Our Programs
A Pathway from Surviving to Leading
At Kasma, our programs are not just services; they are a holistic ecosystem of support designed to walk with survivors on their entire journey—from the moment they need help to the moment they become leaders themselves. Our approach is built on our own lived experience, focusing on dignity, empowerment, and long-term, sustainable change.
Reintegration
From Surviving to Thriving
The Challenge
Survivors of human trafficking often return home with deep trauma, facing stigma from their communities and lacking the skills and confidence needed to find meaningful work. They need more than temporary aid; they need a structured pathway to heal, learn, and achieve economic freedom.
Our Approach
As a key technical partner in the Freedom Fund's Thrive Project, Kasma provides comprehensive, long-term support. Our model is built on:
- Peer Support Groups: We facilitate safe, confidential weekly sessions where survivors can share their experiences, build a community of trust, and learn from one another. This is the foundation of healing.
- Essential Life Skills Training: Our curriculum is designed by survivors, for survivors. We cover critical topics like communication, problem-solving, decision-making, self-confidence, and managing trauma-related stigma.
- Economic Empowerment: We provide training in financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and Ethiopian Labor Law to equip survivors with the tools they need for a successful career.
Our Impact & Key Outcomes
- Successfully empowered over 318 women and survivors since 2023 through our intensive training and support programs.
- Participants consistently report a significant increase in self-confidence, emotional management, and problem-solving skills.
- Created a strong, supportive alumni network that continues to provide community long after the program ends.
Your donation can provide the training materials and safe spaces needed for a survivor to thrive.
Advocacy
The Voices of Change
The Challenge
For too long, anti-trafficking policies and programs in Ethiopia have been designed for survivors, but not by them. The most crucial voice—the voice of lived experience—has been missing from the tables where decisions are made.
Our Approach
Kasma was founded on the principle that survivors are the true experts. Our advocacy program focuses on:
- Leadership Development: In partnership with global bodies like the Minderoo Foundation and Survivor Alliance, we conduct advanced workshops to equip survivors with the skills to become powerful community advocates, policy advisors, and public speakers.
- Building a Unified Movement: We spearheaded the creation of the Ethiopian Survivor-Led Organizations Coalition (ESLOC), a historic initiative that unites six survivor-led organizations. ESLOC provides a unified platform to advocate for policy change, share resources, and amplify our collective impact.
Our Impact & Key Outcomes
- Trained 20 survivors to become powerful advocates and leaders in the anti-trafficking movement.
- Established a coalition of 6 survivor-led organizations, creating a formidable, unified voice for change at the national level.
- Successfully positioned Kasma and its members as key stakeholders in conversations with government bodies and international NGOs.
Support our advocacy work to ensure that survivor voices are at the center of every policy decision.
Migration Education
Empowering Informed Decisions
The Challenge
Many individuals considering migration lack access to accurate, reliable information about safe migration practices, their rights, and the risks of human trafficking. Without proper education, vulnerable populations are at greater risk of exploitation.
Our Approach
Kasma provides comprehensive migration education to help individuals make informed decisions:
- Community Workshops: We conduct regular educational sessions in communities across Ethiopia, sharing critical information about safe migration, legal rights, and recognizing trafficking risks.
- Survivor-Led Education: Our programs are delivered by survivors who share real experiences, making the education more relatable and impactful.
- Resource Distribution: We provide educational materials, guides, and access to support networks for those considering migration.
Our Impact & Key Outcomes
- Educated thousands of individuals on safe migration practices and human trafficking risks.
- Empowered communities to recognize and prevent trafficking through awareness and education.
- Created accessible resources that help individuals make informed migration decisions.
Join our mission to empower communities with knowledge and prevent human trafficking.
Coordination
Brewing Hope & Opportunity
The Challenge
True independence for survivors requires safe, supportive, and dignified employment. At the same time, non-profits need sustainable sources of funding to ensure their long-term impact without being solely reliant on grants.
Our Approach
The Kasma Coffee Enterprise is our innovative solution to both challenges:
- Dignified Employment: The café provides survivors with professional jobs in a trauma-informed, supportive environment, helping them gain valuable work experience and economic stability.
- Sustainable Revenue: All profits generated from the coffee shop are reinvested directly back into Kasma's core programs, creating a self-sustaining financial model.
- Community Awareness: The café is a public-facing hub where we engage with customers, display informational materials, and host events to raise awareness about human trafficking and safe migration.
Our Impact & Key Outcomes
- Created sustainable jobs for survivors, providing them with a reliable income and a pathway to economic independence.
- Established a new, independent revenue stream that reduces our reliance on traditional funding and strengthens our long-term viability.
- Serves as a daily, visible symbol in the community of survivor strength, professionalism, and potential.
The next time you are in Addis Ababa, visit our café. Every cup you buy directly supports our mission.
Our Collective Impact
Join Us in Making a Difference
Together, we can create a future where survivors not only survive but thrive as leaders and advocates for change.
