Can you introduce yourself and tell us why you participated in the Empower YOUth project?

I study nursing in Patras, and I also love oil painting which is my hobby. My motivation to participate in the project was mainly my origin background. I am from Pomakochoria in Xanthi and as a minority we face many problems. I felt the need and the obligation to do something to change the lives of my fellow human beings for the better. I thought that through this project I would acquire the know-how so that I could implement actions aiming to improve the lives of the people of Xanthi, but also of the Pomak minority.

What will you keep with you from the Empower YOUth experience?

Of all the workshops held, the one I would single out is the one that dealt with human rights. I found it extremely interesting, as it opened horizons for me as to how I could defend the rights of the community from which I come.

What was the highlight for you during the project?

It was the choice of the topic for the project we have undertaken with my group which aims to empower Pomak women.

Would you like to share anything else with us?

Yes, my dreams for the future! One of my dreams is to help minority groups. Instead of standing up for people who are different from the whole, we tend to judge and marginalize them. So, what I dream is that there will be no more discrimination due to religion, color, race, sexuality. In addition, another dream of mine is to manage to save and record the elements of Pomak culture – culture, tradition – before they are lost!

*****

The project “Empower YOUth” is implemented within the framework of the Active citizens fund by SolidarityNow in partnership with Norwegian NGO NorSensus Mediaforum.

The Active citizens fund in Greece is supported through a € 13.5 m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The programme aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship and human rights. The Fund Operator for the Active citizens fund in Greece is Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with SolidarityNow.