Maria’s story

Maria, a Bulgarian-Greek living in Greece with a background in communication and journalism, has always been passionate about making a difference. Her professional journey has been defined by a commitment to addressing social issues and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities and individuals.

Within the different roles she’s had, she was consistently striving for her work to have purpose and to contribute to the needs of others. Her journey took her to various places, and her experiences shaped her desire to engage in meaningful humanitarian work. When she heard about the mentorship program, she saw it as an opportunity to deepen her understanding and enhance her skills in the field.

“I hope to engage in conversations and gain knowledge about how to do ethical work, avoid biases, and recognize savior complexes when working with displaced individuals. I look forward to exploring ways to empower displaced individuals through a decolonial approach. I hope to understand how humanitarian work can address social and cultural aspects of the contexts in which it operates, be inclusive, and involve individuals and groups in decision-making processes related to their lives,” Maria shared.

Throughout the program, Maria reflected on what it means to be a leader in the humanitarian sector and the critical role of empathy.

 “I believe that one needs to have empathy; be willing to be challenged; and be dedicated to a cause that is beyond their career, for the good of other people. As a leader in the humanitarian sector, I believe that you must always question whether what you do is actually doing good, and it is not harming others. The discussions we had around empathy were my favorite, because I feel like I am a very empathetic person. I learned a lot about this aspect of leadership,” she said.

However, Maria's journey was not without its challenges. She faced moments of self-doubt, questioning her ability to contribute meaningfully. 

“I was scared that I had nothing to contribute in relation to conversations on colonization because of my privileged context as a white European. I pushed myself and I decided to continue and I almost accepted that it is fine for me to be more silent and just take in information and listen to the other participants. I am also an introvert so in general it is difficult for me to express myself in a bigger group or people I don’t know. I was very happy that I completed the program,” she said with determination and pride.

Despite those fears, Maria successfully achieved her goals by the end of the program. “The biggest takeaway for me was that I could challenge myself and I was able to understand that there are different perspectives and views and to be open and flexible enough to change views, see things differently and reflect again and again and knowledge sharing,” she noted, reflecting on her growth.

What had the biggest impact on Maria were the connections and conversations she had with people from different backgrounds who were all working towards the same goal. “The general feeling that stayed with me was connection, the people, and their diversity– I felt that in the end we all connected under this umbrella of wanting something better for this world,” Maria shared, a sense of nostalgia evident in her voice.

Maria's mentorship story is one of resilience and dedication. She plans to keep learning, challenging herself, and connecting with like-minded people. Her journey is a reminder that overcoming fears and embracing new perspectives can lead to significant personal and professional growth.

Cover photo by Xuan Nguyen