Release Sobbing Daughters from Sexual Abuse

Project Report: Release Sobbing Daughters from Sexual Abuse (73096)

Face Up Generation Aid Organization (FUGAO)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Registration No: 7569
Our Ref No: FUGAO/Global/July/2026/L.No.10
Date: July 30, 2026

Dear GlobalGiving Community,

Warm greetings from Face Up Generation Aid Organization (FUGAO).

We are pleased to share our latest progress report for our project "Release Sobbing Daughters from Sexual Abuse." This initiative continues to provide life-changing protection, psychosocial support, legal referrals, education assistance, and community awareness to girls who have survived or are at risk of sexual abuse and exploitation across Ethiopia.

Sexual violence against girls remains one of the most serious child protection challenges in Ethiopia. Many survivors experience trauma, stigma, interrupted education, and limited access to justice and support services. Through the generous support of GlobalGiving donors, FUGAO is helping vulnerable girls recover from trauma, regain confidence, continue their education, and live in safer environments.

During this reporting period, significant progress has been achieved through close collaboration with families, schools, community leaders, government institutions, and child protection stakeholders.

Project Overview

The Release Sobbing Daughters from Sexual Abuse project seeks to prevent sexual violence against girls while ensuring that survivors receive comprehensive protection and recovery services.

The project focuses on:

• Preventing sexual abuse, exploitation, and gender-based violence.
• Supporting survivors through confidential case management.
• Providing psychosocial counseling and trauma recovery services.
• Facilitating access to legal, medical, and protection services.
• Promoting girls' continued education.
• Raising community awareness on child protection and sexual abuse prevention.
• Strengthening safeguarding and referral systems.
• Empowering girls to know and exercise their rights.

Key Challenges Addressed

The project responds to several critical issues affecting vulnerable girls, including:

• Sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Gender-based violence.
• Child marriage and harmful traditional practices.
• Trauma and psychological distress.
• School dropout following abuse.
• Social stigma and discrimination against survivors.
• Weak reporting and referral mechanisms.
• Poverty and household vulnerability.

Key Achievements (March – July 2026)

During this reporting period, the project successfully:

• Provided comprehensive protection support to 310 vulnerable girls.
• Delivered trauma-informed psychosocial counseling to 255 survivors of sexual abuse and violence.
• Supported 170 girls with school materials, educational assistance, and school reintegration services.
• Conducted 22 community awareness campaigns on preventing sexual abuse, safeguarding, and girls' rights.
• Trained 90 teachers, health workers, social workers, and community volunteers on safeguarding, survivor-centered approaches, and child protection.
• Reached more than 4,300 community members through awareness campaigns promoting prevention of sexual abuse and protection of girls.
• Strengthened referral pathways with police, health facilities, schools, women and children affairs offices, and legal service providers.

Early Impact & Beneficiary Story

A New Beginning After Trauma

A 15-year-old girl from Oromia Region shared:

"After the abuse, I felt ashamed and believed my future was over. Through counseling and the encouragement I received from FUGAO, I returned to school, regained my confidence, and now dream of becoming a nurse so I can help other girls."

Her courage reflects the strength of many survivors who are rebuilding their lives through compassionate care, community support, and access to essential services.

Observed Changes

The project has contributed to several positive outcomes:

• Increased reporting of sexual abuse cases through trusted community referral systems.
• Improved emotional recovery and psychosocial well-being among survivors.
• Greater school attendance and retention for supported girls.
• Increased awareness among parents and communities regarding child protection.
• Reduced stigma toward survivors in participating communities.
• Stronger collaboration among schools, health facilities, police, and protection service providers.
• Increased confidence and leadership among adolescent girls.

Community Participation

Community ownership remains central to project implementation.

Community contributions included:

• Parents actively participated in awareness sessions and family counseling activities.
• Religious and traditional leaders publicly condemned sexual violence against girls.
• Schools strengthened safeguarding policies and confidential reporting systems.
• Community child protection committees monitored vulnerable girls and facilitated referrals.
• Youth volunteers promoted peer education on child protection and gender equality.
• Survivors and caregivers participated in project feedback and accountability mechanisms.

This collaborative approach strengthens sustainability while creating safer communities for girls.

Challenges Encountered

Despite encouraging progress, several challenges remained:

• Economic hardship increased girls' vulnerability to exploitation.
• Fear of stigma discouraged some survivors from reporting abuse.
• Demand for psychosocial and legal support exceeded available resources.
• Transportation constraints limited outreach to remote communities.
• Some cases required long-term legal representation and specialized trauma care.

Response Measures

To address these challenges, FUGAO:

• Expanded confidential survivor support services.
• Increased community awareness campaigns focused on prevention and reporting.
• Strengthened referral partnerships with government institutions and protection actors.
• Enhanced psychosocial counseling and family support services.
• Continued mobilizing resources to expand services to additional high-risk communities.

Monitoring & Accountability

FUGAO maintains strong accountability systems through:

• Regular household and school follow-up visits.
• Confidential survivor case management.
• Child safeguarding monitoring systems.
• Community complaint and feedback mechanisms.
• Beneficiary satisfaction assessments.
• Routine monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities.

Current Key Performance Indicators

• 310 vulnerable girls received integrated protection services.
• 255 survivors accessed psychosocial counseling and trauma recovery services.
• 170 girls received educational support.
• 22 community awareness sessions conducted.
• 90 safeguarding stakeholders trained.
• 4,300+ community members reached through awareness campaigns.
• Referral partnerships strengthened with education, health, police, legal, and child protection institutions.

What's Next? (August – November 2026)

During the next implementation period, FUGAO plans to:

• Expand survivor-centered services to additional high-risk districts.
• Increase educational support for girls affected by sexual abuse.
• Strengthen school safeguarding systems.
• Expand psychosocial counseling and trauma recovery services.
• Increase legal awareness and access to justice for survivors.
• Strengthen collaboration with government institutions and civil society organizations.
• Enhance community engagement to prevent sexual violence before it occurs.

Long-Term Vision

Our vision is an Ethiopia where every girl lives free from sexual violence, exploitation, discrimination, and fear.

We aim to:

• Prevent sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Strengthen child protection and safeguarding systems.
• Promote equal access to education.
• Improve survivor recovery and psychosocial well-being.
• Empower girls to know and defend their rights.
• Build safe, inclusive, and resilient communities throughout Ethiopia.

Why Your Support Matters

Your generous support enables vulnerable girls to receive protection, counseling, legal referrals, education assistance, and hope for a better future.

Impact of Your Donation

• $25 provides awareness materials for families and communities.
• $50 supports trauma counseling and case management for one survivor.
• $100 provides school supplies and educational assistance for one vulnerable girl.
• $500 funds community awareness campaigns on preventing sexual abuse and safeguarding.
• $5,000 expands integrated survivor support services to additional high-risk communities.

Closing Appreciation

We extend our sincere gratitude to GlobalGiving, our generous donors, and valued partners for your unwavering commitment to protecting girls from sexual abuse and exploitation.

Your support is restoring hope, promoting healing, strengthening child protection systems, and helping vulnerable girls rebuild their lives with dignity and confidence.

Together, we are creating safer communities where every girl can grow up free from violence, pursue her education, and realize her full potential.

With heartfelt appreciation,

Pastor Elsabet
Face Up Generation Aid Organization (FUGAO)
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Email: faceupgeneration@gmail.com

"Every girl deserves protection, healing, dignity, and the opportunity to live free from fear."