By Clare Effiong | Country Director, Rwanda
My dear Friends of Esther's Aid,
Greetings from the ground in Rwanda! Our project to "Empower 50 Survivors of Sex-Trafficking” continues, just as we have indicated in our last reports. The first phase, since its inception, is in place. Thanks to the initial outpouring of Global Giving donations, the action plan to accommodate was done. We have had great success integrating many of the women into the programs at Esther's Aid.
The training of the young women registered in our culinary school is in progress. They are part of our student body showing wonderful transformations. We have gone further to ensure that clear pathways to employment transition are identified in culinary art, bakery, tailoring, fabric design (tie & die) and mushroom growing. Esther’s Aid has brought in an expert in fabric design to train the women and further enhance the skills and empowerment program. We have waited a long time to get this trainer.
The women also benefit from the advantages that Esther's Aid brings to all the students. We work to ensure that at least 60% of youth participating in the program either access jobs, self-employment and/or business start-ups, and/or pursue further education and training. You have seen from our other reports what some of the women have accomplished. Esther's Aid fosters and nurtures partnerships with private sector companies and other employers to ensure work based learning opportunities that are sustainable and would lead to job placements.
Please, be mindful, not all are victims of sex-trafficking, but a mixture with those who were sex-workers (prostitutes). Since we started reaching out to these young girls and women, more are coming out and seeking help, because there are windows of opportunities for them. There has been a huge increase over these few years – and we have handled it, but not without a huge strain on the program. The challenge we face in this project is funding. This affects the short term room and board, short term financial aid, and emergency health care assistance. Areas that are so crucial to the women's survival.
Dear friends, without ongoing funding, the women in these programs do survive, but we want to continue to support their efforts to thrive, as well as, rescue the new survivors that flock to our doors. There is still almost $6,000 left unfunded on our GG page. Please, help us to reach our goal ASAP.
It is so fulfilling because we are investing in the lives of those who had absolutely no hope. God has helped and still helps us to put smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts. We bless you and pray that you will continue to help us/them too.
Gratefully yours,
Clare
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
