Our Journey
From the informal group actions of Sotiris Perakis and the long-standing volunteer work of our members, to the establishment of the NGO and the vision of the Lighthouse of Love.
The model we are building
Every Greek lesson to a refugee, every visit to an elderly center, every walk with a dog, every sign language word learned — is a brick of the Lighthouse of Love being built slowly but surely.
Before 2018 · The Roots
Informal "A for Love" group – Sotiris Perakis
The group is born with the vision of supporting vulnerable social groups. Sotiris Perakis coordinates it and captures its work in a book of the same name.
For many years · Migrant Sunday School
Greek lessons for refugees & migrants
Georgios Gkolas teaches Greek as a volunteer in junior and senior high school venues across Athens, through the Migrant Sunday School.
Parallel actions
Elderly centers (KAPI) & children from institutions
Visits to KAPI elderly centers for older people experiencing abandonment and loneliness. Organized trips for children from institutions and orphans to amusement parks — moments of joy for those who need them most.
METAdrasi · Volunteer Teaching
Mathematics for migrant children
Volunteer participation at METAdrasi. There, something else also begins — the first contact with the world of the Deaf.
A new journey · Sign Language
Greek Sign Language proficiency from "Kratylos" School
Georgios begins learning Greek Sign Language — a different, magical world. He gains GSL proficiency. One of his teachers is Christos Dagres, founder of the GSL "Kratylos" School — today our treasurer and a key member of the NGO Board.
2018 · Athens Municipal Shelter
First volunteer presence with stray animals
First presence at the Municipal Stray Animal Shelter of the City of Athens. A long, continuous volunteer relationship begins — and continues to this day.
2019–2024 · Continuous Action
Walks, adoptions, school presentations
Oreo and Zoe — strays from the Shelter — become the "ambassadors" who travel to schools.
2023 · Institutionalization
Founding of the NGO "A for Love"
All these parallel paths — Sotiris, migrants, elderly, children, deaf, animals — are embodied in one institutionalized entity. The group of people becomes an NGO.
September 2025 · NGO Initiative
Renovation of iron staircase at the Shelter
Through the initiative of the NGO and the work of Mustafa Megis, migrant and member.
2025–2026 · Awareness
44 school presentations across Athens
From kindergartens to high schools. 26 in 2025, 18 in 2026 (through April).
2026 → · The Vision
The Lighthouse of Love
Launching partnerships with organizations, foundations and municipalities to make the Lighthouse a reality — where all groups will meet.
