Creating Opportunity for Darfur Women

Helping Women Artisans from Darfur

Neetha Tangirala | VIP Assignment, January-June 2007

In December 2006, when she heard about CHF International, Neetha Tangirala was working as a volunteer teacher for British Charity in Khartoum, but was searching for a humanitarian organization to work with in her spare time. She interviewed with the CHF field office in and was offered the chance to become involved as a Visiting International Professional (VIP™) to assist an innovative crafts program focusing on women from war-torn Darfur.

Though she was only contracted to work a few days per week, Neetha became so close with the local CHF staff that she was often at the office working for five days per week or more. Neetha specifically worked with the Baskets of Darfur program, an income-generating sustainable development project. She worked to enhance the overall appearance of the crafts displays at the office to encourage guests to purchase the baskets and benefit the project. She was involved in writing up and displaying the stories of the women artisans to remind visitors of their struggle for peace. Neetha was thrilled to also have the opportunity to help facilitate the production of the Income Generating Activities Manual, which is designed to be a guide for organizations to create and sustain activities that focus on long-term, sustainable development.

Her work with CHF allowed Neetha to experience and learn more about international development and specifically about development in Sudan. She is grateful to have had the chance to contribute to CHF programs and make a difference in the region.

Links:

• Program featured in International Herald Tribune