MADRE, An International Women's Human Rights Org.

Hubbie Hussein Al-Haji, leader of Womankind Kenya, recently shared with us a message of thanks from one mother living in the refugee camps of Northern Kenya. We'd like to share her message with you today:

"My young son and I arrived in a refugee camp in Kenya after fleeing famine in Somalia. We lost everything, but I was grateful to still have my child. I saw many mothers burying their children, lost to starvation, on the long walk here. But even at the camp, there was still not enough food. I didn't eat so that my son could eat, and yet he grew weaker. But Womankind Kenya saved him. They gave us food and medicine. We still struggle, but as long as we are alive, with your help, I and other mothers can hope. And that also sustains us. Thank you."

This school year, the Nanyori Shelter Network welcomed 50 new students to their schools, a majority of whom arrived at the shelter after having escaped the double threat of early forced marriage and female genital mutilation, harmful traditional practices that they face in their home communities. Throughout the school year, these young girls have benefited from free schooling, shelter, support, vocational training, and health and human rights education.

This Christmas, many of these girls are unable to go home over the school break. The threats they escaped are still present, and they cannot risk their health and safety by returning. Over the holiday break, the Network will keep their doors open to safely house these girls, where they will celebrate with the dedicated women who operate the shelters. During the break, the staff will continue running programs with the girls, including human rights trainings and psychosocial support.     

We have exciting news to report from Voices for Justice! Just last week, thanks to generous donor support, MADRE was able to send financial support to CHIRAPAQ, our partners in Peru who run the weekly radio program with Indigenous women. With this support, Voices for Justice will be able to continue their radio programming throughout the end of the year and into 2013. CHIRAPAQ uses radio to share information on health, domestic violence, women’s political participation, food security, climate change and more. The program helps rural Indigenous women to develop an innovative way to share knowledge, disseminate information to their communities and conduct public education campaigns. We were so happy to be able to support this vital, innovative project!