“When I entered the shelter, it felt like light had come back into my life”.
Nasir, 26 years old, Pakistan
Born in Pakistan, Nasir left his home country in 2016 at the age of 16. Traveling alone, he crossed through Iran and Turkey before entering Greece via the Evros River. From there, he continued to Thessaloniki, where he stayed briefly in a reception facility before being referred to The HOME Project. “When I entered the shelter, it felt like light had come back into my life”, he remembers. “I finally felt safe”.
Adjusting to life in a new country meant starting from scratch and learning to navigate an entirely new reality. Getting used to Greece's culinary customs was also challenging for Nasir. “At first, I barely ate because the food was so different. I would only eat a little salad. Little by little, I started trying new things, and now I really enjoy Greek food”, he recalls. Learning to communicate was another essential part of this new beginning. Nasir spoke neither Greek nor English and did not even know the alphabet. Initially, he relied heavily on the shelter's interpreter, but attending school became the foundation for learning both languages. “I tried to read books and watched videos online. Every Saturday, I also went to the Youth to Youth program at ACS Athens, which really helped me improve my English”, he explains.
Beyond school, Nasir spent his free time playing board games in the shelter, going to the cinema, exploring the city, and sharing everyday moments with the other children. He also played volleyball and continued enjoying his favorite sport, cricket, with other young Pakistanis in Athens. The shelter team became a constant source of support. They helped him learn Greek, accompanied him to medical appointments, and were there whenever he needed guidance or reassurance. “I had never experienced that kind of kindness before coming to The HOME Project”, he emphasizes.
As Nasir entered adulthood, The HOME Project continued to stand beside him. He completed vocational training in cooking, found his first job as a kitchen assistant on the island of Euboea, later worked at a restaurant in Athens, and moved into one of the organization's 18+ homes for young men. Just as he was beginning to build an independent life, however, he lost his right to work after his asylum application was rejected. Without legal documents, he could no longer work, and everything he had been building was suddenly put on hold. Once again, his future became uncertain. With the support of our legal team, who explored every available legal avenue, he eventually secured a residence permit. “Before, I felt anxious because I could not work or make plans for the future. Now, I am very happy and feel safe. I can finally move forward and start making plans again”, he says.
In a few weeks, he will begin working as a caregiver at one of The HOME Project shelters. For Nasir, it is far more than a job, it is an opportunity to give back. “I know how children feel when they arrive alone in a new country, without speaking the language and uncertain about what the future holds”, he explains. “Because I have been through it myself, I believe I can understand them better. What others once gave to me, I now want to give to the children”.
Looking ahead, Nasir hopes to build a stable and independent life. "Now, I can work legally, and dream of opening my own business at some point. I would like to create something of my own”, he says. “One day, I want to open my own Greek restaurant. Before that, however, I need to gain more experience, save money, and prepare for the future”.
The young boy who arrived in Greece alone searching for safety is now building exactly what he once dreamed of: a future on his own terms.