INTERVIEW WITH LILLIAN PSYCHE

The outlying islands have their own “guardian angel”, which since 1995 has been relieving the difficulties they face. It “listens” to their needs and makes sure they are met.

The president of the Aegean Group, Ms Denise Tsimi, talks to grtraveller about the mission and actions of the Group and the values of love and contribution of its members in the Aegean.

How was the Aegean Team born?

A bunch of inflatables on an island somewhere in 1995! The weather got rough and he issued a ban! The group went to the local café… “We drank hot tea with local thyme honey. And we listened to stories about the dwindling jobs. The baskets left in the fridges, the lack of doctors, the port that hasn’t been fixed for twenty-five years, the ships that most of the time don’t come… We looked each other in the eye. We had made the decision. We had to get active, to try, to help. Everywhere. Wherever and however we could. We went around a lot of islands that April ’95…” Thus the Aegean Team was born in 1995!

 

What is your mission on the islands?

The Aegean Team works throughout the year collecting requests for the needs of our small and remote islands.

The requests relate either to the need for preventive medical examinations, infrastructure projects and educational material needs in schools or equipment for the multi-purpose rural clinics. Our big expedition “annual crossing” takes place every May and lasts eleven days and we visit about 7-8 islands. The second “winter” expedition lasts four days. Usually, it takes place in October and we visit about two or three islands.

With which partnerships have you developed scientific support for your actions?

This year, in order to strengthen our scientific medical action, we have signed memoranda of understanding with:

• Hellenic Pulmonological Society
• Hellenic Rheumatological Society
• Hellenic Cardiology Society

Finally, we also cooperate with the Hellenic Cancer Society for mammograms.

 

But it is not only medical support. Does your project have an educational role but also an infrastructure building role?

H conducting screening examinations with several specialties (15-16 specialties at a time), is stable. At the same time we listen to their needs which will improve their standard of living, change according to the times and offer a variety of infrastructure projects. In schools, in addition to the educational material (pre Covid) we organise talks useful for children and young people and not only. Since last year they have been replaced by educational online webinars (seminars).

The islanders consider you their family. What emotions are generated when you arrive in the harbours with the inflatable boats?

The our feelings are always the same, we can’t wait for the day of departure ! Excitement, impatience to get close to our islands, to our people who after so many years are “our” people, our family!

 

Is the Aegean a bridge of love and giving?

H Team Aegean and volunteering are identical concepts. Egodliness and love too. So, yes, it is a bridge of giving and love.

 

What are your three favourite destinations in Greece?

Awe fuck all the islands we visit! In some of them, the volunteers of the Aegean Team are honorary citizens! Our heart is full. By each of our islands we have created special ties. So? that I can only tell you three!!!!

The greatest success of the “old” members of the Aegean Team, which this year completed 27 years of action at sea, is the transfer of the concept of volunteerism and the principles of the Team to young people to continue our work!

 

The Aegean Team works throughout the year gathering requests for the needs of our small and remote islands

 

In order to implement the requests of our islands, the Aegean Group turns to companies for the financial support of the projects, whether they concern infrastructure projects, rural clinics or schools.

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