LESVOS
“While it may seem to be just a workout program, for many people here it is a reason to live, to keep fighting. The gym is a place so simple and pure, but unfortunately hard needed and rare to find in such a complex situation”
– Arjan, Former Coordinator
The gym
Most of our activities take place in our Gym. On Lesvos we have a gym where we welcome more than 150 people every day. We offer many activities and have a full program every day! Activities range from bodybuilding, Muay Thai and Kung Fu to dancing, climbing, fitness and women only classes.
Our Gym is a safe space where everyone can come to exercise: refugees, locals, volunteers. Everyone is welcome to do the sport they like or want to discover.
Local streets/mountains
YSR running sessions run anywhere and everywhere! There are many dirt roads, small local streets and mountains to climb on the island. We often run in the near the camp, making the training more accessible for our students. We’ve even run around the whole island: more than 300km! The popularity of the running is reflected by the high number of students joining, and by the unity across the team. Our team joins competitions, where we always meet great success, and share our energy with local Greek runners. The amazing atmosphere exemplifies that we are stronger together!
Football field
Team sports are popular everywhere around the world. They are a perfect tool to create community and friendship and to just have fun! YSR football training an games take place in a small football field. Football training, as you can imagine, is very popular and teams fill up fast. Many players also means many tournaments, trainings and games with KLABU, local Greek footballers and other NGOs. Games never fail to draw a crowd!
The Beach
Our project has daily swimming classes every summer, from May until October (as long as the weather allows!). We open the classes to men and women, with specific classes for women only also offered. Seeing someone relaxing in the water during their first class is very special, and can shift a common fear of water that many from within the community carry, having travel across the same Aegean Sea by boat weeks, months or years earlier. Swimming classes have been so popular, we’ve even organise a yearly ‘Swim for Good’ event, with the support of Olympians and international activists like Yusra Mardini and Alaa Maso!
Climbing wall
Climbing classes are a fun way to bring people together! The climbing wall was constructed in 2020 and is used regularly! Classes include all kinds of people, from all different ages and abilities. Climbing tournaments are also frequently planned, with new wall setups, and both at the YSR climbing wall or outside on natural rocks. YSR students can never get enough climbing!
Volleyball courts
Maybe our second most popular sport within YSR is volleyball! The court is always full and balls are constantly being thrown by our community. Volleyball training is held near the football field and often transforms into a big volleyball tournament, sometimes joined by other local NGOs like Let’s Keep the Ball Flying. Many laughs, falls and fun come from these courts!
