Women's Empowerment

Age requirement: 18 years + 

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Number of volunteers: Solo individuals, Groups & Families are welcome.

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Duration: From 4 weeks to 6 months.

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Start date: No specific start date, start at any time during the year.

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Fees:

1. $75 registration fee

2. $125 per week 

   • Includes accommodation​

   • Placement preparation

   • Airport pick up + drop off

   • Free 1 hour Swahili Language class with an experience professional instructor

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"Just like moons and like suns,

With the certainty of tides,

Just like hopes springing high,

Still I'll rise."-Maya Angelou

 

Our Solution

"It takes a village..."-African Proverb

 

Before 2011, there was no safe house, no shelters and no where to turn for many young women. One married couple, took two street girls in who changed their lives forever. The girls had been assaulted and left on the streets, deciding to take them in was the biggest decision they ever made. The couple faced criticism from many people who didn't understand why they would allow these strange girls into their home, when they barely had an income to survive themselves. But soon word spread across the community and people began telling them of more girls that needed help. Their once quiet house soon became a refuge, where there was no other. 

Girls with variety of social and health problems came to them for help and people began to give donations, which started their amazing foundation. Today, the safe house has a structured program which requires each girl to create short term goals and long term plans for their future despite their situation. With that plan, the foundation finds volunteers who can help the girls reach their goals. For example finishing high school, volunteers will help the girls with homework and extra tuition every day; working in an office, volunteers will help the girls learn computer skills and office skills to help them become employable. 

 

Success story

A young homeless girl who came to the shelter had dreams of becoming a hairdresser after dropping out of high school. With the help of the safe house and volunteer donations, the young mother built a small room where she know runs her hairdressing business. There is also a small music room where the girls can use music therapy or record songs together and people from the local community can make their own music for a small donation, which helps to keep the place going. Those gifted with cooking skills sell delicious home cooked meals in the community to raise small amounts of money. The young women all work together to keep going, look after one another and contribute to the safe house in structured way. 

 

Your Role:

Your main objectives will be:

 

• Support the foundation to take homeless girls off the street

• Help with the daily running of the safe house to provide food, shelter and access to counselling and healthcare

• Support the life counselling work run by the foundation staff which encourages the girls to learn to cope with their pasts and look after the psychological well being

• Provide your time and skills to stimulate their young women's curiosity for learning and social development

• Make any donations directly to the foundation to keep it's vital work running.

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You role as a volunteer will be to provide extra reading and writing classes within the community, especially to those who don't have the chance to or cannot afford to attend regular local school. Provide assistance to the staff with social care on behalf of the girls and provide assistance with regular housekeeping and maintenance tasks around the shelter. This great opportunity will mean an amazing cultural exchange experience for you and a brighter opportunity for the community.