The Safe House: An Enclave of Peace and Hope

Asha was born in Somalia and raised in Kakuma Refugee Camp. Life at the camp was tough, marked by distressing memories of her father's abusive behavior towards her mother. Driven to escape the abuse, Asha and her mother left everything behind and made a new home in Busia, Kenya where Asha completed her primary education. To support her secondary education, Asha’s mother sought employment as a domestic worker in Nairobi.  

With the help of her mother's employer, Asha finished high school but could not continue her education. Her future seemed bleak; her mother's income could not support her, so she decided to look for work. Asha settled in the Eastleigh neighborhood of Nairobi and began hawking tea and coffee on the streets. Unfortunately, she became pregnant and was abused by the baby's father.  

Unable to endure the mistreatment, she returned to her mother, who, due to societal norms, advised her to have an abortion since she wasn't married. "In Somali culture, it is an abomination to get pregnant out of wedlock," cites Asha. Pregnant, frightened, and unemployed, Asha had limited options. She stayed with friends temporarily, but her inability to contribute to expenses led them to kick her out.  

"I was so stressed. I did not know if I should abort the baby. It was not right. I had nowhere to stay. I was slowly falling into depression,” says Asha.  

With no other options, Asha sought refuge at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offices in Nairobi. There she was referred to RefuSHE's Safe House for safety and protection. She joined the Safe House in May 2023 in poor health and in need of urgent medical care. Before her stay at the Safe House, Asha had never received prenatal care. "My blood levels were so low,” says Asha. “I had to go to the hospital where I was advised to take iron supplements to protect my unborn baby."  

After spending four months in the Safe House, Asha successfully gave birth to a lovely and healthy baby girl. She is still receiving medical care, counseling, and essential supplies for both herself and her newborn at RefuSHE.  

"At the Safe House, I have learned how to care for a newborn,” says Asha. “RefuSHE has given me clothes for my baby and a place to stay until I am back on my feet." 

In addition to receiving basic necessities, 25-year-old Asha is learning cottage skills like baking, knitting, and beading. She also participates in regular trauma-informed yoga classes and Zumba sessions which contribute to her healing process. Her friendly and assertive demeanor has led to her taking on leadership roles at the shelter. "I'm looked up to by other residents, and I'm always willing to assist with various activities," says Asha.  

Despite her past hardships, Asha is now happier and on the path to recovery and healing from her trauma. "I am prepared and excited for the next phase of my life," says Asha.  

Once her daughter reaches a few months of age, Asha is eager to enroll in the Digital Skills Training program at RefuSHE. "I want to learn computer skills which I know will open opportunities for me to get jobs that require basic computer proficiency," says Asha. 

Links:

• Learn more about our Safe House

Nadia is a 17-year-old refugee from Rwanda who arrived at RefuSHE's Safe House in March 2023. At the age of 13, Nadia and her brother ran away from home to escape issues of conflict and neglect. The two siblings lived on the streets of Kigali where they slept outside and struggled to find food to eat. They lived on the streets for over two months, then met a truck driver who offered to take them to his home in Nakuru where he lived with his wife. Upon arrival, it became clear to Nadia that the driver did not have a wife. One night, he returned home drunk with several friends and she was sexually assualted and fell pregnant. After four months at the house, Nadia and her brother plotted their escape and fled the house in the middle of the night. They walked for two days, sleeping in the streets, until they arrived in Nairobi. Here, they continued to stay in the streets and borrowed food from strangers.

One day, they met a Rwandese woman who recognized them. The woman knew Nadia's sister and was able to contact her via Facebook. Her sister sent money for them to pay rent and buy food as she made plans to look for help. Her sister later reached out to a case worker who took Nadia to the organization Refugee Point. After her case was followed up by Refugee Point, she was referred to RefuSHE. Unfortunately, Nadia lost her unborn baby upon arrival due to poor nutrition and lack of maternal care. RefuSHE catered to her hospital needs, provided mental health counselling, and ensured that all of her basic needs were met.

Nadia has been residing in the Safe House for seven months now and has made friends with the other beneficiaries. She is currently learning how to manage stress and is undergoing counselling. She is also attending the Cottage Skills program where she is learning baking, knitting, and beading. Before RefuSHE, Nadia was worried for her safety and that of her younger brother. They lacked shelter and access to basic needs such as food. After moving into RefuSHE's Safe House, she feels safe and is happy to connect with fellow beneficiaries who have undergone similar challenges. Upon regaining her stability, Nadia wishes to resume school and become a prosecutor to fight for other girls like her who have faced adversity and hardships. 

Links:

• Learn more about our Safe House!