CO.A.ST: Growing up in Europe: James’ Story in Greece

This is the story of James (a fictional name), a young man from Egypt who recently turned eighteen. One of the first things people notice about him is his bright smile whenever he talks about football, his greatest passion. Since arriving in Greece, he loves going to school. He already speaks Greek well.

James arrived in Greece as a minor, completely alone. Today, he is a lively and determined young adult, though sometimes he still worries when he thinks about the future. Juggling his studies with a part-time job, he displays a sense of maturity beyond his years. James’s childhood in Egypt was marked by hard work. Born into a family that struggled financially, he helped his parents from a very young age. Despite the heavy tasks and long days, he always found moments to dream of becoming a professional football player.

When he first arrived in Greece, James was placed in a shelter for unaccompanied minors. After an uncertain period of waiting, the authorities appointed him a guardian, someone who would become a steady guide during the critical years of his adolescence. His guardian supported him through every essential step: enrolling him in school, referring him to a lawyer to prepare for his asylum interview, and connecting him with a housing program for young people, HELIOS JUNIOR, so he would have somewhere to live once he turned 18 and could no longer stay in the minors’ shelter. Thanks to this support, James continued to make steps towards the future he dreamed for himself.

Just one month ago, James turned 18. In Greece, becoming an adult means leaving the minors’ shelter and all of the support that comes with it, including the daily presence of a guardian. What worries him most now are the administrative procedures, especially his asylum process. Although he is now an adult, he has not had his asylum interview yet, which causes him constant uncertainty and stress. With this transition to adulthood, his worries have intensified: until recently, his guardian handled all interactions with the authorities, and he fears making a mistake in his asylum case because he still doesn’t feel fully confident managing these responsibilities alone.

Still, James remains determined to continue school, to build stability, and to keep chasing the dream that has always carried him forward: to build a life where he can be safe, independent, and maybe, one day, even step onto a football field as the player he has long imagined himself to be.