A Safe Place to Heal: GiK Support Brings Hope to GBV Survivors in Tongogara Refugee Settlement
By Ronald Magweta (Communications Officer)
For survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), finding safety is often the first step toward healing. In Tongogara Refugee Settlement (TRS), that step has become possible thanks to a safe house donated by World Vision through Gifts-in-Kind (GiK) to the Government of Zimbabwe.
“My work involves child protection and supporting survivors of GBV,” explains Isabel Chabatebere, the Community Services Officer for the Department of Social Development at TRS.
“Many survivors cannot remain in the same environment where the violations happened. The safe house allows us to remove them from danger and give them a secure place where they can open up and begin to heal.”
Before the safe house, handling GBV cases was difficult. Survivors sometimes had to be sheltered by community leaders or transported 70 kilometres away to Chipinge—an unsustainable solution.
Today, thanks to GiK, survivors are accommodated within TRS itself, near a wellness centre where they can access psychosocial support.
Since its establishment, the safe house has already sheltered five women and three children. Survivors and vulnerable groups have also benefitted from GiK-donated items, including tents, sleeping bags, kitchen utensils, and dishes. The support extends beyond GBV cases—new arrivals use the tents while waiting for integration, and unaccompanied minors find comfort in the sleeping bags.
“We are grateful for the safe house and the items we received,” Isabel says. “They are helping survivors rebuild their lives with dignity.”
Still, more support is needed. The safe house has no electricity for lighting and cooking, and survivors often arrive with nothing—no blankets, sanitary wear, or kitchen utensils. For children, even simple toys or dolls could make a difference.
Yet, despite the challenges, the safe house stands as a ray of light. For survivors of GBV in Tongogara Refugee Settlement, it is more than just a shelter—it is a place of safety, healing, and a new beginning.