klabu-lesvos-badge

Lesvos
Spirit

Klabu Clubhouse in Lesvos Greece with Refugees wearing el Seed and Klabu Teamwear
In a place where stress and uncertainty are present every day, exercise brings relief and builds confidence. “Sport really helps all of us here keep a positive spirit.” Welcome to the KLABU clubhouse in Lesvos, Greece.
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lesvos-map
Lesvos is a Greek island off the coast of Turkey
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KLABU Lesvos
Volleyball is one of the most popular sports among the community

Three years after the Moria refugee camp in Lesvos was ravaged by fire, people are still arriving on the island every week seeking asylum. Many are dealing with trauma and transition, uncertainty and fear.

During the summer of 2022, KLABU landed in Lesvos to work on a grassroots basis with the local community. There was a need for sports activities to escape from the complexities of asylum procedures, build new friendships, and keep a positive spirit.
After an initial period inside the Mavrovouni Transit Camp, the clubhouse is now active just outside of it, at the Yoga & Sports With Refugees gym in Kara Tepe, where it compliments the gym's activities through access to sports equipment and clothing, music and television. The gym and clubhouse form a safe space that people can look forward to and escape to.
  • Tamana female group
    Womens Coach Tamana having a laugh after class
  • Klabu Clubhouse in Lesvos Greece with Refugees wearing el Seed and Klabu Teamwear
    Discussing the rules of Jenga in fornt of the Clubhouse
  • Multisport shirt blue
    Team Blue waiting for their turn on the football pitch
  • Klabu Refugee Football tournament on the Greek island of Lesvos
    Team Orange having a laugh during the team picture
  • Teamwear Multisport Shirt Pink
    Mohamed Reza and Javad, two avid runners in Lesvos

Today, the clubhouse and Yoga & Sports With Refugees' gym form a vibrant social hub where everyone is welcome to participate in sports and connect over a warm cup of chai.

Through daily programmes, our project partner Yoga & Sports With Refugees (YSR) offers newly arrived asylum seekers a wide range of sports such as climbing, kickboxing and volleyball. The KLABU clubhouse is run by YSR and the refugee community, and many sports activities are organised by the refugees themselves. This gives newly arrived asylum seekers the opportunity to learn new skills and gain confidence not only for their time on Lesvos - but well into their futures.
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KLABU Yoga & Sport With Refugees
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KLABU Lesvos Spirit

Clubhouseagenda

Join the weekly workouts and social activities. Whether you want to participate in running, bodybuilding, women's fitness, football, kickboxing or dancing: everyone is welcome to train with Yoga & Sports With Refugees and us.

Friday

04 October ’24

17:30-19:00

Football Training

Improve your skills and share the fun during the football training on Mondays and Fridays.

Friday

04 October ’24

15:30-17:00

Basketball Training

Join the Basketball team on Fridays to show off your skill or learn new ones.

Saturday

05 October ’24

16:30-19:30

Climbing Class

No better way to elevate spirits than at the climbing hall. Meet-up at the clubhouse.

Monday

07 October ’24

17:30-19:00

Football Training

Improve your skills and share the fun during the football training on Mondays and Fridays.

Tuesday

08 October ’24

16:30-18:30

Running Class

Join us to the Lesviot hills as the setting sun turns the sky pastel pink.

Wednesday

09 October ’24

10:30-12:00

Boxing Class

Join a boxing class. Don’t worry: there are separate classes for first-timers and pros.

Thursday

10 October ’24

18:30-20:00

Volleyball Training

Mixed training for boys and girls to strengthen team spirit.

  • Akbar training
    Boxing Class by Akbar
  • Akbar gym horizontal
    Boxing Coach Akbar in the Yoga & Sports with Refugees Gym
  • John coaching
    Football coach John leading the way from the sideline
  • Tamana leg pose
    Tamanas workout class
  • Two Refugees hugging at the Lesvos Klabu Clubhouse
    Escorting your friend to Boxing class
klabu-lesvos-badge

theLesvosspiritbadge

The badge symbolises hope and
Lesvos peace
peace, the shirt colours reflect strength and resilience, and the pattern adds wings to fly
Lesvos fly
beyond the boundaries of Lesvos.
KLABU Lesvos Spirit
"Girl, I feel really good! I feel good now after some exercise."

Francess and Sara

Friends from Sierra Leone who tried out football for the first time at the KLABU clubhouse in Lesvos

Clubshirt

Lesvos Spirit Shirt 3D

Co-designed with the local community, the Lesvos shirt embodies the unbeatable spirit of KLABU.

Impact so far

  • Since the start of Lesvos Spirit, the project has offered more than 5,100 newly arrived asylum seekers the opportunity to learn new skills and gain confidence not only for their time on Lesvos - but well into their futures.
  • Everyday, close to 90 people come to the clubhouse and gym managed by refugees and our project partner Yoga & Sports With Refugees to borrow sports equipment, practise kickboxing or hit the climbing gym.
  • At the Lesvos Spirit, many newcomers can discover new sports like rock climbing or Muay Thai. It is one of the KLABUs with the most diverse activity schedule: there's always something new to look out for!
  • The gym also provides daily access for bodybuilding, with dedicated time slots for women and LGBTQ+ individuals in collaboration with Lesvos Solidarity. This partnership ensures a welcoming space for all gym users, respecting cultural sensitivities by providing a comfortable environment for female participation and guaranteeing a safe sporting environment for members of the LGBTQ+ group.
  • By being open to the public, the Yoga & Sports With Refugees gym and the clubhouse enable local Greeks to take part in the activities. This connects people who are usually separated and helps build better understanding between them.
  • The Lesvos Spirit refugee community often also participates in local running races and marathons, fostering inclusion and raising awareness alongside Greek residents.
Discover more about the Lesvos Spirit, its members and impact through the stories below.

ClubSupport

Lesvos Spirit is supported by these great organisations and individuals.

Partner with us

The project could not have been realised without many more contributors:

WeartheLesvosSpirit

By wearing KLABU sportswear, you support refugees in Lesvos and around the world.

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