After almost 10 years away, many of which I spent in what became my second home, Sweden, I returned to Greece, to my hometown, searching for something meaningful. I found so much more than just a job.

For the past eight months, I’ve been working with Second Tree, a humanitarian NGO based in Greece. But more importantly, I’ve become part of a loving, vibrant, passionate community—a group of people who come together with care, creativity, and grit to build the change we want to see in the world.

At Second Tree, we work with refugees, not just for them. We reject pity, stereotypes, and saviour narratives. We build programs that recognise refugees as full human beings: complex, capable, responsible, and worthy of real opportunity.

We offer a wide range of programs that aim to empower individuals and strengthen communities such as: 

• • Non-formal education in English for adults and kids
  • Self-advocacy classes, where refugees learn to speak for themselves and take charge of their rights and stories
  • Weekly educational and recreational trips for refugee children and adults in the local society
  • European projects, advocacy and research 
  • Training for other organisations in our unique approach to community engagement

The heart of all this is RAP – Refugees Are People, a model that redefines how we relate to and work with refugees

When I first joined Second Tree, RAP was a completely new concept to me. It clicked immediately—and also challenged me deeply. It made me re-examine how I relate to others, and the standards I hold people to, even when I think I’m being “helpful.” It reminded me that even well-intentioned ideas can reduce people to categories. My time at Second Tree so far has been very very special. I’ve developed many skills that I use daily in my various tasks, but I’ve also grown in deeper ways, strengthening my rational and critical thinking, my ability to truly engage with others, navigate conflict, and live out my values more intentionally.

As World Refugee Day approaches, I’m asking for your support.

We want to continue growing, evolving, and doing the hard, beautiful work of community building. But to do that, we need your help. If you believe in treating refugees not as victims or heroes, but as neighbours, friends, collaborators, people—please consider donating.

Your support makes all of this possible.