Get to know Pelegia Gkougianou – Ziaka and Aretmis Seliou, the dynamic duo frontline workers who have attended all of our Embrace sessions, held by Second Tree In Greece, with brilliant energy and enthusiasm!

Interview with Pelegia Gkougianou – Ziaka

Why did you decide to participate in Embrace? 

I am a frontline worker, I worked with newcomers for six years. I think I have some experience that would be helpful but at the same time I’m really worried about how newcomers face the difficulties right now. I joined because I  wanted to be present and keep track of what is going on during this period. 

How do you think Embrace will develop in the future? 

I really think the project will continue because there is a will to do so. I also think that it needs to continue, in any form–perhaps now working on small, daily solutions. We have talked about figuring out how things are going, what the difficulties are, and now I think we have come up with some conclusions. So at some point, I really think the next step of Embrace is to implement some of the solutions we have discussed. 

Interview with Artemis Seliou

Why did you decide to participate in Embrace? 

I’m a frontline worker that welcomes refugees because I work in public services–in the community centre that deals with allowances. It was an extra incentive for me to join this project because I haven’t worked with refugees that much. I want to understand their problems and worries. 

How do you think Embrace will develop in the future? 

For sure this project will help for things to materialise. It acts as a first step on how migrants can cooperate with frontline workers and decision makers. From there, this can go even further and better the communication between all parties.