There is a quiet kind of magic that I felt when helping others. One that does not arrive with grand gestures, but grows from a desire to be a better human being. This feeling became more real for me when I found myself on the island of Lesvos, Greece, working with Home for All to prepare special diets for refugees. What began as an internship soon became something far more personal. A
journey that reshaped how I see the world, and importantly, how I see myself within it.
Lesvos, situated at the crossroads of continents, is a place where stories of displacements arrive and go. As an International Relations student, I have always seen these stories from the outside, as a bystander from miles away, to a huge problem that is more than just about statistics and policy debates. I have come to a deeper realization that there are lives. It is complex, emotional and deeply human. I spent years learning about humanitarian systems, global cooperation, and refugee crises. But being physically present in Lesvos transformed abstract concepts into lived experiences. I was no longer studying about humanitarian work; I was part of it.
At Home for All, an initiative founded by Nikos and Katerina, I witnessed how something as simple as food could become a form of care and connection. What started as their small act of kindness, has grown into sustained effort supported by communities across Europe. But despite its growth, the heart of Home for All remains unchanged. It is deeply human. The farm itself felt alive in ways I had never experienced before. Rows of vegetables stretched across the field, while the animals are taken care of. Chickens, rabbits, ponies, even two peacocks, coexisted alongside countless cats and dogs. Walking through the farm, I began to understand that care is not selective. It extends to lands, animals, and people all at once. The kitchen is where the quiet magic comes to life. Hundreds of meals are prepared everyday by the hands that care. Pots and pans clatter, the oven hums, each element working together toward something meaningful. This was where I spent most of my days. I witnessed how simple acts of preparation could turn into something far greater than just food.
One of the moments that stayed with me the most was a simple lunch invitation from Nikos and Katerina. Dishes were placed in the middle of the table, meant to be shared by everyone. They told me that sharing food gives it more meaning. And at that moment, I understood why. It was not just about eating, but about connection. It reflected as a sense of collective care, where togetherness is valued more than individuality. In many ways, it reminded me of my home country, Indonesia, where being present for one another and helping others is not seen as something extraordinary, but simply a normal part of everyday life.
I arrived in Lesvos with expectations of growth, but I did not anticipate how deeply it would challenge me emotionally. Listening to the lived experiences of refugees, forced me to confront my own perspective. It made me aware of privileges that I had long taken for granted, and responsibilities I had not fully acknowledged. But through that, I learned something essential. I learned how to care deeply without losing balance. To remain empathetic yet resilient. The experiences strengthened my emotional maturity in ways I has never encountered before. I became more patience, more aware, and more present. I learned how to navigate cultural differences with respect and understanding, and how to connect with people beyond language or background.
Above all, this experience pushed me beyond my comfort zone. Going abroad, for six weeks, in an unfamiliar environment, was both exciting and intimidating. But it was this uncertainty that made it a transformative experience for me. I realized that growth did not come from feeling ready, it came from choosing courage.
Looking back, I realize that the magic exists in small, intentional acts. Preparing meals, sharing a table, listening to someone’s story. It lives in people like Nikos and Katerina, whose kindness creates ripples far beyond what they may ever see. Lesvos did not just teach me about humanitarian work. It taught me about humanity itself. And in doing so, it quietly changed me.
- Annarita
2026