WWBT Hellas is a non-profit organization helping women and their children as well children with special needs

Who are we?

Our approach

Our aim

We take a holistic approach to our work, addressing the complex and interconnected issues that contribute to poverty and inequality. Our programmes focus on education, healthcare, and job orientation, with an emphasis on sustainability and community involvement.

Refugees in Lesvos are deprived of basic opportunities and our mission is to support and empower disadvantaged women and children at camp by providing them access to basic washing necessities, education, and a warm meal. We believe that by addressing the root causes of inequality, we can create lasting change.

The idea and the dream belongs to the founder of WWBT Hellas Organization, Zoe Pappis, who has been involved in important aid for refugees on the front lines in Lesvos since 2015. The dream became a reality in January of 2020 and was adapted by the three humanitarians Stavros Mirogannis, Zoe Pappis and Xander Schultz to the needs of women and children on the move. Until today, many women and children visit our center and enjoy many programs aiming to enrich, both mentally and physically.

Our mission is to ultimately provide the women and children with appropriate skills for the next important steps for their new life in Europe. A better proficiency in English or for example a computer lesson in which they learn to write a professional email, could make a huge difference for a better future.

These people on the move are forced to live under circumstances without proper resources. We make it our mission to provide necessary facilities, such as the means to wash their clothes and shower without fear for their safety. At WWBT Hellas they have access to a living room-like area to relax and drink tea while their children play outside and enjoy lessons and workshops. This alone relieves a huge weight of the shoulders of the mothers. The women can enjoy the programs that they requested, such as Educational programs, (English, German, Computer, as well as Greek) Job orientation, Wellness and Sport activities.

Our vision

Our duty is to protect their human rights, dignity and through our action to empower them. It is a difficult route because the organization is financed by its own resources, by our community and people who really care, help and support our fellow human beings all over earth.

Our global team

Stavros Mirogiannis

Director WWBT HELLAS- When We Band Together Hellas. Camp Manager - Senior Consultant - Humanitarian Support and Emergency

The Director Camp Manager is a highly skilled professional with invaluable experience in managing camp operations. With years of expertise in overseeing various aspects of camp management, this individual has a deep understanding of the unique challenges and requirements of running a successful camp. From coordinating staff and activities to ensuring the safety and well being of all women and children.

His Motto is: A gram of action equals a ton of theory.

Zoë Pappis

Executive Director + Co-Founder at WWBT - When We Band Together (USA) dedicated to ensuring displaced people have community resources, safe spaces and positive places where they can thrive. She has led refugee aid organization WWBT since 2016, supporting and leading initiatives that emphasize dignity and prioritize the most vulnerable.

“Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life”

As the Sub-manager and Human Resources Coordinator I am responsible for the daily guidance and support of all the people facilitating the goals and values of WWBT organization. My daily involvement includes operational management, administrative duties and team Learning Development.

With a background of Mental Health Counselling and Family Psychotherapy studies, supporting our visitors with one to one discussions or focus group discussion has been my main priority when working closely with the community. I am grateful to be able to work closely with a team of professionals to ensure the well-being of our daily visitor’s women and children.

My educational background has equipped me with necessary skills and knowledge to effectively address the needs of the team and visitors. I am always passionate in bringing creative and innovative ideas on the table and I strive to create a safe and nurturing environment for individuals to heal and grow.

Mariza Hahathaki

Rania Morali

Data collection and registration focal point, distribution coordinator. Dedicated to ensuring displaced people have community resources, safe spaces and positive places where they can thrive. She has led refugee aid organization WWBT since 2023, supporting and leading initiatives that emphasize dignity and prioritize the most vulnerable. Our organization is fortunate to have a secretary who is truly an all-rounder. This individual goes above and beyond in providing assistance and support in various aspects of our operations. Whether it is managing schedules, organizing meetings, or handling administrative tasks, our secretary is always there to lend a helping hand. Their efficiency and attention to detail ensure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently within our organization. Furthermore, their excellent communication skills and ability to multitask make them an invaluable asset in dealing with clients and colleagues alike. We are grateful to have such a competent and dedicated individual as our secretary, as their contributions truly make a difference in ensuring the success of our organization.

My name is Joanna Antonoglou. I am have been working at WWBT since March 2023. My position is teaching the Greek language to refugees women and child care provider. I have a PhD in Social Anthropology. Working in the refugee crises since 2013. I have attended the following seminars and training: First Aid, Communications Training for HRC volunteers (establish a basic ability to draft a press release, write a short blog and capture well composed images for use across digital channels), Psychological First Aid, Training of Educators and Executives for Vulnerable Social Groups (which was carried out by the Institute of Continuing Adult Education of the General Secretariat for Lifelong Learning).

Dr. Ioanna Antonoglou, an anthropologist with a PHD, is widely recognized for her exceptional teaching skills in Greek. She has a great presence in the field of education, especially when it comes to teaching beginners, particularly women from diverse backgrounds. Her expertise in Greek language instruction has made her an invaluable resource for those looking to learn the language from scratch. Her ability to connect with her students and create a comfortable learning environment allows her to effectively cater to the needs of each individual, ensuring that they grasp the fundamentals of the Greek language. Through her patient and engaging teaching methods, Joanna empowers women from all walks of life to confidently communicate in Greek, opening doors to new opportunities and cultural experiences.

Joanna Antonoglou

Hygiene Programs Coordinator | Environmental Scientist

I am an Environmental Scientist with a strong foundation in Marine and Environmental Sciences, holding a degree and master's conferred by the University of the Aegean. Additionally, I have pursued professional education, specializing in Security Manager & Personnel, through the Public Institute of Vocational Training.

In the realm of continuous learning, I've undertaken diverse trainings, including First Aid, Intercultural, Digital Marketing, Work Safety consultant and Project Management seminars.The seminars/trainings I've attended have equipped me with valuable skills and insights that significantly contribute to my overall effectiveness in my professional roles.

In my current role as the Hygiene Programs Coordinator, I am dedicated to leading initiatives that support refugees with vital hygiene services, encompassing laundry, showers, and distribution of hygiene items, ensuring a holistic and impactful approach to community well-being.

Beyond that, I am fervently involved in fostering well-being through creativity workshops.These innovative sessions cover a spectrum of activities such as crafting natural beauty masks from scratch, along with engaging in soap and candle making, cooking, jewelry crafting, and free painting. The goal is to alleviate stress while enhancing creativity, inspiration, artistic expression, skill development, and job orientation for participants.

My commitment to merging environmental awareness with humanitarian efforts underscores my dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve.

Katerina Sala

Yannis # The Driver

Our organization is immensely grateful for the driver, fixer who has been a great help in our delivery operations. His dedication and expertise have ensured that our deliveries are always on time and our visitors are satisfied. Their ability to quickly identify and fix any issues that arise during transportation has been invaluable to us. We can always rely on them to go above and beyond to ensure that our organization runs smoothly and efficiently. Their hard work and commitment to their role have made a significant impact on our overall success. We truly appreciate their contributions and are fortunate to have such a reliable and skilled individual on our team.

IT Website Support & Newspaper Designer

Greek South African, versatile individual with expertise online and print media.

Assisting with formating the articles written by the women of WWBT on a monthly basis. The newspaper helps women share their background and their development at WWBT by learning and improving with the local and international team.

Yiannis (John) Kamatsos

Children Activity & English Teacher

Having a degree in Social Anthropology and History I aspire to serve the humanity and I have found a way to achieve my purpose through my work in the WWBT center.

I am currently set as a focal point for the children's activities that our center provides, such as English and other various courses, outdoor activities, sports, arts and crafts. I also sometimes have the pleasure of teaching the beginners English class to the women that visit our center. Having the chance to teach and create with the people that visit our center is a one time opportunity that makes me grow as a person everyday. I have always been very motivated and passionate about helping other people but also discovering other cultures, their way of life, their traditions, their language and their customs. I find the WWBT community is the perfect environment for this kind of cultural exchange, set as a bridge between worlds so different but yet so similar. Every day births a new opportunity so much to teach our visitors as to learn from them.

Lena Kontogiorgi

““What is the essence of life? To serve others and to do good.”

– Aristotle