UNHCR staff member dedicates her life to protecting refugee children

"I think and act as if I were their parent"

Dr. Theodora Tsovili, a child psychologist, is a UNHCR staff member currently serving in Greece and has previously worked in Syria. Dr. Tsovili's training and experience guide her efforts to protect and secure safer futures for some of our world's most vulnerable people. The interview below shares details of her work and the critical role that donor support plays in ensuring that children, and all refugees, have the care and support they need to rebuild their lives.

What does your work entail?

Dr. Tsovili: I work with children who have been forced to flee their homes. There are approximately 20,000 refugee children or children seeking asylum in Greece. An additional 3,350 children are here alone.

Refugee children deal with many challenges, including the distress of having to leave behind their homes, their daily routine — everything they know.

"One of the things I have learned from my work is that
you can become a refugee in a matter of moments."

As a UNHCR Senior Community-Based Protection Assistant, I work with the rest of the team to make sure children have the protection, shelter, food, water and other necessities they need. We get them back into school, reunite them with family members — whatever they need to heal and rebuild their lives.

What message do you want to send to caring Americans about the children you serve?

As a mother of twins, I still believe that we can make the world a bit better for the lives of refugees, especially children. For all the children that I meet, no matter what they go through, I think and act as if I were their parent. I feel that if we all have this attitude, we would be more protective, more human and more useful to children all over the world. Refugee children have to suffer in such difficult circumstances, due to decisions made by adults who are so far away from them, so distant, so indifferent to their needs.

"As a mother of twins, I still believe that we can make the world a bit better for the lives of refugees, especially children."

What can people reading this do to help?

When you hear or read the stories in the news about refugees, please bear in mind that you could be one of them, or your children could be one of them too. Life can change in an instant. That’s why your help is so important.

Here’s how you can help…

The UN Refugee Agency relies on generous supporters so that people like Dr. Tsovili can do their lifesaving work. Please become a monthly donor — it’s the most effective and efficient way for you to help our world's most vulnerable people. Join your fellow caring Americans by making your first monthly gift today.

Note: this interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.