We address the root causes of women’s vulnerability — poverty, lack of education, inequality, and coercion — to develop effective solutions that prevent exploitation and support lasting change.
Providing safe homes is one of the most basic ways we care for children and women in vulnerable situations. Many women are able to secure housing once they earn a steady income, but we also find placements for street children, women with mental health challenges, and children whose parents cannot provide a safe home. Knowing these women and children have a stable place to live gives them security, hope, and the foundation to build better futures.
Our training program provides women time to heal as well as receive training that will last a lifetime. Receiving a monthly allowance allows women to completely cut ties with their abusers and begin to learn the skills to sustain themselves. Women in our program are able to reorient their lives while focusing on healing and rebuilding a sense of self. Training includes basic literacy, basic English, life skills, values, conflict resolution, health and hygiene, and creating one of a kind Basha products. This education will continue daily throughout her career at Basha, but for this six months in our training program, she is allowed time wholly dedicated to reclaiming her life.
Investing in the next generation is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. Friends of Basha’s daycare programme provides daily educational activities and tutoring catered to the age of the child. More than 130 children receive healthy, high-protein food twice a day in addition to meals with their families. We’ve seen immediate improved school performance and reduced illness due to the increased nutrition these kids receive in our care. Education also brings pride and hope to families. As Rani recently said, “I am so proud, my children are the most educated in my entire family line.” Yesmin shared, “My job allows me to think of a bright future for my children.” It’s a joy to see our Basha employees bring their children to work, knowing they are receiving tutoring and school support while building a foundation for a better future.
In order to thrive, the entire well-being of women on our team require care. We don’t define health just in the physical, we know that to flourish again, we must care for all parts of our body and mind. Through medical care, we ensure women are physically healthy and when a crisis emerges, we do our best to cover medical emergencies. Many women also have layers of trauma to work through. It takes time to break free from the pain, the hurt and unhealthy behaviour created when living in exploitation. We provide services, where women have access to counselling and psychiatric care, as well as any additional support they need, tailored for each woman. It’s a privilege to see women replace fear with joy and hurt with trust.