Welcome to solange rising star

Join Our Mission to  End Sexual Violence while promoting care for the environment and protection of biodiversity.

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Our Vision

We envision a world free from rape, where every individual embraces a culture of consent, respect, and mutual empowerment

Our mission

At Solange Rising Star, we aim to transform attitudes and behaviors toward survivors of sexual violence by empowering them to become leaders and agents of change through art, advocacy, community outreach, economic empowerment, and access to essential health information and referral services. We are committed to promoting the physical and psychosocial wellbeing of women and children, while also nurturing environmental stewardship and protecting biodiversity for a sustainable future

Our Philosophy

At Solange Rising Star, we are driven by the belief in the transformative power of education, healing, and advocacy. We are committed to empowering survivors of sexual violence by providing them with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to reclaim their lives and become resilient, active contributors to their communities.

Our approach is holistic, focusing on emotional, psychological, and social healing through targeted training, community support, and self-expression. We also

believe that true empowerment in rural communities cannot exist without agriculture, and that protecting the environment is essential without care for our climate and biodiversity, harvests suffer, and so do livelihoods.

What we do

Advocacy

1. Advocacy, & economic empowerment in community engagement: We collaborate with other NGOs to provide safe spaces for survivors to heal, offering counseling, peer support, and empowerment programs. Our advocacy efforts focus on raising awareness, educating communities, and pushing for legal reforms to protect survivors’ rights 0ct0ber 2023 Click to Read more...

2. Creative Expression: We use music, films, poetry, and other art forms to help survivors express their stories, foster resilience, and advocate for social change. Through our creative platforms, we amplify their voices and build a network of solidarity. august 2022

.3. Education and Training: We run workshops, school clubs, and community outreach programs to educate the public on sexual violence, consent, and gender equality. By equipping survivors and communities with knowledge and skills, we empower them to take action and become change-makers in their own lives and communities march 2024

Emergence (School Clubs): Empowered Youth Through education and peer support, we empower young people to prevent sexual violence. Our school clubs teach self-defense and raise awareness, ensuring the next generation knows how to protect themselves and support each other. August 2023

A vibrant and engaging snapshot capturing a capacity-building training session organized by RADA Bamenda in 2023. The image depicts SRS founder and other participants actively involved in discussions and collaborative activities, emphasizing learning about peacebuilding strategies and fostering their roles as changemakers in Cameroon.

we create small women groups at Solange Rising Star, providing the gentle breeze that whispers encouragement. Our programs give survivors the tools to heal, to break free from their cocoon of pain, and to rise stronger than ever before.December 2023

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I grew up in Cameroon where waste disposal meant one big bin for everything—plastic, food scraps, paper, and even toxic materials. I never knew there could be a better way until I traveled out of the country. At Kanthari, I was introduced to the importance of biodiversity, waste segregation, and proper waste management. This experience transformed my perspective. Since then, I have committed to integrating environmental awareness into every project I carry out. Through our Respect, Inform, Support, and Empower (R.I.S.E.) School Clubs, we teach children how to sort waste correctly—organic, plastic, paper, or toxic. It hasn’t been easy, since many students are unfamiliar with these terms, but step by step they are learning that protecting biodiversity starts with the simple act of sorting waste.
All waste put together for sorting,It was fun to see my younger self through them ,hahaha I couldnt have done better
Welcome Solange Ndip Tanyi to Peace Academy Peace Academy proudly welcomes Solange Ndip Tanyi, a dynamic Cameroonian youth leader and founder of Solange Rising Star (SRS). Solange is a Kanthari (India) alumna, nurse, social worker, mentor, and NGO leader. A survivor of sexual violence, she has dedicated her life to transforming trauma into empowerment and hope. Through SRS, she leads initiatives that: Support survivors in healing and forgiveness Guide offenders in prisons toward accountability and advocacy Reduce stigma and foster reconciliation within communities Promote eco-friendly and sustainable practices across all programs Her innovative approach turns challenges into opportunities for change, building communities of dignity, resilience, and peace—where the word rape exists only in the dictionary. Having recently graduated, Solange reflects: "I was hurt, but I choose peace over revenge. I choose empathy, forgiveness, and reconciliation. I believe in second chances and the potential for change in every human being. Society shapes us, but I commit to walking this path of peace diligently." Learn more about her journey: https://lnkd.in/es5S4EqX

Surecho Empowerment Project – At a Glance

Duration: 24 Months (2026–2027)

Turning Conflict Into Leadership.
Surecho is more than a training hub — it is a peacebuilding space where opposing sides are transformed into agents of change.

Empowering 85 youth and women, including 10 reformed perpetrators from the Echo Prison Project, now actively advocating against sexual harm in their communities.

Training Programs

  • ✂️ Tailoring: 10 participants (long-term skill development)
  • 👜 Bag-Making: 15 participants across 3 cohorts
  • 🧪 Resin Production: 30 participants
  • ♻️ Upcycling & Recycling: 30 participants

How It Works

  • Practical, hands-on training
  • 8-hour structured learning days
  • Monthly engagement with continuous mentorship
  • Small cohort system for personalized support

Participant Support

  • Daily feeding support during training
  • Transport assistance during early project phase
  • Safe and structured learning environment

Sustainability Focus

  • Eco-friendly production (upcycling & recycling)
  • Planned solar-powered energy system to ensure consistent operations

👉 Read more about each program and participant journeys in our Blog

Through structured skills training in tailoring, bag-making, resin production, and upcycling, participants gain not only livelihoods — but a renewed sense of purpose, responsibility, and community leadership.

Tailoring and fashion designing

Through structured skills training in tailoring, bag-making, resin production, and upcycling, participants gain not only livelihoods — but a renewed sense of purpose, responsibility, and community leadership.

upcycling

Resin Art 

Lether bag making

Crafted with Purpose, Made for Impact

From eco-friendly bags to resin designs and upcycled creations, the products emerging from Surecho are more than handmade items — they are symbols of transformation. Each piece reflects the journey of participants gaining skills, rebuilding their lives, and contributing to a more sustainable and peaceful community.

Traveling &Hand Bags

our flagship project

Through Kacherkatan, our flagship project, we aim to tackle the deep-rooted cultural and structural issues that enable sexual violence, particularly in rural communities and war affected regions of Cameroon. The project is built around education, community engagement, and advocacy, focusing on prevention, protection, and economic empowerment. By combining support systems like survivor shelters, trauma counseling, and leadership training, we work to break the cycle of silence and impunity surrounding sexual violence. ________________________________________ _______________________________

1.Chrysalis of Healing (Prison Outreach): Healing and Reform Through Arts The Chrysalis represents both rape victims and prisoners seeking reform. Victims of rape, before they become survivors, and remorseful offenders take part in arts and music workshops. These activities help them heal, express their emotions, and learn about justice and advocacy. Many inmates, after their release, use their newfound strength and skills to advocate for change and inspire others in their communities.

2 Bloom (Community Engagement) We run community workshops, training local leaders, law enforcement, and organizations to better understand and combat sexual violence. This ensures survivors are supported by their community, not silenced by it.

3. Wings (Economic Empowerment): Rise Above Survivors are given the opportunity to rebuild their lives through vocational training and income-generating projects. Whether it’s through farming or crafting, they gain the financial independence needed to rise above their past.

4 Flight (Talent Show Competition): Break the Silence Survivors use their talents in music, dance, poetry, and theater to share their stories and spread awareness about sexual violence. This gives them a platform to turn their pain into strength while encouraging others to speak out.

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kacherkatan & Stories of Strength

"Kacherkatan, meaning butterfly in the Bayangi language of Manyu Division, South West Region of Cameroon, is the name of Solange Rising Star’s flagship project. It symbolizes the transformation survivors of sexual violence undergo, much like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. The project is designed to empower survivors, helping them break free from trauma and rebuild their lives with strength and dignity.
Jerci’s Story: From Silence to Justice Jerci was just a young girl when her life was shattered by abuse at the hands of her own uncle. Terrified that no one would believe her, and afraid of being ostracized by her community, she remained silent. She feared she would have no place to go and that her future—especially marriage prospects—would be ruined if her story came out. But everything changed when she found the courage to reach out to a helpline. She was immediately welcomed into a safe space, provided with psychosocial support, and empowered with knowledge about advocacy. Today, Jerci is a lawyer fiercely advocating against abuse. Her uncle, along with others like him, has been brought to justice, and Jerci continues to fight for the rights of survivors, ensuring they receive the justice and support they deserve. ________________________________________
."James' Journey: From Survivor to Advocate James, like many male survivors, once believed he was alone. In his rural community, conversations about male sexual violence were nonexistent, leaving him isolated and ashamed. For years, he carried his trauma in silence, not knowing where to turn for help. That changed when he joined our workshops at Solange Rising Star. Surrounded by fellow survivors, James found a safe space to heal. Through leadership training and advocacy programs, he discovered his voice and the importance of addressing the stigma around male survivors. Today, James is an advocate, traveling to rural communities to raise awareness about male sexual violence. He works to break the silence, empowering men to share their stories and seek justice. His journey from survivor to advocate reflects the transformative power of community and survivor-led empowerment.

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