First of all, old buildings should be painted and refurbished so that under-privileged people can live in them. In this way, these neighborhoods will be treated equally and people will not be afraid of passing by them.

    Furthermore , unemployed people deserve a second chance to get a job and stand back on their feet. For this cause ,the township can hire them to take care of the city's cleanliness and aesthetics.

     These were only some of the solutions that can be implemented if they are taken into consideration.

It is true that every year millions of animals are used in scientific research, so that scientists can produce new cosmetics. However, while there are people who argue that these experiments are very helpful to humanity, others point out that animals’ health is in danger.On the one hand, these experiments have plenty of advantages for the humanity. First of all, without the ability to test cosmetics on animals before being released to consumers, it would be difficult for researchers to make an educated guess about these products’ safety. But with animal testing, researchers are able to conduct trial and error to learn more about providing consumers with the best possible goods. Moreover, experiments on animals improve human health, because with this method, people are assured of never being exposed to any harmful toxins or chemicals, leading to a drop in health risks for consumers. Last but not least, animal testing has also been instrumental in saving endangered species from extinction, as the animals used are not killed but kept in safe laboratories.On the other hand, experiments can lead to disastrous results. To begin with, they may cause death of animals, because sometimes animals are killed after each trial. Furthermore, researchers treat animals badly in laboratories which results in serious injuries and sometimes animals are forced to live in captivity in order to overcome these injuries. Besides that, animal testing on cosmetics does not always lead to the release of new cosmetics. In fact, there are tests done without any products actually put into use. Lastly, experiments on animals are costly, because scientists should provide animals with shelter, food and care.To conclude, while experiments on animals for cosmetic purposes offer a lot of advantages, I am of the opinion that they should be banned, in order for animals not to suffer. There are other, less painful ways to test the safety of cosmetics, like testing on plants or using computer methods.  

Irene Sotiriadi, A5

A YOUNG REFUGEE’S STORY

Imani is a 16 year old girl whose life changed dramatically when her hometown, Syria got involved in a war. Imani’s family had always struggled with money and everyone had to work in order to make ends meet. She didn’t have any siblings and would always feel lonely, as she never had anyone to spend time with. However, at the age of 7 she met a girl, named Zahra and the two of them had been inseperable since. The two girls created such a strong bond, that Imani called Zahra “the sister she never had”.

Unfortunately, when the war began, Imani had to be seperated from Zahra, which saddened her deeply. Her family didn’t want to leave at first, but they realized that their future was doomed in Syria, which had turned into a war zone. Under no circumstances would they endanger their lives, so they got into a dinghy and began their long journey towards Greece. The family was exhausted and poverty-stricken, but never gave up. They hoped they could make a fresh start without fear.

Imani wishes to reconnect with Zahra, her best friend from home, whom she misses a lot. Her biggest dream has always been to become a successful actress and inspire others. She is determined to fulfill her aspiration in order to show people that being a refugee should not stop you from making your dreams come true.

I’m a student from Greece and I’m writing this letter about the human rights of refugees. Nowadays, a lot of people are forced to leave their country because of  a civil war. But, do we really think about them? How does their life change in just a couple of days? 

 In our view, these people are something different than us. Over the past few years, we have made a lot of steps to improve our relationship between them and us but they still feel alone without  any real supporting. Human rights’ supporters increase in refugee settlements and share their hope that this possibility will convince them. Resettlement can be a very important and helpful supplement to asylum but can never be a substitute for the right to seek asylum. Lastly, it is also important to offer a job to those  people to make a living .

Citizens should focus on the refugees’ law so that they can integrate into our society without feeling disadvantaged. It is crucial to live in a world where people are all equal and free to do whatever they want without any fear.

Best wishes ,

a student from B lykeiou .

Eleni Karra

So he started to go to his work.But suddenly he heard gunshots ans screams.A little later there were many people together in a place looking at something, John went to see and it was a man who had been hit in the hand and the head.After he saw that no one was helping him, he decided to help him.So he took him to hospital and waited until the doctors found out what was wrong with him. Fortunately he wasn't hit, he only had scratches.

Then John took the man to the place he told him and then went to work.When he arrived, he apologized to his boss for being late and explained exactly what had happened.

Finally, when he finished his work, he went home and thought that his day was not so normal after all.

Due to the on-going war that is taking place in Palestineand the devastating images that have taken over the news, I decided to write this letter so as to sensitize people regarding the human rights of refugees.

Firstly, if we take a look around us, we will come to realize that refugees are often being persecuted from countries or facing cruel and inhuman behaviors by the authorities. Despite the laws which secure their rights on moving to a country, such behaviors do not cease to exist. What’s more, finding a decent job is very difficult for them since employers often take advantage of their despair and they end up getting paid very little, being overworked etc. Most importantly, refugees face discrimination and racist behaviors wherever they go, whether that’s a school, work environment or even in the streets.

How would you feel if you were being treated this way? We should all be sensitized on such topics and do everything within our power to help these people whose life was destroyed so brutally. At the end of the day, you never know if someday you are going to find yourself in their shoes.

Yours sincerely,

Evaggelia Stergiou

John couldn't explain his excitement. He jumped out of bed, doing a happy dance around his room. He called his family and friends, sharing the incredible news with them. They all celebrated together, cheering and laughing.

With his newfound wealth, John decided to fulfill his lifelong dreams. He traveled the world, exploring breathtaking destinations and immersing himself in different cultures.

Even all those experiences John never forgot the simple joys of life. He cherished moments with loved ones, shared laugh, and continued to find happiness in the everyday chores.

And so, every morning, John woke up with gratitude, knowing that his ordinary day had transformed into an extraordinary journey of joy and fulfillment.

The next thing Menelaos knew, he could talk to animals! Max barked about his day, and birds chirped secrets. Menelaos was amazed but had to keep it a secret.

But things got tricky when Max overheard some squirrels planning a nut heist. Menelaos had to stop the furry troublemakers without giving away his newfound talent. With clever tricks and a bit of peanut bribery, he saved the day.

Word spread, and soon animals lined up to share their tales. Menelaos became the neighborhood animal whisperer, and every day turned into a wild adventure. Who knew a shiny coin could make life so talkative?

Konstantinos Apostolikas , A2

Have you ever heart of the story of the murder of the actress during the fire in the theater? He name was Lola, she was a show girl more specifically the leading actress of the cast but that was 30 years ago…

It all started in Chicago 30 years ago from this day, Lola was a successful and well-known actress in that timeline. One day she decided to move back to her home town Chicago from New work to start a fresh new career in the streets she grew up. After she returned the director of the most know theater of the town invited her in order to be the main leader in the Christmas show called “the Christmas miracle”. In the meantime, her coworker Henry was as talented as Lola but he hated her with all his might because he was jealous of her because he also wanted to get the leading role so we wanted to get rid of her and so he did…

After one month the premier of the show Henry had already thought what he had to do. When it was time for our actress to hop onto stage, he cut the rope who was holding the light with candles leading into falling on the actress , kill her instantly and burn the building in an instant. Till this day the man remains unfound and hasn’t paid for his actions.

Χρήστος Κωσταδημας Α4

EFI KARAGEORGOY A’3

When John left the house that morning he thought it was going to be a normal day.

John is 15 year old boy from the United States. 15/5/16 was a date that stigmatized his life.

He woke up at 7 o’clock in the morning to go to school. It was Friday and John was extremely excited the weekend was finally there. It was a sunny day and after a long week, all John wanted was to hang out with he’s friends and family. <<What a great day! The weather is warm and I’m looking forward to see my friends>> John said. So, as happy as he was, John got up to “seize the day”. He ate, got dressed, brushed his teeth and left for school. On his way to school, he saw he’s two best friends and the three of them walked their way to school. << Good morning guys!>> he said. << Good morning John>> said his friends. They arrived at school and the bell rang. The first class had just started. As the time was passing by, and the kids were patiently waiting for the class to come to an end, when a loud noise came from the hallway. << WHAT WAS THAT ?>> a kid screamed.<< it sounded like a shot>> John said terrified. << someone must have dropped something >> another one said. Quiet was filling up the room as if the kids were waiting another sound to be heard. And all of a suddena BOOM filled up the silence.  All of the student started screaming and crying over the noise. << EVERYONE CALM DOWN AND GET DOWN OF YOUR DESKS >> the teacher shouted. Every one was panicking and getting more and more scared. Some girls were calling their moms to tell them what was going on. Every one was confused and devastated of what was happening. Unfortunately the shooting wasn’t over. Sooner or later the shooter must have gotten into the classroom. And a few seconds later, exactly that happened. Students were hiding behind the chairs and desks to avoid the bullets. Others were begging the shooters to stop. Sadly, neither of that happened. But, here is the worst part of the story. Two of the students were killed. All of the kids were in shock, they were crying their eyes out and passing out. But John……..John was the most shattered. The two kids that got killed was his best friends. In shock, he stood there looking over their dead bodies sobbing and finding it hard to breath. The school shooting was finally over. Parents came to school as fast as they could to take their kids. John got back home safely with his parents not being able to get a word in.   

Today John is a 40 year old man with a happy family he is grateful for. The date today is 15/5/41 of a sunny Friday at the united states. John just got a call. It was from the school. They told him to come get his daughters from school as a school shooting had just happened…..

It was a dark cold December night and I was at home playing board games with my little brother. Suddenly the phone rang.

"Hello?" I said.

There was nobody on the line. Then the lights went out...

Right after that, someone banged on the door. My brother and I were really scared ! We hesitated to open it and see who it was, so I grabbed a knife and opened the door. I heard someone laughing and then realized it was my cousin who wanted to pull a prank on us.

"I found a strange key while searching for things in the attic. It has an address engraved on it. How about we go and find out what this address is about?"He said. Of course I agreed but forbade my brother to come along because my parents had promised me a new video game if I kept him safe and I couldn't risk it.

The wind was blowing and the shutters were

hitting the windows. It was very

foggy too but we then realized that the Walton street in which the answer to the key could be found, was really near our house and we arrived swiftly. All of a sudden, an old house emerged from the fog and the addresses matched. 

We proceeded to march slowly towards the door and then my cousin unlocked it.

Right after we opened the door, we started exploring the house finding eerie relics and remnants of a forgotten past. At a critical moment, while exploring a hidden room, my little brother suddenly appears, his demeanor unnervingly different. He speaks in a hollow voice, warning us both to leave immediately, claiming that the house belongs to something malevolent.

In a spine-chilling revelation, I find out that my little brother is inexplicably linked to the house's haunting. Whether through a past life, an accidental connection, or an unknown force, he becomes an unwitting pawn in the house's sinister plans. As my cousin and I desperately try to understand the depths of this inexplicable bond, the house's malevolent presence intensifies, leaving us grappling with fear and the haunting realization that my brother's fate might be forever entwined with the dark secrets of the abandoned place.

My heart was racing and unexpectedly I woke up and found myself in bed! So I had to calm down because after all, it was just a nightmare. Then it hit me, I ran downstairs and felt relieved to see my brother waiting for me to play board games. Suddenly, the phone rang.

"Hello?", I said.

There was nobody on the line. Then the lights went out...

      The end

Dimitris Kourelis, A4

John woke up feeling normal, expecting just another ordinary day. But as he stumbled towards the front door, he noticed a small package on his doorstep. Curiosity peaked, he unwrapped it to reveal a strange device.

Without hesitation, John activated the device and was instantly transported to a fantastical kingdom. A witch named Isabella explained that he was chosen for a grand quest to restore balance in the kingdom.

Together, they faced challenges, battled mythical creatures, and unlocked John's hidden powers. Time was running out as darkness threatened both kingdoms. With no fear, John confronted the source, sealing the rift and restoring harmony.

Having fulfilled his purpose, John returned to his world, forever changed by his extraordinary adventure. He realized that life could hold unexpected surprises, and he swore to embrace every moment with open arms, ready for whatever the future held.

The end.

Apostolis Thodis, A3

As he boarded the crowded train, he squeezed into his usual spot, sandwiched between the daily commuters. The rhythmic clatter of the train wheels on the tracks and the muted conversations of passengers. Little did he know that this routine was about to be shattered.

Just before the train reached his stop, a mysterious woman entered the carriage. She wore a long coat that seemed out of place on this sunny day. Her piercing blue eyes scanned the compartment until they locked onto John. Without a word, she approached him, slipping an envelope into his hands.

"Keep this safe. Lives depend on it," she whispered urgently before disappearing into the crowd.

John, bewildered and curious, opened the envelope to find a cryptic note and a small, intricately designed key. The words on the note hinted at a hidden location, and the urgency in the woman's voice left him with an unsettling feeling.

Unable to shake off the mysterious encounter, John decided to follow the clues. His ordinary day transformed into a suspenseful journey as he navigated through forgotten alleyways and dimly lit corridors. The key opened doors to hidden chambers, revealing a world he never knew existed.

As he delved deeper into the mystery, John uncovered a plot involving corporate espionage and government secrets. The lives of innocent people hung in the balance, and he realized that he had become an unwitting player in a dangerous game. With each revelation, the line between normalcy and chaos blurred.

The once mundane accountant found himself at the center of a high-stakes adventure, racing against time to unravel the truth and thwart the impending danger. When John left the house that morning, he could never have imagined that his seemingly ordinary day would lead him down a path of intrigue, danger, and unexpected heroism.

Anastasia Papaspirou, A2

Firstly, animal testing is cruel and inhumane. In some cases, researchers underestimate the number of animals they need to test a new cosmetic. As a result, many animal lives are wasted.

Furthermore, animal testing is harmful for the environment. It pollutes air, groundwater and soil and it also results into large amounts of environmental waste.

On the other hand, when it comes to medicine, I personally think that animal tests help scientists to develop cures for serious diseases such as cancer.

To conclude, experiments on animals for cosmetics should stop. However, animal testing in order to develop new medicines is really important for humanity and that is why I believe scientists must continue conducting these tests as long as animal lives are not waisted.

Antonia Zygouri, A3

 First and foremost, this cruel action can cause a lot of dermatological and psychological problems on animals just because humans want to be safe without taking into consideration the deadly effects these experiments can have on animals’ lives. In addition, a large number of people support that the results of testing cosmetics on animals are not completely safe or accurate as they may be effective on animals but still have bad effects on humans.

On the other hand, others are in favor of this treatment. They claim that there is no other way to be sure about finding out how cosmetics can be checked and appropriate for people. Also they think that doing tests on human beings can cause the death of many people unless the cosmetics are predestined for humans and therefore, certain endangered species may eventually perish.

In conclusion, doing experiments on animals is considered extremely inhumane and heartless by some while others have an opposite opinion about this topic. I strongly believe that testing cosmetics on animals should be banned and the offenders must have serious penalties.

Efie Karageorgou, A3

ACCESS

Due to the intense rain and the overflow of the river, streets and sidewalks suffered heavy damage, making access highly difficult for vehicles, pedestrians and especially people with kinetic disabilities. Therefore, immediate actions should be taken for the mending of pavements as well as the recreation of zebra-crossings and the fixing of traffic lights so that easy and safe access can be restored for everyone.

ACCOMMODATION

Another negative outcome of the disaster was the destruction of houses, either by water damage or complete demolition, leaving many people, families and elderly people among them, homeless. A practical solution to this could be the construction of hostels where people can find shelter for free or for a symbolic amount of money or even the reconstruction of the destroyed properties by teams of volunteers carefully guided by professional builders.

EDUCATION

Among the buildings that were ruined by the severe flooding were also some of the local schools. Since education is almost equally important to housing, measures should be taken for the children’s quick return to their classes. As a temporary solution, volunteers can take on the building of basic spaces suitable for teaching until the original schools are reconstructed and elevated with the proper technological and educational  facilities.

EXTRAS

Although satisfaction of the habitants’ basic needs should be put first as a priority, there is no reason why the flood-stricken neighborhoods should lack extra facilities such as playgrounds, gyms, restaurants and cafeterias. With such improvements, not only will life return to its normal style more quickly but also, local economy will flourish again in a very short amount of time helping both the habitants and the town, itself.

GENERAL OUTCOME

As a conclusion, restoring and elevating the areas deprived by the floods is a major priority since people’s lives and wellbeing as well as the town’s economy highly depend on it. By taking these suggestions into consideration, I hope that important steps can be taken for the final improvement of those areas and consequently, the entire town.

ANNA THANASOULA, C2

Subject: improve deprived neighborhoods

The aim of this proposal is to make an appeal for the improvement of deprived neighborhoods in our town.

So as to improve the degraded neighborhoods of our city we could do many things. For example, roads, cycle paths and sidewalks could be ameliorated so that there is no movement problem. As a result, people with special needs, mothers with strollers, and generally all residents of the particular neighborhood will commute more easily.

In addition, it would be good to design a parking space to prevent illegal parking and also to protect cyclists and pedestrians. Another good idea would be to build parks and playgrounds as recreation areas so that people can spend their time there. Moreover, it would be brilliant to add trees and flowers to the streets in order to make them more beautiful, too.

In my opinion, through these actions residents of the under-privileged areas will have the opportunity to acquire the skills and support they need so as to improve the quality of their daily lives.

Cosmetics play a role not only in enhancing beauty but also health in general. Testing definitely reassures consumers as regards their safety and protects them from potential harm. Moreover, animal testing has contributed to medical advancements since the beginning of it which proves that without such testing, the medical progress could be affected severely, along with the loss or irreparable damage on millions of lives.

While efforts should be made to minimize animal suffering and explore other testing methods, completely banning animal testing for cosmetics is something not so considerate if we bear in mind its whole impact on the human race.

Therefore, in cases where there are clear benefits to humanity, implementing strict rules may be necessary for the wellbeing of animals too!

Dimitris Kourelis, A4

By experimenting with new types of medicine such as cures for major diseases like the coronavirus in a span of a year we were able to mass produce a cure for it, saving millions of lives in the process. On the other hand, the animals that were being used as test subjects suffered a great deal and in some cases were led to their death against their own will.

I am of the opinion that animal testing is necessary for the sake of humanity and experiments should continue to be conducted. However, I believe that there needs to be a probable and urgent cause for them to be set into motion, otherwise they should be considered as animal abuse and be halted immediately. Nevertheless, we all need to have an opinion about such problems and be able to speak up when something is out of the ordinary and certain cases even become inhumane.

Atoun Thanos

currently surging the globe.

The greatest “consumer” of lab animals is the medicine business, where mainly rodents such as mice and rats are exposed to the new medicine and watched to see its effects. The reason why this is so important is that without the test animals, scientists would not be aware of some deadly side-effects certain medicines could have, leading to countless of innocent deaths. And if we did not use animals to conduct experiments, we would use humans, causing deaths once again that could be avoided. 

The opposing argument here is that: who are we humans that can kill other living creatures for our personal gain? To this I answer that humanity has survived for two and a half million years, which in a planetary perspective is not a long time at all, and throughout this time period we have proven ourselves smarter and fitter for survival than other creatures. In this occasion we follow the natural rule of “Survival of the fittest” as cruel as this may sound.

Finally, another industry that uses animals as test subjects is the cosmetic industry. Truth be told, my personal opinion is that animals should not be used for tests for make-up companies, as Medicine is far more vital for humans than cosmetics. We though must not turn a blind eye to all the dermatological illnesses that would occur otherwise as many products would not pass the necessary animal testing needed.

To sum up, humans, being the dominant species on earth, have the right to use animals to improve our way of living; thus, we must continue to use test animals in the medicine industry, yet, not as much in the cosmetic business because there is no comparison between the countless lives which are saved with those experiments conducted on lab animals and aesthetic industry whatsoever. 

Panos Thanasoulas, A3 

The purpose of this report is to solve the problems that the homeless people face every day.

In this report some solutions will be mentioned so as to deal with this serious problem.

A PLACE TO LIVE

First of all, it is necessary to have different places so that the homeless people can live at. Furthermore, they will feel more secure, without fear and without all the problems they are facing every time. So, the people won’t have to live in the streets anymore and thus, will feel relieved.

FOOD

Secondly, it is right for the state to give food for people who need help, for example, to have places that will offer food where people can go and get a plate of food that they need for free every day.

WORK

It is important for the state to help the homeless as much as possible by giving them jobs so that they can live prosperously. For example, these people can or should be given posts in the municipality. They will then be in a steady financial situation and they will not need to find themselves in the position of poverty again. Their life will evolve into something better and their problems will decrease.

CONCLUSION

Finally, it is noteworthy to consider the recommendations that are presented in this report so that this problem of poverty will be diminished or no longer exist in the world. 

  One really important step is raising awareness about the importance of conservation. Supporting organizations that work to protect and rehabilitate these animals is also crucial.

Additionally, we can make conscious choices in our daily lives, like avoiding products made from endangered species and practicing sustainable habits. We have to come together and take the matter into our own hands.

  Another important thing we can do is Use Eco-Friendly Transportation. Instead of using a car we can walk, bike or use public transportation to reduce our carbon footprint. Besides, another very important thing we can do is enforce strict laws and employ technology to combat illegal hunting and trading of endangered species.

   In the end, protecting animals is crucial for a healthy planet and our well-being. It's our duty to ensure that all creatures thrive, preserving thus the beauty and balance of our shared home. Let's commit to keeping their lives safe and our world vibrant.

 Vicky Koutsonasiou A4

First of all, in order to test these products animals are getting through a tough and painful process. Besides the fact that they are in captivity, they also regularly receive a massive amount of chemicals for the purpose of giving humans the chance to see how they react to these substances. Of course, this method is not quite beneficial for animals as it damages their mental and physical health.

On the other hand, animal testing is worldwide one of the most known and often used innovations that helped the medicine and technology development. In this way scientists manage to examine a great variety of substances in detail and make our life easier and healthier.

To sum up, as far as I am concerned, I believe that animal testing is a controversial issue which ought to be implemented only in specific circumstances such as medicine and not cosmetics.

Evita Dimothodorou, A3

Nowadays, we are all becoming aware of the fact that, for a supposedly civilized people, the issue of endangered animals is a pressing global concern that demands immediate attention and concerted efforts. The rapid decline of various species poses not only an ecological threat but also jeopardizes the delicate balance of our planet's biodiversity. However, there is an abundance of measures that can be taken, in order to protect our precious wildlife. 

  To begin with, governments have the primary responsibility for regulating hunting and fishing. So, distribution of permits should be strictly controlled and hunting and fishing should be restricted to viable periods only. Of course, as regards poaching of endangered animals, international cooperation should be implemented so as to fight this illegal hunting. For instance, authorities must crack down on offenders and punishment must be harsh to deter other potential law violators.

It is also argued that special environments should be designated as national parks and protected areas, in order to achieve limited environmental pollution and to protect endangered species, too. To put in in another way, preserving the natural habitats of endangered animals is fundamental to their survival. Habitat loss and fragmentation, primarily driven by human encroachment and deforestation, pose significant threats to many species. Therefore, to mitigate these risks, concerted efforts must be made to conserve and restore critical habitats.

Last but not least, raising public awareness is a powerful tool in the conservation of endangered animals. In other words, education campaigns, informative seminars and leaflets can raise people’s awareness about the importance of biodiversity, the role of each species in the ecosystem, and the consequences of their decline. As a consequence, by fostering a sense of responsibility and empathy, these campaigns can mobilize individuals and communities to actively participate in conservation efforts.

 Taking the above into consideration, I strongly believe that we must all realize that time is rapidly running out to preserve what is left of the animal kingdom. It should be a priority for all of us to protect endangered species. If citizens and the state work together in order to rectify the situation and to maximize efficiency, we can truly make a difference!

 DESPOINA-EIRINI GKROPA A2

Initially it would be fair to mention the positive aspects of this procedure. Of course animal testing makes the buyer feel safe about the product he/she is going to put in his body as he will know that it has been tested on animals and there were no complications.

Another major point is that it gives benefits to companies that are performing it.

Firms that are participating in cosmetic tests on animals have a competitive edge over those that do not do it.

On the other hand, animal testing causes the death of animals. While there are painless trials where animals are able to return to wherever they came from afterwards, this does not always happen in all trials.

Taking everything into account, animal testing is particularly helping with the safety of cosmetics but this can not be as important as animal lives.

Chris Morfidis

a better environment to survive due to the pollution that prevails in

several cities, but many times they are found dead by hunters, a fact

that displeases our fellow humans who are interested in animals.

First of all, I believe that pollution can be reduced to a great extent, especially in cities in which our fellow human beings can serve

themselves by using the bicycle for their obligations.

Secondly, it is known that every day there is a lot of garbage thrown

in the streets because many of our fellow citizens do not care

about the pollution of the environment; so, a recommendation should

be made by the officials that the citizens can facilitate them.

Also, hunters would do well to stop killing animals that have not attacked

them because it is considered a criminal offence and there are consequences.

To sum up, I hope you find my ideas useful and helpful.

Konstantinos

Konstantakos

Yusuf: Thank you for having me. It’s important for people to understand what refugees like me go through, so I’m glad to share.

Interviewer: Can you tell us about your life in Palestine and why you decided to leave?

Yusuf: Life in Palestine was extremely difficult. The war was everywhere—bombings, military raids, and checkpoints. I lived in constant fear. Some days, we couldn’t go to school or even step outside because of the conflict. At 20, I decided to leave, hoping for safety and a chance to build a future away from the violence.

Interviewer: You first went to Turkey. What was your journey like, and what challenges did you face there?

Yusuf: The journey to Turkey was dangerous. I crossed borders, hiding from authorities, and eventually took a small, overcrowded boat across the sea. It was terrifying, and not everyone survived the trip. I stayed in Turkey for nearly a year, but it wasn’t easy. I didn’t speak Turkish, and the jobs I found were harsh—long hours in factories or construction, with very little pay. I had no legal papers and was always scared of being arrested or deported.

Interviewer: How has life changed since you arrived in Greece?

Yusuf: Greece is better, but still difficult. I live in a refugee camp in Rhodes. Finding stable work is hard, and sometimes we don’t even have proper healthcare. The journey from Turkey to Greece was just as dangerous as before—another small boat, risking my life all over again.

Interviewer: What are your dreams for the future?

Yusuf: I dream of becoming a pastry chef and working in a shop here in Rhodes ,I really love baking and hope to expand my skills professionally. I also want to achieve a better health state, both mental and physical, for both myself and my family hopefully by earning the necessary money. Most of all, I want to reunite with my family. It’s been so long since I’ve seen them, and I hope, one day, we can be together again in peace.

Interviewer: Yusuf, thank you again for sharing your powerful story with us. I hope that by hearing of your experiences, people can understand better and become sensitized about the challenges refugees face as well as the strength it takes to keep moving forward. We wish you all the best in pursuing your dreams.

Yusuf: Thank you for giving me this chance to speak. I hope things will get better for me and for others like me.

Δημήτρης Κουρέλης, Β6

Detective Jenny Nolan surveyed the crime scene—a posh jewelry store in the heart of downtown. Display cases were shattered, their contents gone, and the alarm system was disabled with surgical precision. The only clue was an ornate brass key left behind on the counter.

“It’s old,” she muttered, inspecting it. “Doesn’t fit any of the locks here.”

The store owner, Mr. Hayes, was frantic. “They knew what they were doing—took the rarest pieces!”

As Jenny delved deeper, the key nagged at her. A visit to a local locksmith revealed it belonged to a vintage safe, one only a few experts could open. Jenny’s instincts kicked in, and she began investigating locksmiths in the area.

Her search led to Marco Vance, a reclusive craftsman with a murky past. A surprise visit to his workshop uncovered more than she expected: blueprints of the jewelry store’s security system and the missing jewels stashed in a hidden compartment.

Marco confessed under pressure. He had been hired by an unknown client but kept the key as leverage.

The real mastermind remained at large, but Jenny had cracked the first layer of the case. The key, it seemed, would unlock more than just a safe—it would unravel a conspiracy.

Detective Clara Jackson stood in the grand hall of the Gallery. A priceless painting  was gone. The thief had left no clues—except for a single black glove.

Clara began her investigation, questioning staff and visitors. One guard mentioned a man wearing gloves, unusual for the warm weather. Reviewing the security footage, Clara spotted him: a tall figure slipping a small tube into his pocket.

She tracked the man to a local café and confronted him. He ended up confessing . He had hidden the painting in a tube to smuggle it out unnoticed.

The painting was recovered, and Clara returned it to the gallery, earning applause. Another case solved and justice had been served

When John left the house this morning, he thought it was just another normal Sunday.

He decided to do the same routine as always, he had breakfast, checked his emails, decided to pay the rent to miss Abigail and take his dog out for a walk. John knocked on the door 3 times and still got no answer.’ So weird’ he thought, as miss Abigail had a very strict program but he decided to leave and try again in the afternoon.

John went to the park where he played around with his dog and went back around 12 o’ clock when he saw the police outside miss Abigail’s apartment. Two of the cops told him that miss Abigail had been murdered. Apparently, someone had choked her in her sleep with a pillow. Four days later, detective Smith arrested miss Abigail’s sonJefferson who confessed murdering his own mother because she refused to provide him alibi after stealing a car.

 Everyone in the building was shocked with the tragic end of miss Abigail and hoped for her murderer to be punished as he deserved.

For the record, her apartment was never rented again.

Thus, he had no choice but to call neighbours for help. But it was really early, around 6 am, so he didn't want to bother them. Suddenly, a crazy idea popped into John's mind. He remembered that he had left a ladder in the backyard that was the perfect length to reach the kitchen window and enter the house. Unfortunately, one of the neighbours woke up from the noise and looked out of his window and in no time he started screaming, thinking John was a thief trying to break in. John got really scared and he ended up falling from the ladder and being at the hospital with one broken arm and one broken leg…

Well, at least John didn't have to go to work that day, right?😂

      I am currently writing this letter to inform you about the economic benefits that refugees can offer to our city.

      The following are some of the most important economic benefits that refugees can offer. Firstly, those people are desperate for a job either if it's only for part time or for a couple of months that they are going to live in our county. Also because we lack in manpower in certain places of Greece we can use them for carryng the heavier stuff and let the Greeks do the expertise. Secondly refugees can start their own businesses and offer jobs instead of being offered. Furthermore, humanitarian or government cash assistance given to refugees is typically spent directly at local shops and regional producers, creating a multiplier effect on neighboring businesses. Finally employed refugees pay taxes  that help fund local public services,schools, and infrastructure.

      To sum up, i believe that if refugees are taken under consideration then all the above will become achievable and both locals and refugees will learn and earn from each other.

Yours faithfully,

L. T.

I am writing this email so as to explain in what ways local economy can benefit from refugees and analyze their crucial contribution to the community

First an foremost, refugees contribute to the function of the local bussinesses. Refugees's labour in conjuction with locals's specilisation can boost the local economy by creating more bussinesses , which will lead to increased revenue. For instance, refugees can work for a bakery or cruise company and thus support lacal bussinesses in expanding their operation.

Furthermore, refugees receive a modest allowance from the UNHCR, which they inject in local shops. Therefore, the income of local shops will rise dramatically due to the expanded consumption.

All in all, from my perspective, refugees can play a vital role in boosting economic growth. It is important tofocus on the advantages of refugees' presence instead of just blaming them for several unsubstantiated reasons.

                                                                                                                    Best regards, 

                      N.T.

I am writing to share my views on how welcoming refugees can truly benefit local economies and small communities. As we can see from the inspiring example of Tilos, almost all adult refugees have found jobs in local hotels, restaurants, shops, and the island's bakery, which shows that they actively contribute to the local workforce. Moreover, their presence brings new life to areas that have faced chronic depopulation, while their children attend local schools and integrate into daily life. By following this successful model, other communities can support refugee families, fill job vacancies, and strengthen their local economy at the same time. I hope more places consider this positive approach.

Best regards,

Teo S.

I am writing this letter based on how local economies can benefit from refugees. I think this would be a very valuable topic for your site, "The Athens News", as the positive integration of refugees can bring significant life and financial growth to small communities.

To begin with, refugees boost local economies directly through employment and local spending. As seen in the case of Tilos, almost all adult refugees aside from mothers caring for young children have found employment in local businesses such as hotels, seafront tavernas, shops, bakery, or as day labourers. Moreover, refugees receive a modest allowance from the UNHCR which they spend directly in local shops, injecting money back into the island's market.

Furthermore, refugees contribute to creating new economic opportunities and reversing depopulation. For instance, plans were made to build a cheese factory on Tilos to utilize goat milk, a project providing new jobs for both locals and Syrians. In this enterprise, locals offer their expertise while refugees provide vital manpower. This not only diversifies the local economy away from total dependence on tourism, but also helps revive islands suffering from chronic depopulation.

In conclusion, I hope that the success model of integration seen on islands like Tilos will inspire more communities across Greece to welcome refugees. I expect these views to be heard and published so that your readers can appreciate the positive impacts of refugees on local economies.

Yours faithfully,

Eleni  P.

I am writing to express my opinion about how refugees can help the local economy.

First of all, refugees can help by working in different jobs. For example, they can work in farms, shops and restaurants. In this way, businesses can find more workers and produce more things. Also, refugees can pay taxes and help the economy grow.

Another benefit is that refugees can start their own businesses. For example, they can open small shops or restaurants with food from their countries. This can attract more customers and create new jobs for local people. Moreover, refugees can bring new ideas and skills to our society.

I hope that people will understand that refugees can be useful for our economy. We should help them find jobs and have a better life in our country.

Yours faithfully,

Jim B.

I am writing this letter to express my opinion about how refugees can help the local economy. First of all, refugees can work in different jobs, such as farmers, builders and workers in shops. In this way, they help local businesses and the economy becomes stronger. Also, they can open their own shops and restaurants, bringing new ideas and food from their countries. For example, people can visit these places and learn about other cultures. Another important benefit is that refugees pay taxes when they work, so the government can use this money to improve schools and hospitals. They also buy food, clothes and other products from local shops, helping them earn more money. Of course, refugees need support to learn the language and find a job, but if we help them, they can become important members of our society. I hope that people will understand that refugees are not only people who need help, but they can also offer many things to our country.

Yours faithfully, A student

When he approached, the man looked a little scared but John with dare directly said " Why are you talking to my sister ?'' When the man heard this, he said nothing and quickly left. After that, George came and asked the girl where her parents were but she didnt know. Luckily her mom had written her number to a note in the girl's back pack and the boys called her.

A few minutes later, the mom arrived looking pretty worried because she was searching for her everywhere and hugged her  straight away . When she ended with the hug, she hugged the boys too and  thanked them. On their way home, the boys were very proud of themselves because they had saved the girl from the weird man.  In the end, when George and John went to the shcool the next morning they saw that the mom of the girl was their new teacher .They all looked very suprised but the mom also looked very grateful that there are still some kind people left in this world that we live in.