I am Johannes Godschalk and a good friend of Reverend Muli.

Reverend Moses Muli is chaplain and GM of the Charity Trust Mission to Seafarers. The mission has been in use already for over 100 years since 1921. But the facilities require immediate revitalization and proper facilities for the thousands of seafarers that enter the port and suffer from physical and mental health challenges and uncertainties, far away from home. The Mission lacks sources for removing the leaking asbestos which may cause health issues. The turtle sanctuary lacks funding for proper caretaking. Donations and contributions and income from the only subsidized restaurant have decreased substantially and the Mission can just provide the required care for a few of the twenty thousands of seafarers that arrive in this important transport hub per month.

The Background

The Mission to seafarers, founded in 1856, is a global humanitarian organisation dedicated to supporting men and women who keep the world trade moving.

Today, the global maritime workforce consists of approximately 1,8-1.9 million seafarer, responsible for 80-90% of the word trade. The port of Mombasa serves as East Africa's most strategic gateways receiving 2,000 vessels and 250,000 seafarers per year. These individuals spend months at sea under extreme demanding conditions, often isolated from family, with limited connectivity, and under increasing operational pressure among which rising geopolitical tension. This resulting in increased both physical and psychological stress on crews:

* Extended contracts and fatigue

* Limited shore leave and isolation

* Mental health challenges and uncertainties

* Cases of abandonment and unpaid wages affecting thousands globally.

Despite being essential to the global economy, seafarers often remain invisible, with few opportunity to rest, reconnect, or access support while in port.

In this context, the work of the mission to Seafarers in Mombasa is both urgent and essential. Through its local centre in Mombasa, established in 1921, the organisation has provided “a home away from home” – a safe welcoming environment for seafarers and maritime workers, however, the current facilities are under-used with ample facilities and no financial sources to upgrade and expand with the necessary facilities putting the care of people in need at risk.

Therefor Reverend Moses Muli initiated a game-changing initiative to address the needs of seafarers and port workers that suffer from exhaustion, stress, suicidal attempts and to make the Mission financial sustainable with dedicated relaxation and wellness spaces and places to sleep in a comfortable bed in a safe and green environment. A place to rest, relax, walk, talk, eat, connect, recreate and receive mental and physical care, not depending on donations in the near future.

The Safe Harbour Stewardship was born and I am proud to have been at the forefront of creating a next-generation welcare hub for Seafarers, maritime workers and other persons in need of care.   

THE VISION – Mission to Seafarers SAFE HARBOUR

Imagine walking through lush botanic garden zones in a tropical country.

Palm trees, flowering plants, and shaded pathways lead you to tranquil water ponds connected by a wooden bridge. A relaxing place also serving biodiversity and carbon capuring.

In the heart of the garden, a tea & coffee pavilion inviting to slow down.

For seafarers and maritime workers, that visit this place already more than 100 years, a new wellness (barber & stress relief head-to-toe-trio massage) facility in a unused and hazardous space, outdoor and indoor sport & gaming facilities in unused sporthall and 1 acre grassfield , as well as a new care center (communication & trainings spaces, mental and physical health therapy) in vacant rooms and spaces, and upgraded F&B facilities looking out over the botanic garden among which a botanic tortoise turtle sanctuary garden. All facilities can also be enjoyed by maritime and community day-visitors.

At the edge of the gardens stands something unexpected:

Ship-inspired studio facilities, built from containers, rising in the greenery.

This is Safe Harbour Stewardship - a destination combining seafarer care, environmental restoration, and sustainable revenue to fund long-term wellbeing.

On all roofs solar will be installed so that the entire compound will become self-sustaining in energy and reducing the carbon footprint and the huge electricity bills.

Become a Safe Harbour Steward

Help us transform an underused 4.2 acres coastal site, of which currently 1.5 acres is in use by Mission to Seafarers for already more than 100 years, but requires proper revitalisation, into several interlocked tropical botanical garden zones, various community spaces to relax, recreate and some garden studio accommodations from re-used ship containers —where nature, hospitality, and social impact come together.

The Safe Harbour Stewardship is more than just a project.

It transforms a place that people will experience, remember, and return to.

👉 Back the project. Become part of the story.

WHY THIS PROJECT MATTERS

• A green space in a coastal urban environment to relax
• A home away from home for seafarers & maritime workers
• A social initiative creating opportunities for youth, women and disabled
• A place for wellness & recreation & walk/talk/breath/eat/drink
• A destination that attracts other visitors for interaction.
• A platform for community and connection
• Conservation and upgrading the Tortoise Turtle Sanctuary
• Places to sleep in a green peaceful environment
• High social impact with 50 direct and 100 indirect jobs of which 50 to 70% for women, youth and persons with a disability.
• High environmental impact through installation of solar energy, co2 sequestrating gardens, re-use of local discarded containers, plastics, tires and other materials.

HOW YOUR SUPPORT WILL BE USED

Your contribution directly supports:

• Garden development, final design, construction and planting
• Removal of the hazardous asbestos & put roofing from recycled glass
• Upgrading Tortoise turtle sanctuary to a botanical garden
• Community, wellness, recreation and social facilities
• Sustainable infrastructure (solar, recycled materials)
• Water features and landscaping
• Tea & coffee pavilion construction

 Every euro contributes to something tangible.

PARTNERS & FUTURE VISION

As a Safe Harbour Steward you are part of the new foundation. Your early support helps demonstrate traction and unlock larger partnerships, who can help strengthen our impact in a developing country and trigger the funding of the larger investments such as the sleeping accommodations and large botanic garden & playgrounds- and bring the Safe Harbour Stewardship to a wider audience and the Safe Harbour Vision to other places with the support of:

• Corporate Maritime Companies & Organisations
• NGO’ s
• Port operators
• Transporters
• CSR & ESG Sponsors
• Hospitality Operators
• Foreign & Local Impact funds
• Blue Economy Investors

TIMELINE

First Phase: First tropical botanical gardens and the Botanic Turtle Sanctuary, multifunctional recreation - games & sport- facility, communication & trainings centre, wellness deck - barber & therapeutic massage, 41kWp solar.

 – realized before 30-6-2027

Phase 2: Community Centre, grand botanical garden, studio rooms, coffee shop & bakery and pop-up event conference space – realized before 30-6-2028

We are building step by step — with your support and the support of parters, sponsors and impact investors.

RISKS & TRANSPARENCY

Like any real-world project, we face:

• Approval & Construction timelines
• Environmental conditions
• Phased funding requirements

We mitigate this through:

• phased development – No approvals required initiatives and highest social, environmental and economic impact first
• experienced partners in design, construction and operation
• transparent communication www.missiontoseafarers.org andwww.safeharbour.world

BECOME A SAFE HARBOUR STEWARD

We created something special for our supporters.

Symbols of belonging.

By supporting Safe Harbour, no matter the amount, you become part of the founding steward community. Every contribution , no matter the amount, helps create a place of rest, recovery, dignity, and wellbeing for seafarers, maritime workers and social community in Mombasa. All supporters will become a:

Safe Harbour Steward Community Member

However, for those who contribute more than € 50 we like to reward them with our Safe Harbour Stewardship Mug to give away or use it youself. For those contributing more than € 75 we like to reward them with our Safe Harbour Stewardship T-Shirt so that you can carry our story.

And finally something really special. If you contribute € 100 you may send your cherished photo and this will become part of the "thousands of journeys, one Safe Harbour" or the "Tree of Life" mosaic wall, a lifetime recognition of your support. Of course every supporter will receive a digital photograph of their mosaic wall so that you can find your own photo.

The Founding Steward & Community Invitation

As part of Safe harbour Stewardship, we believe in shared moments – not just shared contributions.

To celebrate the realization of Safe Harbour, we will host a community appreciation draw for a fully hosted inauguration experience.

One participant will be invited together with their partner and minor children to attend the official opening of Safe Harbour, with travel and accommodation covered by the Stewardship.

All stewards, regardless of tier or reward choice, are automatically included and a free entry option is available for all community members,

The selection will be conducted transparently under the supervision of an independent notary.

Note: This initiative is a gesture of gratitude and community inclusion, and not a lottery of a paid prize draw.