At the entrance of the 3rd marina of Glyfada, a coastal town in Attica, next to the beach, there are a few old train wagons that hide an unexpected treasure. Most people pass them by without a second glance. But, some of them notice the big sign reading “Sea Turtle Rescue Centre” and step inside, curious of what this may mean. There, they are greeted by smiling people in blue T-shirts that say “Volunteer – ask me about sea turtles”, who welcome them warmly and guide them through the world of sea turtle conservation.

Unlike the passersby who may not even know the Rescue Centre exists, these volunteers travel from all over the world with a clear purpose. For many, helping at the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre is not just a stop on their journey; it’s a lifelong dream. Among them are Elouan Pinchon and Romaric Saint Paul, both from France. Elouan, a 22-year-old student at UniLaSalle Rennes, and Romaric, a 24-year-old web developer, came to Greece to care for injured and sick sea turtles and support their rehabilitation.

Romaric stayed for three months, while Elouan spent six. During their time, they not only worked with dedication but also let their creativity flourish. Together, they decided to capture their experience in a video to give future volunteers a glimpse into what it’s like to be part of ARCHELON.

“What I enjoyed most during my six months as a volunteer was being able to take part in the turtle recovery and rehabilitation process. What made my experience unique was being able to observe the progress of a sea turtle when it started eating or diving again, for example. It was very gratifying and motivated us to continue our efforts to save them,” says Elouan. “Romaric and I decided to make this video to explain to other volunteers and the general public the work we do as volunteers to save sea turtles,” he continues.

“Spending your days caring for turtles alongside wonderful people – there are certainly worse ways to spend a few months! My time at ARCHELON was one of the happiest of my life. Elouan and I wanted to create something to remember it by, so we made this video. We hope you’ll like it!” adds Romaric.

On Volunteer Day, we take a moment to celebrate all those who came from near and far, put on the blue T-shirt, and embraced this important responsibility. Each of them placed their own stone in the foundation of sea turtle conservation. Whether on the nesting beaches, at the feeding grounds of Amvrakikos, or at the Rescue Centre in Glyfada, they all worked toward the same goal: saving sea turtles.

And often, our volunteers go beyond daily care. Like Elouan and Romaric, they take initiatives that raise awareness and inspire even more people to join the cause.

To all our volunteers – thank you for your passion, kindness, and commitment.

You can enjoy the video here

If you would like to be part of our efforts, make an application here