Duration: May 2022 – Ongoing

Donor: Associazione La Goccia Odv

Building the Future is a long-term empowerment project designed to support women and minors in Kanyama in overcoming the consequences of violence and building safer, more independent futures. The initiative focuses on emotional recovery, economic empowerment, and access to education, helping survivors regain confidence, strengthen their resilience, and create new opportunities for themselves and their families.

One of the core components of the project is a women’s empowerment group facilitated by ULEMU’s psychotherapist. Every six months, a new group of women identified through the One Stop Center joins the programme, allowing survivors with the greatest need for support to benefit from a structured path of healing and personal growth. Through weekly group sessions, participants are encouraged to process experiences of violence, strengthen self-esteem, develop healthy relationships, improve parenting skills, and build greater awareness of their rights and personal value.

Over time, the group has become a safe and trusted space where women can share experiences, support one another, and develop the confidence needed to make independent decisions about their lives. Many participants report improvements in emotional wellbeing, communication skills, self-confidence, and family relationships, contributing to a stronger sense of dignity and autonomy.

Alongside psychosocial support, the project promotes economic independence by encouraging women to develop small income-generating activities within their communities. These opportunities help reduce financial dependence on abusive relationships and provide practical pathways toward greater self-reliance and stability for both women and their children.

The project also invests in the education of vulnerable children and adolescents who are survivors of violence or come from families supported by the One Stop Center. Through partnerships with local schools and boarding institutions, Building the Future helps ensure that children at risk can continue their education in safe and supportive environments. By removing barriers to school attendance and promoting access to learning opportunities, the project contributes to breaking cycles of vulnerability and creating brighter prospects for the next generation.