‍‍Rainbow Internet Cafe for  Benin Lesbian Safe House

Location: Ouidah ,Benin Republic

Members

 (Me) Prosper Stephanie  Stephanieprosper242@gmail.com

+2295199336354 

Franck Olga Olgafranck90@gmail.com

+22953839538

Sebastien Fifa Fifasebastien3@gmail.com

+22985286184

Godwin Rachou. godwinrachou@gmail.com

+22958358295

Email: stephanieprosper242@gmail.com

Phone:  +2295199336374

Website or Facebook page?  None

What does humanism mean to you?

I am a humanist because humanism, secular ideas and humanism were at the forefront of fighting for women emancipation, rights and freedom. In a full patriarchy society like Benin, the woman and her future is imprisoned by religion and cultures. Everything about my Christian faith and Benin culture does not mean well for women and girls. And it is important to shun every aspect of human ideas that do not repeat the rights of women. For this reason  I am not a Christian, I believe in women's rights and I believe that every woman, when given the right education and training can reach greater heights.

Project Description

Imagine a sanctuary within a sanctuary. For the women of the Ouida Safe House, finding refuge was the first, life-saving step. But once inside, many face a new kind of isolation digital silence. Cut off from the online world, they are disconnected from the very tools that could help them rebuild their lives: job applications, supportive communities, educational resources, and vital information. The Rainbow Digital Hub is our answer to this quiet crisis. It is more than just an internet cafe; it is a digital doorway to dignity, safety, and a future they choose for themselves.

Our immediate need is simple but profound: to create a safe, private, and dedicated space where these women can connect, learn, and grow without fear. With a startup grant of $900, we will transform an unused room into a vibrant hub. First, we’ll secure a reliable, high-speed internet connection the lifeline of the entire project. We’ll then furnish the space with three refurbished laptops, a sturdy table, and comfortable chairs, ensuring a physically and psychologically safe environment for exploration.

So, how will it help? The impact is deeply personal. For a woman who had to flee her home, the Hub is a chance to privately contact supportive family or friends. For another, it’s the platform to learn digital skills and build a resume, opening a path to financial independence for the first time. It is where she can safely research her rights, find accurate health information, or simply join an online support group with others who understand her journey, dissolving the loneliness that trauma fosters. We will guide this journey through weekly, practical workshops on everything from online safety and privacy to using technology for entrepreneurship and education.

Ultimately, the Rainbow Digital Hub is a powerful engine for inclusivity. It actively dismantles the digital exclusion that compounds the marginalization of LGBTQI women. By providing equitable access to technology and knowledge, we are not just offering a service; we are affirming a fundamental right. We are telling each resident, "Your voice matters, your potential is seen, and your connection to the wider world is yours to hold." This Hub will be a cornerstone of their journey from surviving to thriving, ensuring that their safe house is not an endpoint, but a launchpad.

The Rainbow Digital Hub will be established within the walls of the Ouida Safe House to directly serve its residents lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex women who have sought shelter from persecution and exclusion. These women, often severed from family, employment, and community, face a critical digital divide that limits their access to information, opportunity, and connection just when they need it most. The Hub is designed to bridge this gap.

At the heart of the Hub is a practical curriculum tailored to the residents' immediate needs and long-term empowerment. We will teach essential digital literacy, starting with the fundamentals of computer and internet navigation, and critically how to stay safe online, manage privacy settings, and protect personal data. Beyond basics, training will focus on real-world application: crafting digital CVs, searching for remote work or local opportunities, accessing free online education platforms, and securely connecting with supportive LGBTQI networks and mental health resources. This isn't just about using the internet; it's about using it as a tool for rebuilding one’s life.

The direct beneficiaries are the firstly the 12 to 10  current and future residents of the Safe House. For them, the Hub will be more than a cafe; it will be a classroom, a job center, a library, and a portal to the community. It will provide the means to pursue education, secure income, advocate for their rights, and combat the isolation that compounds their trauma. By ensuring these women can safely access the digital world, we are actively restoring their agency, fostering inclusivity, and laying the groundwork for sustainable, independent futures beyond the safe house walls. Success will be seen in every resume created, every online course started, every supportive connection made, and in the growing confidence of women reclaiming their place in the world, both online and off.

Budget

● Room Rent - $150

○ Secured, private room for 6 months

● Internet & Connectivity - $120

○ 6-month high-speed 4G data plan with router

● Laptops (3 units) - $410

○ Refurbished laptops with basic warranty

● Furniture - $155

○ Work table - $80

○ 5 chairs - $75

● Power & Protection - $40

○ Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) unit

● Setup Supplies - $25

○ Power strips, lock, notebooks, pens

TOTAL: $900

Expected Income from Project, with Timeline

The Rainbow Digital Hub is designed to evolve into a self-sustaining, revenue-generating social enterprise through a phased three-tier model. Initial grant funding will establish the core digital infrastructure and skills training program in Months 1. By Month 2, the Hub will launch its first income stream by offering basic, low-cost digital services such as document typing, printing, and CV design to the immediate local community, with all work managed and executed by the residents. We project this to generate approximately $100-$250 per month. In Months 5-6, the Hub will scale its offerings by leveraging the advanced skills of trained residents to provide premium remote micro-services, including social media management, virtual assistance, and data entry for small businesses and NGOs in the wider region. This phase is expected to increase monthly revenue to $300-$350. By the end of the first year, the goal is for the Hub to cover 100% of its operational costs (internet, maintenance, and small stipends for residents) through this earned income, transforming it from a grant-dependent project into a resilient, resident-run business that directly funds its own empowerment.

Benefits to your Community

● Economic Growth: Creates jobs & skills for marginalized women, fostering local entrepreneurship.

● Social Inclusion: Fights digital exclusion and stigma, building a more integrated community.

● Enhanced Safety: Provides a secure alternative to risky public internet access.

● Capacity Building: Develops a local tech-savvy talent pool and peer mentors.

● Improved Well-being: Connects residents to vital health resources and support networks.

● Sustainable Model: Demonstrates a replicable blueprint for empowerment that reduces long-term aid dependency.

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1QGwbG1ZLjLBsknPrm8XMH7Vew67PDGSa4