COVID
The COVID pandemic has increased the danger of FGM here. Schools were unexpectedly closed in March because of COVID. The cutting season started in early April.
We managed to rescue a total of 55 girls, 6 girls found had been cut already, There are 118 FGM cases confirmed in the villages.
There was a confirmed COVID case very near to Mugumu Safe House. We have worked very hard to keep the girls in our care safe, by restricting the number of staff and others coming in as much as possible.
We have postponed all outreach work for now, and transformed the vocational classroom into a quarantine area for the new girls rescued from the villages to stay. We have introduced more hand washing, but social distancing is a huge problem when overcrowding means girls are sleeping 3 to a bed.
Schools will reopen next week, and so we hope that we will be able to restart the reconcilation process with gir's' families and some of them will be able to return home.
As there have been no tourists in Serengeti we have been unable to sell the bags and other goods we make to raise income, which has been a challenge, but we have been making face masks instead.
We have participated in two webinars about how COVID is impacting the fight against FGM. You can watch the recording of the webinar here.and see Rhobi’s presentation here.
Hope selected as FAWCO Health Target Project
We were delighted to be selected as the Health Target Project by FAWCO in March. Founded in 1931, FAWCO is an international network of independent volunteer clubs and associations comprising 60 member clubs in 30 countries worldwide. They are fundraising to support Hope for the next 3 years. More detail here and to follow.
Another award for Giselle's Film
Defying the Cutting Season, the shortened version of In the Name of Your Daughter, the award winning film featuring Rhobi's work, was awarded the Best Featured Documentary at the recent OneWorld Media awards. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Visualisations of our work
We were selected to be featured as Viz5 MakeoverMonday, where data analysts visualise data related to gender equality. You can see some of the amazing results and learn more here.
Research project with Nottingham University
We have been selected to participate in a research project on factors influencing FGM by Nottingham University starting this month. This will involve our Digital Champions surveying attitudes and other factors in the villages where they live.
The last few months have been extremely challenging for everyone in the world, and we sincerely hope you and your loved ones are safe and well, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your support, particularly during these difficult times.
Christina had never been to Dar before, and had never travelled by plane, so it was a very exciting experience for her. When she saw the air stewardesses in their smart uniforms she asked Rhobi whether any of them were Kuria like them. When Rhobi answered no, Christina started to cry. “We have so much still to learn” she said.
Listen to Rhobi and Christina's story from Mugumu here: https://youtu.be/IF5A8oVCCBI
Persuading cutters, or Ngaribas, to stop the practice is an important part of the fight against FGM.
Ngaribas are appointed by the village leaders. Families pay them approximately $15 to cut one girl, $5 dollars of this is given to the village leaders. These are large amounts of money to subsistence farmers in the villages of Mara.
One reason girls are cut is because cut girls fetch between 10 and 12 cows when they are married, but uncut girls fetch only 4 to 6 cows for their family. As each cow is worth around $100 this is significant for families living in extreme poverty.
Hope’s outreach work on the effects of FGM and through roadshows, traditional dance festivals, village community forums, and film screenings is beginning to pay off. We have managed to change many people’s attitudes and stop the tradition of Female Genital Mutilation in many families in the villages.
Particularly importantly we have managed to persuade 6 cutters to ceremonially destroy their tools and stop cutting girls. These cutters are now helping girls not to be cut in their communities by helping them reach the safe house and providing anti-FGM education to the community.
This is a brave step for these women, and not always supported by their family or husband, who miss the income and status their role brought. Hope has worked with them, educating them on how to start alternative small businesses selling cereals in the market, and provided them with capital of £220 to do this.
Christina was previously a Ngariba in the village of Kebanchabancha. She attended one of the anti-FGM road shows and as a result she decided to stop cutting and publicly destroyed her tools. Although this resulted in Christina losing her source of income, divorce from her husband, and having to move away from her village, she says she has no regrets about this important decision. Christina now supports the Hope team’s work of re-education of those involved in cutting.
We know of 40 cutters who are still operating, who we still need to persuade to drop their tools. But we salute the following women who have seen the light and stopped cutting.
We have also been busy updating our website. We hope you like it!
Please check it out here
https://hopeforgirlsandwomen.wordpress.com/
And thank you again for your generosity to help protect girls from FGM in Tanzania..
Rhobi Samwelly
Project Leader
Right now we have 95 girls in our care, but the cutting season is starting this week so we are expecting more soon.
We have total of 52 girls staying at Hope Mugumu Safe house, where 16 at VTC class, 7 at day primary school,15 at Secondary government school, where 4 are at boarding secondary school ,4 are at primary boarding ,3 children are not at school, because are waiting to give the testimony to the court. Two young women GBV Survivors received at Hope center and their reconciliation between their families is conducted by Police gender desk/ District social welfare. 2 Girls passed to join form one in 2020. Basic needs such as food and medication provided to girls.
We have the total number of 43 children at Safe Butiama among them 3 are still young kids who are still under special parental care, the remaining number is 40 among them 18 are doing their primary school education, 6 are doing their secondary school education and 13 are doing their vocational training on Tailoring, entrepreneurship skills and other self-reliance activities. Food and other basic needs for girls were provided. 3 girls experienced rape violence, were brought by Police gender desk from Butiama and Bunda District waiting for their cases at the court. 2 Girls passed to join form one in 2020.
Hope Mugumu Safe house has 16 students at VTC, where 5 girls will be graduating on 29th of November 2019. 4 girls their reconciliation was successfully. The following topics were taught to girls such as Batik making, Women Handbag making, laptop bags, soap making for hand wash and toilet soap and cookery. Girls enjoyed cooking pan cake with a help from Shefa from Fourseasons.
Butiama Safe house has 13 students at vocational class. These girls will continue with their studies at vocational class. The following topics were taught-; Drees making, shirt making, batik and soap making. Cookery subject was taught on how to Frying ground nuts, frying chapels, Frying Irish potatoes and Cooking French fries.
HGWT Social welfare officer in collaboration with social worker, police gender desk and district social welfare conducted reconciliation between girls and their parents and succeed 5 girls will be taken back home after their VTC graduation ceremony on 29 of November 2019.
INCOME GENERATING PROJECT FROM VTC - HGWT.
Through established income generating project, VTC teachers with girls has managed to make women hand bags, eprons, table mats, toilet and washing soap, batik and embrodery materials.
GARDENING AND AGRICULTURE:
Gardening activities continuing in our garden, we have grown different vegetables, such as spinach, mchicha, onions, tomatoes and watermelon using organic farming. We have grown 2 acters of cassava, sweet potatoes, maize and millet in our new land.
A GIRL CHILD DAY AND OTHER COMMUNITY INTERVENTION:
Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania through support from Canadian Embassy Tanzania organized and conducted a girl child day at Kiabakari secondary school, where more than 2800 students participated. Film screening in different villages and schools conducted to create awareness on the effects of FGM.
ENTERPRENEURSHIP TRAINING – WOMEN CONNECT
HGWT through Hope Mugumu Safe house has managed to train 37 members of women and children committee from 37 villages in Serengeti District. The training was officially opened by Serengeti District Executive Director. Hope staff also participated in this special training. Through support from Women Connect TZS 1,920,000 /= will support Microfinance establishment following Wabiya system. Follow up mapping training was conducted and on how to work with ODK forms to collect data.
We also gave special Mapping training to Masanga staff, Tarime social welfare, Tarime police gender desk and 3 staff from Butiama Safe house on how to use maps to help protect girls.
LAND SURVEY:
Survey work started at Matare village to develop town planning, survey and title at the location where we want to build a permanent Safe House to replace the rented building we are currently using in Mugumu. The plan is already designed and submitted to Serengeti council wait for approval from Council after their meeting plan to take place on 23 and 24th of November 2019.
ESTABLISMENT OF KURYA CULTURAL CENTER:
Hope Mugumu Safe house has managed to establish kurya cultural center in order to promote kurya culture which promote women and girl’s rights and protect our community at larger. Through this kurya cultural center we aim at creating awareness to our community and visitors about the effects of traditions and customs which hindering girls and women rights such as FGM, Early child marriages, women battery etc. In the kurya cultural center we have Hope cultural dance group which help to create awareness to the community about the effects FGM and Gender Based violence to community at larger. Mama Muhabe Marwa is working to this cultural center to explain about kurya traditional tools. Mama Muhabe is one of among 6 cutters who dropped down their tools and stop cutting girls after being sensitized about the effects of FGM and health implications to women and girls. The traditional dance group is motivated well trained, available and ready to work any time to deliver ant FGM messages to community and visitors.
MANY VISITORS VISITED HGWT.
Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania, through Hope Mugumu Safe house received visitors from Netherland – Nicola and Karin, Sospiter from TCDC, Anifa.M. Said from interland surveyor from Dodoma, Vaineme Marite, Chareen, Rebecca, Gleri from Australia, Millie, Ollie, Jason and Daniel from Fourseasons, Allan Cram and Dan from UK.
SUPPORT AND AIDS:
We have received food and sanitary items aid from Four seasons on 26th October 2019, the items received includes: Rice 100 kg, Beans 100 kg, Maize Flour 100kg, Sugar 50kg, Cooking oil 20 liters, Bar Soap 2 cartons, Body cream 1 dozen, Tooth paste 2 dozen and Pads 5 pc.MrAlan Cram supported Hope Mugumu safe house with 20 buskets and 20 pairs of sandles to Butiama Safe house.
ABOUT FGM SITUATION:
Due to the information’s received from good people whom fight against FGM and gender based violence that have received the secret information’s from traditional leaders, that there will be a very secret cutting to Wairege and bamera. The information received from informers from Serengeti, Butiama and Tarime Districts. From November to December the cutting will start to these 2 kuryan clan when school holiday start. We are ready to receive girls whom will flee from FGM.
CHALLENGES:
The following challenges
Butiama safe house is facing water problem, where girls have to walk long distance looking for water.
WAY FORWARD/FUTURE PLANS:
SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATION:
We thank everyone for their generous support this year and wish you well for the holiday season.
Thank you again for your generosity. Thanks to you we have been able to do the following:
Butiama Safe house: We have the total number of 43 children’s at Safe Butiama among them 3 are still young kids who are still under special parental care, the remaining number is 37 among them 15 are doing their primary school education, 6 are doing their secondary school education and 13 are doing their vocational training on Tailoring, entrepreneurship skills and other self-reliance activities. Food and other basic needs for girls were provided. 3 girls experienced rape violence, were brought by Police gender desk from Butiama and Bunda District waiting for their cases at the court.
Hope Mugumu Safe house: 53 We have the total number of 53 children’s at Safe among them 3 are still young kids who are still under special parental care, the remaining number is 50 among them 10 are doing their primary school education [ 4 are at English Media and 6 are at day Government school, 19 are doing their secondary school education[16 are at day school, 3at ward boarding school and 1 at A level at Geita region and 18 are doing their vocational training -Tailoring, entrepreneurship skills , 5 Hotel management and other self-reliance activities. Food and other basic needs for girls were provided. 2 girls namely Chausiku from Nyansurura village, Elizabeth from Majimoto village were taken back home after the successful reconciliation.
CAPACITY BUILDING TRAINING:
Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania participated on the road to Nairobi – committing to Ending FGM in Dar -es -salaam on 28th of September 2019 at UNFPA venue. We had presentation from UNFPA and Government social welfare officer. After presentation group discussions were formed to outline the barriers to end FGM and What should be done to End FGM. 6 NGOs namely ; HGWT, ATFGM Masanga, NAFGEM, HIMD,KIPUNGUNI and ESTL working to End FGM in Tanzania participated.
BALOZI CHARLIE STUART OF EU FAREWELL AND AWARD :
On 28th evening we were invited to an event organised by UNFPA, EU, Canadian Embassy, ICPD25. Participants from Government, Development partners and ambassadors from different embassies attended. It was as special day for saying goodbye to EU Balozi Mr Charlie Stuarts who worked very hard to coordinate to End FGM in Tanzania. Mr Charlie moved from Tanzania since 29th evening to his Home. In the event the Award of Recognition for Excellence in Working towards Ending Female Genital Mutilation [FGM] was given to 6 NGOs and 3 WP from Gender desk were given the award from Serengeti – WP Sijali , others are from Moshi and Manyara.
THE SITUATION AT SERENGETI AND BUTIAMA:
ABOUT FGM SITUATION:
Due to the information’s received from good people whom fight against FGM and gender based violence that have received the secret information’s from traditional leaders, that there will be a very secret cutting to Wairege and few Wakenye to start anytime this September to December 2019. The information received from informers from Serengeti and Butiama Districts.
ABOUT FOOD:
Due to not enough rainfall , the food price is increasing every day. The price for 20 kg of maize was 10,000/= but now is 18,000/= to 20,000. As Hope we decided to buy maize and beans as the costs is increasing high to date. 6400 kg of maize was purchased for the price of 17,500 per 20kg and 1000 kg of beans for 2000 kg.
GARDENING AND AGRICULTURE:
Gardening activities continuing in our garden, we have grown different vegetables, such as spinach, mchicha, onions, tomatoes using organic farming. We have grown 2 acters of cassava and sweet potatoes in our new land.
CHALLENGES:
The following challenges
Water problem
Butiama safe house is facing water problem, where girls has to walk long distance looking for water.
School desks is still a challenge, where some students are sitting down at Kyabakari– Butiama District.
Funds to support construction of our permanent buildings.
GREAT THANKS TO YOU ALL!:
Dear ‘Friend of Hope’
From Rhobi being crowned ‘Queen’ to being taught pioneering anti-FGM practices from the UNFPA, what a busy Spring it has been! As many of you already know, girls are increasingly being cut outside of ‘cutting season’ as members of their family try to evade the local police authorities. Our sources have informed us of many cases where girls are due to be cut in Summer and consequently Spring has been all about preparation.
After 3 years of operation, Hope has built a reputation on the ground as a diligent and effective grassroots anti-FGM organisation. We’re incredibly proud of this reputation, but we have dreamt of a more nation-wide presence to raise us much-needed funds and give us a foot in the door with officials who have power to pass real legislation regarding gender based violence. Well it appears that our dreams are being answered as Rhobi was crowned Queen at Cloud Media’s “Queen of 2019” event in Dar Es Salaam. Cloud Media is one of the biggest media companies in Africa and we can’t wait to commence our cooperation programme that will allow us to sustainably expand Hope’s operations.
Turning to our long-established partnerships, mid-May Hope attended a UNFPA ‘Capacity Building and Financial Training Day’ to streamline our operations. UNFPA representatives often visit our safe houses with local police gender desk officials and we really appreciate these visits as they help us coordinate more effectively in both saving girls at-risk from FGM and ensuring that they return to a safe environment. Currently, Hope is still housing 92 girls, 88 of which are girls who could not be reconciled with their families because their guardians refused to sign a legal contract promising to not bring harm to the girl.
Lastly, we’ve really enjoyed seeing the progress being made against FGM at the Women’s Deliver Conference in 2019 with President Kenyatta pledging to bring FGM to an end in Kenya by 2022. Director of Hope’s documentary, Giselle Portenier, spoke passionately about her fight and if you would like to hear her presentation you can do so here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQeUGZHfqLU(1:02:25 mark).
As always, we thank you for your support of Hope’s safe houses. As an organisation with no consistent donation partner, your help is what allows us to save girls from FGM and we are incredibly grateful.
Speak soon,
Rhobi
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