“I was determined to succeed. I still am. I just CAN"T let myself fail”.
Chanel, 21 years old, Cameroon
When Chanel arrived in Greece at the age of 12, he was carrying far more than a backpack. Having fled the conflict in Cameroon, he had spent months navigating uncertainty, moving from place to place, and sleeping outdoors while trying to reach safety. By the time he got to the island of Leros, exhaustion and frustration had taken a toll on him. Several weeks later, he was transferred to Athens and placed in one of The HOME Project shelters. But adjusting to this new chapter was not always easy.
He was angry and often lashed out. Yet little by little, surrounded by people who cared and a community that welcomed him, he began to find a sense of calm and belonging. “At the camp, there were too many people and the conditions were very bad”, he recalls. “When I came to the shelter, I felt much better. I felt like I had support”. There were people he could turn to when he needed help, adults who listened, guided him, and helped him navigate the challenges of growing up in a new country. There were also other children who understood what it meant to leave everything behind and start over.
“We always had somebody checking on us. If we needed help, we could just ask. There was always someone there. And we also had each other”, he admits. Slowly, life began to take on a different shape. Chanel enrolled in school and started attending our Youth to Youth program at ACS Athens. Shortly after, he earned a full scholarship to study there, which opened the door to new opportunities, friendships, and experiences.
Alongside his classes, he explored different interests. At first, sport was simply another activity. He started with football, but as he grew taller and stronger, people around him encouraged him to try basketball. What began as a suggestion soon developed into a passion.
“Basketball helped me stay focused, grow more confident and become who I am today”. The sport gave him structure, discipline, and motivation. Through dedication and training, he earned a place in the Youth Academy of Panathinaikos, one of Greece’s leading basketball clubs. After graduating, his academic performance and talent secured him an athletic scholarship that allowed him to continue both his studies and basketball career in the United States. “Without basketball, I wouldn't have met the people I've met or had the opportunities I've had”, he says.
Over the next three years, Chanel studied Business Management while competing in the U.S. college basketball system. The experience challenged him both on and off the court, teaching him independence, perseverance, and resilience. “Tough times build you up”, he emphasizes. “They make you stronger. Personally, I was determined to succeed. I still am. I just can't let myself fail. No way”.
Today, Chanel is back in Athens and preparing for the next chapter of his journey. He hopes to continue his studies at Deree – The American College of Greece, pursue a professional career in basketball, and keep building the future he has worked so hard to create. When asked how it feels to be back, his answer is immediate: “It’s home. I love it here”.
After all this time, he takes pride not only in what he has achieved, but also in the journey that brought him here. “I’m proud of myself”, he says. “Very proud”.