Social Stories #2: Be Visible Be YOU
As we are the Social Kind team, we want to introduce you to the NGOs we collaborate with. This time we want to introduce you to Anastasia Tasoula who is the co-founder of Be Visible Be YOU. We strongly believe that everyone will find something inspiring in this wonderful story of hers.
What is Be Visible Be You?
Anastasia Tasoula: In a world that disregards diversity…be visible be YOU! We are all HUMANS.
Be Visible Be YOU is a non-profit organization, based in Athens and established in 2019.
Our vision is to create a world free of stereotypes against diversity and full of people that value acceptance, love, and care. We do it by supporting people in their personal development through coaching, psychological support, and non-formal education. All of our activities aim to create awareness of different “minorities” such as population with disabilities. We aim to integrate people from different social groups, tackling stereotypes expanding human boundaries and opportunities.
Can you tell us a bit about the co-founders of Be Visible Be YOU?
Be Visible Be You is an organization run by young people, mostly students.
Anastasia Tasoula: I’m a psychology student and for the past 2 years learning about non-formal education methods, and also personal development methods (life-coaching, NLP methods). Besides that, I have been a trainer for projects about social, environmental, personal development and health topics.
I’m a person with a disability, a chronic-terminal illness called cystic fibrosis, and I have spent more than 3 years of my life in the hospital — fighting for life — and at the same time participating in researches and activities tackling challenges of human-health rights.
I give public talks on human rights. In 2018 I was a speaker at the TEDx event in Athens. In the period I was working in schools for children with disabilities such as autism, Asperger syndrome and Down Syndrome, volunteering for charities providing support to refugees, practicing photography & Latin dance. I believe that we all as humans should treat each other with care, love, and acceptance.
The other co-founder, Ioannis Sgontzos, holds a degree in Sociology and has been practicing in the field of Human Resources and Social Issues by doing research for 3 years now. He also studies Universal Languages and his goal is to have the ability to communicate with all the people and show that we are not as different as some might think. Ioannis is also into the field of health, as one close person of his is disabled and he is this person’s caregiver. He believes that everyone needs to fulfill life with experiences but at the same time know the limits and not hurt themselves.
Two other members of Be Visible Be YOU team are passionate about encouraging others to follow their dreams and break the stereotypes and embrace diversity. Both of them are practicing non-formal education games/activities/methodology and believe that non-formal education is crucial for development and should be applied more widely.
If you could wave a magic wand, what problem in the world would you solve and why?
AT: Oh, that’s an interesting one! I would like to make all the health problems disappear.
What are the activities of Be Visible Be YOU?
AT: Be Visible Be YOU runs many parallel activities such as experiential seminars, individual psychological support, coaching, school workshops, and many global educational activities on various topics, this way maximizing our effort against the stereotypes on every level. In December we will organize two seminars — one on emotional management and one on breaking the stereotypes — and maybe a concert to support the organization. You can find more information about our activities on Be Visible Be YOU Facebook page.
In a nutshell, Be Visible Be YOU aims to support everyone in their development, to empower one’s mind, and bring to live the vision where you are constantly offered more authentic opportunities.
What does the BVBY’s logo tell us?
AT: On our logo, you will see two hands that are hugging four roses. It’s a simple image with a strong message — the small scars that the hands have on their base… Most of people don’t notice them, but they are there. We are representing a social-inclusion NGO and we want to include every person in our fight against the stereotypes about diversity. We want to support everyone in their personal fight with themselves and give them the materials to bloom, like a rose after a rainy day.
How was working with Social Kind helpful during the starting period?
AT: From day one, Social Kind supported Be Visible Be YOU on a high level. We are so thankful to your team!
I was so lost with all the marketing and website set up. I really had no idea of how I can manage them by myself! Gladly Social Kind started supporting us and then everything made sense: the marketing plan, the “how to make a website” guiding and more. I don’t know if we would be as developed as now if it was not thanks to Social Kind. And I am not exaggerating.
What are the needs of Be Visible Be YOU?
AT: Be Visible Be YOU, like any new organization, has some needs. Our primary need right now is to fundraise find donations and sponsorships so that we can create more free impactful activities to people who need it. At the moment we have little support and the organization is working exclusively on a voluntary basis. We are looking for individuals or companies who believe in our vision and who want to support us in creating a society based on positive values and free of stereotypes. A society that is aware of all kinds of “minorities” and accepts them.
How can someone contact you?
AT: Anyone who wishes to get in touch with the organization, both for in support, and in cooperation, volunteering or sponsorship opportunities, can find us here:
E-mail: bevisiblebeyou@gmail.com
Phone: +306970315909
Facebook: facebook.com/bevisiblebeyou
Instagram: instagram.com/bevisiblebeyou/
Website: www.bevisiblebeyou.org
What advice would you give do you want to say to those who want to become a social entrepreneur like you?
AT: Guys, before you start your own business…travel, live, laugh! Appreciate the little things. And fight like hell for whatever you wish to create. And I promise you, your project will succeed.
