International Women’s Day Dinner
Presented by Canadian Federation of University Women
Ajax-Pickering and Scarborough Clubs
Guest Speaker: Peta Hall, volunteer with Mama na Dada Africa
“Working with Kenyan women in textiles”
Monday, March 10th, 2008 - 6 p.m.
The Bluffs Restaurant, in the Student Centre
Scarborough Campus, University of Toronto
1265 Military Trail, Scarborough
(Southwest corner of Morningside Drive and Ellesmere Avenue – a short distance south of the 401)
Welcome to Mama na Dada Africa (www.mamanadada.org)
Mama na Dada-Africa (which is Swahili for "Mother and Sister") is a non-profit, non-governmental organization formed by and for African women to support the empowerment of the African girl child. We are a registered charity in Bondo District and Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa.
In the United States, we are partners with Global Partners for Development which is the only official US-based non-profit authorized to receive contributions on behalf of Mama na Dada-Africa. In 2004 we chose to partner with Global Partners because they share our commitment to help girls reach their full potential through education.
Tailoring & Textile Design
Faraja Women's Group Vocational Training Program
This exciting program is one-of-a-kind in the village of Kunya. It provides the opportunity for women, specifically widows and single mothers, to receive training in sewing and tailoring and to become a member of Faraja Women Group, the all-women’s group that produces items (dolls, blankets, potholders, handbags, rugs) for sale. The sale of the items provides important income for the group and for the women individually.
Started in 2005 with 15 women, Mama Na Dada commissioned sewing and textile exports from Nairobi and Tanzania to train the women of Kunya in the making of dolls, blankets, potholders, handbags and rugs with the goal of creating a group that would eventually manage itself as a small business.
The group was immediately successful and the women embraced the opportunity with vigor! The program has expanded quickly and is now receiving contracts for the production of school uniforms in the area. Still in its early stage, the group is soon to undergo training in business management and accounting to prepare them for additional opportunities suggests renting a craft stall in the city of Kisumu where they can sell their goods. Negotiations are also underway with several shops in both Nairobi and Mombasa to sell the goods.
In a short time, these women, who previously had little or no income to support themselves and their children will be drastically improving their lives and those of their children. Their children will be a few of the lucky ones who will be able to receive secondary school education and the women will be able to ensure their long-term financial security.
The program has expanded to include young men who have become responsible for the care of their siblings due to the death of their parents or other difficult circumstance.
Sponsoring a woman who wishes to join the Faraja Women Group costs $200 and includes the following: sewing machine, sewing supplies, training, and transportation. To give a woman the opportunity to change her life, consider making a much needed donation by visiting Global Partners for Development. In the donation area, you can specify how you would like your donation to be used
CONTRIBUTE
DID YOU KNOW…?
• $5 will replace a tattered school uniform for a grateful girl student?
• $20 will provide nursing care, counseling, food and pain relief for a homebound AIDS client for a week?
• $360 will cover a year’s school tuition, books and uniforms for a knowledge- thirsty girl in Kenya?
• $14,250 could build an entire clean water system for Kunya Village
The above are just a few of the ways your dollars will be stretched to provide maximum benefit in the most needed areas of Kenya, Africa. To contribute, please contact Global Partners for Development and let them know you would like to make a contribution to the work of Mama Na Dada.
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VOLUNTEER
There are many volunteer opportunities available for those who wish to support Mama na Dada. Please contact Village Volunteers for more information.