ABOUT US
THE EARTH MEDICINE
Earth Medicine was founded in 2018. Three years after the so-called refugee crisis started, it became obvious that on top of the basic needs of food and shelter, displaced people living on the island also had therapeutic needs that were not being addressed by any organisation. These needs were rooted in injuries caused by war, badly healed operations and amputations, disability resulting from injuries, and physical strain and damage. Earth Medicine emerged as a response to these needs.
MISSION AND VISION
OUR MISSION
Deliver multidisciplinary therapy to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable people who have lived through war, violence, persecution, famine, and natural disasters, among other things. Following our core values of justice, equality, and solidarity, our main motivation is to give to other human beings what we would like to receive ourselves in a time of great need.
OUR VISION
Expand our support to other local vulnerable people living with physical disability, promote a holistic therapeutic approach as part of a humanitarian response, and foster international collaboration in humanitarian care.
HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHY
OUR JOURNEY AND CORE BELIEFS
Earth Medicine was founded by a team of physical therapists and health professionals who recognised the unmet needs of people with chronic injuries, mobility issues and disability who were living in the Kara Tepe and Moria camps in Lesvos. Since 2018, we have grown into a multidisciplinary team committed to offering therapeutic treatments while promoting social integration and social equality. We believe that every person regardless of their social condition, religious beliefs, and cultural background should have access to physical rehabilitation of the highest standard and be treated with respect, dignity, compassion, and professionalism.
Our core values are justice, equality, and solidarity and our main motivation is to give to other human beings what we would like to receive ourselves in a time of great need.
OUR WORK
WHAT WE DO
We offer tailor-made physical rehabilitation programmes that take into account the whole condition of the person rather than just addressing individual symptoms. Our programmes include physiotherapy, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, and dietary support. We aim to nourish and strengthen the person and to stabilise physiological functions that are often negatively affected by repetitive physical strain, lack of nourishment, traumatic and violent experiences; while relieving pain and reconditioning the joints, muscles and tendons to reduce pain and regain movement. We support many people with physical disabilities who require daily treatments in order to avoid further connective tissue atrophy and to enhance the re-conditioning of their muscular-skeletal system.
SERVICES AND PROGRAMS
HOW WE DO
FIRST CARE AND MULTIDISCIPLINARY THERAPY TREATMENTS
-
Provide physiotherapy, acupuncture, and therapeutic massage treatments from our fully equipped containers inside the Mavrovouni camp;
-
Facilitate access to medical tests, specialised medical care, and orthopedic mobility aids when needed;
-
Provide transport and interpreters to support our service users when accessing the medical tests and medical care we have facilitated.
GLOBAL COLLABORATION AND CULTURAL INTEGRATION
-
Host highly qualified, international volunteer therapists;
-
Foster social integration through projects and activities involving our service users and the local community.
