JOANNE (THE U.S.A)

Volunteered From JULY 2022 TO SEPTEMBER 2022

2022 I am very thankful for having the opportunity to volunteer at Habibi Center. I have met many other wonderful volunteers passionately teaching and devoting their energy and time to the students there. The students are very respectable, self motivated and full of dreams for their futures. The location is in the center of Athens, and is very convenient for people who want to explore the history and culture of Greece. Beyond regular teaching programs, the center organizes fun events for students and teachers, such as Scavenger Hunt that celebrates Habibi Center’s anniversary, and teachers’ casual gatherings. It is like a big family and everyone is part of it. The work environment can be dynamic and challenging at times, due to the dynamics of different backgrounds of students, their changing situations, dynamic schedules of volunteers, and somewhat constrained resources. However, the challenge also creates opportunity in such that one can really be free and creative in his or her way of teaching. I was both a teacher and a student at the same time. I learned a lot from my peer volunteers and the students. The experience is very inspirational and will stay with me for a long time to come. I hope the Habibi Center continues to grow and make an impact on the lives of the refugee youths by opening the world up to them with education and hope for a better future.