Mobina Karimi, the refugee from Afghanistan, who became member of the Organizing Committee of the Municipal Youth Council of Kavala

"I like setting goals and realizing them. “Goals and actions” are the words I live by. I want to become a dentist and I will do so.”  These words of determination are the proof why, Mobina Karimi, an 18-year-old girl from Afghanistan, who lives in the Open Accommodation Facility for Refugees in Kavala, is a member of the Organizing Committee of the Municipal Youth Council of Kavala. 

The initial proposal for Mobina to join the Organizing Committee of the Municipal Youth Council of Kavala, was preceded by IOM and the Deputy Mayor of Development of Digital Services and Youth Planning, George Michaelides. The response was positive and the young people residing in the Site of Kavala, now, have their own "voice" in the city and in the under-establishment youth municipal council.

"I want to participate, to get experiences, to help refugees speak through my own voice. The honor that the people of the Municipality gave me shows exactly that they respect us and make us feel important", Mobina stresses.  Mobina lives in Kavala with her family. 

“I have many good Greek friends in the city. Some of them are from school. In the past, I have confronted people who told me that they do not want me in this country, but I try to focus on people who accept me as their friend.

The Afghan girl, which attends the Second Grade at a General Lyceum in the city, expresses her concerns about the difficulties she faces in light of the university entrance examinations next year. "If I get the chance in the Council Committee, I want to ask for help for all refugee children attending high schools and lyceums. Teachers’ support who teach the Greek language is very important. This would be the first thing, I would do. Access to the Greek University requires strong school education. I want to get into dental school, and I'll do it!" says Mobina with determination.

IOM operates in the open accommodation site of Kavala, as the official management support (SMS) agency, with the support of the European Commission (DG HOME).