Solange  grew up in Munyenge village in the Southwest region of Cameroon, where her  parents were cocoa farmers. She  was raped first at the age of 14 and again at the age of 16 and she was victimized by the community elders. 

Through education, She has  rebuilt her life. 

Her organisation “Solange Rising Star”,  is  determined to ensure that “rape” remains only a word in the dictionary and is   remembered as an action of a cruel past.

Solange’s Journey: From Tragedy to Triumph

Solange’s path was marred by hardship from an early age. She watched her mother suffer in a household that condoned violence, and she experienced betrayal by friends who set her up to be assaulted. Later, when left alone in a park, another act of violence left her pregnant. Yet instead of support, her community sought to silence her, forcing her into a two-year abusive relationship with her assailant. Through sheer determination, Solange eventually escaped, continued her education, and found solace in Music and a love for creative arts. Shows like America Got Talent and THE VOICE in Nigeria inspired her to start creating  platform for ethical social change for others to share their stories and shine, realizing that music, comedy, and storytelling could be powerful tools to advocate for change.

Founding Solange Rising Star

Determined to make a meaningful difference, Solange launched Solange Rising Star in 2022 , focusing on preventing gender based violence through creative arts and theatre where she gave platform to youths and children to advocate through music, comedy monologue and dance. The organization had a clear structure and vision stemmed from her personal profile when  passion led her to kanthari. A leadership and entrepreneurship program in India, where she is currently enhancing her skills to maximize the impact of SRS across rural communities. while in Kanthari she developed SRS’s flagship project,” Kacherkatan  which means butterfly in Bayangi my local language in Cameroon  resonates with the future I dream of for survivors: one of healing and transformation same as a butterfly emerges from and ugly chrysalis to a beautiful creature.  Our approach is survivor-led, ensuring that those who have lived through the trauma of rape and violence are given a platform to speak, lead, and shape the solutions .A heinous crime has marked our lives in ways we can never forget, but it has also united us, making us a family. No matter where we are — Africa, Asia, Europe, India — we are one. We are warriors, fighting for a world where no one else has to endure this pain”.

In Cameroon, cultural norms often protect perpetrators while survivors are left without support. 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 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.

Programs and Interventions

Kacherkatan  operates on a holistic model that addresses the needs of survivors, educates communities, and helps prevent future violence even in the most remote communities that finds it hard to seek comprehensive support to survivors . Key programs include:

1. 24/7 Helpline – Instead of establishing a new helpline, SRS partners with existing, professionally trained organizations such as hospitals and crisis centers to provide essential support for survivors of sexual violence. Through this helpline, survivors have access to immediate resources, including safe housing, legal aid, and mental health support. By working with institutions already equipped to manage cases professionally, we ensure survivors receive timely, compassionate assistance while reinforcing a network of trusted services in the community.
2. R.I.S.E. School Clubs (Respect, Inform, support, empower) A network of school clubs educates students on consent, self-defense, and support systems, nurturing a culture of respect and safety. The clubs engage students through monthly meetings, offering them the tools to recognize, prevent, and report sexual violence.
3. S.T.A.R. Holiday Talent Program ( Support, Talent, and Advocacy for resilience)This annual talent competition encourages young people to use music, drama, and art to express their stand against sexual violence. Participants raise awareness about consent and receive school supplies and scholarships.
4. The ECHO Rehabilitation (Empowerment, Change, Healing, Outreach) Prison Outreach program promotes both accountability and rehabilitation. Through bi-monthly prison visits, SRS works with incarcerated individuals to address the root causes of violence, providing education on the harm caused and fostering empathy, dialogue, and self-reflection. While SRS condemns the crime and supports full legal accountability, we recognize inmates’ fundamental right to dignity, as outlined in Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our goal is to guide them toward positive change, enabling them to return to society as advocates against violence, helping build a safer, more peaceful community.
5. S.U.R.E. Program (Survivor uplift for restoration and empowerment) – This program empowers survivors with leadership skills, confidence-building activities, and advocacy training. Graduates become local champions who support other survivors and advocate for justice in their communities.
6. F.L.A.S.H. (Fostering Leaders Against Sexual Harm)Equipping community leaders with the tools and knowledge they need to effectively address and prevent sexual violence. By training local leaders in identifying risk factors, providing support to survivors, and raising community awareness, F.L.A.S.H seeks to foster a proactive approach to tackling sexual violence at the grassroots level. Through workshops, counseling techniques, and outreach strategies, this program enables leaders to build safer, more resilient communities and promote a culture of respect, support, and healing.

A Vision for Change

  In the long term, SRS aims to create a safe home for survivors, offering training to turn them into activists who will manage rape cases and raise awareness through theater and arts. The Survivor Training Program will offer a 3-month course for community leaders and theater advocates, focusing on advocacy, legal reforms, creative expression, and upcycling as therapy.

Why Solange?

As a survivor herself, Solange possesses an unmatched passion and understanding of the issues facing survivors of sexual violence. Her experiences fuel her determination, and her commitment to eradicating rape and promoting dignity and respect is evident in every initiative at SRS. She has built a program not only on her pain but also on a deep-seated belief in the power of resilience, compassion, and community.

Today, Solange stands not as a victim, but as a survivor of hope, dedicated to making “rape” a word remembered only in history. Through Solange Rising Star she invites all of us to join her in creating a world where safety, respect, and dignity are universal rights for every woman and child.

To support this project  and learn more about Solange’s journey and upcoming kanthari talk, stay tuned to our updates and become part of this movement for change.

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