I AM BRAVE: The Girls Shelter in Guinea

Peace in action. Safety in community. Futures restored.

On September 21, 2023 — the International Day of Peace — the Girls Shelter in Guinea opened its doors.

That day, our partners in Guinea gathered in celebration with music, dancing, community leaders, and a shared commitment to protect girls from violence. Two girls moved in immediately. Today, along with others are safe, supported, and back in school or pursuing a trade – already creating a new life for themselves.

These girls are brave.

They said “No” to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage—and became homeless as a result. Now we’re saying “Yes” to them: yes to safety, yes to dignity, yes to education, yes to a future.

👉 Donate now to keep the shelter strong and growing.

Donate Today

Why the Girls Shelter Exists

In Guinea, FGM is widespread and deeply embedded in cultural tradition. The physical, emotional, and spiritual consequences can be severe—and even deadly. The Girls Shelter exists so that when a girl bravely says “No,” she is not left alone.

The Shelter is for girls who:
  • Refuse FGM and/or child marriage
  • Are forced from their homes because of that decision
  • Need immediate safety, care, and a path forward

What the Shelter Provides

The Girls Shelter is more than a safe bed. It’s a place of healing and possibility.

Girls receive:
  • Protection and stability in a safe home
  • Care and compassion from trusted adults
  • Educational support to return to school and keep going
  • Life skills and job training to build long-term independence
  • Community – a circle of caring adults, community leaders, and peers who understand and encourage one another

Impacts are Occurring

The girls are already taking steps forward.

With safety and support, the girls are back in school and pursuing careers that will support them as contributing members of their community. They are becoming advocates for other girls who are brave and say “no.”

This is peace in action.

A Local Partnership with Extraordinary Courage

This Shelter was birthed through Pathways To Peace’s partnership with THE WAR AGAINST POVERTY PROGRAM in Guinea—local leaders and educators who are respected in their community and courageous enough to challenge violence against women and girls.

As their community education expanded, the first girls came forward asking for help. Our partners responded with compassion—and a vision: a Girls Shelter, so every brave “No” has a safe “Yes” waiting.


Inspiration from our dedicated Pathways To Peace partner in Guinea, Sylvanus Bangura, WAR AGAINST POVERTY Executive Director.

One Girl’s Story:  Salaymatu’s Journey of Hope and Courage

“I am very much grateful to Pathways To Peace and Sylvanus Bangura at War Against Poverty, for giving me hope and courage to face the future.  Please allow me to say without you people my life would have been miserable.  Saying “no” to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) was a hard thing for me because I know my family will not allow me stay with them.

Today I Am Living Here in the Girls Shelter Happily

Through the support of PTP, I am living a better and happy life.  Going to school, living in a comfortable house [the girls’ shelter], and they provide all that I need.  I will do all my best to be educated and be a good leader so I can help other girls like me.  I will always love you.” 

Media & Storytelling Update:
Hubcast Media Broadcast Center in Guinea

A powerful new partnership is helping amplify this story.

Hubcast Media—which elevates stories of peace, change, and empowerment—partnered with PTP to tell the Girls Shelter story more broadly. A local Guinean artist, Kismet, trained with Hubcast Media Rwanda in video production and editing, and is now helping lead a new Broadcast Media Center in Guinea.

This center will support media creation in the community and help strengthen the Shelter and other programs for girls in Kindia, Guinea—spreading the message that girls are valued and violence must end.

Be part of the courage

Our partners in Guinea are doing brave, consistent work – education, protection, and community change. But they cannot do it alone.

When you give, you help provide:

  • Safe shelter and daily care
  • Education support, clothing, healthy food, and school fees
  • Counseling, mentorship, and life-skills training
  • The resources needed to welcome the next girl who comes forward

👉 Donate today and keep the doors open wide.

Donate Here

Contact

If you feel called to help in any way—financially, professionally, or by sharing this story—we would love to hear from you. Together we can change and save lives.

Tezikiah Gabriel, Executive Director
Pathways To Peace
UN Peace Messenger Organization
In Consultation with ECOSOC and DGC
651-357-4436

[email protected]

With your support, we can not only provide safe shelter for the girls who are brave enough to say no, we can
End Female Genital Mutilation in Kindia Conakry in One Generation!

Initiated in 1978 and incorporated in 1983, Pathways To Peace (PTP) is a UN-designated Peace Messenger Organization, has Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and the Department of Global Communications (GDC).

PTP is a tax-exempt, Social Profit, Non-partisan 501(c)(3) Corporation, (tax-exempt ID# 68-0015625).

Pathways To Peace (PTP) is an international Peacebuilding, educational, and consulting organization. For over four decades, PTP has dedicated itself to expanding the understanding and expression of Peace, fostering Peacebuilders and Peacebuilding activities, and building an integral movement for a Culture of Peace.

Contact Us

Mailing Address:
Pathways To Peace
c/o Tezikiah (Tez) Gabriel, Executive Director
122 Demont Ave E, #173
St. Paul, MN 55117

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