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What We DoAAH is a grass roots safe home for women who are victims of sexual and domestic violence and abuse. It is the first safe home of its kind in Kenya where women and their children can not only find immediate safety from an abusive situation but can stay for a longer period of time to learn new skills that will enable them to find jobs and become independent. Agatha Amani House "AAH" is centered in the Naivasha and Maui Mahiu region of Kenya.
Our MissionThe Mission of Agatha Amani House (AAH) is to empower victims of sexual and domestic violence and their children heal from their trauma and help them become self-sufficient. AAH strives to enrich and enhance the quality of life for the most vulnerable and marginalized population within Kenyan communities.
Educate, Empower, Heal. The individuals, families and communities we serve today become tomorrow’s advocates, sponsors and mentors creating social change and breaking down the cycle of violence and poverty. |
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About the Shelter
Our strategy is to assess each victim’s situation on a case by case basis and their length of stay will be determined by their recuperating progress. AAH has formed strategic partnerships with several like-minded organizations who seek to end gender based violence. Social workers and counselors are the key to the long term success of AAH. The activities and programs made available to the victims rebuilding their lives at AAH are overseen by the Trustees of AAH. The Trustees provide the vision and oversight to the activities and programs at the safe home in addition to fiduciary and strategic direction all part of their governance responsibilities. An Advisory Board also assists in helping management formulate new strategies and programs for the betterment of the women.
The safe home was completed in 2014 and has been accepting residents. The main compound includes the main house with an attached kitchen/training room, a workshop where we do our sewing project and which also serves as a conference room, A hut for hosting volunteers and also serve as an office. We are also working on a Guest House which is still under construction. Farming and livestock are key components of the sustainability program at AAH. In addition to growing crops at the shelter we have cows, goats, rabbits and chickens to generate products to sell in the local market as well as to provide nutritious food for the women. Permaculture and organic farming practices have been initiated at AAH. Protecting the environment is important to us hence electricity at AAH is provided by solar panels and gas for cooking is generated by a bio-gas digester. We just recently drilled our own water well and cannot be more grateful. Our wish is that we could eventually power our water pump using solar power.
An important goal of AAH is to provide education and training to women that will allow them to get jobs or start their own small businesses and to achieve financial independence. An affordable sanitary pad machine has been purchased and installed with the hope to produce and provided sanitary pads at very low cost to women and young girls who cannot afford to buy them at the regular sources thus allowing them to continue school and work without interruption. A baking and sewing program has also been introduced. All of these efforts and others to follow are intended to provide skills and options for women to become self-sufficient as they heal and leave the shelter as well as sustainability program for Agatha Amani House. We are pleased to report that we already have a few success stories and are optimistic that many more follow soon.
The safe home was completed in 2014 and has been accepting residents. The main compound includes the main house with an attached kitchen/training room, a workshop where we do our sewing project and which also serves as a conference room, A hut for hosting volunteers and also serve as an office. We are also working on a Guest House which is still under construction. Farming and livestock are key components of the sustainability program at AAH. In addition to growing crops at the shelter we have cows, goats, rabbits and chickens to generate products to sell in the local market as well as to provide nutritious food for the women. Permaculture and organic farming practices have been initiated at AAH. Protecting the environment is important to us hence electricity at AAH is provided by solar panels and gas for cooking is generated by a bio-gas digester. We just recently drilled our own water well and cannot be more grateful. Our wish is that we could eventually power our water pump using solar power.
An important goal of AAH is to provide education and training to women that will allow them to get jobs or start their own small businesses and to achieve financial independence. An affordable sanitary pad machine has been purchased and installed with the hope to produce and provided sanitary pads at very low cost to women and young girls who cannot afford to buy them at the regular sources thus allowing them to continue school and work without interruption. A baking and sewing program has also been introduced. All of these efforts and others to follow are intended to provide skills and options for women to become self-sufficient as they heal and leave the shelter as well as sustainability program for Agatha Amani House. We are pleased to report that we already have a few success stories and are optimistic that many more follow soon.
Time To Act
Many defenseless women are beaten or sexually abused, separated from their children and literally kicked out on the streets. Recent studies have found that 39% of women in Kenya between the ages of 15-49 have experienced physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. Rape is a major problem in Kenya and is often not taken seriously. It has only been in recent years that gender desks have been established at police stations around the country. But even with this first step toward helping these women, the reality is that it will take years for women to realize their rights and safety under the law. Therefore we are committed to providing help for our sisters in Kenya who desperately need our help. And we are asking you to join with us in this critical initiative.
Together We Can Make a Difference.
Every donation supports the ongoing operations and programs dedicated to helping survivors build a better future for themselves and their children.
