave happier, feeling more fulfilled\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Eleni has been volunteering with METAdrasi since late 2024. She started by teaching Greek to children aged 6 to 12 and, more recently, has also begun taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children, working alongside METAdrasi\u2019s team to accompany them to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nShe studied Social Policy at the University of the Peloponnese and is about to begin a Master\u2019s degree in Migration Policy and Human Rights. Her first contact with METAdrasi was while she was still a university student, when she was looking for an organisation where she could complete her internship.\r\n\r\n\u201cAt first, I wanted to do my internship here, but in the end it didn\u2019t work out. I stayed in touch with the people at METAdrasi, though, and at some point they asked me, \u2018Would you like to volunteer with us?\u2019 I thought, \u2018Why not?\u2019 \u2014 and that\u2019s how I got started.\u201d\r\nAn unexpected start in education\r\nEleni had no previous experience in education and, as she admits, the prospect of being in a classroom with children made her quite anxious at first.\r\n\r\n\u201cI had no background in education at all, and I was really nervous about it. I kept wondering what it would be like and felt quite anxious. In the end, though, it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.\u201d\r\n\r\nBefore long, her interaction with the children became one of the most meaningful parts of her volunteering experience.\r\n\r\n\u201cBeing with the children gives you so much. It refreshes and energises you. Every time I come here, I see or experience something new. Even if I\u2019ve had a bad day, when I arrive here, everything changes. I leave feeling very happy. Fulfilled.\u201d\r\n\r\nThrough the Greek lessons, the relationship goes far beyond language learning. Over time, trust develops, and the children begin to share moments and stories from their lives: about their families, their first days in Greece, and the difficulties they may have faced.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs we get to know each other better, they tell us stories about when they were younger, about how they came here, and about their families. Some may have parents who are far away, while others hardly get to see them because they work long hours. Little by little, they begin to trust us with their stories.\u201d\r\n\u201cYou can see the children\u2019s dreams\u201d\r\nOne of the moments that has stayed with Eleni was a lesson about professions and what the children would like to become when they grow up.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe made cards, and each child drew what they wanted to be when they grew up. They really loved it, and at the end they took their drawings home to show their parents. You could see their dreams there. Some want to become scientists, others doctors\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Eleni, moments like these are particularly powerful. Despite the language barriers, the children find ways to express what they hope to achieve.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is very moving to see that, even though some of them still cannot communicate easily in Greek, they know what they want and they tell you, \u2018I want to stay here and do this.\u2019 Another thing I really like is that the older children, who are more familiar with Greek, spontaneously help the younger ones.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt the same time, Eleni has also experienced how difficult it can be to say goodbye. After METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre moved from Kallithea to Ano Patissia, she no longer sees the children with whom she had built a bond over the course of an entire year.\r\n\r\n\u201cI used to see them every week. We would catch up, joke around and have fun together. The transition was difficult because now I don\u2019t know where they are or what they are doing. When you become used to that kind of connection, having to part ways affects you.\u201d\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMore recently, Eleni decided to expand her volunteering by also taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children. Here too, she encounters deeply human and emotional moments.\r\n\r\nShe vividly remembers a group of teenagers, around 16 or 17 years old, whom she recently accompanied to different accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\n\u201cThey were trying to act grown-up and strong. But when the time came to say goodbye to their friends, they burst into tears. It was very moving.\u201d\r\n\r\nDuring the journeys and conversations along the way, the children often share where they come from and what they have been through, but also the small joys of everyday life.\r\n\r\n\u201cA child might tell you excitedly, \u2018I had ice cream today!\u2019 And you can see the joy on their face. Something that might seem so simple to us can, for them, mean the whole world in that moment.\u201d\r\nThe value of volunteering\r\nFor Eleni, volunteering is above all a way of being there for people wherever support is needed.\r\n\r\n\u201cI like being able to help wherever and however I can. Volunteering really helps you develop empathy. You learn to see people and their experiences differently.\u201d\r\n\r\nHer experience at METAdrasi has even changed the way she thinks about what she would like to do in the future. What began almost by chance gradually developed into something that now feels very close to her.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor me, METAdrasi is the \u2018unexpected\u2019. I entered a field I had no connection with at all, and in the end I found myself saying, \u2018This is what I want to do.\u2019 It changes everything you thought you knew.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps this is, for Eleni, the most important part of the volunteering experience: the fact that giving works both ways.\r\n\r\n\u201cI might come here after a difficult day when everything has gone wrong. But once I\u2019m here, something changes. Every time, I leave happier. More fulfilled.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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Maria-Zoulien has been with METAdrasi for a few months. She began volunteering shortly before the summer, teaching English to adult refugees and migrants. Education has long been part of her professional life: she works as a freelance English teacher and is also a psychologist.\r\n\r\nHer connection with the English language developed through her work providing learning support at an American school. When she learned that METAdrasi's Education Department urgently needed volunteers, she decided to put her knowledge and experience to good use.\r\n\r\nAt first, however, she had been drawn to a different area of METAdrasi's work.\r\n\r\n\"I was interested in the protection of unaccompanied children, so that was the area I initially applied to volunteer in. There were no openings at the time, but I still wanted to volunteer with METAdrasi. When the team told me that there was a great need in education and that my experience was a good fit, I began teaching English.\"\r\n\r\nA first day she will always remember\r\nMaria-Zoulien's first day in the classroom was memorable for more than one reason. Alongside her students were two young people from the United States who were completing an internship.\r\n\r\n\"I will always remember my first lesson. It was a fascinating experience because two interns from the United States were there as well. While I was teaching, I was also helping them see how we teach English to refugee students here.\"\r\n\r\nThe different teaching approach caught the interns' attention. As Maria-Zoulien explains, grammar plays a different role in English-language instruction in Greece than it does in the American education system.\r\n\r\nWhat stood out most, however, was the students' response.\r\n\r\n\"It was a wonderful class. I loved how receptive everyone was and how eager they were to learn.\"\r\n\r\nA moving final lesson\r\nOver the months that followed, the classroom became a place not only for learning, but also for personal connection. The bond between Maria-Zoulien and her students was especially clear during their final lesson together.\r\n\r\n\"My students brought me gifts, which was very touching. Afterwards, we all went out together and had ice cream.\"\r\n\r\nThat simple outing after class brought their shared journey to a warm close, marking months of effort, interaction and memorable moments.\r\n\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMaria-Zoulien's wish to become involved in METAdrasi's work protecting unaccompanied children was eventually fulfilled. As a volunteer, she took part in a large escort mission from Kos to Athens.\r\n\r\n\"We travelled to Kos, where we met the children and accompanied them to Athens. It was a large escort mission with quite a few children, but everything went very smoothly. It was another fascinating experience.\"\r\n\r\nThat first experience of an escort mission ultimately opened a new professional chapter. Maria-Zoulien is now preparing to join METAdrasi's Escort Missions Department as a staff member, while continuing her work as a psychologist.\r\n\r\nHer move from volunteering to a professional role grew naturally from her participation in METAdrasi's activities, her contact with the people it supports and her close understanding of the organisation's work.\r\n\r\nBeyond first impressions\r\nFor Maria-Zoulien, volunteering with an organisation that works with refugees can challenge assumptions that are often far removed from reality.\r\n\r\n\"At first, people may form an impression that is simply not close to the reality. The people you meet are very warm and want to build their lives here. It is nothing like what someone might imagine from the outside.\"\r\n\r\nThe supportive environment she found at METAdrasi has been equally important. As she stresses, volunteers are not left to manage the demands of their role alone.\r\n\r\n\"The atmosphere at METAdrasi is very warm. People are welcoming, they listen to what you need and what you want to do, and they help you. Every volunteer receives support.\"\r\n\r\nIn just a few months, Maria-Zoulien has experienced several aspects of METAdrasi's work: adult education, contact with people seeking to build a new life and escort missions for unaccompanied children. These experiences brought new relationships and perspectives and ultimately led her towards a new professional path.\r\n\r\nHer message to anyone considering volunteering is simple and direct:\r\n\"It is worth coming and experiencing it for yourself. You will gain so much from it, and you may discover things you never imagined you would enjoy.\"<\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>From Learning to Employment: A New Beginning for Two Women in Greece<\/h2><\/div>
From Learning to Employment: A New Beginning for Two Women in Greece<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Every woman who walks through the doors of Stepping Stone brings with her a unique personal journey\u2014often 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\u2019s 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\u2019s own resources.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe most important step for a woman seeking employment in Greece is to learn Greek,\u201d Zoi and Suzanna tell us, during the very first week in their new jobs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSuzanna, from Armenia, and Zoi, from Russia, know this from personal experience. With the support of METAdrasi\u2019s Stepping Stone programme, they attended Greek language classes consistently for two academic years. Today, they can navigate their daily lives independently and with confidence.\r\n\r\nThrough 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoth 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\"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\u2019s lives. For these women, the Greek language becomes their first tool for independence\u2014a 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,\u201d says Spyridoula Tsoukala, educator and employment counsellor at METAdrasi.\r\n\r\nZoi and Suzanna remind us that integration is not a single moment, but a journey built step by step\u2014with commitment, trust and professional guidance.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>First day of school!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>A new school year begins, opening yet another meaningful chapter for the unaccompanied children hosted at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos.\r\nWith new books in their hands, smiles on their faces, and plenty of excitement and dreams for the year ahead, the children returned to their classrooms today, ready for another year of learning, creativity, and new experiences.\r\nFor the children in our shelter, school is much more than a place to learn. It is a space where they gain new experiences, build relationships, grow stronger, and gradually find their place within the school community.\r\nWe are especially happy to celebrate the progress of Z., who, after successfully completing the second year of lower secondary school, is now moving on to the third year!\r\nBecause every new school year is another step forward.\r\nWishing all children a wonderful school year!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>A Greek lesson that was truly out of this world!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Children aged 6\u201312 attending classes at METAdrasi\u2019s Educational Centre in Athens explored our solar system, learned the names of the planets in Greek, and then created their own planets using the papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 technique.\r\n\r\nThrough this creative activity, language learning became an opportunity for play, collaboration, and discovery!\r\n\r\nA big thank you to our volunteer, whose imagination and enthusiasm brought this special \u201cjourney through space\u201d to life for our students.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMETAdrasi\u2019s educational activities are funded through the Organisation\u2019s own resources, with the support of the Liu Kuo-Chun Educational Foundation, Hong Kong, and the invaluable contribution of volunteers.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When children\u2019s imagination comes to life!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Our young artists are creating something truly special!\r\n\r\nA little while ago, unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of ceramics and express their creativity through clay.\r\n\r\nToday, their unique creations are complete and have finally arrived!\r\n\r\nEach piece is one of a kind, reflecting the children\u2019s imagination, effort, enthusiasm and joy. Beyond developing new skills, this creative experience offered them a meaningful space for self-expression, experimentation and participation.\r\n\r\nCongratulations to all the children on their wonderful creations!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Eleni: \u201cI come to METAdrasi and always leave happier, feeling more fulfilled\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Eleni has been volunteering with METAdrasi since late 2024. She started by teaching Greek to children aged 6 to 12 and, more recently, has also begun taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children, working alongside METAdrasi\u2019s team to accompany them to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nShe studied Social Policy at the University of the Peloponnese and is about to begin a Master\u2019s degree in Migration Policy and Human Rights. Her first contact with METAdrasi was while she was still a university student, when she was looking for an organisation where she could complete her internship.\r\n\r\n\u201cAt first, I wanted to do my internship here, but in the end it didn\u2019t work out. I stayed in touch with the people at METAdrasi, though, and at some point they asked me, \u2018Would you like to volunteer with us?\u2019 I thought, \u2018Why not?\u2019 \u2014 and that\u2019s how I got started.\u201d\r\nAn unexpected start in education\r\nEleni had no previous experience in education and, as she admits, the prospect of being in a classroom with children made her quite anxious at first.\r\n\r\n\u201cI had no background in education at all, and I was really nervous about it. I kept wondering what it would be like and felt quite anxious. In the end, though, it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.\u201d\r\n\r\nBefore long, her interaction with the children became one of the most meaningful parts of her volunteering experience.\r\n\r\n\u201cBeing with the children gives you so much. It refreshes and energises you. Every time I come here, I see or experience something new. Even if I\u2019ve had a bad day, when I arrive here, everything changes. I leave feeling very happy. Fulfilled.\u201d\r\n\r\nThrough the Greek lessons, the relationship goes far beyond language learning. Over time, trust develops, and the children begin to share moments and stories from their lives: about their families, their first days in Greece, and the difficulties they may have faced.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs we get to know each other better, they tell us stories about when they were younger, about how they came here, and about their families. Some may have parents who are far away, while others hardly get to see them because they work long hours. Little by little, they begin to trust us with their stories.\u201d\r\n\u201cYou can see the children\u2019s dreams\u201d\r\nOne of the moments that has stayed with Eleni was a lesson about professions and what the children would like to become when they grow up.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe made cards, and each child drew what they wanted to be when they grew up. They really loved it, and at the end they took their drawings home to show their parents. You could see their dreams there. Some want to become scientists, others doctors\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Eleni, moments like these are particularly powerful. Despite the language barriers, the children find ways to express what they hope to achieve.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is very moving to see that, even though some of them still cannot communicate easily in Greek, they know what they want and they tell you, \u2018I want to stay here and do this.\u2019 Another thing I really like is that the older children, who are more familiar with Greek, spontaneously help the younger ones.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt the same time, Eleni has also experienced how difficult it can be to say goodbye. After METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre moved from Kallithea to Ano Patissia, she no longer sees the children with whom she had built a bond over the course of an entire year.\r\n\r\n\u201cI used to see them every week. We would catch up, joke around and have fun together. The transition was difficult because now I don\u2019t know where they are or what they are doing. When you become used to that kind of connection, having to part ways affects you.\u201d\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMore recently, Eleni decided to expand her volunteering by also taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children. Here too, she encounters deeply human and emotional moments.\r\n\r\nShe vividly remembers a group of teenagers, around 16 or 17 years old, whom she recently accompanied to different accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\n\u201cThey were trying to act grown-up and strong. But when the time came to say goodbye to their friends, they burst into tears. It was very moving.\u201d\r\n\r\nDuring the journeys and conversations along the way, the children often share where they come from and what they have been through, but also the small joys of everyday life.\r\n\r\n\u201cA child might tell you excitedly, \u2018I had ice cream today!\u2019 And you can see the joy on their face. Something that might seem so simple to us can, for them, mean the whole world in that moment.\u201d\r\nThe value of volunteering\r\nFor Eleni, volunteering is above all a way of being there for people wherever support is needed.\r\n\r\n\u201cI like being able to help wherever and however I can. Volunteering really helps you develop empathy. You learn to see people and their experiences differently.\u201d\r\n\r\nHer experience at METAdrasi has even changed the way she thinks about what she would like to do in the future. What began almost by chance gradually developed into something that now feels very close to her.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor me, METAdrasi is the \u2018unexpected\u2019. I entered a field I had no connection with at all, and in the end I found myself saying, \u2018This is what I want to do.\u2019 It changes everything you thought you knew.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps this is, for Eleni, the most important part of the volunteering experience: the fact that giving works both ways.\r\n\r\n\u201cI might come here after a difficult day when everything has gone wrong. But once I\u2019m here, something changes. Every time, I leave happier. More fulfilled.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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Every woman who walks through the doors of Stepping Stone brings with her a unique personal journey\u2014often 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\u2019s 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\u2019s own resources.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe most important step for a woman seeking employment in Greece is to learn Greek,\u201d Zoi and Suzanna tell us, during the very first week in their new jobs.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSuzanna, from Armenia, and Zoi, from Russia, know this from personal experience. With the support of METAdrasi\u2019s Stepping Stone programme, they attended Greek language classes consistently for two academic years. Today, they can navigate their daily lives independently and with confidence.\r\n\r\nThrough 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nBoth 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\"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\u2019s lives. For these women, the Greek language becomes their first tool for independence\u2014a 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,\u201d says Spyridoula Tsoukala, educator and employment counsellor at METAdrasi.\r\n\r\nZoi and Suzanna remind us that integration is not a single moment, but a journey built step by step\u2014with commitment, trust and professional guidance.<\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>First day of school!<\/h2><\/div>
First day of school!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>A new school year begins, opening yet another meaningful chapter for the unaccompanied children hosted at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos.\r\nWith new books in their hands, smiles on their faces, and plenty of excitement and dreams for the year ahead, the children returned to their classrooms today, ready for another year of learning, creativity, and new experiences.\r\nFor the children in our shelter, school is much more than a place to learn. It is a space where they gain new experiences, build relationships, grow stronger, and gradually find their place within the school community.\r\nWe are especially happy to celebrate the progress of Z., who, after successfully completing the second year of lower secondary school, is now moving on to the third year!\r\nBecause every new school year is another step forward.\r\nWishing all children a wonderful school year!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>A Greek lesson that was truly out of this world!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Children aged 6\u201312 attending classes at METAdrasi\u2019s Educational Centre in Athens explored our solar system, learned the names of the planets in Greek, and then created their own planets using the papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 technique.\r\n\r\nThrough this creative activity, language learning became an opportunity for play, collaboration, and discovery!\r\n\r\nA big thank you to our volunteer, whose imagination and enthusiasm brought this special \u201cjourney through space\u201d to life for our students.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMETAdrasi\u2019s educational activities are funded through the Organisation\u2019s own resources, with the support of the Liu Kuo-Chun Educational Foundation, Hong Kong, and the invaluable contribution of volunteers.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When children\u2019s imagination comes to life!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Our young artists are creating something truly special!\r\n\r\nA little while ago, unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of ceramics and express their creativity through clay.\r\n\r\nToday, their unique creations are complete and have finally arrived!\r\n\r\nEach piece is one of a kind, reflecting the children\u2019s imagination, effort, enthusiasm and joy. Beyond developing new skills, this creative experience offered them a meaningful space for self-expression, experimentation and participation.\r\n\r\nCongratulations to all the children on their wonderful creations!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Eleni: \u201cI come to METAdrasi and always leave happier, feeling more fulfilled\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Eleni has been volunteering with METAdrasi since late 2024. She started by teaching Greek to children aged 6 to 12 and, more recently, has also begun taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children, working alongside METAdrasi\u2019s team to accompany them to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nShe studied Social Policy at the University of the Peloponnese and is about to begin a Master\u2019s degree in Migration Policy and Human Rights. Her first contact with METAdrasi was while she was still a university student, when she was looking for an organisation where she could complete her internship.\r\n\r\n\u201cAt first, I wanted to do my internship here, but in the end it didn\u2019t work out. I stayed in touch with the people at METAdrasi, though, and at some point they asked me, \u2018Would you like to volunteer with us?\u2019 I thought, \u2018Why not?\u2019 \u2014 and that\u2019s how I got started.\u201d\r\nAn unexpected start in education\r\nEleni had no previous experience in education and, as she admits, the prospect of being in a classroom with children made her quite anxious at first.\r\n\r\n\u201cI had no background in education at all, and I was really nervous about it. I kept wondering what it would be like and felt quite anxious. In the end, though, it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.\u201d\r\n\r\nBefore long, her interaction with the children became one of the most meaningful parts of her volunteering experience.\r\n\r\n\u201cBeing with the children gives you so much. It refreshes and energises you. Every time I come here, I see or experience something new. Even if I\u2019ve had a bad day, when I arrive here, everything changes. I leave feeling very happy. Fulfilled.\u201d\r\n\r\nThrough the Greek lessons, the relationship goes far beyond language learning. Over time, trust develops, and the children begin to share moments and stories from their lives: about their families, their first days in Greece, and the difficulties they may have faced.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs we get to know each other better, they tell us stories about when they were younger, about how they came here, and about their families. Some may have parents who are far away, while others hardly get to see them because they work long hours. Little by little, they begin to trust us with their stories.\u201d\r\n\u201cYou can see the children\u2019s dreams\u201d\r\nOne of the moments that has stayed with Eleni was a lesson about professions and what the children would like to become when they grow up.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe made cards, and each child drew what they wanted to be when they grew up. They really loved it, and at the end they took their drawings home to show their parents. You could see their dreams there. Some want to become scientists, others doctors\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Eleni, moments like these are particularly powerful. Despite the language barriers, the children find ways to express what they hope to achieve.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is very moving to see that, even though some of them still cannot communicate easily in Greek, they know what they want and they tell you, \u2018I want to stay here and do this.\u2019 Another thing I really like is that the older children, who are more familiar with Greek, spontaneously help the younger ones.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt the same time, Eleni has also experienced how difficult it can be to say goodbye. After METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre moved from Kallithea to Ano Patissia, she no longer sees the children with whom she had built a bond over the course of an entire year.\r\n\r\n\u201cI used to see them every week. We would catch up, joke around and have fun together. The transition was difficult because now I don\u2019t know where they are or what they are doing. When you become used to that kind of connection, having to part ways affects you.\u201d\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMore recently, Eleni decided to expand her volunteering by also taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children. Here too, she encounters deeply human and emotional moments.\r\n\r\nShe vividly remembers a group of teenagers, around 16 or 17 years old, whom she recently accompanied to different accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\n\u201cThey were trying to act grown-up and strong. But when the time came to say goodbye to their friends, they burst into tears. It was very moving.\u201d\r\n\r\nDuring the journeys and conversations along the way, the children often share where they come from and what they have been through, but also the small joys of everyday life.\r\n\r\n\u201cA child might tell you excitedly, \u2018I had ice cream today!\u2019 And you can see the joy on their face. Something that might seem so simple to us can, for them, mean the whole world in that moment.\u201d\r\nThe value of volunteering\r\nFor Eleni, volunteering is above all a way of being there for people wherever support is needed.\r\n\r\n\u201cI like being able to help wherever and however I can. Volunteering really helps you develop empathy. You learn to see people and their experiences differently.\u201d\r\n\r\nHer experience at METAdrasi has even changed the way she thinks about what she would like to do in the future. What began almost by chance gradually developed into something that now feels very close to her.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor me, METAdrasi is the \u2018unexpected\u2019. I entered a field I had no connection with at all, and in the end I found myself saying, \u2018This is what I want to do.\u2019 It changes everything you thought you knew.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps this is, for Eleni, the most important part of the volunteering experience: the fact that giving works both ways.\r\n\r\n\u201cI might come here after a difficult day when everything has gone wrong. But once I\u2019m here, something changes. Every time, I leave happier. More fulfilled.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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A new school year begins, opening yet another meaningful chapter for the unaccompanied children hosted at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos.\r\nWith new books in their hands, smiles on their faces, and plenty of excitement and dreams for the year ahead, the children returned to their classrooms today, ready for another year of learning, creativity, and new experiences.\r\nFor the children in our shelter, school is much more than a place to learn. It is a space where they gain new experiences, build relationships, grow stronger, and gradually find their place within the school community.\r\nWe are especially happy to celebrate the progress of Z., who, after successfully completing the second year of lower secondary school, is now moving on to the third year!\r\nBecause every new school year is another step forward.\r\nWishing all children a wonderful school year!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.<\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>A Greek lesson that was truly out of this world!<\/h2><\/div>
A Greek lesson that was truly out of this world!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Children aged 6\u201312 attending classes at METAdrasi\u2019s Educational Centre in Athens explored our solar system, learned the names of the planets in Greek, and then created their own planets using the papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 technique.\r\n\r\nThrough this creative activity, language learning became an opportunity for play, collaboration, and discovery!\r\n\r\nA big thank you to our volunteer, whose imagination and enthusiasm brought this special \u201cjourney through space\u201d to life for our students.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMETAdrasi\u2019s educational activities are funded through the Organisation\u2019s own resources, with the support of the Liu Kuo-Chun Educational Foundation, Hong Kong, and the invaluable contribution of volunteers.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When children\u2019s imagination comes to life!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Our young artists are creating something truly special!\r\n\r\nA little while ago, unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of ceramics and express their creativity through clay.\r\n\r\nToday, their unique creations are complete and have finally arrived!\r\n\r\nEach piece is one of a kind, reflecting the children\u2019s imagination, effort, enthusiasm and joy. Beyond developing new skills, this creative experience offered them a meaningful space for self-expression, experimentation and participation.\r\n\r\nCongratulations to all the children on their wonderful creations!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Eleni: \u201cI come to METAdrasi and always leave happier, feeling more fulfilled\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Eleni has been volunteering with METAdrasi since late 2024. She started by teaching Greek to children aged 6 to 12 and, more recently, has also begun taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children, working alongside METAdrasi\u2019s team to accompany them to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nShe studied Social Policy at the University of the Peloponnese and is about to begin a Master\u2019s degree in Migration Policy and Human Rights. Her first contact with METAdrasi was while she was still a university student, when she was looking for an organisation where she could complete her internship.\r\n\r\n\u201cAt first, I wanted to do my internship here, but in the end it didn\u2019t work out. I stayed in touch with the people at METAdrasi, though, and at some point they asked me, \u2018Would you like to volunteer with us?\u2019 I thought, \u2018Why not?\u2019 \u2014 and that\u2019s how I got started.\u201d\r\nAn unexpected start in education\r\nEleni had no previous experience in education and, as she admits, the prospect of being in a classroom with children made her quite anxious at first.\r\n\r\n\u201cI had no background in education at all, and I was really nervous about it. I kept wondering what it would be like and felt quite anxious. In the end, though, it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.\u201d\r\n\r\nBefore long, her interaction with the children became one of the most meaningful parts of her volunteering experience.\r\n\r\n\u201cBeing with the children gives you so much. It refreshes and energises you. Every time I come here, I see or experience something new. Even if I\u2019ve had a bad day, when I arrive here, everything changes. I leave feeling very happy. Fulfilled.\u201d\r\n\r\nThrough the Greek lessons, the relationship goes far beyond language learning. Over time, trust develops, and the children begin to share moments and stories from their lives: about their families, their first days in Greece, and the difficulties they may have faced.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs we get to know each other better, they tell us stories about when they were younger, about how they came here, and about their families. Some may have parents who are far away, while others hardly get to see them because they work long hours. Little by little, they begin to trust us with their stories.\u201d\r\n\u201cYou can see the children\u2019s dreams\u201d\r\nOne of the moments that has stayed with Eleni was a lesson about professions and what the children would like to become when they grow up.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe made cards, and each child drew what they wanted to be when they grew up. They really loved it, and at the end they took their drawings home to show their parents. You could see their dreams there. Some want to become scientists, others doctors\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Eleni, moments like these are particularly powerful. Despite the language barriers, the children find ways to express what they hope to achieve.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is very moving to see that, even though some of them still cannot communicate easily in Greek, they know what they want and they tell you, \u2018I want to stay here and do this.\u2019 Another thing I really like is that the older children, who are more familiar with Greek, spontaneously help the younger ones.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt the same time, Eleni has also experienced how difficult it can be to say goodbye. After METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre moved from Kallithea to Ano Patissia, she no longer sees the children with whom she had built a bond over the course of an entire year.\r\n\r\n\u201cI used to see them every week. We would catch up, joke around and have fun together. The transition was difficult because now I don\u2019t know where they are or what they are doing. When you become used to that kind of connection, having to part ways affects you.\u201d\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMore recently, Eleni decided to expand her volunteering by also taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children. Here too, she encounters deeply human and emotional moments.\r\n\r\nShe vividly remembers a group of teenagers, around 16 or 17 years old, whom she recently accompanied to different accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\n\u201cThey were trying to act grown-up and strong. But when the time came to say goodbye to their friends, they burst into tears. It was very moving.\u201d\r\n\r\nDuring the journeys and conversations along the way, the children often share where they come from and what they have been through, but also the small joys of everyday life.\r\n\r\n\u201cA child might tell you excitedly, \u2018I had ice cream today!\u2019 And you can see the joy on their face. Something that might seem so simple to us can, for them, mean the whole world in that moment.\u201d\r\nThe value of volunteering\r\nFor Eleni, volunteering is above all a way of being there for people wherever support is needed.\r\n\r\n\u201cI like being able to help wherever and however I can. Volunteering really helps you develop empathy. You learn to see people and their experiences differently.\u201d\r\n\r\nHer experience at METAdrasi has even changed the way she thinks about what she would like to do in the future. What began almost by chance gradually developed into something that now feels very close to her.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor me, METAdrasi is the \u2018unexpected\u2019. I entered a field I had no connection with at all, and in the end I found myself saying, \u2018This is what I want to do.\u2019 It changes everything you thought you knew.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps this is, for Eleni, the most important part of the volunteering experience: the fact that giving works both ways.\r\n\r\n\u201cI might come here after a difficult day when everything has gone wrong. But once I\u2019m here, something changes. Every time, I leave happier. More fulfilled.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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Children aged 6\u201312 attending classes at METAdrasi\u2019s Educational Centre in Athens explored our solar system, learned the names of the planets in Greek, and then created their own planets using the papier-m\u00e2ch\u00e9 technique.\r\n\r\nThrough this creative activity, language learning became an opportunity for play, collaboration, and discovery!\r\n\r\nA big thank you to our volunteer, whose imagination and enthusiasm brought this special \u201cjourney through space\u201d to life for our students.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nMETAdrasi\u2019s educational activities are funded through the Organisation\u2019s own resources, with the support of the Liu Kuo-Chun Educational Foundation, Hong Kong, and the invaluable contribution of volunteers.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>When children\u2019s imagination comes to life!<\/h2><\/div>
When children\u2019s imagination comes to life!<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Our young artists are creating something truly special!\r\n\r\nA little while ago, unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of ceramics and express their creativity through clay.\r\n\r\nToday, their unique creations are complete and have finally arrived!\r\n\r\nEach piece is one of a kind, reflecting the children\u2019s imagination, effort, enthusiasm and joy. Beyond developing new skills, this creative experience offered them a meaningful space for self-expression, experimentation and participation.\r\n\r\nCongratulations to all the children on their wonderful creations!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Eleni: \u201cI come to METAdrasi and always leave happier, feeling more fulfilled\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Eleni has been volunteering with METAdrasi since late 2024. She started by teaching Greek to children aged 6 to 12 and, more recently, has also begun taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children, working alongside METAdrasi\u2019s team to accompany them to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nShe studied Social Policy at the University of the Peloponnese and is about to begin a Master\u2019s degree in Migration Policy and Human Rights. Her first contact with METAdrasi was while she was still a university student, when she was looking for an organisation where she could complete her internship.\r\n\r\n\u201cAt first, I wanted to do my internship here, but in the end it didn\u2019t work out. I stayed in touch with the people at METAdrasi, though, and at some point they asked me, \u2018Would you like to volunteer with us?\u2019 I thought, \u2018Why not?\u2019 \u2014 and that\u2019s how I got started.\u201d\r\nAn unexpected start in education\r\nEleni had no previous experience in education and, as she admits, the prospect of being in a classroom with children made her quite anxious at first.\r\n\r\n\u201cI had no background in education at all, and I was really nervous about it. I kept wondering what it would be like and felt quite anxious. In the end, though, it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.\u201d\r\n\r\nBefore long, her interaction with the children became one of the most meaningful parts of her volunteering experience.\r\n\r\n\u201cBeing with the children gives you so much. It refreshes and energises you. Every time I come here, I see or experience something new. Even if I\u2019ve had a bad day, when I arrive here, everything changes. I leave feeling very happy. Fulfilled.\u201d\r\n\r\nThrough the Greek lessons, the relationship goes far beyond language learning. Over time, trust develops, and the children begin to share moments and stories from their lives: about their families, their first days in Greece, and the difficulties they may have faced.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs we get to know each other better, they tell us stories about when they were younger, about how they came here, and about their families. Some may have parents who are far away, while others hardly get to see them because they work long hours. Little by little, they begin to trust us with their stories.\u201d\r\n\u201cYou can see the children\u2019s dreams\u201d\r\nOne of the moments that has stayed with Eleni was a lesson about professions and what the children would like to become when they grow up.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe made cards, and each child drew what they wanted to be when they grew up. They really loved it, and at the end they took their drawings home to show their parents. You could see their dreams there. Some want to become scientists, others doctors\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Eleni, moments like these are particularly powerful. Despite the language barriers, the children find ways to express what they hope to achieve.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is very moving to see that, even though some of them still cannot communicate easily in Greek, they know what they want and they tell you, \u2018I want to stay here and do this.\u2019 Another thing I really like is that the older children, who are more familiar with Greek, spontaneously help the younger ones.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt the same time, Eleni has also experienced how difficult it can be to say goodbye. After METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre moved from Kallithea to Ano Patissia, she no longer sees the children with whom she had built a bond over the course of an entire year.\r\n\r\n\u201cI used to see them every week. We would catch up, joke around and have fun together. The transition was difficult because now I don\u2019t know where they are or what they are doing. When you become used to that kind of connection, having to part ways affects you.\u201d\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMore recently, Eleni decided to expand her volunteering by also taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children. Here too, she encounters deeply human and emotional moments.\r\n\r\nShe vividly remembers a group of teenagers, around 16 or 17 years old, whom she recently accompanied to different accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\n\u201cThey were trying to act grown-up and strong. But when the time came to say goodbye to their friends, they burst into tears. It was very moving.\u201d\r\n\r\nDuring the journeys and conversations along the way, the children often share where they come from and what they have been through, but also the small joys of everyday life.\r\n\r\n\u201cA child might tell you excitedly, \u2018I had ice cream today!\u2019 And you can see the joy on their face. Something that might seem so simple to us can, for them, mean the whole world in that moment.\u201d\r\nThe value of volunteering\r\nFor Eleni, volunteering is above all a way of being there for people wherever support is needed.\r\n\r\n\u201cI like being able to help wherever and however I can. Volunteering really helps you develop empathy. You learn to see people and their experiences differently.\u201d\r\n\r\nHer experience at METAdrasi has even changed the way she thinks about what she would like to do in the future. What began almost by chance gradually developed into something that now feels very close to her.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor me, METAdrasi is the \u2018unexpected\u2019. I entered a field I had no connection with at all, and in the end I found myself saying, \u2018This is what I want to do.\u2019 It changes everything you thought you knew.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps this is, for Eleni, the most important part of the volunteering experience: the fact that giving works both ways.\r\n\r\n\u201cI might come here after a difficult day when everything has gone wrong. But once I\u2019m here, something changes. Every time, I leave happier. More fulfilled.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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Our young artists are creating something truly special!\r\n\r\nA little while ago, unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s accommodation facility in Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of ceramics and express their creativity through clay.\r\n\r\nToday, their unique creations are complete and have finally arrived!\r\n\r\nEach piece is one of a kind, reflecting the children\u2019s imagination, effort, enthusiasm and joy. Beyond developing new skills, this creative experience offered them a meaningful space for self-expression, experimentation and participation.\r\n\r\nCongratulations to all the children on their wonderful creations!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>Eleni: \u201cI come to METAdrasi and always leave happier, feeling more fulfilled\u201d<\/h2><\/div>
Eleni: \u201cI come to METAdrasi and always leave happier, feeling more fulfilled\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Eleni has been volunteering with METAdrasi since late 2024. She started by teaching Greek to children aged 6 to 12 and, more recently, has also begun taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children, working alongside METAdrasi\u2019s team to accompany them to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nShe studied Social Policy at the University of the Peloponnese and is about to begin a Master\u2019s degree in Migration Policy and Human Rights. Her first contact with METAdrasi was while she was still a university student, when she was looking for an organisation where she could complete her internship.\r\n\r\n\u201cAt first, I wanted to do my internship here, but in the end it didn\u2019t work out. I stayed in touch with the people at METAdrasi, though, and at some point they asked me, \u2018Would you like to volunteer with us?\u2019 I thought, \u2018Why not?\u2019 \u2014 and that\u2019s how I got started.\u201d\r\nAn unexpected start in education\r\nEleni had no previous experience in education and, as she admits, the prospect of being in a classroom with children made her quite anxious at first.\r\n\r\n\u201cI had no background in education at all, and I was really nervous about it. I kept wondering what it would be like and felt quite anxious. In the end, though, it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.\u201d\r\n\r\nBefore long, her interaction with the children became one of the most meaningful parts of her volunteering experience.\r\n\r\n\u201cBeing with the children gives you so much. It refreshes and energises you. Every time I come here, I see or experience something new. Even if I\u2019ve had a bad day, when I arrive here, everything changes. I leave feeling very happy. Fulfilled.\u201d\r\n\r\nThrough the Greek lessons, the relationship goes far beyond language learning. Over time, trust develops, and the children begin to share moments and stories from their lives: about their families, their first days in Greece, and the difficulties they may have faced.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs we get to know each other better, they tell us stories about when they were younger, about how they came here, and about their families. Some may have parents who are far away, while others hardly get to see them because they work long hours. Little by little, they begin to trust us with their stories.\u201d\r\n\u201cYou can see the children\u2019s dreams\u201d\r\nOne of the moments that has stayed with Eleni was a lesson about professions and what the children would like to become when they grow up.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe made cards, and each child drew what they wanted to be when they grew up. They really loved it, and at the end they took their drawings home to show their parents. You could see their dreams there. Some want to become scientists, others doctors\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Eleni, moments like these are particularly powerful. Despite the language barriers, the children find ways to express what they hope to achieve.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is very moving to see that, even though some of them still cannot communicate easily in Greek, they know what they want and they tell you, \u2018I want to stay here and do this.\u2019 Another thing I really like is that the older children, who are more familiar with Greek, spontaneously help the younger ones.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt the same time, Eleni has also experienced how difficult it can be to say goodbye. After METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre moved from Kallithea to Ano Patissia, she no longer sees the children with whom she had built a bond over the course of an entire year.\r\n\r\n\u201cI used to see them every week. We would catch up, joke around and have fun together. The transition was difficult because now I don\u2019t know where they are or what they are doing. When you become used to that kind of connection, having to part ways affects you.\u201d\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMore recently, Eleni decided to expand her volunteering by also taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children. Here too, she encounters deeply human and emotional moments.\r\n\r\nShe vividly remembers a group of teenagers, around 16 or 17 years old, whom she recently accompanied to different accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\n\u201cThey were trying to act grown-up and strong. But when the time came to say goodbye to their friends, they burst into tears. It was very moving.\u201d\r\n\r\nDuring the journeys and conversations along the way, the children often share where they come from and what they have been through, but also the small joys of everyday life.\r\n\r\n\u201cA child might tell you excitedly, \u2018I had ice cream today!\u2019 And you can see the joy on their face. Something that might seem so simple to us can, for them, mean the whole world in that moment.\u201d\r\nThe value of volunteering\r\nFor Eleni, volunteering is above all a way of being there for people wherever support is needed.\r\n\r\n\u201cI like being able to help wherever and however I can. Volunteering really helps you develop empathy. You learn to see people and their experiences differently.\u201d\r\n\r\nHer experience at METAdrasi has even changed the way she thinks about what she would like to do in the future. What began almost by chance gradually developed into something that now feels very close to her.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor me, METAdrasi is the \u2018unexpected\u2019. I entered a field I had no connection with at all, and in the end I found myself saying, \u2018This is what I want to do.\u2019 It changes everything you thought you knew.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps this is, for Eleni, the most important part of the volunteering experience: the fact that giving works both ways.\r\n\r\n\u201cI might come here after a difficult day when everything has gone wrong. But once I\u2019m here, something changes. Every time, I leave happier. More fulfilled.\u201d<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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Eleni has been volunteering with METAdrasi since late 2024. She started by teaching Greek to children aged 6 to 12 and, more recently, has also begun taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children, working alongside METAdrasi\u2019s team to accompany them to accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\nShe studied Social Policy at the University of the Peloponnese and is about to begin a Master\u2019s degree in Migration Policy and Human Rights. Her first contact with METAdrasi was while she was still a university student, when she was looking for an organisation where she could complete her internship.\r\n\r\n\u201cAt first, I wanted to do my internship here, but in the end it didn\u2019t work out. I stayed in touch with the people at METAdrasi, though, and at some point they asked me, \u2018Would you like to volunteer with us?\u2019 I thought, \u2018Why not?\u2019 \u2014 and that\u2019s how I got started.\u201d\r\nAn unexpected start in education\r\nEleni had no previous experience in education and, as she admits, the prospect of being in a classroom with children made her quite anxious at first.\r\n\r\n\u201cI had no background in education at all, and I was really nervous about it. I kept wondering what it would be like and felt quite anxious. In the end, though, it turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.\u201d\r\n\r\nBefore long, her interaction with the children became one of the most meaningful parts of her volunteering experience.\r\n\r\n\u201cBeing with the children gives you so much. It refreshes and energises you. Every time I come here, I see or experience something new. Even if I\u2019ve had a bad day, when I arrive here, everything changes. I leave feeling very happy. Fulfilled.\u201d\r\n\r\nThrough the Greek lessons, the relationship goes far beyond language learning. Over time, trust develops, and the children begin to share moments and stories from their lives: about their families, their first days in Greece, and the difficulties they may have faced.\r\n\r\n\u201cAs we get to know each other better, they tell us stories about when they were younger, about how they came here, and about their families. Some may have parents who are far away, while others hardly get to see them because they work long hours. Little by little, they begin to trust us with their stories.\u201d\r\n\u201cYou can see the children\u2019s dreams\u201d\r\nOne of the moments that has stayed with Eleni was a lesson about professions and what the children would like to become when they grow up.\r\n\r\n\u201cWe made cards, and each child drew what they wanted to be when they grew up. They really loved it, and at the end they took their drawings home to show their parents. You could see their dreams there. Some want to become scientists, others doctors\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nFor Eleni, moments like these are particularly powerful. Despite the language barriers, the children find ways to express what they hope to achieve.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt is very moving to see that, even though some of them still cannot communicate easily in Greek, they know what they want and they tell you, \u2018I want to stay here and do this.\u2019 Another thing I really like is that the older children, who are more familiar with Greek, spontaneously help the younger ones.\u201d\r\n\r\nAt the same time, Eleni has also experienced how difficult it can be to say goodbye. After METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre moved from Kallithea to Ano Patissia, she no longer sees the children with whom she had built a bond over the course of an entire year.\r\n\r\n\u201cI used to see them every week. We would catch up, joke around and have fun together. The transition was difficult because now I don\u2019t know where they are or what they are doing. When you become used to that kind of connection, having to part ways affects you.\u201d\r\nFrom the classroom to escorting unaccompanied children\r\nMore recently, Eleni decided to expand her volunteering by also taking part in the escorting of unaccompanied children. Here too, she encounters deeply human and emotional moments.\r\n\r\nShe vividly remembers a group of teenagers, around 16 or 17 years old, whom she recently accompanied to different accommodation facilities.\r\n\r\n\u201cThey were trying to act grown-up and strong. But when the time came to say goodbye to their friends, they burst into tears. It was very moving.\u201d\r\n\r\nDuring the journeys and conversations along the way, the children often share where they come from and what they have been through, but also the small joys of everyday life.\r\n\r\n\u201cA child might tell you excitedly, \u2018I had ice cream today!\u2019 And you can see the joy on their face. Something that might seem so simple to us can, for them, mean the whole world in that moment.\u201d\r\nThe value of volunteering\r\nFor Eleni, volunteering is above all a way of being there for people wherever support is needed.\r\n\r\n\u201cI like being able to help wherever and however I can. Volunteering really helps you develop empathy. You learn to see people and their experiences differently.\u201d\r\n\r\nHer experience at METAdrasi has even changed the way she thinks about what she would like to do in the future. What began almost by chance gradually developed into something that now feels very close to her.\r\n\r\n\u201cFor me, METAdrasi is the \u2018unexpected\u2019. I entered a field I had no connection with at all, and in the end I found myself saying, \u2018This is what I want to do.\u2019 It changes everything you thought you knew.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnd perhaps this is, for Eleni, the most important part of the volunteering experience: the fact that giving works both ways.\r\n\r\n\u201cI might come here after a difficult day when everything has gone wrong. But once I\u2019m here, something changes. Every time, I leave happier. More fulfilled.\u201d<\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div>
When clay becomes a means of expression, creativity, and joy.<\/h2><\/div><\/div>Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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Unaccompanied children staying at METAdrasi\u2019s shelter on Samos had the opportunity to discover the art of pottery and create their own unique pieces.\r\n\r\nIn a safe and supportive environment, they experimented with clay, developed new skills, and brought their imagination to life. Their enthusiasm, participation, and smiles reminded us once again that art can serve as a valuable bridge for communication.\r\n\r\n\ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd We warmly thank Fay George Ceramics for their kind hospitality and the care with which they welcome the children every time. We look forward to our next creative workshop!\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince August 2023, METAdrasi\u2019s Accommodation Facility for Unaccompanied Minors in Samos, operates with the support of the Migration and Home Affairs Funds (TAMEY), co-funded by the European Union.\r\n\r\n<\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div>
Sometimes, a journey is more than simply getting from one place to another<\/h2><\/div><\/div>During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article><\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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During a recent accompaniment mission carried out by the METAdrasi team, a young boy spent almost the entire ten-hour journey trying to learn as many Greek words as possible. After just one month in a reception center near the border, he had already learned to count to one hundred and use basic everyday phrases in Greek.\r\n\r\nHis greatest concerns, however, were not about the journey itself, but about his future: When would he be able to go to school? Would he have the chance to continue pursuing his dream of becoming a professional footballer?\r\n\r\nAs we watched a football match on the ferry\u2019s television, with the sun setting before us, he smiled and said:\r\n\u201cI want to make Greece my home and, one day, I hope to proudly wear the national team\u2019s jersey!\u201d\r\n\r\nFor the METAdrasi team, every accompaniment is more than a safe transfer. It is the beginning of a new journey\u2014one where safety, education and hope can finally find the space they deserve.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSince November 2025, METAdrasi\u2019s activity \u201cEscorting missions for unaccompanied children\u201d is implemented in the framework of the project \u201cStrengthening protection systems for unaccompanied migrant children and vulnerable women applicants and beneficiaries of international protection\u201d funded by the National Development Program for the Programming Period 2021-2025 through the Special Coordination and Management Service for Migration and Home Affairs Programmes of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n <\/div><\/article>
<\/span><\/div>Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div>
Chahd Ben-Ali: Taekwondo and New Friendships through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d<\/h2><\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>- 4<\/span> <\/a><\/li>
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\r\n\r\nJournalist: Apostolos Staikos\r\nOperator\/Editor: Giannis Dolas\r\n\r\n\u201cI can\u2019t wait to come to training\u2014and it\u2019s not just me; all the children feel the same way. We love Taekwondo, we exercise, and we have a wonderful time,\u201d says Chahd Ben Ali.\r\n\r\nThe 14-year-old from Tunisia participates in \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. The programme is open to children aged 7 to 17 and young people aged 18 to 21. Its aim is to help refugee children and young adults engage with sport and culture through activities in which they participate alongside their peers from local communities.\r\n\r\n\u201cI have been involved in sports since I was very young and have tried many different activities. But Taekwondo has always been especially close to my heart. When my family and I arrived in Greece, I did not know whether I could join a team or where to ask for information. One day, while attending an English lesson at METAdrasi\u2019s educational centre, I saw a poster for \u2018Together in Sport\u2019. I spoke to the staff, learned more about the programme, and now I am part of the team,\u201d Chahd explains.\r\n\r\nThe first phase of \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d was implemented in 2021 and 2022, bringing together more than 9,000 refugee children and children from local communities in various regions across Greece. Its success led to the continuation of the initiative through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Over the past five years, the programme has given more than 24,000 refugee children and children from local communities the opportunity to participate equally in sporting and cultural activities.\r\n\r\n\u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d is implemented by METAdrasi (project coordinator), the Hellenic Olympic Committee, and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) supports with coordination and co-funding. The project is also co-funded by the AMIF (2021-2027).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u201cSport helps children open up and gain confidence. They learn the meaning of teamwork and collective effort, as well as the importance of hard work and discipline in achieving their goals. That is why, in my view, \u2018Together in Sport\u2019 is so important. It supports children as they rebuild their lives and become part of Greek society. It helps them socialise and, ultimately, contributes to shaping the active citizens of tomorrow,\u201d says Taekwondo coach Panagiotis Tsoulis.\r\n\r\nEvery Tuesday and Friday, Chahd goes with her best friend to Neo Faliro, where the training sessions take place. For young athletes living in refugee accommodation facilities, Taekwondo offers more than an opportunity to exercise. It is also a chance to leave the camp environment, meet people their own age, and form new friendships.\r\n\r\n\u201cI met girls and boys from many different countries here, and now we spend time together. I remember that some of them were quite shy at first. But after two or three training sessions, they began to open up, talk to the person next to them, and, of course, fall in love with the sport. It is also very important that we train and play with children from Greece. It gives us the opportunity to grow closer and become friends,\u201d says the 14-year-old athlete.\r\n\r\nTaekwondo is one of the most popular activities offered through \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d. Participants can also choose from a wide range of sporting and cultural activities, including kickboxing, volleyball, football, acrobatics, dance, drama workshops, visual arts, and many more. Particular emphasis is placed on the inclusion of children and young people with physical or intellectual disabilities, while participation in all activities is free of charge.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPanagiotis Tsoulis did not hesitate when he was invited to coach a group of refugee children. He understands that, for some of them, sport can provide a valuable escape from a challenging daily life. At the same time, he recognises that the work comes with its own difficulties.\r\n\r\nFor some children, it is their first experience of Taekwondo, while others initially find it difficult to follow instructions and respect the rules. Gradually, however, they become familiar with the training environment and learn to trust both their coach and their teammates. Tsoulis greatly values the effort they make.\r\n\r\n\u201cIt all begins with a smile, perhaps accompanied by a little awkwardness. During the first few sessions, some children are hesitant. I can see them observing both me and their teammates as they try to familiarise themselves with the environment and understand how the group works. But this usually lasts no more than two or three sessions. Then come the laughter, the joy, and the feeling of belonging. From that point on, everything begins to fall into place. As I watch the children develop, I see that they have become more outgoing. They enjoy the training and continue to improve their performance,\u201d the Taekwondo coach says.\r\n\r\nLanguage can also present a challenge. The young athletes may understand and respond to commands such as \u201cShijak\u201d for \u201cStart\u201d, \u201cSho\u201d for \u201cRelax\u201d, \u201cKalyo\u201d for \u201cBreak\u201d, and \u201cJoonbi\u201d for \u201cReady\u201d, but they speak different languages. This does not, however, prevent them from communicating.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe members of the team come from many different countries, yet they always find a way to understand one another. Hassan might ask Mahdi, for example, \u2018Did you understand what the coach said?\u2019 I see them helping one another through gestures, signs, and the few words they share. No one in our group is left alone. We support one another and move forward together. I have also noticed that several of the children are genuinely talented. They have the potential to progress and develop further,\u201d Tsoulis says.\r\n\r\nChahd is one of the athletes who has stood out. Her consistency, dedication, and strong performance have opened the door to the next stage of her sporting journey. Spyros Zacharopoulos, who coached the \u201cTogether in Sport \u2013 Phase II\u201d team the previous year, noticed her progress and invited her to join the \u201cATHLOS \u2013 Egaleo\u201d Taekwondo Sports Club.\r\n\r\nSince the beginning of 2026, Chahd has divided her time between training with the club and participating in \u201cTogether in Sport\u201d. She continues to develop her talent without losing sight of what she values most about the team: the joy of sport, communication, and friendship.<\/div><\/article><\/div>
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