When a 14-year-old girl flees her home in the middle of the night to escape violence, where does she go? When an 80-year-old woman is abused and abandoned, who will take her in? When a young man faces threats because of his identity, who will protect him?
For too many in Siaya County, the answer to these questions has been “nowhere.”
That is why the Center for Adolescent Girls & Youth Health Program (CAGHYP) established our Alternative Rescue Center – a safe haven for the most vulnerable members of our community.
The Hidden Crisis: Who Needs Rescue?
Gender-based violence does not discriminate by age. In our work across Gem Sub-county and Siaya County, we encounter survivors from every demographic:
Adolescent girls and young women face the highest rates of sexual violence, often from people they know and trust. Many become pregnant as a result of rape. Others are forced into early marriage. Some are trafficked.
Teenage boys are also victims, though their suffering is often hidden. Cultural norms that expect boys to be “strong” mean many suffer in silence, unable to report abuse or seek help.
The elderly, particularly women from age 70 and above, face a different kind of vulnerability. In some communities, they are accused of witchcraft when misfortune strikes. Others are neglected by families overwhelmed by poverty. Some experience physical and emotional abuse, with nowhere to turn.
The CAGHYP Alternative Rescue Center: A Safe Haven
Our rescue center operates as an alternative safe space for victims of sexual and gender-based violence. It is not a formal institution but a place of healing, dignity, and hope.
When a survivor comes to us – whether through self-reporting, referral from the Ministry of Gender, or rescue missions conducted by our team – we activate a comprehensive support protocol:
1. Immediate Safety and Basic Needs
The first priority is always safety. We provide secure accommodation, nutritious food, clean clothing, and a caring environment. For survivors who have just escaped traumatic situations, this immediate security is the foundation for everything that follows.
2. Medical Care
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, we ensure every survivor receives appropriate medical attention. This includes:
Treatment of injuries
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV infection
Emergency contraception
STI screening and treatment
Forensic medical examination when needed for legal cases
3. Psychosocial Support
Trauma leaves invisible wounds. Our trained counselors provide individual and group counseling to help survivors process their experiences and begin the journey of healing. For children and adolescents, we use age-appropriate techniques including play therapy and art therapy.
4. Legal Protection and Advocacy
Survivors deserve justice. We work with community paralegals and the Ministry of Gender and Social Protection to navigate the legal system. This includes:
Assistance with reporting to police
Accompanying survivors to court
Advocacy for protection orders
Connection to free legal aid services
5. Reintegration and Long-Term Support
Healing doesn’t end when a survivor leaves the rescue center. We develop individualized reintegration plans that may include:
Return to school or alternative education pathways
Vocational training and skills development
Family reconciliation when safe and appropriate
Ongoing psychosocial support
Connection to community support groups
A Story of Resilience: Mama Grace’s New Beginning
Names changed to protect privacy
Mama Grace is 78 years old. She has outlived her husband and most of her friends. For the past five years, she lived with her son’s family, caring for her grandchildren and contributing what little she could from her small farm.
But when her son died unexpectedly, her daughter-in-law saw Mama Grace as a burden rather than a blessing. The neglect started slowly – meals were skipped, then forgotten. When Mama Grace confronted her daughter-in-law, the response was violence.
“She pushed me, and I fell,” Mama Grace recalls. “I couldn’t get up. My hip was broken. She left me there on the floor for two days.”
A neighbor who heard Mama Grace’s cries contacted the area chief, who reached out to CAGHYP. Our rescue team, working with the Ministry of Gender, brought Mama Grace to our center and arranged immediate medical care at a local hospital.
“I thought I would die alone, on that floor,” she says, tears in her eyes. “But these young people at CAGHYP, they treated me like their own grandmother. They gave me medicine, good food, and someone to talk to.”
After her recovery, Mama Grace didn’t want to return to her daughter-in-law’s home. Through our network, we connected her with a small group of other elderly women who support each other. She receives regular visits from a CAGHYP volunteer and participates in the center’s activities whenever she can.
“I have a new family now,” she says with a smile. “At my age, I never thought I would find happiness again.”
Working in Partnership
The rescue center does not operate in isolation. We work hand-in-hand with:
Ministry of Gender and Social Protection for child protection cases and elderly support
Ministry of Health for medical care and psychosocial support
Ministry of Education for school reintegration
Local churches and community leaders for referrals and support
Police and legal aid providers for justice and protection
This integrated approach ensures that survivors receive comprehensive care and that no one falls through the cracks.
How You Can Help
The need for our rescue center grows every day. We currently operate with limited resources, often stretching every shilling to serve those who come to us.
Your support can make the difference between despair and hope:
| Need | Amount | Impact |
| Emergency food package for several survivors | KES 100 000 | Provides 6 months of nutrition |
| Medical expenses for several survivors | KES 150 000 | Covers initial treatment and medication |
| School fees for children survivors | KES 90 000 | Enables return to education |
| Counseling sessions (10 sessions) | KES 10000 | Supports trauma healing |
| Bed and bedding | KES 75000 | Provides dignified accommodation |
To support our rescue center, contact us today. Together, we can ensure that every survivor in Siaya County has somewhere safe to turn.
📞 +254 735 604 010
📧 ogondaleah97@gmail.com
🌐 cagyhp.co.ke
Facebook: adolescent health | Instagram: @cagyhpcentre | TikTok: cagyhp.centre
