The so-called "refugee crisis" that started in 2015 with the influx of Syrians escaping brutal violence, is still happening in 2023. Hundreds of thousands of people from Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and other countries have been forced to flee their homes from violence, war, drought, natural disasters, famine, just to name a few. Many try to come to Europe in the hope of being able to find refuge and a possibility of rebuilding their lives.

Because of its location in the vicinity of Turkey, the Greek island of Lesvos has been at the epicentre of this human crisis.

There is a project on the Island called Earth Medicine which, since 2018, has been offering physical therapy to refugees. I became actively involved with the project in 2021 and have travelled there four times to offer my skills as acupuncturist. During these visits, I have given hundreds of treatments and witnessed the project growing into a communal effort involving volunteer therapists from all over Europe.

Acupuncture has proven to be a great success amongst the refugees as the offering of daily treatments during the visits has been extremely effective at relieving physical pain, headaches, sleep and emotional issues, digestive issues, and difficulties with mobility. A reduction on any symptoms makes it a little easier to cope with the burdens of living in the camp, the effects of past experiences and the uncertainties about the future that all refugees have to live with every day.

There is no other organisation in Lesvos where holistic care or physical therapy are available to refugees. The aim here is not only to relief physical symptoms, but to offer a safe space where refugees can feel human again after all the difficult experiences they have experienced and the indignities they are often subjected to.

I am planning on spending three weeks in Lesvos from the end of June. Please help me get there again to continue this important work.

One day, it could be us or our loved ones in need of refuge and humane treatment. Let's plant the seeds of love and compassion so we can harvest this later.

With love and gratitude,

Sandra