The Habibi Center

Introducing my time at the Habibi Center: an NGO dedicated to empowering refugee youths through education in Greece. This page outlines my enriching internship from March 1 to September 1, 2023, detailing my journey from volunteer teacher to gaining insights into the organization's inner workings. My tasks included teaching, IT support, and workshop facilitation, guided by Stephanie Martinez and Camille Eluard. As of 2023, my commitment to the Habibi Center continues, read more below.

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My time at the Habibi Center

The Habibi Center, founded in Eleousa, Greece in 2016, initially provided non-formal education to refugees in camps. In November 2018, it officially registered as the non-profit Association Espanola Habibi Center in Spain, coinciding with its move to Athens. Led by committed long-term volunteers, the center focuses on enhancing English proficiency for refugee youths, alongside workshops in IT, Greek, employability, interpretation, art, and mathematics. Worldwide benefactors, including the US subsidiary, offer support through events, donations, and grants. On-site teachers are part-time volunteers, typically committing for a minimum of two months.

During my internship, I taught English, literacy, and IT, often joining diverse weekend workshops. These sessions, ranging from employability skills to creative projects like producing a school magazine, aimed to empower and integrate refugees into Greek society. Classes ran from 3:30 to 8:00 p.m., divided into three sessions of one and a half hours each. While I initially taught three daily classes, I later adjusted my schedule to focus on my thesis and additional duties. Although weekly lunch gatherings and class discussions were occasional during my internship, they promoted unity among volunteers and enhanced our effectiveness.

This experience significantly expanded my understanding. Engaging directly with children from conflict-ridden regions illuminated the real impact of global conflicts, past and present. Hearing firsthand accounts provided a valuable oral history. Insights into the operations of smugglers in Europe shed light on the harsh realities faced by refugees. This internship not only sensitized me to their struggles but also highlighted the far-reaching consequences of recent conflicts. The subsequent section explores the specific contributions of the Habibi Center to this perspective.

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