The Idea

Lemvos (Λέμβος) is Greek and means boat. The name of Verein LEMVOS is meant to be a lifeboat.

The idea of LEMVOS arose in 2015 when we recognised the dead-end situation in which some residents of the guesthouse HΩΣ (IOS) for refugees found themselves, suffering from severe mental and physical health problems. They had to leave the guesthouse because the prescribed length of stay had expired, even though they had no means of survival.

The first person affected was F.R., who after his discharge from the psychiatric clinic of the "General Hospital of Athens, G. Gennimatas" was not allowed to return to the IOS and suddenly found himself on the street. Without support, he was in all likelihood facing the end of a humiliating death through hunger or suicide.

The current president of Verein Lemvos had been working since 2009 with a group of volunteers to support IOS and informed about the situation in a close circle that gathered through their love of music. These people showed the same sensitivity to this dramatic situation and so, in May 2015, Verein LEMVOS was founded.

The three people we first supported are refugees with chronic health problems. All three were treated with antidepressants and/or antipsychotics. Over time, we have also carried out programs for occasional or long-term support of adults and children with disabilities, regardless of their background.