Category: Teachers

MATTHEW (THE U.K.) Volunteered From MAY 2021 TO JUNE 2022 When I arrived in Athens last May, the students at the Habibi Center were beginning to return to in-person classes. It was a gentle introduction to my new life in a new city, and I settled in well thanks to the warmth of the teachers…

ANITA (THE U.K.) Volunteered From APRIL 2021 TO JULY 2021 2021 I was fortunate enough to arrive in Athens as months of strict lockdown restrictions were coming to an end – and the Habibi Center was finally able to open its doors again. My first day of teaching was also many of my students’ first…

ESTER (SPAIN) Volunteered From JANUARY 2021 TO MARCH 2021 2021 After some time thinking about doing something to contribute in some way to the refugees’ situation, I found Habibi Center through a friend of my family, who knew the project first-hand. I really liked the idea of teaching English, as it is something that I’ve…

TIM (AUSTRALIA) Volunteered From JANUARY 2021 TO MARCH 2021 2021 Locked down in Athens during COVID with time on my hands, I was looking for a project that would keep me productive and help make a difference. I knew of the Habibi Center through Camille, one of the teachers there and decided to volunteer. Initially…

JAKE (U.K.) Volunteered From OCTOBER 2020 TO MARCH 2020 2021 I would usually start by talking about how I found the Habibi Center, but in actual fact it found me. The welcoming world of volunteering Facebook groups allows for spontaneous connections and as soon as Steph popped up in my messages, it felt like fate.…

ISRAE (FRANCE) Volunteered From OCTOBER 2020 TO DECEMBER 2020 2020 I had the opportunity to have three free months during my studies, and I knew I wanted to use them to contribute to a social project. I contacted lots of non-profit organizations around the world. But as soon as I had my interview with Steph…

EDWARD (U.K.) Volunteered From AUGUST 2020 TO DECEMBER 2020 2020 I feel very grateful for the opportunity to volunteer at the Habibi Center – and I maintain such admiration for the wonderful organisation that Stephanie and Alex have developed over the past few years. The school is exceptionally well-organised and maintains an extremely friendly and…

CAROL (U.S.A.) Volunteered From APRIL TO MAY 2018 AND FROM JANUARY TO MARCH 2020 2020 I have had the joy of volunteering twice at Habibi Center. There is nothing ordinary about this place. It shines! No one is left out! The walls speak with poignant refugee self-portraits and the hallway echoes with laughter. Students and…

ADRIELLE (U.S.A.) Volunteered From MARCH TO JUNE 2020 2020 I interacted with a few non-profits in Greece before I found Habibi Center. Right away, I was impressed with how organized and purposeful this organization is. It is a wonderful teaching space full of resources and materials, and the main coordinators Steph and Alex were always…

SUSAN (USA) Volunteered From APRIL 2019 TO MAY 2019 2019 When I arrived in Athens on April 9, 2019, my expectations were very simple. I planned to substitute teach for five weeks while one of the full time teachers was away. I thought that I would be teaching beginner classes as I have always done.…