About Us

Queen's Cottage Foundation

Our Background

Queen’s Cottage Foundation was formed out of an understanding of the plight of widows, orphans and girls affected by female genital mutilation (FGM). These include social exclusion, trauma, lack of basic needs, and violation of their rights including the right to education, food, owning property, health and protection. Widows and orphans face many challenges such as property grabbing, ostracization, isolation, violence and abuse, which result in extreme poverty. According to a UN Woman’s declaration published in 2017, there are at least 258 million of widows in the world, and despite a lack of data, at least 115 million of them are living in extreme poverty.

Female genital mutilation on the other hand is a practice meant to be a rite of passage from girlhood to womanhood. It violates the body of the female, and in many cases, such girls are forced into marriage with the person who offers the highest bride price. Girls are also denied education because they are seen as a source of wealth to the family. Several efforts to end FGM have resulted in a considerable number of families shunning the practice.

However, about 80% of people in communities that practice FGM still hold it dear. To protect themselves from FGM, early marriage and denial of an education, there are girls who escape their homes and families to seek refuge is safe spaces provided by local governments to host such girls. These girls are more or less orphans since they live without parental love and care, they lack necessities of life including food, tuition and personal effects. The girls also experience extreme trauma because of the violation of their rights by their families, very often fathers, mothers, brothers and uncles; and, due to the negative effects of having to live away from home without the love and care of family members.

Queen’s Cottage Foundation responds to the unique plight of these vulnerable groups; the widow, the orphan and girls affected by FGM. Our interventions include care, support, psychosocial therapy, support to access education, livelihoods, legal aid, protection and addressing attitudes and perceptions to uphold transformative social and cultural norms, behaviour and practices. Our ultimate aim is to have societies where everyone is valued for who they are, and where all individuals feel respected, safe, and fulfilled.

Our Values

Social Justice

We aim to open the doors of access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need.

Integrity

We are uncompromising when it comes to our core values and what we know to be true about the work and the people we serve

Non-discrimination

Maintain standards of propriety, promote equal opportunity, treat everyone professionally, and act without bias

Diversity

We embrace practices in which different groups or individuals from different backgrounds are culturally and socially accepted and welcomed