Genesis House was designed to cater for the needs of socio-economically disadvantaged girls and young women in vulnerable situations. One of its kind in Nigeria, Genesis House is a residential rehabilitation centre for girls and young women who have been victims of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation. The initiative is designed to proffer an effective and lasting solution to the alarming and growing trend of commercial sex work among young females in Nigeria, especially in Lagos state.
Over the years, we have found that these girls are trafficked both within and outside the country; forced into commercial sex work and also financially exploited, with their pimps charging them exorbitant rents for extremely poor accommodation and food. Without the services provided by Genesis House, such girls and young women are likely to remain within a cycle of commercial sex work, exploitation, slavery, drugs, unwanted pregnancies and crime.
Genesis House therefore provides quality shelter, safety and protection for girls and young women who fall into this category and gives them the opportunity to regain their self-esteem and dignity, whilst empowering them to return to society as productive, self-sufficient individuals.
The program offers crisis intervention and programs that focus on behavioral, emotional, social and educational reformation along with a range of counseling and psychotherapy in helping young women overcome their past life experiences. Genesis House provides more than just a way for communities to lift themselves out of poverty; it offers a sustainable approach of opportunity and, most importantly, a chance at a promising future to these young women.
Based on Freedom Foundation’s model of “Rehabilitation, Education and Empowerment’, we engage our clients in programs structured to teach them self worth, etiquettes, and spiritual development, as well as, the opportunity for skills acquisition and academic achievement. The program starts with an intensive 3-month re-orientation program, followed by a 6-month period, during which the clients are engaged either in education (for the school-aged girls) or training and skills acquisition for the young women, alongside the other therapeutic and spiritual development programs.
Following the period of rehabilitation and education or training, our clients are placed in a semi independent unit, where they acquire the independent living skills crucial to their gradually re-integration into mainstream society as productive citizens.
Over the years, we have found that these girls are trafficked both within and outside the country; forced into commercial sex work and also financially exploited, with their pimps charging them exorbitant rents for extremely poor accommodation and food. Without the services provided by Genesis House, such girls and young women are likely to remain within a cycle of commercial sex work, exploitation, slavery, drugs, unwanted pregnancies and crime.
Mission:
To re-orientate, rehabilitate, educate and empower displaced women and enable them to fulfill their potential.
Vision:
We envision a world in which every woman embraces her unique value and potential for a life filled with love, dignity and purpose.
Services offered:
1. Spiritual Development
2. Therapeutic interventions
3. Mentoring
4. Continuing Education:
- Adult literacy classes for those that cannot read or write.
- Continuing education for those that dropped out of school and desire to continue their education (JS1 to SSS3).
- Computer literacy.
5. Skills Acquisition/Vocational Training
- Fashion Designing: dress-making, bead/hat/shoe-making, batik design.
- Cosmetology and Beauty: hair dressing, nails techniques, facial/skin care skills.
- Interior Designing: blinds/curtains, floral management.
- Event Planning: (Wedding, in/out-door parties).
- Catering
- Baking
6. Genesis Inc: A trading outlet for the sale of items produced by or on behalf of the young women at Genesis house.
7. Advocacy: networking and community awareness/mobilization.
8. Business Support: Through the Empowerment team and small loans
through KSF.
