Ioanna and Periklis, two of the nearly 100 sellers of ‘Shedia’, the only street paper in Athens founded by Melbourne-born editor in chief Christos Alefandis, had an unexpected surprise.
After three days of an enforced work holiday due to the extremely low temperatures, they returned to their post at Agias Irinis Square, off Ermou Street, Athens last Thursday afternoon.
Instead of being met with ignorance (on a good day passers by will stop to buy a copy and have a chat) shortly after 12pm Katerina Sakellaropoulou, President of the Hellenic Republic, walked up to them and bought a copy, striking up a conversation.
The Greek President was interested in their day-to-day struggles, their living conditions, inflation and their general needs.
‘Shedia’ vendors come from vulnerable population groups, mainly homeless, long-term unemployed and people experiencing extreme poverty and social exclusion.
The cover price is €4.00, out of which €2.70 (out of which €1.50 is net) goes directly to the vendor, allowing them the dignity to earn a small income to cover some of their basic needs. It goes on sale every last Wednesday of each month, eleven times a year (with the exception of August).
Mrs Sakellaropoulou asked Ioanna and Periklis about the challenges of being out in the cold trying to earn an income when most people are keeping safe inside.
The President went on to suggest moving the conversation inside, at the ‘Shedia Home’, the publication’s cafe-restaurant.
There the sellers and Mrs Sakellaropoulou met with two more ‘Shedia members’, Kristiana and Fotis, two former street sellers who have found permanent employment within ‘Shedia Art’, the charity’s social and environmental upcycling project.
The President discussed the organisation’s current professional training and environmental consciousness programs offering people and objects a second chance in life.
It is not the first time the Greek President has visited ‘Shedia’ in support of Alefandis’ work and dedication to taking people off the streets.
‘Shedia’ is also an independent journalistic source of information and an instrument in the fight against all forms of social exclusion, “conveying the voice of the weak”.
