The president of the Aegean Group, Ms Denise Tsimi<\/strong>, talks to grtraveller about the mission and actions of the Group and the values of love and contribution of its members in the Aegean.<\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Aegean Team works throughout the year collecting requests for the needs of our small and remote islands.<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/strong> Our big expedition “annual crossing” takes place every May and lasts eleven days and we visit about 7-8 islands. <\/strong>The second “winter” expedition lasts four days. Usually, it takes place in October and we visit about two or three islands.<\/strong><\/p>\n This year, in order to strengthen our scientific medical action, we have signed memoranda of understanding with:<\/strong><\/p>\n Finally, we also cooperate with the Hellenic Cancer Society for mammograms. <\/p>\n H<\/strong> 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 <\/strong>Covid<\/strong>)<\/strong> we organise talks useful for children and young people and not only. Since last year they have been replaced by educational online <\/strong> webinars<\/strong> (seminars).<\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/grtraveller.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/PHOTO-TSIMH-PORTRAIT-1-scaled.jpg\")
<\/a>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.<\/p>\nHow was the Aegean Team born?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a>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 caf\u00e9… “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!<\/strong><\/p>\nWhat is your mission on the islands?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/h3>\nWith which partnerships have you developed scientific support for your actions?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nBut it is not only medical support. Does your project have an educational role but also an infrastructure building role?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/h4>\nThe islanders consider you their family. What emotions are generated when you arrive in the harbours with the inflatable boats?<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n