I decided to become a volunteer long before the right opportunity entered my life, knowing deep down that I wanted to contribute supporting refugees in Greece. I had contacts with several people working as volunteers in various NGOs, one of whom was Rosanna from the UK who taught English at the Afghan community. As I had expressed my thoughts to her on several occasions, she suggested that I replace her when she would have to return to her country in 2019. The thought that I could participate and do something useful filled me with excitement and anticipation.
The first days in the Community were exhilarating and interesting. My first classes took place during a heat wave since refugees don’t take vacation and the lessons, in addition to being a source of knowledge, were also a social outlet in their daily lives. My students were mainly adults, or unaccompanied minors knowing neither their parents nor their living conditions. The lessons were a type of drop-in, as it was not possible for fixed classes due to the constant movement of refugees and the differences in their knowledge levels. Each lesson was unique, different, a small “window” into their lives, brimming with stories and experiences that they wanted to share.
I easily became attached, though the constant rotation was emotionally difficult for me. Many left the country never to see them again and unaware of whatever became of them. This experience helped me understand how difficult it is to be a refugee, constantly changing situations and people around you, and having to adapt to new conditions without stability.
Through teaching English, I created a meaningful connection with them in a very short period of time. Through speech improvement exercises, discussions emerged about everyday issues, such as nutrition, physical exercise, contact with nature, family habits, but also about issues related to the difficulties and dangers they faced during their move to Greece. The knowledge I gained about the difficulties, the uncertainty and the dangers they face, as well as the love and faith they felt towards me, enriched me personally and created bonds lasting to this day.
I often felt like we communicated beyond words, making each lesson an opportunity for me to feel their gratitude beyond the sharing of my knowledge with them. The conclusion of this experience is that language is not just a learning tool but also a means of communication of the soul. Through this common language, relationships were created that transcend borders and time, leaving imprints of life that will remain forever.
