Empower 60 Survivors: Safe Haven at Lotus School

Since our last update, we’ve made significant strides in creating a secure and empowering environment for 60 survivors of gender-based violence at Lotus Flower Community School in Kawama Slum, Ndola. With your continued support, we’ve been able to provide trauma-informed counseling sessions, distribute hygiene packs, and offer a daily meal and safe space for each of the girls involved in the program.

Meet Maya (name changed for privacy), a 15-year-old girl who joined the Safe Haven program after experiencing domestic violence. When she first came to us, she was withdrawn and fearful. Through consistent support—counseling, mentorship, and participation in group empowerment sessions—Maya has regained her confidence. She is now actively engaged in class, helps lead peer discussions on safety and self-worth, and dreams of becoming a nurse to help others in her community.

Alongside emotional healing, we’ve also hosted two community sensitization workshops engaging parents, local leaders, and teachers to strengthen the protective environment for girls. This holistic approach is key to preventing future abuse and ensuring survivors do not suffer in silence.

Looking ahead, we plan to scale this initiative by introducing vocational skills training and mentorship circles to equip survivors with tools for long-term independence. Your generosity has made this possible—and we can’t thank you enough for walking this journey with us.

Warmly,
Geoffrey Mulenga
Executive Director, Lotus Flower Community School