Zoraida Samuel is the founder of the Rehoboth Home for Mentally Challenged Women Destitutes, a foundation that AASAI funds with the money that organizations like, Henna for Humanity, donates.

Rehoboth is a rehabilitation home for mentally challenged, homeless, women. Samuel likes to call what she does for these women “rescues,” and she’s done over 320. Sadly, these women are all “in their prime,” Samuel says, “ages 18 to 35.” These women, likely cast aside as a burden by their families, are picked up off the streets by locals or the police, and are referred to Rehoboth, and to Samuel. When women arrive at Rehoboth they undergo a series of physical and psychiatric exams to determine the immediate care they may need. Women arrive with infections, injuries from abuse or road accidents, or infections. Some may even be pregnant. Along with these, testing to determine the type of mental challenges these women face are also conducted. As they undergo treatment and medication, Samuel finds the benefit in giving them focus and direction in their lives by keeping them busy with skills like sewing, tailoring, candle making, and others. As they begin working, Samuel will attempt to reconnect them with their families. Unfortunately, 9 times out of 10, their families will not take them back, and they continue to live with Rehoboth, meaning long-term rehab will be planned. After a period, some women work their lives on farms that Rehoboth keeps running, undergoing therapies that are nature-focused. The goal of Rehoboth is to foster independent women so they can return to society, and lead healthy lives, without family support.

Samuel says the continuous support and aid AASAI has provided for her, and her women has been one of the biggest contributions she’s received. AASAI, as she describe, allows organizations like these to help themselves. AASAI works with Samuel to run a thrift store in which unused items at the shelter are sold, with all the profits going to Rehoboth. AASAI also helps Samuel rehabilitate her women by providing cows for the women to take care of, as well as employ them in manufacturing bio-friendly cleaning supplies. AASAI also allows Samuel to take more efficient care of the women, providing her with a van to pick up women, bring them to hospitals, or pick up donations to Rehoboth. “Whenever there is a crisis,” Samuel defines, “Rehoboth can count on AASAI whenever we need it.”