On Thursday, June 4, a special event was held at the College Theater to screen the film “I Was a Stranger,” directed by Brandt Andersen, co-hosted by Athens College and The HOME Project. Brief addresses were delivered by the General Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation, Mr. Gerasimos Alivizatos ’75; the Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, Ms. Sevi Voloudaki; and the Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Greece, Ms. Laura Lo Castro.

The evening was dedicated to the memory of Kyriakos Papadopoulos, the Coast Guard officer who became internationally known as the “Hero of the Aegean” for his role in rescuing thousands of refugees and migrants in the waters off Lesbos during the refugee crisis. His dedication to protecting human life, along with the values of solidarity and humanity he embodied, remains a source of inspiration to this day. It was a particular honor to welcome his wife, Ignatia Tikelli, who traveled from Lesbos to attend the event as a guest of honor.

“Social contribution and solidarity are concepts inextricably linked to Athens College. Since 2018, we have been collaborating with The HOME Project, offering our students and refugee children an interactive experience centered on communication and teamwork. This program has been embraced by the entire College community—teachers, students, and parents—and continues to thrive. It builds bridges between children, encourages the exchange of perspectives, and fosters respect for diversity,” emphasized the General Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic-American Educational Foundation, Gerasimos Alivizatos x75.

“The way we welcome these children, the way we protect them, provide them with shelter, education, and opportunities, defines not only what kind of society we are, but also what kind of society we aspire to be. The direction we want to take as a society. This is precisely the mission The HOME Project has been serving for many, many years,” stated the Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, Sevi Voloudaki.

“Approximately 40% of the refugees arriving in Greece are women and children. In 2025 alone, nearly 1,900 unaccompanied minors arrived in the country. Their resilience is truly remarkable, yet the challenges they face remain immense—from healing trauma and overcoming isolation to accessing protection mechanisms and building a hopeful future in a new society,” noted Laura Lo Castro, Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Greece.

An engaging discussion followed, moderated by journalist Niko Efstathiou. The panel featured the film’s lead actor, Constantinos Markoulakis ’88; the director and producer of the Oscar-nominated short film “4.1 miles,” Daphne Matziaraki; the Founder and CEO of The HOME Project, Sofia Kouvelaki ’02; as well as Youth Ambassadors from The HOME Project and Athens College.

Mary Synolaki, a High School Grade 2 student at Athens College, shared her experience with The SCHOOL Project, which has been running on campus since 2018. Through the program, students act as mentors to children supported by The HOME Project, who attend weekly Greek, English, and Math classes at the School and take part in sports and other joint activities.

Questions for the panel were posed by IB1 student Christos Blemenos and High School Grade 2 student of Psychico College, Elena Rodi, both active participants in the program.

To date, more than 400 students and 120 teachers from the College have volunteered with The SCHOOL Project, while over 150 refugee children have benefited from the initiative. Additionally, five children supported by The HOME Project have received scholarships to study at the College, with three currently continuing their education there.

Through joint initiatives such as The SCHOOL Project, and scholarships, the collaboration between the two organizations highlights the power of education as a tool for integration, empowerment, and equal opportunities for every child.