Refugee Rights Greece Project #60082

Psychosocial Support For Displaced Women In Greece

by Verein SAO

Project Report | Oct 26, 2026
Annual Report 2025

By Zoe Roth | Fundraising Manager

Dear friends and supporters,

We are pleased to share a look back at SAO’s work and impact in 2025 through our latest Annual Report.

Throughout 2025, our Day Centres on Lesvos and in Athens continued to provide a welcoming and supportive space for displaced women and their children. Through individualised psychosocial support, we sought to address their needs, strengthen their well-being, and offer a place where they could feel heard and supported.

Unfortunately, 2025 was also a very difficult year for SAO. We have been severely affected by the general decline in donations from institutions and private individuals. The refugee crisis in Greece is by no means over, but it is increasingly being forgotten amidst all the other pressing issues all over the world. However, our day centres are still very popular with our clients and we are working at full capacity.

Our work would not be possible without the people who stand behind us. To everyone who supported SAO throughout 2025, thank you for being part of our journey. Your generosity and commitment help us continue supporting displaced women in Greece and make a meaningful difference in their lives.

We invite you to explore our Annual Report and discover more about what we have achieved together over the past year.

All the best,

Zoé Roth

Attachments:

Annual Report 2025 (PDF)

1 Attachment

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Jul 1, 2026
Farewell Letter From A Bashira Client

By Zoe Roth | Fundraising Manager

Dear friends and supporters,

It is with great emotion that we share with you the farewell letter we received from Christy, a Bashira client:

With joy and sadness in my heart I just want to thank the entire team of Bashira for making my stay here in the Island of Lesvos hopeful, joyful and peaceful. Even in my darkest hour I had you guys and a safe place to hide away from the camp. Being with Bashira made my nine months stay in the camp seem like nine days. Thank you guys for always motivating me, guiding me and welcoming me. I have mixed feelings leaving: Happy to start my life, sad that I will miss you always. For me it is never goodbye. I will always visit when I get the chance. I will miss my movie time with Annie, talks with Ivy and the smiles from Anna, Sonia and everyone. Above all the opportunity to share my little knowledge with the ladies. Thank you so much. I love and appreciate you all Bashira team.
Lots of Love
Christy

Whilst strictly adhering to data protection guidelines, our team can confirm that this client participated regularly and with great commitment in the daily activities of the Bashira Centre on Lesvos for approximately one year. She spent a large part of her time with us and found a stable, supportive environment here that offered her stability and guidance in her often challenging everyday life.

She made full use of the wide range of services available to refugee women, in particular the Greek language courses at KEM, the Mytilene municipality’s integration centre. In doing so, she demonstrated a remarkable willingness to learn and a strong motivation to improve her situation actively. At the same time, she was a vital source of support for other women in her community: she shared her knowledge, passed on information and encouraged many to take part in the activities and services offered by the Bashira Centre. In this way, she not only contributed to her own stability but also strengthened the sense of community and others' participation.

Particularly during the long and often gruelling wait for her asylum application to be processed, this active role helped her to maintain hope and feel supported.

She has since moved on to the Greek mainland. Although we do not yet know the details of her next steps, we are convinced that, with her openness, determination, and the skills she acquired with us, she will continue on her path and open new prospects.

All the best,

Zoé Roth

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Mar 10, 2026
10 Years of SAO Association: A Decade of Solidarity with Displaced Women

By Zoe Roth | Fundraising Manager

Dear friends and supporters,

2026 marks a special milestone for us: 10 years of SAO Association. What began as a small initiative has grown into a professional organisation dedicated to supporting displaced women in Greece.

How it all began
In 2015, our founder Raquel Herzog travelled to Lesbos to volunteer and provide emergency aid to arriving boat refugees during the peak of the European refugee crisis. Witnessing the immense challenges faced by people arriving on the island, and especially the vulnerability of women and mothers, she decided to continue supporting those affected. In February 2016, this commitment led to the founding of SAO Association.

From emergency response to long-term support
During its early months, SAO focused on humanitarian relief. In 2016, the organisation operated what was then the largest public warehouse for donated aid supplies in Greece, distributing essential supplies to refugees, camps, and other NGOs across the country. While distributing aid supplies in the Moria refugee camp, SAO repeatedly spoke with women and it became clear that the camp was in no way equipped to meet the specific needs of women: appalling sanitary conditions, lack of security, and disrupted sleep were the main problems. The women longed for a safe space accessible only to women, a place where they could shower safely and find someone to listen to their concerns.

Creating safe spaces for women
To respond to this need, SAO decided to focus its work entirely on displaced women and opened two specialised Day Centres:

The Bashira Centre in Mytilene on Lesbos (2017)
The Amina Centre in Athens (2018)

These Day Centres offer a safe environment where women and mothers can access psychosocial counselling, practical assistance, workshops, language courses, and community support. The programmes are designed to empower women, strengthen their resilience, and support them on their path toward independence and participation in society. For many women, these Day Centres are much more than service points. They are places where they can regain dignity, rebuild confidence, and connect with others who share similar experiences.

Supporting futures: Back on Track
In 2019, SAO launched the „Back on Track“-programme, supporting displaced women in strengthening their employability and on their way to achieving a vocational skill or higher education. Through mentoring, skill-building, and support with navigating systems in Greece, the programme aims to create long-term opportunities for autonomy and integration.

A decade made possible by solidarity
Looking back over the past ten years, one thing is clear: SAO is not just an organisation, it is a community. Staff, volunteers, donors, partners, and supporters have made it possible for SAO to operate its two Day Centres. Together, we have built spaces where displaced women get support, can rest, learn, connect, and imagine a future again.

Thank you for being part of this journey.
As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we also look forward. The challenges displaced women are facing remain immense but with your support, SAO will continue working toward a world where every woman has the chance to live with dignity, safety, and opportunity.

All the best,

Zoé Roth

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