SAMAH is a small volunteer-involving organisation was set up in 1999 and is an independent association under the wings of Humanitas.

The potential target group of SAMAH are young asylum seekers (age 15 to 25) and unaccompanied minors. In 2004, there were about 12.000 unaccompanied minors and 16.000 young adult asylum seekers in the country. Most of them have been waiting for years on a decision on their request, either in refugee centres, or in small living units or they live alone.  They are a highly isolated group and are neither allowed to get education nor to work, apart from 12 weeks a year. Given their age, they are in strong need of self-development, development of skills, contact with others and development of a perspective for the future. They are all third country nationals, with most of them coming from different African countries, China, Iran and Afghanistan. Many of them do not have a chance to get an asylum status.

An increasing number of them decide to stay in the country without legal status.

SAMAH is the only organisation in the Netherlands stimulating self-organisation and participation of third country nationals unaccompanied minors. Its dual approach to help young refugees to integrate into society by volunteering and at the same time offer support and perspectives in case of removal helps to empower the young people who live under greatest difficulties with the ambiguity of not belonging anywhere. A handbook that gives volunteer-involving organisations advice on how to recruit unaccompanied minors is available from the organisation.

Most funding is project based coming from various sources, foundations and non-governmental organisations.