Giorgos Koukousoulas, 38, is a teacher without a permanent job. He volunteers in Perama to help enrich the minds of kids who need extra help with their lessons and cannot afford a tutor.

“I expected this crisis to happen at some point. Our country’s model for growth and progress was based on erroneous foundations. This dire situation could turn out to be a great opportunity for change in Greece, and especially a change of ideas. We have witnessed a rise in solidarity and collaboration as well as newfound creativity. This is the one positive thing to emerge from this crisis. We must make good use of it.”

“We must focus on the education children receive in school. They need to come to understand that history is the stepping stone to acquire the basic values they need for the future. We also have to resist those persons trying to draw a poisonous connection between our culture and nationalism. The rise of the extreme right in Greece is a real threat. It is important to keep our dignity, our sense of history and solidarity, and ward it off.”