“Thanks to The HOME Project, Greece became my home”
Amine, 19 years old, Morocco
Amine was only 13 years old when he arrived in Greece as an unaccompanied minor. Forced to leave Morocco, he travelled with his older sister through Turkey before eventually reaching Athens. Although his goal had been to continue on to Belgium, he now reflects: “Thanks to The HOME Project, Greece became my home”.
Amine initially stayed in a children’s hospital in Athens while the authorities searched for a safe place for him. He was then referred to one of The HOME Project shelters. “I had made friends with the doctors and did not know where they were planning on sending me next”, he says with a shy smile. “But when I arrived at The HOME Project and saw other children my age, I thought, ‘Okay, things will be good here’. It turned out even better than anything I had imagined”.
“The shelter staff were like parents to us”, Amine admits. Over the years, he lived in two of our shelters, where he came to experience safety, stability and a true sense of belonging. “The team didn’t care who you were or where you came from. They were there for everyone”. His days were filled with school, where he learned Greek and English, and enjoying sports, skating, and movie nights. “For a teenager, that is what home should feel like”, he adds. Surrounded by children from many different countries, Amine quickly discovered new traditions, flavors and cultures. “In every house I stayed in, I learned something new. I became friends with people from all over the world”, he emphasizes with a sense of pride.
However, securing legal status in Greece was not easy. “My papers were the biggest challenge. We tried again and again for years”, he explains. During this long and complex process, our legal team stood by him, guiding him through each step. “Without them, I would never have managed”, he clarifies. The day he received his residence permit marked a new beginning. With legal status came the freedom to dream ahead, and take charge of his future in Greece.
As Amine transitioned into adulthood, The HOME Project remained by his side. He completed a vocational training course in yachting crew skills, gained work experience through one of our educational partners, and moved into one of our 18+ homes, which support refugee youth toward independent living. Inspired by those who once cared for him, he chose to give back. He joined our team as an interpreter, and is also our go-to DJ for all Community Building Events.
“Seeing how many responsibilities the staff have, helped me realize how important their work is. There are so many children’s voices, challenges and stories”, he says. “Now I understand both sides, and I try to explain this to the children. It feels meaningful”.
Supporting children who are walking a path so similar to his own, he shares a clear message with them: “Make the most of the opportunities you are given. Go to school, learn languages, chase your dreams, and listen to the people who are here to help you”.
As for his own future, he is full of ideas. “If I keep working and learning, I know I can achieve more”. He is currently in the process of completing his studies in Tourism and Marketing, while saving up so he can soon become fully autonomous. He dreams of building a career in either the hospitality or the business sector, and ultimately launching his own clothing brand. Day by day, he is turning the future he once only imagined into reality.