Care and Protection

SENGSAVANG’s rehabilitation centre provides a safe home where the girls receive holistic care during their rehabilitation process and are given hope for a better future. Besides offering accommodation, food, clothing and other basic necessities, we foster the girls’ overall well-being by providing health care, psychological care, and legal support. A medical check-up is a priority when new residents arrive at our shelter as many suffer severe psychological trauma, and physical injuries and diseases (especially HIV and sexually transmitted infections). Our internal doctor checks every week on the girls’ health and educates them on important sanitary topics. On-going psychological support is provided by our psychological counsellor who uses various methods such as individual or group counselling, art therapy techniques (e.g. picture drawing and clay modelling), and recreational activities to restore the girls’ self-esteem and repair damages in personal development. SENGSAVANG also offers legal support to make sure that victims are aware of their rights and are able to access justice. We work together with a trusted and human rights orientated lawyer on a consultant basis to file complaints against exploiters and enable victims to receive compensation for their suffering.

Education and Vocational Training

SENGSAVANG puts emphasis on developing educational and vocational skills to prepare the girls for their life after leaving our rehabilitation centre. Residents who do not attend school, take non-formal education classes inside the shelter which focus on literacy and numeracy teaching. Our in-house trainers provide vocational trainings in sewing and beauty, including basic business management training. Both vocational training options are based on local job market opportunities. Moreover, SENGSAVANG offers teaching on life-skills development. Those tutorials focus on various topics such as women’s traditions, choosing a spouse, family planning, family laws as well as coping and social skills. Residents also learn to self-produce food by growing vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms in our in-shelter garden. As rice is the main diet staple in Laos and impoverished families often only eat rice at mealtimes, self-food production is a good way to have some complementary nutritious food.

Reintegration and Follow-Up

SENGSAVANG makes sure of a successful socio-economic reintegration of rehabilitated girls into the community. The wishes the girls as to whether and when they want to return to their families are a top priority and are always followed and respected. Tracing and assessment of family and local situation is an important part to determine the possibility and feasibility of safe and successful reintegration into the home community. For those residents who do not want to or cannot go back to their family, we will find a safe home and an employment opportunity. SENGSAVANG offers reintegration support in the forms of job placement or micro-business set-up through starter kits (sewing or beauty), either in-kind or in cash. To ensure a successful reintegration and prevent girls form situations of (re-)trafficking or (re-)exploitation, SENGSAVANG implements long-term follow-up and monitoring activities. For up to three years our social workers check up on former residents through regular phone calls and field visits, placing importance on their family, health/psychological, and financial situation. Besides advice and counsel, we also provide additional financial support if needed.
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