“Whenever a child needs us, in whatever way, we are there”. Menia, Caregiver at The HOME Project
For the past three years, Menia has been working as a caregiver in one of The HOME Project shelters. Child protection lies at the heart of her work, and at the heart of who she is.
“I genuinely love working with children”, she admits, “this is where I always wanted to focus”.
With an educational background in social care and professional experience working with a various vulnerable groups, it was the refugee context, particularly unaccompanied children, that drew her in. “The needs are complex, the work is intense, and every case is different”, Menia explains.
Daily care staff and night-time caregivers are instrumental to the implementation of The HOME Project child protection model. They support children through the rhythms of daily life: waking up, preparing for school, developing their social skills, and unwinding at the end of the day. While structure and clear boundaries are essential, care is always personalized. “Each child requires a different approach”, Menia shares. “Trust is built slowly, through presence, consistency, and the feeling of being genuinely supported”.
Language and cultural barriers, combined with the emotional weight children carry are part of everyday life in the shelter. What makes this work sustainable, Menia clarifies, is professionalism and teamwork. “We work as a real team”. Shelter staff work closely with the Child Protection Unit and the psychosocial team, who act as constant points of reference, while ensuring that no one is left to manage challenges alone. “That support is fundamental”, she adds.
“Change is a process”, Menia reflects. “It doesn’t happen overnight. It happens because everyone contributes, through their own role, with the backing of the organization”. Over the years, she has witnessed the transformative impact of this collective approach. Children who once refused to attend school start to invest in their education. Children who self-harmed begin to heal. And those who initially saw Greece as a transit country, are now planning their future here.
For Menia, what sets The HOME Project apart is that the team genuinely cares and is committed to protecting, guiding and supporting children every step of the way. “We don’t just provide accommodation. We offer a holistic network of services that include social, legal and mental health support, as well as access to education. The organization also invests in a wide range of community-building initiatives that allow children to reclaim their childhood, and gradually integrate into society. Whenever a child needs us, in whatever way, we are there”.
Even on the most demanding days, small gestures offer powerful reminders of the impact of her work. “When children say ‘thank you’, ‘I love you’, or run to hug you when you arrive”, Menia says, “those moments are truly special”.