When a red vest saves lives
We meet them in every corner of the city with their characteristic attire waiting for us to buy the magazine they keep in their hands, but also to have a conversation with us. The People of “Schedia” talk to “Thessaloniki” about the magazine, their past and their future
One day at the offices of “Schedia” in Thessaloniki was enough. An office, an employee -Teresa Alexandrou- and dozens of sellers who pass by to get supplies magazines and learn the points at which they will stand. While people in red vests coming and leave their aura remains. The gratitude for such an institution, that as they claim, it changed their lives it is clear.
Schedia is an organization that was launched in 2007 as a National Homeless Football Team with participation in several World Cups for the Homeless, turned into a magazine in 2013 in Athens and a year later in Thessaloniki, practising what is called, “Solidarity Journalism”.
This initiative caught the eyes of many people and organizations and become a weekly habit for many readers across the country.
By buying a magazine’s issue, the reader keeps up with numerous projects and news concerning the city while at the same time is assisting directly in the seller’s pocket and in his or her insurance.
But how do people who lack basic needs, decide to join “Schedia” family?
It takes courage to move on in this step. “It is not easy to stand alone and unprotected in the cold or heat and sell one magazine. That automatically means that you have a great need” states the Teresa, the office manager in Thessaloniki.
“Schedia counts around 40 sellers -fixed and not -and only one is still homeless perhaps by choice, and that means a lot to us. What the Schedia desires is its sellers to find a job that offers them the daily bread and afterwards, even leave the magazine, if they wish”, she adds.
But what really matters, apart from the numbers, is the story of the people themselves. The words that come out effortlessly and from their heart.
In this way, three sellers spoke to “Thessaloniki” and narrated the challenges they encountered, as well as the warmth they found in the family of the magazine.
Efi Ioannidou, 54 years old:
“I can finally drink a coffee like a normal person outside”
“I was born in Serres in 1965 and later we moved to Thessaloniki with my parents and my brother.
I had a difficult childhood due to my father’s behaviour, and not only. My parents got divorced while I was 18 years old, and at the same time, I had to work in a clothing factory. But that did not last long. Time passed and I was constantly changing jobs until I got married and I gave birth to my two children. Luckily, I have my own house, where I live and for that, we did not leave homeless.
My children were growing up, as well as the costs did. I even had an illegal jewellery counter near the White Tower. Of course, the police were chasing me, and one day, they confiscated my things which cost 400 euros. I bought them for one euro and I was selling them for two. And that was the time that Schedia came in my life. At first, I was ashamed and I believed that no one would buy this magazine. Afterwards, I loved it. I finally could afford for drinking a coffee like a normal person outside.
I do not change this job for anything. I love talking to people. And people listen and understand me. We even went to Glasgow with the (football) team through Schedia. Otherwise, I would never have this opportunity”.
Maria Dragou, 52 years old: “You should never give up”
“Schedia was my last hope. The month I started in the magazine, I did not have to pay my rent and I had to do something. At the same time, I had started the Greek lessons I got informed about the existence of the magazine. I went through an interview and I started. One reason I liked Schedia from the beginning was that it had a flexible schedule. I should not have been here whenever they wanted but when they will I could. Because I also had the lessons, I could not do them all alongside.
Before I was working in one cleaning crew but I was not able to continue due to health problems. Besides, the schedule was very stressful and I could not cope. Schedia has me assisted me a lot in being able to cover my expenses, to fulfil my dream which was to work as a translator-I managed it finally- but above all, to understand that humans still exist. When you are on the edge of a cliff, you think there is no one next to you. But if you look better, you will understand that someone still does.
Besides, due to misery, you have to limit your expenses and to be socially excluded, which I managed to change on this occasion. As I said, I wanted to be a translator and now I can. I translate from Greek to Bulgarian or Russian and the opposite. With the revenue of the magazine but also some other structures that they helped me, I could and I did it. The first time I came to Greece, I got married and started my own business with Repair Dressmakers. Of course, in 2013 I closed it down and returned to Bulgaria where I come from. I returned two years ago and after the cleaning crew, I started in Schedia.
We also visited Mexico with the football team. In fact, a while ago I was reading an interview that I had given for Schedia two years ago and I understood, that through the magazine I fulfilled my dreams it and I felt very proud.
You should never give up. All of us are going through difficulties. That’s what I say to my son, you have your whole life ahead, chase her!
Ralitsa Bouroutzi, 43 years old:
“I am finally experiencing love and attention”
I knocked Schedia’s door when I had reached in complete despair because I could not land on any work. In the beginning, it was a little difficult because I had never done something similar before, but I decided to try. Besides, I had nothing to lose. The world gives you love. I can not describe this feeling in anyone. Only if one feels it will realize it.
I learnt about the magazine from the mother from my son’s friend and I started. Here we also have insurance for me and for my child.
But above all, I want to mention is that we must not forget from where we started. Schedia protected us when we needed it. We must respect this vest because, without that, we would not be where we are. It’s important to mention that, too”
The reportage was published on the first page of “Thessaloniki” free press on January 3rd, 2020 for the first time.
The photographs appeared in the newspaper were removed from this article regarding GDPR issues