Who We Are
Omena is a U.S 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to breaking the cycle of emotional abuse worldwide, starting in Madagascar.
Back in my country, Madagascar, the only form of abuse that I could recognize was physical abuse. Once in America, 5 years ago, I learned through my training as a Peer Educator that violence often begins with emotional abuse, gradually increasing to violent physical abuse. Through my research, I discovered I was not the only one with a limited definition of abuse. I started being passionate about the subject. I was mind blown by all the things I found out that I decided to share about it. That’s how “Omena” came about.
It’s estimated by the WHO that up to 1 billion children worldwide have suffered in the last year from emotional abuse. Can you imagine 1 billion children most likely with trauma, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and isolation? What’s worse is that emotional abuse is not just happening in the household, it can happen in all the relationships in our lives and it is passed on from generation to generation.
Emotional abuse is a global crisis that has an economic impact. In the U.S alone, the CDC estimates the cost of emotional abuse to be $124 billion. It goes from hospital cost, criminal justice costs and productivity losses.
MISSION
VISION
At Omena, we believe that the key to achieving our goal of breaking the cycle of emotional abuse in Madagascar is by providing education to students ages 6-18 in schools and colleges about emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, and body safety which help them spot red flags at a very young age and will in turn prevent emotional and verbal abuse to prevail.
VALUES
Omena dreams about a more self-loving, emotionally self-aware generation – who ultimately foster healthy relationships and reduce emotional abuse in Madagascar.
What Does Omena Mean?
Impact of Omena
Omena traveled to Antananarivo for the initial pilot
10 +
School interventions
200 +
Omena Global Ambassadors
1000 +
Engaged Youth And Young Adults
30 +
Workshops
"Give A Hand To Make
The Better World"
Award and Endorsements
Partnerships
English
Français
Malagasy