Imagine knowing you’re not safe at home, but escaping means your children stay behind.



In Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, this is the reality many women face. There are less than 5 shelters in the country and none specifically setup to accommodate all survivors with their children. Most shelters do not allow mothers and children to stay together as the facilities are limited. Women are often forced to make the impossible choice to protect themselves or stay with their children.

My name is Amanda Rodriquez , and during my final year studying international development, I was drawn to intern with Women Unlimited, a nonprofit in Eswatini that uplifts women’s rights. Since 2019, they have worked across the country to support women through trauma counseling, legal aid, economic empowerment programs, and GBV awareness initiatives.

Women Unlimited plans to build the first and only shelter where women and their children can stay together in safety. The center will offer emergency and transitional housing alongside its current programming to create a safe space for families to heal.

As a second-generation survivor of trafficking and GBV, I’ve spent the last three years moving between safe houses and transitional housing with my son. Even then, I had access to resources that helped me stay in school and complete my degree.

Being in Eswatini, I see how different my path could have been. That’s why I believe in this shelter with everything in me.

No mother should have to choose between safety and staying with her child.

The land and basic structure has been made available through a generous community partner who has given us until December 2026 to complete the purchase and secure full ownership. With the building plans complete, your support now helps bring the shelter to life.

Thank you for supporting this life-changing mission.