ABOUT US
Our organization, Pytheas’ Path was named after the Ancient Greek explorer, Pytheas of Massalia. In the 320’s BC, he set out to explore the unknown world. Pytheas’ explorations took him from the Mediterranean to the undiscovered British Isles, which he circumnavigated, explored and engaged in trade with the local populations. He went up to the Arctic Circle and down through the Germanic Region, discovering different populations, materials and trade routes. He brought all of his experiences home and shared his vast knowledge and discoveries with the Ancient Greeks.
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Pytheas was a person who through courage, curiosity and sheer determination was able to expand his personal horizons and consequently those of the Ancient Greek’s world. The refugees that apply to our program have faced adversity on their own journey, but by taking the first step in approaching our organization, have shown that like Pytheas, they too are determined to seek out and stake their place in the world.
OUR VALUES
Pytheas' Path was started in 2017 as a response to the refugee crisis at the time taking place in Europe. We sympathised with the refugees that were fleeing from violence and persecution, and understood that they were seeking to improve the quality of their lives and their families lives. But at the same time, we felt that if after the enormous distance they had travelled, with all those risks and dangers associated with that journey, that if they were not able to finally arrive and integrate themselves into European Society...then well, it would all have been in vain. And so as a response to this, we established Pytheas' Path to help those refugees - who have already shown that they have resolve and determination - achieve their full potential for themselves and society.
SUHEL ALKARAAZA
ENGLISH TEACHER
Suhel is originally from Daraa, Syria. He was a law student at Damascus University. In 2016 he moved to Greece and started volunteering with different NGOs. With 3 years experience in translation and teaching, Suhell speaks Arabic and English.
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GRETCHEN TRAPP
LOVELY VOLUNTEER
Gretchen is from the USA, near Chicago. After finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2016, her work and studies have taken her to live in four different countries: Thailand, Germany, the UK, and now the Netherlands. She completed her Master’s degree in Education and International Development from University College London, in 2019. She has 5 years of experience as a tutor and teacher. She is building on her research to develop ways for students to apply practical English skills in new courses at Pytheas’ Path. She provides English language instruction for varying courses. She additionally aims to support teachers through collaborative planning.
FATIMAH GHULAMI
LOVELY VOLUNTEER
Fatima is originally from Afghanistan. She was a second year high school student in the field of Hotel Management. She had moved to Greece in 2019. Currently she is a volunteer at Pytheas and she speaks English and Dari.
HAMZA HASSAN
LOVELY VOLUNTEER
Hamza is an Egyptian engineer. Since he moved to Athens in 2017, he has been working as a Web Developer and Marketer. He aims to support refugees and asylum seekers to learn coding. He speaks Arabic and English.
SOFIA TZOVANAKI
GREEK TEACHER
Sofia was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She has studied Sociology in the University of Crete. She currently attends a Special Education and Teaching training program at the University of Athens. She has participated in several workshops and seminars on education, teaching, anthropology and arts.
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NIMA MORAD
LOVELY VOLUNTEER
Nima is originally from Iran. He is currently a student at the second highschool of international education. He has moved to Greece and has experience volunteering in (one happy family). He speaks Persian and English.
EMILIA MUNTEANU
LOVELY VOLUNTEER
Her professional background as a psychologist and an architect has exposed her to different kinds of experiences in the past years. She wants to use all of that private practice in the humanitarian field working towards common wealth.