“Returning from Santorini, I realized this wasn’t just another environmental mission.
It was a day that forced me to see things differently — more deeply, and more truthfully.
It all began in the classroom, during our ocean conservation seminars for students.
I watched the children as they listened, questioned, and actively engaged.
This wasn’t just a presentation; it was the exact moment environmental awareness was born. You could see them realizing what it truly means to protect the ocean.
Then, a defining moment occurred. Katrina Tsantali took the floor to read her book, “A Sea of Plastic,” to the students. It wasn’t just a story; it was an immersive experience.
Through her voice and the real-life images that inspired her, she transported us into a reality we often choose to ignore.
As I watched the children, their energy turned into a profound silence. They were listening, observing, and feeling.
Through their eyes, I felt a “shock” of my own — the reality of marine pollution felt more urgent than ever.
That feeling followed us to the beaches, where theory turned into action through our coastal and underwater cleanups.
Plastic was everywhere, on the shore and the seabed. Yet, the students were there, determined to make a difference.
In the midst of it all, I kept coming back to a question I heard earlier: “Which side do you want to be on? The cleaners or the polluters?”
It wasn’t just a child’s thought; it was the simplest, most honest truth.
A reminder that stayed with me, making this All For Blue mission so much more than just a cleanup.”
Danae Kotsina, All For Blue Team Member
