Highlight of the Month
The main areas of intervention for the organisation are:
- Health
- Vocational training and education
- Promotion of human rights
- Fight against prostitution and sexual violence
PSAS mission is to provide health care, rehabilitation, education and income generating vocational training to young girls who have found no other means to survive other than selling their bodies.
During the past year, PSAS has trained 30 girls and is presently training an additional 27. Along with apprenticeship training and access to a free sexual health clinic, they are given guidance in interpersonal communication so that when they go out into the streets of Lomé, they can communicate with their friends and past boyfriends about safe sex, the importance of sexual health and how to resist sexual violence. They can also encourage other girls who have been forced into prostitution to come to Petit Soeur à Soeur for medical treatment and advice on well-being.
The center has begun the training of 34 girls in hairdressing, an activity that will allow them to support themselves without having to be a prostitute. 14 girls have completed their training this year and have received certificates of completion. In the year prior, 5 girls completed their training in dressmaking, tailoring and sewing and have received both a certificate of completion and equipment needed to kick start their new careers.
Other income generating activities such as biscuit, yoghurt and soap making have been organized by participants and the center staff. These products are sold in the center, giving the girls the experience needed to run a small business.
Counseling sessions are also provided at the center. Girls perform theatrical scenes to teach each other about human rights and self-protection. Talks and sessions are held with themes including home economics, personal hygiene and safety, management of micro-enterprises and child care (many of the young girls have already had one or two children.)
PSAS also has an integrated medical unit which aims to improve young people's access to health care, targeting girls from the red light district of Lomé as well as their children and partners. The center performs diagnosis and treatment of STIs, other diseases, testing for HIV and family planning. In 2010, 317 sisters, 26 partners and 71 children received consultation at the center.
Lastly, PSAS has initiated an outreach and advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the rights of children and particularly girls. They organised radio and television campaigns to reach target audiences addressing themes such as the importance of education girls to keep them off the streets and conditions of women in rural areas. In the coming year PSAS hopes to expand all of their activities in order to reach more girls from both urban and rural areas.
Challenges:
Petite Soeur A Soeur main challenges included the need for funding and access to resources such as teaching and training materials, medical resources and access to advocacy tools. They also hope to build a website in the future.
For more information, contact Marie Ama Yawo-Akototse, Executive Director and Social Worker at Petite Soeur à Soeur, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For general inquiries, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..