Women's Empowerment Initiative

A collective voice for wildlife and environmental conservation

VIDEO

Our projects empower women in impoverished communities by providing trade skills that allow them to support their families and keep their children in school and provide healthcare. 

More importantly, it allows for the family to become financially independent and eliminate the need for poaching and the bushmeat trade.

Some of our Women’s Projects

Group of people with sewing machines.

Sewing Center

Our sewing centers in Uganda and Rwanda provide full certification training so that each graduate student may apply for a micro loan to start their own sewing business and becoming economically independent.

Smiling woman in front of small shop.

Microloans

Providing interest free loans to women with the intent of letting them start a business so they may become financially independent and provide for their families, keeping children in school and providing for health care.

Colorful patterned fabric bags and pouches.

Sanitary Pads

SAFE recognizes that young girls in impoverished communities will stop attending school when they become of age. Overcoming menstrual challenges will allow them to continue their education and help change the world.

LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE

The facts are startling:  In some of the more impoverished communities in Uganda, as much as 25% of girls will miss more than 1/4 of classes and many drop out completely, due to the unaffordability or unavailability of menstrual pads in their area. 

It is often the case that these young girls will often be married off as early as 15 or 16 years of age.  and they will receive no further education.  This tends to keep going from generation to generation.

Our pilot program financed enough washable reusable pads for 350 girls, with each girl receiving a kit of 5 washable pads, a storage bag, underwear and biodegradable soaps.  The pads are of pure cotton and have the ability to add lining for better absorption, and better protection.

By allowing these young girls to stay in school, it reduces the chances of them having to marry early and often, they will be more at risks of communicable disease, including AIDS.

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Start a Community Garden

A community garden is a wonderful way to bring people together while growing fresh, healthy food. Kids can ask their school, local library, or community center if there’s space to start a garden, then invite neighbors and classmates to help plant, water, and harvest vegetables or flowers. Some gardens even donate their extra produce to food banks or share it with neighbors who need it. It’s a hands-on way to learn about nature, teamwork, and taking care of your community’s shared spaces.

SAFE Worldwide Kid's Zone

Raise Funds for Local Wildlife Center

Wildlife centers take care of injured or orphaned animals, and they always need extra support to keep helping. Kids can host a bake sale, lemonade stand, or online fundraiser, or organize a “walk-a-thon” with friends and family to raise money for a wildlife rescue near them. You could also collect donated supplies the center needs, like towels, blankets, or pet food. Even a small donation can help feed, shelter, or heal an animal in need.

SAFE Worldwide Kid's Zone

Recycling Project

Recycling projects let kids turn everyday trash into something useful — or at least keep it out of landfills! You could start a recycling bin program at your school, organize a can and bottle drive to raise money for charity, or get creative and turn old materials into art, planters, or bird feeders. You might even research your town’s recycling rules and make a poster or flyer to help neighbors recycle correctly. Small habits, like rinsing containers or separating paper from plastic, add up to a big impact when a whole community joins in.

SAFE Worldwide Kid's Zone

Booth at Local Farmers Markets

Setting up a booth at your local farmers market is a great way to get your whole neighborhood excited about helping the planet. You could raise money for a cause you care about — like a wildlife shelter, a tree-planting group, or a beach cleanup fund — by selling homemade crafts, lemonade, or baked goods. You could also use your booth to teach people about recycling, showing them fun facts or simple tips for sorting their trash the right way. It’s a great way to practice public speaking, teamwork, and making a real difference in your community.

SAFE Worldwide Kid's Zone

Beach Clean-Ups

Every year on the third Saturday of September, people around the world celebrate International Coastal Cleanup Day, and you can sign up with local groups in your community to join thousands of other volunteers picking up trash along the shore. But you don’t have to wait for that one day — cleanups can happen any time! Grab some gloves, trash bags, and a few friends, and organize your own cleanup day at a nearby river, stream, lake, or beach. It’s a fun way to hang out with friends while protecting fish, turtles, and birds from plastic and litter. Nationalcleanupday.

SAFE Worldwide Kid's Zone

Tree Planting Events

Planting trees is one of the easiest ways kids can help fight climate change and give animals a home. You can join organizations like SAFE Worldwide, One Tree Planted, or the Arbor Day Foundation, which often have kid-friendly volunteer days and even let you sponsor a tree from home. Or, team up with your family, neighbors, or scout troop to start your own mini tree-planting project in a local park, schoolyard, or empty lot (just ask permission first!). Every tree you plant helps clean the air, cool the planet, and grow into a home for birds and squirrels for years to come.

SAFE Worldwide Kid's Zone