In 2023, while implementing a social project supporting children and people living in vulnerable circumstances, I encountered a young girl who was homeless and had been taken to a police station to seek assistance and protection. This experience deeply affected me and prompted me to reflect on children and survivors who, after experiencing violence, abuse, exploitation, or difficult family circumstances, often have nowhere safe to go.
I realized that a police station alone cannot provide a long-term solution for a child or survivor who needs protection, accommodation, counselling, healthcare, education, and social support. Above all, I recognized the importance of creating a safe, dignified, and supportive environment that protects the rights and dignity of every child and survivor.
This experience became the catalyst for deeper reflection on establishing a Safe House. The vision was to create a facility where vulnerable children and survivors could receive temporary safe accommodation while protection procedures, rescue interventions, family reunification, rehabilitation, and other essential services were arranged.
Therefore, the idea of establishing the Safe House did not emerge simply as part of a conventional development plan. Rather, it was born from a real-life experience within the community. I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by a child who had no safe place to go and came to understand the need to move beyond short-term assistance and establish a sustainable protection mechanism.
Since then, the idea has continued to grow and become an important part of efforts to strengthen the protection and well-being of children and survivors of violence, abuse, exploitation, and other forms of harm. For this reason, construction of the Safe House has remained a key initiative aimed at providing protection, safe accommodation, basic services, counselling, rehabilitation, reintegration, and an opportunity for vulnerable children and survivors to rebuild their lives.
Personally, the young girl I encountered in 2023 remains a powerful reminder that behind every statistic is a human life that needs protection. That experience strengthened my belief that society should not only respond when a problem occurs, but also establish sustainable protection systems and safe spaces where children and survivors can find hope, dignity, security, and an opportunity to rebuild their lives.
Introduce the fact
A Safe House is a protective residential facility providing temporary, secure accommodation and coordinated support to women, girls and children who are survivors or at high risk of gender-based violence (GBV), sexual violence, child abuse, exploitation and human trafficking.
Tanzania continues to face significant challenges related to violence against women and children. The Government’s National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (NPA-VAWC II), 2024/25–2028/29, identifies the need for comprehensive and coordinated protection and response services for survivors.
There is a real protection gap. Violence against women and children remains a major social and development concern in Tanzania, creating demand for safe accommodation, health services, psychosocial care, legal assistance and reintegration support. Safe Houses are part of the national protection response. Tanzania's national framework emphasizes safe environments and integrated, timely and quality support to women and children affected by violence. The Government has established Safe Houses, but capacity remains limited. According to figures reported in 2026, 20 Safe Houses were operating in different regions and had provided shelter to 1,313 survivors, including 1,260 women, during July 2025–April 2026.
The need is much larger than temporary accommodation. A functioning Safe House should provide coordinated services, including secure accommodation; food, clothing and basic necessities; medical and referral services; psychosocial counselling; legal assistance; child protection; security and confidentiality; skills development and economic empowerment; and safe family/community reintegration. Human trafficking is an important reason for Safe House investment. Tanzania's National Guidelines for Safe Homes recognize the need to protect victims of trafficking and other vulnerable groups. Earlier national data also showed that identified trafficking victims were overwhelmingly female, demonstrating the importance of gender-responsive protection facilities.
The Safe House approach is consistent with Tanzania's current policy direction. The NPA-VAWC II seeks a comprehensive protection system capable of delivering coordinated support to women and children affected by violence. Safe Houses are therefore an important component of the broader national protection and referral system.
The potential impact.
Your donation can make the difference in the life of a vulnerable child.
Did you know that a gift of just $10 can help CEDO provide essential care, protection, and a safe environment for a vulnerable child? Your support can make a meaningful difference in a child’s life by helping ensure they have access to the care, protection, and support they need to grow in safety and dignity.
With your support, we can construct a 36-bed Safe House in Tanzania where vulnerable children both boys and girls can find safety, shelter, dignity, and support after experiencing violence, abuse, exploitation, trafficking, or difficult family circumstances.
Your donation can help turn an empty space into a safe place where a child can sleep peacefully, receive care, continue learning, and begin rebuilding their future.
Give today. Help us build a Safe House where 36 children can find safety, hope, and a second chance.
Give $1 for Every Hour of Labor
Join me in building a Safe House that will provide protection, care, dignity, and hope for vulnerable mothers, girls, and children who have nowhere safe to turn.
Donate $1 for every hour you—or a loved one—spent in labor. Your contribution may seem small, but together our small gifts can help construct a safe and secure home for children and mothers in need.
Today, many vulnerable children and women face abuse, exploitation, trafficking, violence, and homelessness without a safe place to stay.
Let’s change that. Your $1 can become part of a bigger movement to construct a Safe House designed to accommodate 36 children—both boys and girls—and provide them with a secure environment where they can heal, grow, learn, and rebuild their lives.
