about

In 2015 we were asked to step in to rescue The Maamba Safe House, a safe haven for 20 teenage girls, to prevent the home from closing. The house had been funded by a large charity that pulled out with a few weeks notice.  
The girls come from poor rural backgrounds where there are no secondary schools. There is also a cultural tradition of marrying teenage girls off at a young age to attain a dowry. Gender based abuse and violence is common, so for most of the girls the Safe House is a way out of poverty and neglect and a chance to achieve their potential and pursue their dreams. 
In 2018 we obtained land and funding to build the girls a much needed new home which the girls named "The New Dawn Home". This has dramatically improved their living standards, their safety and their learning environment. It has also increased the capacity of the home up to 30 girls which is our long term aim.   
Baraka Community Partnerships works with the schools in Maamba to identify these girls who are victims of an endless cycle of poverty. They refer them to The Maamba Safe House committee where they are able to proceed with their secondary education, whilst living in a calm and safe environment, close to school. Here they do not need to worry about how they are going to afford the next meal or rent.

The house is run by a Matron, Doris, who acts as both a mother figure to the girls, whilst teaching them important life skills which will be essential when they complete school and leave the Safe House, making way for the next cohort of girls.
Meet Denior who joined both the Safe House and Baraka Sponsorship Programme in Nov 2020

developments

why is this important?
The House is designed to provide safe domiciles for the most vulnerable girls in the community, however, a reoccurring issue we are currently facing, is that the most vulnerable often can't afford school fees so have no choice but to return to their villages. We are therefore looking into ways we can partially fund some of these bright girls' education so that they can continue with their academic development.
Having demonstrated a strong academic performance by passing grade 7 & 9 exams, these girls are eager to complete their studies and achieve their goals. However, along with the unfavourable financial circumstances, the girls are also confronted with their culture’s traditional stand on a woman’s position within the community. As a result, families are reluctant to invest in their daughters’ education, even at lower secondary, as they believe it to be unnecessary, seeing as they will be married off in the next couple of years. This, unfortunately, continues to obstruct the rate of social development, and consequently, the battle for gender equality.

How can you help?

If you are a donor interested in supporting these girls  please donate via the link below


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