Year in Review—Uplifting the neglected and overlooked and celebrating the potential of women and girls.
Last year we all read—or witnessed—atrocities against women and children. Even in these modern times, sexism reigns in the Global South. Girls are seen as second-class. Denied education, limited opportunities, and entrenched patriarchy; the outlook is grim for the average girl in a rural village in Southeast Asia. In May 2023, riots broke out in the state of Manipur and chief among the victims were women and children. Unspeakable and violent acts of physical and sexual violence recounted headline after headline. How does one respond to such depravity? If you’re reading this, I can confidently say that you know the answer to that question. You use your power and influence to right a wrong. You use your voice for advocacy. You educate yourself so that you can take proper action.
In 2023, there were many of you who did exactly that. You donated, advocated, listened, and even prayed. For that, I as well as my team and those served by their efforts, want to thank you.
For every awful report there is a story of hope. Students forced out of their homes in Manipur were relocated to a safe campus and able to continue their education. Mothers in abusive marriages received support in the form of training and microloans so that they could become the breadwinner for their families. Girls received encouragement and practical help to continue their education.
The struggles and adversity these women and girls face are no longer the ending punctuation for their future. Now they are the difficult beginning that they’ve risen above.
And to what extent has this change happened? Let’s look at what your support has enable our indigenous partner organizations to do:
In 2023…
There were 2,632 women who received microloans.
5,694 women attended transformation groups which provided skills training, mentorship, and financial education.
75 young women attended community college. 9 have graduated as nurses,
5 as lab technicians, and 12 as operation theatre technicians.
5 widows received new homes. Ones with doors that lock and have private bathrooms. Basic things we take for granted but are luxuries for those in villages.
22 women received skills training and gained employment with good pay
and safe environment.
190 girls received holistic care and education through our partner’s Children’s Homes.
1,942 Young girls received holistic care through our partner’s evening study centers and schools.
Please don’t let these numbers remain as abstract items in your mind. These are unique, incredible women and girls who’ve worked hard for their education and future. They worry about the same daily stressors you and I do. (Will I get to that meeting on time? Do I have dinner for the kids? Can I afford to fix my broken appliance? Can I get a job that will pay me enough to provide for my children?) Each one has a past they’re healing from and a future they’re looking forward to.
In this new year, let’s join together to advocate and support these women. Let’s look for opportunities to engage with their local groups committed to raising up a strong future generation of women professionals. Let’s seek out and donate to the organizations that serve those that everyone else overlooks. The poorest of the poor, women and children, and those with hard lives in the Global South. There are many ways to do this and we have a great opportunity that I would love for you to be a part of, coming up in February…Click here to learn more.