Who we are
Our Mission
We are a women’s non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting women who flee their homelands and are looking for safety in Greece. We have been supporting displaced women, based on their needs, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or political beliefs, every day since 2016.
At SAO, we support these women on their journey to a new, independent and fulfilling life. They are women who fled alone or with their family, mothers, grandmothers and girls who were forced to leave their country because of war and natural disasters. Many are traumatised by gender-based violence, conflict and insecurity.
It’s vital for these women to find professionals they can trust. Our specialist staff offers trauma-informed psychosocial support with a focus on inclusion. They assist their clients to meet their basic needs, provide accurate information and guidance to face the Greek bureaucracy and offer psychosocial services and educational opportunities. In collaboration with other humanitarian actors and partner organisations, SAO programme participants can also access education and protection services, medical assistance and legal aid.
Through our programmatic work in our Day Centres on Lesvos and in Athens, we offer:
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Assistance in meeting basic needs
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Empowerment through psychosocial support
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Inclusion through education
Our vision
We aim to set standards for professional psychosocial support and inclusion initiatives for displaced women. We work diligently so that women supported by SAO gain a stronger foothold in their new home. We advocate to ensure that displaced women's specific needs and rights are considered in the future.
Our values
At SAO, the values that guide our work are:
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We advocate for displaced women with compassion and professionalism.
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We engage with them in solidarity, with respect for their diversity, regardless of their reason for fleeing.
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We always uphold displaced women’s right to self-determination.
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We conduct all collaborations with integrity, accountability and transparency.
© Helena Schätzle/ SAO
SAO Association Hellas
SAO Association Hellas is a registered organisation (General Commercial Register: 146976201000) in Greece, in the form of Civic Non-Profit Corporation. Our statute states that we are an independent non-governmental, non-profit that is governed by our board. Our main financial contributor is SAO Association.
Independent Auditors' Report 2023
SAO Day Centres
In our Day Centres in Athens and on Lesvos, displaced women find answers, support and assistance to regain their strength and create a better future.
