Christina became orphan at 16. Then an uncle took ownership of her all property and left the village with a girlfriend. She was thrown in the streets and started relying on her boyfriend for everything. After her first child, the beating started. She's had two nearly fatal breakdowns. ''Don't go there'' People tell her. ''If I don't go there where will I eat?'' she says . Many girls in Mudeka share the same stories; now they have created the Progressive Friends Association.
Mudeka is a remote community which main economic activity is sand excavation, a typical male job. Previously, most girls could make money in a private palm plantation (palm oil) but this opportunity stopped as the company restructured abruptly. Now most of the girls rely solely on men as sources of money. In this unequal scenario their bargaining position is weak. They are constantly being victims of violence and abuse, contracting STIs and having unwanted and early pregnancies.
The first step is to break dependency. This project is expected to empower victims of domestic violence emotionally and economically so that they can later on stand up for their rights, be free and face the fathers of their children. It will enable 3-10 girls (pending total funding) to develop small-scale entrepreneurial ventures. They already have a great platform, the "Progressive Friends" support group provides encouragement, protection and advice to victims. Let's make it stronger.
Christina and other girls like her will become economically empowered and will be free to find the right partners. They will occupy themselves with business activities and life goals, breaking the strong influence men have on them right now. As they improve, the group will grow, they will support other victims, encourage and protect them. With time, they can work together to exile Gender Violence of the village of Mudeka, but right now they need your help. First they need to eat without the men.
