Programs at the House of Refuge

Health Education

At the House of Refuge, regular classes are held on pregnancy and parenting with the aim of teaching the girls how to take care of themselves and their baby. Other relevant health issues that are regularly taught concern HIV/AIDS, family planning, personal hygiene, healthy eating habits, and general issues that the girls explore through group discussions.

Interaction / Counseling Services

Trained social workers are available on a daily basis at the refuge. These social workers invariably form close relationship with the girls who frequent the refuge. The girls regularly take advantage of the social workers’ counseling and advice concerning safe living, daily annoyances, and family issues.

Provision of clothes

For some of the girls, the only decent clothes they and their babies will own will be provided by the House of Refuge. In addition, infant essentials such as napkins/diapers, blankets, and cot sheets are provided for the babies. S.Aid depends on your donations to provide clothing to the street children that visit the refuge. Please visit the page for information on how to donate

Preventive Education and Service

S.Aid provides programs on adolescent reproductive health for the teenage mothers and girls who visit the House of Refuge. This program is enhanced by referring the girls to medical centers where they can receive family planning and other health services. The refuge provides payment of medical expenses for pregnant or sick street children.

Skills Training Center

In addition to the physical and emotional support that is essential for healthy development, S.Aid also provides assistance in acquiring skills to become self-sufficient. S.Aid provides training to the girls in the following skill areas: 1. Dress making and sewing 2. Hairdressing (salon) 3. Batik/ tie and dye 4. Cookery These centers have organized training programs which aims at helping the children acquire these skills within periods ranging between three months and three years depending on the trade.

Literacy Classes

Street Girls Aid offers the girls a chance to learn how to read and write though our adult literacy classes. The majority of girls that enter the refuge primarily speak Twi and other indigenous languages and very few girls have had formal English lessons. Focus is given to teaching basic reading, spelling, and grammar skills in the English language as well as arithmetic. These classes serve to build the girl’s self-esteem and help them better function in whatever skill training they choose to endeavor. The girls prove to be motivated learners and eagerly await the lessons.