Sally & Joven have reached Buduburam Camp in Ghana
Dear Friends,
Much has happened since Vermont Trust Funds for Women Empowerment began at the Buduburam Liberian Refugee Camp in Ghana, West Africa on April 1st. of 2010.
We have experienced a rather quick success because of the women refugees; they have directed the programming since day one. They have designed workshops and women with skills have taught the other women. They also pray and fast for spiritual guidance and direction each week; they have reached out to some of the neediest families on the camp.
Thirty women have started successful, home businesses. Each month 80 - 100 women and children are fed, adult literacy classes have begun for women who want to learn to write their names, and two baby’s lives have been saved by providing the mothers with necessary funds for complicated deliveries outside of the refugee camp.
Microloans for women empowerment continue to be our primary focus. Women are gaining the skills and knowledge that they will need in order to create better futures for themselves. In fact, many women are beginning to express hope about returning to Liberia because now they have their successful businesses. The workshops and trainings have taught them how to read and keep financial data about their businesses. The women without skills have been able to attend sewing school. In the future we hope to add: baking, soap making, cutting hair, and tie-dying.
The needs on the camp are great since the United Nations has withdrawn its support from the remaining 12,000 Liberians. The UN is proclaiming Liberia a safe nation to return to. Many women have lived on the camp since 1994, so naturally the camp has become the only home they know. The refugees that have chosen to return to Liberia have been telling us there has been little to return to after nearly a dozen years of two different civil wars.
Every dollar donated will be made available to pre-qualified women who are waiting for their small business loans of $50.00 - $200.00. There are currently 35 women on the waiting list for loans. Once their business is up and running, the loans are paid back to the non-profit and redistributed to others.
Dear Friends,
ReplyDeleteMuch has happened since Vermont Trust Funds for Women Empowerment began at the Buduburam Liberian Refugee Camp in Ghana, West Africa on April 1st. of 2010.
We have experienced a rather quick success because of the women refugees; they have directed the programming since day one. They have designed workshops and women with skills have taught the other women. They also pray and fast for spiritual guidance and direction each week; they have reached out to some of the neediest families on the camp.
Thirty women have started successful, home businesses. Each month 80 - 100 women and children are fed, adult literacy classes have begun for women who want to learn to write their names, and two baby’s lives have been saved by providing the mothers with necessary funds for complicated deliveries outside of the refugee camp.
Microloans for women empowerment continue to be our primary focus. Women are gaining the skills and knowledge that they will need in order to create better futures for themselves. In fact, many women are beginning to express hope about returning to Liberia because now they have their successful businesses. The workshops and trainings have taught them how to read and keep financial data about their businesses. The women without skills have been able to choose between sewing, baking, soap making, cutting hair, and tie-dying.
The needs on the camp are great since the United Nations has withdrawn its support from the remaining 12,000 Liberians. The UN is proclaiming Liberia a safe nation to return to. Many women have lived on the camp since 1994, so naturally the camp has become the only home they know. The refugees that have chosen to return to Liberia have been telling us there has been little to return to after nearly a dozen years of two different civil wars.
Every dollar donated will be made available to pre-qualified women who are waiting for their small business loans of $50.00 - $200.00. There are currently 35 women on the waiting list for loans. Once their business is up and running, the loans are paid back to the non-profit and redistributed to others.
Thank you for your support,
Sally Black