“In every obstacle, I see potential for growth, resilience, and solidarity”.
Andrely, 23 years old, Democratic Republic of Congo
At just 23 years old, Andrely has already demonstrated what it means to turn adversity into action, and to take charge of your own future. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), she arrived in Greece as an unaccompanied minor in 2019.
“I was initially placed at the camp in Samos. From there, they sent me to Thessaloniki, and then to a small village in the northern part of the country. There was absolutely nothing to do there”, she recalls.
Eventually, Andrely was transferred to our shelter for minor refugee girls and teenage mothers with their babies in central Athens. She finally found herself in a structured and stable environment where she could begin to feel safe and have a fresh start.
She enrolled in school, started to learn Greek and English, and steadily worked toward her high school diploma. “At first, I didn’t speak the language, I was completely unfamiliar with the culture, and of course I felt nervous about how I’d be treated. Over time, I found my rhythm. It helped that I had a solid support system around me”.
The biggest hurtle, however, was obtaining her legal documents. “It took a very long time before I was granted asylum. There were several delays, and the whole process lasted five years. It was emotionally draining”, she admits.
In the meantime, Andrely reached adulthood and transitioned to The HOME Project 18+ shelter. She also joined our team as a night-shift caregiver, while continuing her studies during the day. As part of her role, she looks after the kids, washes their clothes, and helps them go back to sleep if they wake up in the middle of the night. In many ways, she has come full circle.
“Getting your first job is tough for everyone. It’s even harder for someone who isn’t originally from this country. I’m grateful that The HOME Project gave me this opportunity, as it has helped me become more independent. I also enjoy being able to give back. For me, The HOME Project is so much more than an organization, it’s a family. They gave me a home, supported me whenever I needed it, and I know that I can always count on them”, she explains.
Andrely is a source of inspiration and strength for the younger children. She is also a fierce advocate for refugee rights and female empowerment. A few years ago, she was spotlighted as part of the Women of the World festival, organized by the WOW Foundation and Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center. Additionally, as a member of The HOME Project Youth Advisory Board, she is able to play an active role in raising awareness around the challenges faced by unaccompanied minors and contribute to the organization’s strategy.
As she continues to build a life for herself in Greece, Andrely still holds her home country close to her heart. “Women in the DRC continue to face high-levels of gender-based violence, they have little to no access to education and healthcare, and have to endure financial inequality. My dream is to be able to do something to help”.
Thanks to her hard work and tenacity, Andrely recently earned her Greek high school diploma. She is now planning to study International Relations at university and envisions founding her own non-profit organization in the Democratic Republic of Congo, inspired by The HOME Project. “I’ve already thought of the name”, she says, “Elikia, which means hope in Lingala. I want to create opportunities for young women to find their voices, to claim their rights and dignity. In every obstacle, I see potential for growth, resilience, and solidarity”.