Economic Growth South Sudan Project #5493

Help Mercy Corps Turn Crisis Into Opportunity

by Mercy Corps

Help Mercy Corps Turn Crisis Into Opportunity

Project Report | Apr 10, 2012
A Woman's Worth - A Future of Reading on India's Tea Estates

By Leah Hazard | Former Online Marketing and Engagement Officer

"Now I want to write my name in English"

On the tea estates in northeastern India, generations of girls and women have grown up without learning how to read — they spend their days in the field, just as their parents did, and there is no access or time to attend school.

Mercy Corps developed the Women Empowerment through Literacy (WEL) program to reach more than 3,000 illiterate women in Assam who expressed a desire to learn how to read and write in order to better their lives and communities. Once given the opportunity to go to class, their enthusiasm for learning is undeniable.

When I was in Assam visiting with women in our literacy programs, I heard the same sentiment over and over again: the women want to learn more now. Some want to learn English or develop their abilities in their native Assamese — but mostly they have gained confidence in their ability to learn, and they want to learn whatever they can.

After years of providing a thumbprint signature, women can sign their name to receive their paycheck. After a lifetime of not knowing if shop keepers at the market were giving them the correct change, they are now financially literate. They are now recognized by as being educated — and are helping their children succeed in school so they never have to know the struggles of illiteracy.

Investing in women is a sure bet. Research shows it leads to healthier children, larger harvests, more vibrant economies and more peaceful communities.

From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, Mercy Corps helps girls and women realize their incredible potential to change the world. Learn how we fight for equal rights to education, healthcare, jobs and justice.

Mercy Corps programs are focused on recovery for hard-hit families and children. We thank you for your ongoing support.

"I want to write in English now."

"I am confident now."

"I want to learn more!"

Links:

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Jan 12, 2012
Stories of the lives you've changed

By Dan O'Neill | Founder

Nimo, a 25-year-old mother in Kenya

This past year, the incredible compassion and generosity of our supporters improved the lives of so many people who faced unimaginable hardship.

Because of you, Mercy Corps provided medicine and food to children in Ethiopia weakened by drought.

Our supporters like you restored jobs to fishermen in Japan who lost everything to the massive tsunami.

Together, we gave hope to parents in the world's toughest places who struggle against all odds to build a better life for their children.

Meet just a few of those whose lives have been changed:

Nimo, a 25-year-old mother in Kenya, didn't have enough drinking water for her family during the region’s worst drought in 60 years. But our teams trucked in tankloads of water to Nimo's village, part of our lifesaving assistance to more than 1 million people throughout the region.

Thirteen-year-old Herma lived through the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti that killed 150,000 people nearly two years ago. Every week she participates in our Moving Forward program, which uses sports to teach kids the team-building and communication skills they need to feel empowered and secure in their lives. Our youth programs in Haiti have reached more than 90,000 children.

Japan's massive tsunami in March killed 22,000 people and decimated the fishing industry along the northeast coast. In the coastal town of Minamisanriku, we reequipped salmon fish hatcheries and seaweed-processing facilities as part of our region-wide efforts to save the jobs of fisherman like Isami Hoshi.

These are just three of the lives we've changed this past year with the generosity of people like you. On behalf of the millions of people we serve, thank you for helping restore hope and opportunity. We look forward to sharing with you the lives we'll change together in 2012.

Sincerely,

Dan O'Neill
Founder

Thirteen-year-old Herma from Haiti

fisherman Isami Hoshi

Links:

Top Pictures from Mercy Corps' Programs in 2011

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Dec 7, 2011
A gift that changes lives

By Carlene Deits | Project Leader

Some of GlobalGiving Tribute Card Options

Mercy Corps continues to help people build secure, productive and just communities in some of the toughest places on earth. We are responding to historic draught in the Horn of Africa, helping people in Haiti and Japan recover from the devastating effects of earthquakes and a tsunami, and empowering people in Afghanistan to earn a sustainable living. These projects, and others like them, wouldn't be possible without your donations. Thank you.

As the holiday season approaches we would like to encourage you to continue supporting our efforts around the world by making a donation to Mercy Corps on behalf of a loved one. Make a donation in honor of someone special and get them a gift they will never forget.

Through GlobalGiving, it’s easy to make this meaningful gift. Just select the ‘gift in honor of’ tab under the orange ‘donate’ button on the left side of the donation page. Choose how you want the recipient of your gift to know that a donation has been made in their honor. Designate the amount you would like to give and hit the ‘donate’ button. Then customize the card as you’d like!

Also don’t forget to redeem any Global Giving Gift Cards that you may have received this year. Mercy Corps has many important projects that we could use your help with.

And, if you make a donation of $50 or more before the end of the year, we would love to thank you by sending our beautiful 2012 Mercy Corps Calendar. Just forward your email receipt with your mailing address to fundraising@mercycorps.org.

However you choose to give to Mercy Corps this year, know that your gift will help people living in some of the toughest places in the world lead more productive, safe, and healthy lives.

From all of us here at Mercy Corps, thank you and Happy Holidays!

Mercy Corps 2012 Calendar

Links:

Mercy Corps Around the World

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