“Children sense your truth. They can feel when you truly care.”Aggeliki, Psychologist at The HOME Project
Aggeliki has been working at The HOME Project for three years, supporting teenage boys. She first joined as a caregiver and later became a resident psychologist. She had already spent several years working in the humanitarian sector and knew of The HOME Project long before joining. “I always wanted to work here”, she emphasizes. Over time, she realized she had found a place that matched her values. “The way The HOME Project works suits me. That’s why I am still here”.
“My relationship with the children is complex, full of joy but not without its challenges”, she highlights when asked about her day-to-day. Every child brings a different story. They open up or build connections at a different pace. The team therefore needs to ensure that they adjust and adapt their approach to the specific needs of each child. From a mental health perspective, support ranges from daily check-ins to more targeted interventions, revolving around trauma, behavioral difficulties, and helping our children adapt to a new reality, socially and culturally. “When a child makes progress and utilizes the techniques we have been working on, I feel truly useful”, says Aggeliki.
According to her, one of the biggest difficulties is the language barrier. “We do not speak the same language, so having interpreters by our side helps a lot”. But the hardest part is building trust. “Trust is built through daily presence, patience, and authenticity. Children sense your truth. They can feel when you truly care”.
Support from her colleagues is crucial. “Many days are tough”, she admits. However, the collaborative spirit is, for Aggeliki, what sets The HOME Project apart. “You never feel alone here. There is open communication, a humane approach, and a real willingness to listen. Teamwork is at the heart of everything”. She works closely with the Head of Mental Health and our in-house Child Psychiatrist, while actively contributing to the Individual Development Plan created for every child under our care.
All the staff of the shelter also meet weekly to discuss shared challenges and solve them together, making sure that no one carries the weight of the work alone. “I am a psychologist, but next to me I have a social worker, an educator, a lawyer, a coordinator, and many others. The most important thing is that all move in the same direction and have the same goal”.
During the past three years, she has witnessed and contributed to both small and large transformations in the children. “Change looks different for every child. It can include improving their social skills, learning how to recognize and express their emotions in a more constructive way, or managing daily routines”, she explains.
Her work offers a glimpse into a reality rarely visible to the outside world. “Supporting unaccompanied children is a long, demanding journey toward connection. There are surprises and setbacks. But at the end of the day, no matter how tired you are or how difficult things might get, this work matters”, Aggeliki concludes.