ABOUT US
Solange Rising Star is a transformative organization dedicated to empowering survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Founded by Solange Ndip, it bridges systemic gaps through innovative programs like Kacherkatan, which supports survivors, and the ECHO Rehabilitation Program, which transforms offenders into advocates for change. With a focus on resilience, justice, and unity, Solange Rising Star also engages youth through education and creativity, fostering a community-driven approach to breaking cycles of violence and inspiring hope.
I named my organization Solange Rising Star because I’m not ashamed to stand out as a survivor. I’ve been transformed from trash to treasure, and by using my name, I encourage other survivors to step forward without fear or shame. Let’s shatter the stigma and break the silence — rape has no place in our society when we join voices
The solution
Our project, Kacherkatan — meaning "butterfly" in my local Cameroonian language — envisions a future of healing and transformation for survivors. Like a butterfly emerging from an unassuming chrysalis, we, too, are breaking free from the darkness that once defined us, united as one family across continents. As warriors from Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond, we stand together to fight for a world where no one else has to endure this pain..
Are you a survivor of sexual abuse or someone whose loved one has experienced this trauma? Have you witnessed the devastating impact of abuse and feel compelled to make a difference? We invite you to join us in creating a powerful global movement.
At Solange Rising Star, we are uniting survivors, witnesses, and allies from all over the world to transform pain and anger into a force for positive change. Together, we can break the silence, dismantle stigma, and advocate for a future free from abuse.
How We Started
Solange Rising Star was born from a deeply personal journey. After enduring a traumatic experience that left me isolated, I turned to music for strength—it became my solace and a source of healing. Inspired by talent shows that transformed lives, I realized the power of storytelling and creativity in driving social change.
In 2022, I began creating platforms to uplift others, starting with initiatives for youth in kumba Meme Division in Cameroon. I organized events like the All Talent Competition, Night of Fun, and Valentine’s Day Party, providing opportunities for young people to showcase their talents, connect, and shine. As part of the Back to School Talent Competition, we raised awareness on social ills such as gender-based violence, and the winners received scholarships funded through collective fundraising and personal savings. These activities continued until 2024 when I officially registered Solange Rising Star.
Yet, registering the organization was just the beginning. To lead effectively and make a greater impact, I knew I needed to grow. I attended a Leadership and Entrepreneurship course in India, where I found my voice and uncovered the deeper purpose of my organization. This experience gave me a clearer vision and a refined understanding of what Solange Rising Star could truly achieve.
Now, with a renewed sense of direction and broader objectives, I am committed to updating our mission to reflect this growth. Solange Rising Star is no longer just a platform; it’s a movement for ethical social change, resilience, and empowerment. With a main focus on advocating against sexual violence and domestic violence, we aim to continue creating platforms for awareness, advocacy, and change. Join us in making this vision a reality—together, we can fight these social ills and provide a brighter future for survivors.
Since 2022, our talent shows have become a powerful platform for raising awareness about societal ills, especially gender-based violence. These photos capture moments from the grand finales of our four groundbreaking talent shows, where contestants from diverse backgrounds—comedians, musicians, spoken word artists, dancers, and painters—took the stage to inspire and educate through their creativity. Each event lasted several weeks, engaging the community and delivering impactful advocacy messages.
Through these talent shows, we’ve directly reached over 300 youths, including participants and attendees, empowering them with knowledge and fostering a sense of unity and purpose. Beyond these events, we have awarded partial scholarships to outstanding performers and provided school supplies to all participants, emphasizing our commitment to both education and empowerment.
While the talent shows remain a cornerstone of our efforts, they are just one part of what we do. Our broader activities include community engagement and advocacy, education initiatives, and economic empowerment programs, all working together to create meaningful change and build a community of informed, resilient leaders.
To date, our programs have been entirely self-funded through the collective contributions of our founder and team, driven by a deep passion for creating change. Despite the lack of external funding, we have successfully carried out our initiatives with the support of compassionate community members, including local leaders such as the Mayor and businesspeople. Their generosity has enabled us to provide school supplies and partial scholarships for children, many of whom are victims of the ongoing Anglophone crisis, refugees, or otherwise affected by war.
Acquiring school supplies and fees has been a significant challenge. To address this, we engage children and their families in our programs, which not only provide them with much-needed support but also empower them to actively participate in advocating against violence. These activities benefit the entire community, as they foster awareness and encourage parents and youth to collaborate in creating impactful content that promotes peace and resilience
The photo below captures a vibrant scene from one of our outdoor talent shows dedicated to raising awareness about gender-based violence (GBV). A diverse audience is gathered, reflecting the inclusivity of our event. Among the crowd are businesspeople in formal attire, bike riders taking a break from their day, passersby who have paused to watch, and energetic youths cheering enthusiastically.
The atmosphere is lively, with spectators fully engaged in the performances. Some are seated on plastic chairs arranged in front of the stage, while others stand in groups, clapping and reacting to the powerful messages conveyed through music, spoken word, and dance. The backdrop features bold banners highlighting the event’s theme, urging the community to unite against GBV.
The expressions on the audience’s faces range from thoughtful to inspired, showing how the event resonated with people from all walks of life. This outdoor talent show demonstrates the power of creativity to bring together a community and spark critical conversations about societal issues in a relatable and impactful way.
In addition to our talent shows, our programs encompass a wide range of initiatives designed to create lasting impact. These include community engagement and advocacy, where we work closely with local communities to raise awareness about critical issues like gender-based violence and promote social change. Our education programs focus on equipping individuals with knowledge and skills through workshops, school clubs, and awareness campaigns aimed at fostering informed, empowered communities.
Through economic empowerment initiatives, we help survivors rebuild their lives by providing training, resources, and opportunities to achieve financial independence. A core part of our mission is to train survivors as leaders who can advocate for change, raise awareness, and manage cases of gender-based violence within their communities. By combining these efforts, we aim to create a network of empowered individuals working together to drive change and build safer, stronger communities.
We also participate in capacity-building programs with organizations that align with our mission, such as Rescue Women Cameroon, Reconciliation and Development Association (RADA ), and others. These collaborations enhance our skills and strengthen our approach to creating meaningful and sustainable change.
