There are places in the world that are treasure troves of serenity and remind us of the full meaning of the word 'protection', which does not mean defending property or privilege, but loving care, sharing, passion aimed at preserving the good and creating the best.
One such place, in Nairobi, is Anita's House in the green hills of Ngong, just a few kilometres from the chaos and fast, desirable, promising but often unsustainable growth of the Kenyan capital.
Anita's House, desired by the Italian NGO Amani and managed by the Koinonia community, under the aegis of Father Kizito Sesana, is a home for girls and young women from vulnerable families, from the street and fleeing early, often unwanted marriages.

This year the marvellous garden in which new young lives bloom, dedicated to the memory of Anita Pavesi, honorary judge of the Juvenile Court of Milan, also remembered for her indomitable social commitment, celebrates 25 years of activity and, as chance would have it, there are 25 girls and young women currently hosted in the facility, together with two Kenyan families who take care of them as if they were daughters.
There are also cases of girls included in the programme without being received at Anita's House, who are cared for and supported in the family by caregivers.

The reception model is that of the community-family.
Like a family that 'protects' but with altruism and vision wants to prepare its 'daughters' in the best possible way for adult life, Casa di Anita continues to follow the young girls it has taken in, in their studies, with the aim (when possible) of reintegrating them into their families and the community, as is only right.
Among the former guests of the facility, some have become independent by finding work and specialising, others have chosen to remain in the social sphere, but always return to what for them is home.

Since 1999, there are many examples of women who work and through their experience tell a positive story of successful solidarity. Social workers, nurses, business managers or even waitresses, cooks, kindergarten teachers, depending on their aptitude and desire to continue their studies.
But all, at last, with a normal life, 'redeemed' and ready to give themselves to the less fortunate.
This is the other sense of the 'protection' that one breathes, living a day at Anita's House, walking and chatting with the girls in the large garden of hope, watching the little ones play, having lunch with them in the simplicity of a single circle around steaming pots and juices.
In order to maintain a structure that, in addition to the two mothers who act as a family, with their children, employs an askari, a farm manager, an au pair, a maintenance worker and a cook, Amani does not only take care, thanks to donations, of board and lodging, school fees the purchase of books, backpacks, uniforms, shoes and everything necessary for education and livelihood, but also extracurricular activities, afternoon lessons with private teachers, workshops and other initiatives that accompany the girls on a path to recovery and reintegration into school.

Anita's House is managed by Koinonia Community, a local non-profit organisation with which Amani shares responsibility for all initiatives in Africa.
Every year Amani is committed to raising the funds necessary to support the costs associated with the projects in Kenya through fundraising activities carried out in Italy.
The international economic crisis, first linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, then to the still ongoing wars, and the related repercussions on the already fragile African economies, have seen on the one hand a decrease in donations and on the other an increase in the costs of maintaining Anita's House, with a particular impact on the price of food, energy and transport. But the Italian NGO has never lost heart and thanks to the reliability it has earned and demonstrated over all these years and to a community of donors who are often personally involved, especially after getting to know 'the world and the way' of Amani and Koinonia, amidst so many challenges and difficulties, it manages to guarantee continuity and stability to the rehabilitation programmes for the most fragile minors in Nairobi and to always be at the side of the street children of Kenya.