In 2023, we directly impacted over 6,000 people with programs and resources that empower survivors and end sexual violence worldwide! But we didn’t start here—14 years ago, we began by listening to the dreams of one survivor in Kenya and one survivor in Zambia. After meeting these two survivors, founder, Nikole Lim was challenged to discover that their stories represented millions of women: 1 in 3 women are survivors of sexual abuse worldwide. Still, these survivors had incredible dreams of defying oppressive cultural expectations to pursue their academic dreams and ensure no other girl went through the same trauma they experienced… read the full letter from our directors.
download the annual report
See our 2023 highlights
This year, we saw incredible advocacy from survivor leaders across Kenya, Zambia, and the United States!
6,000 + people impacted!
30 communities reached around the world!
9 survivor-led innovations launched in 2023!
Freely in Hope’s alumni and scholars participate in programs and events as facilitators, mentors, and advocates. They share insights from their leadership journey as survivors, lead initiatives that prevent sexual abuse, and support other survivors to make positive decisions toward achieving their dreams.
BY UTILIZING THE KNOWLEDGE AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS GAINED AT FREELY IN HOPE, survivors in freely in hope ARE BUILDING A MORE JUST AND SAFE WORLD for all.
survivors leading in the community
Maryanne was raised by her grandparents for most of her life because her mother was not present. Maryanne’s life took a difficult turn when she was raped by her pastor. This experience left her feeling ashamed and blamed herself for what happened. However, Maryanne was eventually able to find the courage to report her abuser and seek justice. After 12 years of fighting in court, Maryanne was finally able to get justice with the help of our partners, International Justice Mission. Her abuser was sentenced to 12 years in prison. Now, as Freely in Hope’s Child Protection Program Coordinator, she leads sexual abuse prevention programs across Kenya. She equips children, parents, teachers, and organizational leaders with lifesaving knowledge about consent, body safety, and reporting abuse. As she is creating awareness about sexual violence, her dream is to build an art center for children!
"AS AN ALUMNI OF FREELY IN HOPE, I HAVE GAINED IMPORTANT LEADERSHIP SKILLS THAT HAVE EQUIPPED ME TO LEAD IN THE COMMUNITY.
After graduating, I have continued to volunteer with organizations that fight gender-based violence. This year, I was with an orgnization in Migori speaking to teenagers about breaking the silence of sexual violence. There, I learned that many girls become mothers at a young age, which causes them to drop out of school. This really affected me, and I realized that more needs to be done to educate youth about sex education. My aim is to prevent sexual abuse by addressing root causes, build confidence, and motivate teenage girls to prioritize their education.”
"WORKING WITH GIRLS IN MY COMMUNITY HAS BEEN A GREAT PRIVILEGE. AS A SURVIVOR-LEADER AT FREELY IN HOPE, I FACILITATE AND LEAD SMALL GROUPS AT SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE A SAFE SPACE FOR GIRLS TO SHARE, LEARN, AND HEAL.
Being at Freely in Hope has helped me build my confidence as a leader, and I am proud that I can lead a large number of people without shaking with fear. I am grateful for the leadership, mentorship, and counseling support provided by Freely In Hope.”
program innovations
This year, we launched Pendo’s Power, our first illustrated children’s book written by Lydia Matioli. Pendo’s Power teaches children lifesaving concepts of body safety, consent, safe touch, and the power of their voices to protect themselves and their friends from sexual abuse. We brought together children, parents, educators, government officials, and organizational practitioners, to provide resources that contribute to the building of a safer world for children.
in addition to the children's book, we released accompanying resources:
child protection programs
To prevent child sexual abuse, we teach children about body safety, consent, and reporting. We also train parents, caregivers, educators, and practitioners how to protect children from sexual abuse.
531 CHILDREN TRAINED
800 CAREGIVERS & PARENTS TRAINED
1,270 EDUCATORS TRAINED
After our trainings, 100% of participants felt better equipped to prevent and respond to incidences of child sexual abuse in their communities.
"I WAS SO PROUD AND HAPPY WHEN FREELY IN HOPE INTRODUCED THE CHILD PROTECTION PROGRAM HERE AT BECKY’S SCHOOL."
“Becky’s School is a school for underprivileged kids in Kibera, the largest slum in the world. In this slum, we have different challenges including poverty, insecurity, and sexual violence. Despite child sexual abuse being a taboo topic, the parents spoke up about their experiences with sexual violence. They shared challenges that they were having, including not knowing how to report cases, fearing retaliation from the perpetrator, and the time it takes for cases to be processed. Through the training, the parents and teachers learned where and how to report incidences of child sexual abuse.
Soon after the training, two parents noticed one of my students with a stranger and the the girl was crying. Noticing the red flags, the parents accompanied the girl to my office. When they arrived, the girl was trembling and in shock.
We suspected that maybe the man had done something to her. The girl confirmed that he had been luring her with sweets and calling her to him. Because we were educating children and adults about child abuse prevention, the girl was able to notice that something was wrong. The Freely in Hope team counseled the girl. I would be so happy if the program could continue here at Becky’s School so that we can keep raising awareness and educating our community about how we can work together to prevent child sexual abuse.”
reclaim survivor support group
To respond to the influx of requests for support from survivors globally, we launched Reclaim, a support group for survivors of sexual assault to help survivors reclaim their voice, body, and hope. This program was designed to be a safe space for survivors to share practices that support their healing journey after sexual violence. This year, we embarked on a six-session journey with a diverse group of 6 women from various corners of the world. Survivors processed through topics including practicing acceptance, shifting blame, reconnecting with the body, living with the impact of trauma, and receiving support.
As a result of Reclaim…
Survivors felt open and ready to return to therapy, embracing continued professional support.
Survivors joined outreach programs, channeling experiences into advocacy by assisting other survivors within their community.
Survivors expressed readiness to continue their individual healing journeys, discover new modalities of self-expression, and open up about their stories to their circle of support.
"RECLAIM WAS THE FIRST TIME I OPENED UP WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE ABOUT MY STORY, AND IT WAS SO IMPACTFUL TO FEEL INSTANT CONNECTION AND CAMARADERIE.” Reclaim participant
To learn how to provide survivor support groups for your community, contact us for a training.
We brought together Christian leaders in San Francisco and online to listen to the stories and solutions of survivors of sexual abuse. Our attendees represented 30 churches and Christian organizations across 5 countries including the United States, Spain, London, Singapore, and New Zealand! Redeeming Sanctuaries equipped Christian leaders with the tools and resources to promote safety
in their churches and organizations. Hearing from a panelist of renowned survivor- leaders, attendees learned about effective and honoring ways to support survivors and prevent abuse.
60% of participants attend church
4% of participants left church due to abuse
37% did not know how to respond if a survivor came forward in their congregation
59% did not have access to resources that support survivors
100% of participants agreed that this was a first of its kind event that improved their knowledge of ways they can end sexual abuse in the church
"I APPRECIATE HOW THIS EVENT BROUGHT OUT INTO THE OPEN WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE VIOLATION OCCURS. I’m struck by the comment that the trauma never goes away. Yet, I see the resilience of the courageous, articulate survivors. I am so grateful that I was able to attend with other elders in my church to debrief and see how we might move forward to establish safety as a congregation." Church elder
program impact
HOLISTIC EDUCATION
We provided scholarships for 22 survivors of sexual abuse, giving them a community of belonging through high school and university tuition fees, healing retreats, health care, mentorship, tutoring, and safe housing. Freely in Hope scholars are thriving, growing, and leading in their schools with many being top-performing students. To support their academic growth, scholars engaged in culturally resonant topics including: pursuing their vocational dreams, navigating cultural pressures, and claiming the truth about their bodies after experiencing sexual assault. Through our holistic education programs, they discovered healthy ways to heal from past trauma.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Freely in Hope provides leadership development programs that equip survivors to create systems change for communities around the world.
62 girls mentored
For many girls in the Mtendere and Kalingalinga communities in Lusaka, education is a dream that is never fulfilled. With few opportunities for education and no prospect of a career, girls are more vulnerable to child marriage, sexual violence, and forced prostitution. We support girls through a mentorship program that discusses education, goal setting, talent development, spiritual growth, decision-making, cultural barriers, sexual violence prevention, and healthy relationships. Our mentorship program helps girls in our community move toward their leadership goals.
“THE MENTORSHIP SESSIONS I HAVE WITH MY MENTOR HELP ME FOCUS ON MY EDUCATION. AFTER FAILING A GRADE THE FIRST TIME, I WAS ABLE TO PASS THE SECOND TIME!”
14 survivors trained in leadership
Leadership Labs equip survivor leaders with the knowledge and skills they need to strengthen their leadership and advocate for their rights and those of their communities. This year, topics included trauma healing, transformational leadership, women’s rights and feminism, and contemplative practices.
"AS AN ASPIRING TEACHER, I FEEL EQUIPPED WITH KNOWLEDGE OF HOW I CAN HELP MY STUDENTS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED TRAUMA."
storytelling platforms
Our Storytelling Platforms are survivor-led initiatives and programs that help communities care for survivors and prevent sexual abuse. This year, our resources reached 30 communities around the world:
international day of the girl
Every year, we commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child as declared by the United Nations. This year, we hosted a wellness conference for girls in Kibra, Kenya, an informal settlement with exceedingly high rates of sexual violence among young people, affecting girls most. The conference focused on physical, mental, and emotional well-being to provide a safe space for the girls to address their holistic health needs, help them heal from past trauma, and equip their leadership. Girls engaged in dance therapy, yoga, and trauma-informed counseling. It was a day full of reflections, release, rest, reciprocal learning, and laughter.
sexual violence prevention
We partnered with a high school in Siavonga, Zambia to train students and teachers to identify and prevent sexual abuse. When students disclosed that they were survivors of sexual violence, we were able to refer them to the school counselor for continued support. Our violence prevention programs are providing critical education to help schools support survivors and prevent sexual abuse.
malkia
Malkia, meaning “Queen” in Swahili, provides a safe space for women in prostitution to be equipped, educated, and strengthened as role models that restore hope to their workplaces. In this nine-month program, women learned about self-awareness, interpersonal communication, human trafficking, drugs and substance abuse, meditation, and anger management. Group counseling sessions helped them open up about the traumatic experiences they’ve encountered, gain resources to support themselves, and help them become confident to articulate their dreams. In addition, the women learned entrepreneurial skills, including beadwork, mat making, yogurt and soap making, and business skills.
“Since I joined the Malkia program, I now know my rights and that I can secure a brighter future for my family. Because of the Malkia program, I hope to continue to transform, change my behavior, and become a role model for my daughter.”
Malkia Beneficiary
Class of 2023
liberatory leadership certificate
In partnership with HHREC and ACBH Community Based Learning, Freely in Hope provided a four-part Liberatory Leadership Certificate to equip community-based organizational leaders to strengthen their communities through a trauma-informed, equity-centered, and anti- oppressive lens. Learners gained leadership skills, organizational development practices, and strengths-based approaches to help foster organizational safety that cares for survivors and prevents abuse in their communities.
"I LOVE THE WORK FREELY IN HOPE DOES IN CREATING SAFETY, WELLNESS, AND CARING LEADERSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITIES.”
Maravedi Solorio
Warmline Coordinator, Family Advocate
global resources
Freely in Hope is a course content creator for Project K, a new platform that exists to create a path for spiritually rooted or spiritually curious social impact professionals to create a brighter future for themselves, their families, and the communities they serve. This course is designed for spiritual leaders who desire to promote safety, healing, and justice in their community. We bring to light the topic of sexual violence which often goes unspoken— causing many of our community members to suffer in silence. As spiritual leaders, it is imperative that we promote justice by establishing safe spaces that prevent sexual abuse and support survivors in their healing.
Course Objectives:
Build an organizational framework to help your community care for survivors, prevent sexual violence, and advocate for communal care,
Engage in leadership practices that will promote safety, healing, and advocacy for survivors of all forms of trauma,
Design systems that provide holistic support for survivors of trauma.
financials
THANK YOU TO ALL THE INDIVIDUAL DOORS, FOUNDATIONS, SPIRITUAL COMMUNITIES, AND ANONYMOUS DONORS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO OUR MISSION IN 2023!
our future
In the next two years, we want to move toward a vision that centers the leadership of African survivors of sexual violence. This process will develop communal understanding that practices equitable decision-making, financial sustainability, and power-building with survivor-leaders. We will achieve this through three key strategic priorities:
