Each family (some come with their children) or woman who moves in have self-contained living quarters, with shared kitchen, living rooms and play areas. Local teachers, business leaders and church community members also donate their time for our residents to learn skills. The property is situated on a small 8-acre farm, where the women can feel safe from their abusers.

Our approach focuses on empowering women to become self-sufficient. The residents create hand-held fans using locally sourced materials and fabric off-cuts, which they sell at the market. This initiative not only provides them with an income to support themselves and their children, but also a sense of accomplishment and independence. Additionally, the women grow cucumbers and other seasonal crops, consuming some of the produce and selling the surplus at local markets. The American Embassy also funded a small kitchen for the women to make biscuits and puff puffs to sell at market.

Any contribution to the COG Women’s Foundation directly impacts our ability to expand the facilities and enhance the self-sufficiency of our residents. Current needs include sewing machines, craft supplies, gardening tools, and educational materials for the children. For example, a single sewing machine costs approximately $200, and with ten machines, we could significantly increase our production capacity and income potential for the women.