Open. Safe House

Sexual and reproductive health is a field of research, health care, and social activism that explores the health of an individual's reproductive system and sexual well-being during all stages of their life. There are medical and mental issues in Sexual Health found in both genders.

In Rwanda, many young people face problems with sexual health. People know about prevention but not how to deal with issues if they have already happened. Issues like STDs & HIV, unplanned pregnancies, abortions, sexual dysfunction, violence, and harmful actions result in enduring physical, emotional, and psychological scars.

Although people know it's important to teach young people about sexual health, there's still a big gap in delivering tailored therapeutic and supportive services to those in need. And this is a critical issue, as the United Nations recognizes the importance of sexual health education and providing aftercare to those with issues.

This initiative aims to create a nurturing environment that teaches how to prevent these problems and supports those already facing them. We want to create a safe, private, and caring place for healing, getting stronger, and making smart choices. This way, we can help the younger generation be healthier, stronger, and ready for life.

A growing body of research highlights the challenges faced by young individuals concerning their sexual and reproductive health. According to a report by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the rate of adolescent pregnancies increased from 6.3% in 2010 to 7.3%, with the district of Huye experiencing the highest percentage at 14.2% (UNFPA, 2015). For example, among other sexual issues, there is no mental aftercare or follow-up care from professionals caring for the child except for those fortunate to have caring, open-minded, conversant siblings or parents. Nevertheless, there is a gap. These issues, including unplanned pregnancies, abortions, sexual dysfunction, violence, and harmful practices, often leave lasting physical, emotional, and psychological consequences (MDPI, 2021). There remains a critical gap. In delivering tailored therapeutic and supportive services even though preventive measures are acknowledged, as recognized by the United Nations' emphasis on aftercare for those in need and providing comprehensive sexual health education (UN, 2015).

"Open. Safe House," an innovative platform addressing the pressing challenges of young individuals in Rwanda, especially those dealing with sensitive sexual health issues, This solution provides unwavering support to those who feel isolated and unheard. Open Safe House offers access to therapists, counselors, sexologists, and healthcare experts, creating a haven for expert guidance.

Our differentiator is our commitment to a secure space for sharing concerns while maintaining privacy. Youth facing sexual health struggles find solace in topics like sexual dysfunction, unwanted pregnancies, relationships, violence, abortions, etc. This platform serves as a beacon of innovation, empowering young individuals to navigate the complexities of their sexual health and overall well-being.

A highlight is our inclusive approach, offering a USSD service for users without smartphones or internet access, ensuring a wider reach, and enhancing sexual health awareness and services.

Moreover, we initiate our first connection with young individuals through a strategic partnership with RIB (the Rwanda Investigation Bureau). This collaboration builds trust as RIB acts as the initial point of contact. As users engage, RIB's endorsement becomes a powerful advocate, establishing credibility for our platform.

In conclusion, Open. Safe House transforms how Rwanda addresses youth challenges. Expert guidance, secure privacy, and inclusivity empower youth to navigate sexual health complexities confidently.

The platform is for young people aged 10 to 25 who face difficulties with their sexual and reproductive health. Have a cell phone, whether it's a smartphone or not. These young individuals are often left without safe places to talk, struggling to communicate their challenges and facing misunderstandings due to existing beliefs about sexual education. Our platform aims to be a welcoming space for them, offering access to therapists, counselors, sexologists, urologists, and healthcare providers who can offer guidance and support.

We help those who have experienced sexual assaults, those dealing with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or HIV, or have encountered various sexual challenges such as dysfunction, unwanted pregnancies, abortions, or relationship issues. These young people need someone to talk to who understands and can provide reliable information and emotional assistance. Our primary focus is providing a private and secure environment where they can openly discuss their concerns, receive therapy, and access sexual and reproductive health support. Our goal is to bridge the gap and offer a supportive hand to these young individuals, who often feel alone and unheard.

Manzi Ntwali and Jean Francois Regis are well-suited to deliver this solution due to their commitment and practical experience in business development and procurement operations. Notably, Manzi's passion for mental health aligns with the project's goals. To ensure the solution's relevance, he actively engages with the target communities. The Team Lead and representatives actively seek and integrate community input, ideas, and agendas, making the solution genuinely community-driven.

Marie Reine, is uniquely positioned to deliver this solution. She is deeply committed to the communities we serve, with Marie Reine's background in project management, operations, and communications. Her academic focus on global challenges and practical experience in sexual health education demonstrate our dedication. We prioritize understanding the needs of our target population by actively engaging with them. Community input, ideas, and agendas significantly guide the design and implementation of our solution, ensuring it's a true reflection of their requirements and aspirations.

It's a concrete manifestation of our idea, designed to test and validate its feasibility. Our prototype goes beyond abstract thinking; it includes a digital model of the solution that allows us to showcase its functionality, design, and potential impact. We're actively using this prototype to gather user feedback, make refinements, and iterate towards a more refined product, making it a practical step beyond the conceptual stage.

"Open. Safe House" is a groundbreaking platform that addresses the pressing challenges of young individuals in Rwanda dealing with sensitive sexual health issues in a significantly improved way. What sets this solution apart is its innovative approach to providing unwavering support while maintaining privacy, an inclusive strategy, and a unique partnership with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).

Firstly, the platform's commitment to privacy and secure space for sharing concerns is a significant departure from traditional approaches. Many young individuals facing sexual health struggles often feel isolated and unheard. Open. Safe House ensures that they have access to therapists, counselors, sexologists, and healthcare experts who can provide expert guidance and support, empowering them to navigate the complexities of their sexual health and overall well-being.

Secondly, the inclusivity of the platform, offering a USSD service for users without smartphones or internet access, is a novel and impactful approach. This ensures a wider reach and enhances sexual health awareness and services, leaving no one behind. By leveraging this technology, Open. Safe House makes essential information and support accessible to all, regardless of their digital access.

Furthermore, the strategic partnership with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) is a game-changer. RIB's endorsement serves as the initial point of contact, building trust among young individuals who might be hesitant to seek help. This collaboration not only establishes credibility for the platform but also helps in reducing the stigma associated with sexual health issues. RIB's involvement signals a strong commitment to addressing these challenges, which can catalyze broader positive impacts by encouraging other organizations, government agencies, and stakeholders to take similar steps in supporting youth in need.

In essence, Open. Safe House transforms how Rwanda addresses youth challenges related to sexual health. It introduces a secure, private, and inclusive platform that leverages both technology and strategic partnerships to provide expert guidance and support. By offering a USSD service, the solution reaches a wider audience, ensuring that all youth have access to the information and assistance they need. The partnership with RIB not only builds trust but also has the potential to inspire other entities to join the cause, ultimately changing the market by shifting the narrative around sensitive sexual health issues. Open. Safe House's innovative approach could catalyze broader positive impacts by setting a new standard for addressing these challenges, fostering a more supportive and informed environment for the youth in Rwanda.

Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to ensure that our solution has a transformational impact on the lives of young individuals in Rwanda, particularly in the context of sexual health and overall well-being:

Year 1 Impact Goals:

1. Improved Access to Sexual Health Services: By the end of the first year, we aim to have reached and provided support to at least 50,000 young individuals in Rwanda. We will measure our success by the number of users engaged in the platform, the variety of sexual health issues addressed, and the level of satisfaction with the provided services.

2. Stigma Reduction: We aim to reduce the stigma associated with sexual health issues by at least 20% within the first year. This will be assessed through surveys and feedback from users, tracking changes in perception and openness regarding these topics.

3. RIB Partnership Expansion: In the first year, we plan to extend our partnership with RIB to other regions of Rwanda, ensuring that the endorsement of our platform becomes a national symbol of support for youth facing sexual health challenges.

Five-Year Impact Goals:

1. Comprehensive Sexual Health Education: Within five years, we aim to develop and deliver a comprehensive sexual health education program to at least 80% of the youth population in Rwanda. This program will include both digital and in-person components, leveraging our platform's success and expertise.

2. National Impact: By year five, our goal is to have positively impacted the lives of over 500,000 young individuals in Rwanda. We will track our progress by monitoring the number of users, engagement levels, and the range of services provided.

3. Policy Advocacy: We will actively advocate for policy changes related to sexual health and youth well-being in Rwanda. Our goal is to have at least two significant policies or regulations related to sexual health and youth support influenced by our efforts within five years.

4. Strengthening Partnerships: Over the next five years, we aim to establish partnerships with other government agencies, NGOs, and international organizations to expand our reach and make Open. Safe House a model for addressing youth challenges in other African countries.

To achieve these impact goals, we will implement a multi-faceted approach:

1. Continuous Innovation: We will stay at the forefront of technology and mental health practices, ensuring that our platform remains relevant and effective.

2. Community Engagement: We will actively engage with the youth, local communities, and relevant stakeholders to tailor our services to their specific needs and expectations.

3. Advocacy and Education: We will actively work on reducing the stigma around sexual health issues through education and awareness campaigns.

4. Strategic Partnerships: We will expand our collaborations with organizations and government agencies to increase our reach and influence policy changes.

Theory of Change for Open. Safe House:

Problem: Young individuals in Rwanda face significant challenges related to sexual health, including stigma, a lack of access to services, and a dearth of accurate information.

Activities:

Platform Development: We create and maintain the Open. Safe House platform, which offers access to therapists, counselors, sexologists, and healthcare experts, both through smartphones and USSD services.

Partnership with RIB: We establish a strategic partnership with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) to build trust and credibility for our platform.

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education: We develop and deliver a comprehensive sexual health education program through our platform.

Advocacy and Policy Engagement: We actively advocate for changes in policies related to sexual health and youth well-being.

Outputs:

Increased Usage: Young individuals in Rwanda access the platform for guidance on sexual health issues.

Stigma Reduction: Users feel more comfortable discussing sensitive topics, reducing the stigma associated with sexual health issues.

Improved Knowledge: Users gain accurate information and awareness about sexual health.

Policy Changes: Advocacy efforts result in changes in policies and regulations supporting youth sexual health.

Outcomes:

Improved Well-Being: Users experience improved mental and physical well-being due to expert guidance and emotional support, leading to healthier relationships and safer sexual practices.

Empowerment: Youth are empowered to make informed decisions about their sexual health, reducing unintended pregnancies, sexual violence, and related issues.

National Impact: The platform's success inspires other organizations and government agencies to support youth facing sexual health challenges.

Reduced Healthcare Costs: The decrease in unwanted pregnancies and sexual health-related issues leads to reduced healthcare costs for the government and individuals.

Long-Term Impact:

Transformed Sexual Health Landscape: Over time, the platform and its associated programs shift the narrative around sexual health in Rwanda, creating a supportive and informed environment for the youth.

Improved Youth Well-Being: The platform becomes a beacon of innovation, transforming how Rwanda addresses youth challenges, ultimately resulting in a positive transformation of the lives of young individuals in Rwanda.

Two people Full-time, One Part-Time. 

One Year

Diversity, equity, and inclusivity are foundational principles in the development and operation of Open. Safe House. We are deeply committed to creating a solution that is accessible and welcoming to all, irrespective of their background, identity, or circumstance.

Our approach to incorporating diversity, equity, and inclusivity starts with our team. We recognize the value of diverse perspectives and experiences, and our leadership team is intentionally composed of individuals from a range of backgrounds, including gender, age, and cultural diversity. We have set clear goals to continue to diversify our team and are actively working to create a more inclusive environment within the organization. Our recruitment efforts focus on ensuring equal access to opportunities and addressing disparities in the tech and healthcare sectors, particularly for marginalized groups.

In the design and implementation of our platform, we are committed to ensuring equitable access to our services. This includes providing a USSD service for users without smartphones or internet access, recognizing that digital exclusion is a significant barrier. We continuously seek feedback from our users and engage with communities to make certain that our platform is respectful of their specific needs and expectations.

In addition, we actively promote inclusivity by offering support in multiple languages and engaging with local communities to address cultural sensitivities surrounding sexual health. We maintain a strong emphasis on sensitivity and respect when providing guidance and support on sensitive topics. Open. Safe House is designed to create an environment where all members of the community are welcomed, respected, supported, and valued.

Ultimately, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is not just a policy; it's a core value that guides our actions and decisions. We recognize that diverse perspectives, equitable access, and inclusivity are not only essential for the success of our solution but also instrumental in achieving meaningful and lasting positive impacts on the lives of the young individuals we aim to serve.

Value Proposition:

Open. Safe House offers a secure and private platform providing access to therapists, counselors, sexologists, and healthcare experts to address the sensitive sexual health challenges faced by young individuals in Rwanda.
We deliver a USSD service for users without smartphones or internet access to ensure inclusivity.
Through partnerships with organizations like the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), we establish trust and credibility, reducing the stigma associated with sexual health issues.
Customer Segments:

Young Individuals in Rwanda: Our primary beneficiaries are young individuals (ages 15-25) who require support and guidance related to sexual health issues.
Government Agencies and NGOs: These organizations are secondary beneficiaries, as they benefit from reduced healthcare costs and a healthier youth population.

Products and Services:

Online Platform: Users can access the Open. Safe House platform via smartphones or the internet to connect with a network of expert healthcare professionals and counselors.

USSD Service: We provide a USSD service for users without smartphones or internet access, ensuring inclusivity and a wider reach.

Advocacy and Policy Engagement: We actively advocate for changes in policies and regulations related to sexual health and youth well-being.

Revenue Streams:

Subscription Fees: Users can subscribe to premium services, offering additional features and personalized support.

Government and NGO Partnerships: Government agencies and NGOs can enter into partnerships with Open. Safe House to extend their reach and offer support to youth. This can involve both financial and in-kind support.

Grant Funding: We seek grant funding from international organizations, foundations, and impact investors to support the platform's development and expansion.

Channels:

Online Platform: Our primary channel for delivering services is through our online platform, accessible via smartphones and the internet.

USSD Service: We use the USSD service for users without smartphones or internet access to reach a broader audience.

Advocacy and Partnerships: We engage with government agencies, NGOs, and other stakeholders through meetings, collaborations, and partnerships to advocate for policy changes and expand our reach.

Key Resources:

Technology Infrastructure: We require a robust IT infrastructure to maintain and improve our platform.

Expert Network: A network of healthcare professionals and counselors is essential to providing expert guidance.

Strategic Partnerships: Partnerships with organizations like RIB are vital for trust-building and credibility.

Key Activities:

Platform Development and Maintenance: Continuously developing and maintaining our online platform and USSD service.

Recruitment and Training: Recruiting and training healthcare professionals and counselors to ensure the quality of our services.

Advocacy and Policy Engagement: Advocating for policy changes and engaging with government agencies and NGOs to expand our reach.

Cost Structure:

Personnel Costs: Including salaries for the team, healthcare professionals, and counselors.

Technology Infrastructure Costs: Covering maintenance, hosting, and development

Marketing and Outreach: Costs associated with marketing and advocacy efforts

Why Open. Safe House Matters:
Open. Safe House matters because it transforms how Rwanda addresses youth challenges in the realm of sexual health. It provides expert guidance, promotes inclusivity, and reduces stigma, ultimately leading to healthier, more empowered youth. This not only improves individual well-being but also has broader societal benefits by reducing healthcare costs and advocating for better policies.

Subscription Fees: We offer premium subscription services to our users, which provide additional features, personalized support, and a higher level of access to expert healthcare professionals. By offering tiered subscription plans, we can generate a steady income stream from those who can afford to pay for enhanced services.

Government and NGO Partnerships: We seek partnerships with government agencies and NGOs that are invested in improving the sexual health and well-being of young individuals in Rwanda. These partnerships can involve financial support and in-kind contributions, helping us extend our reach and impact while sharing the financial burden.

Grant Funding: We actively pursue grant funding from international organizations, foundations, and impact investors who are aligned with our mission and vision. Grants can support the platform's development, expansion, and operational costs, especially in the early stages when we are building our user base and expert network.

Investment Capital: While our primary focus is on sustainability through revenue streams, we remain open to attracting investment capital from impact investors or venture capitalists who share our mission and see the potential for significant social impact alongside financial returns.

To achieve financial sustainability, we have a well-defined financial model that outlines our revenue projections, budget, and operational costs. As we grow, our revenue streams will be optimized to cover our expected expenses, ensuring that Open. Safe House remains financially stable while expanding our reach and impact.

Our focus on diversifying revenue streams, leveraging partnerships, and actively pursuing grant funding positions us to maintain financial sustainability and further our mission to empower young individuals in Rwanda to navigate the complexities of their sexual health and overall well-being.