GLOBALLINK
Lieut.-Colonel Brenda Murray poses with students from John Gowans School,Liberia.
EDUCATION EMPOWERS
By Lieut.-Colonel Brenda Murray
The sound of children playing echoes as we pull up in front of the John Gowans School in Monrovia, Liberia. It’s recess and the students are happily pouring out of their classrooms and into the hot, humid air. Some head up the street to a local shop to buy a drink, while others mill about, huddled in small groups as happy chatter fills the air
We’re ushered into a classroom where 15 girls spanning in age from 10 to 23 are seated. One by one, each student smartly dressed in her uniform standsup, introduces herself and shares her favourite subject with us. The students are proud to talk about their studies and the dreams they now have because they’re in school This has not always been the case.
“I was not able to attend school because
my parents couldn’t pay my school fees,” says Naomi “I heard about this sponsorship from the Headmaster Now that I’m sponsored by The Salvation Army, I’ll be able to graduate I thank God and say thank you, thank you, thank you!” I askNaomi what shewould like to do in the future and with a big smile sheproudly answers, “I want to study law”
As we pull away from John Gowans School, I’m thankful that The Salvation Army’s Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship program is making a difference by empowering young women through education.
“To all the little girlswho are watching, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.”
– Hillary Clinton in her 2016 concession speech
How often do you take for granted the opportunity to envision achieving the goals you have set for yourself? In many parts of the world, and for many people, it is difficult to even think of dreaming for the future as the focus is so often on survival.
In a recent visit to an international school, I had the opportunity to speak about the importance of having life goals for oneself and committing to achieve those goals. No matter where we find ourselves in life, there are always obstacles. For some, these obstacles seem insurmountable, but if we don’t dream, where will the impetus and determination to achieve our goals come from?
As we get ready to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, we have chosen to highlight the empowerment of women and girlsin this issue of Global Link. I hope that as you read the various articles you are inspired by the impact your support is making in the lives of individuals around the world as they begin to realize their dreams for a better life and future.
Sincerely,
A JOY TO BEHOLD
By Major Donna Barthau
The Salvation Army’s Joyland Girl’s Home in Lahore, Pakistan, has given hope to orphaned, impoverished, neglected and abused girls for decades. Over the years, the girls have gained the education, life skills and confidence necessary to become independent and successful in their adult life, many of them being the first in their family to break the cycle of poverty
At Joyland, girls are offered shelter, nutritional meals, medical attention, social, spiritual and educational opportunities and life-skills training. The girls do well at school, many achieving top grades in their classes, and learn to cook and take care of their pocket money.
Aster and Yeroshaare twin sisters who live at Joyland with their elder sister Beatrice Before The Salvation Army offered them each a place at the girl's home, they often went hungry and could not afford to go to school. Now all three are getting an education, are regularly fed nutritious meals and have dreams for the future Aster wants to be a doctor and Yeroshawants to be a teacher.
Janet is another girl who lives at Joyland. She writes, “Hello, Sponsors! I have lived at Joyland for two years and am
very happy here. My mother died when I was seven, so I am here and my brothers are at The Salvation Army Shiloh Boy’s Home I’m 12 years old now and I’m studying in Grade 5. I love school and I want to be a doctor one day so I can help the sick. Thank you for your support and care!”
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our sponsors who support vulnerable girls in Pakistan. Because of your generous donations, girls like Aster, Yerosha,Beatrice, and Janet have a chance for a brighter future
Aster and Yerosha
GREEN THUMBS
By Kathy Nguyen
On average, women make up 43% of the agricultural labour force in developing countries. Although agriculture is critical for establishing livelihoods and improving economies, these regions often lack important resources such as clean water and education for small-scale farmers.
The Salvation Army implemented a five-year project in 24 communities across Sri Lanka’s Polonnaruwa District, which sought to provide access to clean drinking water to over a thousand families. This year, we were thrilled to open our 13th well in Sri Lanka as part of this project.
A secondary part of the project focused on improving the livelihoods of vulnerable farmers through agricultural training, businessskills, and livelihood support. Eighty female farmers from four villages took part, receiving instruction on how to prepare soil, plant seeds, use fertilizer, maintain fields,and harvest. In order to hone their new skills, the participants entered into a friendly competition with prizes given to the top performers.
Mrs. Nisansala, one of the winners, was commended for her green chilies. She used her training to improve her home garden and has since expanded her businessby renting a vehicle to sell fruits, vegetables, and plants in other villages. Through this, shehas increased her earnings by 8,500 rupees per month. “I’m grateful to The Salvation Army for giving me hope,” shesays.
We would like to thank all of our generous donors and supporters for helping women like Mrs. Nisansala create a worthwhile and sustainable livelihood–your donations to our Gifts of Hope program have truly made a difference!
BETTER AND HEALTHIER LIVES
By Kathy Nguyen
Imagineapregnantwomanhavingtowalkfivekilometreswith herchildinherarmsjusttogettoahealthfacility,onlytowaitfor hoursbecauseofthesevereshortageofdoctors,ortofindoutthat themedicationsheandherchildrequiredwasunavailableor unaffordable.
Rose,amotherofseven,livesintheCheptaiscommunityin westernKenya.Whenherchildrenweresick,Rosewouldgive themtraditionalherbsandhopeforreliefasthemedicalfacilities availabletoherwerefaraway,overcrowded,andunder-resourced.
TheSalvationArmy’smotherandchildhealthprojectis enrichinghealthservicesintheKenyaWestTerritorybycreating awarenessoftheneedtoaccess healthservices,improvingaccess to basicmedicationsandmedical equipment,andincreasingthe capacityofcommunityhealthworkers.Withimprovedservices acrosscommunitiesinKenyaWest,manywomenaregivenbetter care,fasterservice,medications,andhealtheducation.
Motherandchildhealthisoneofthemajorglobal
issuesweworktoaddressintheWorldMissions Department.Asoneofthemostvulnerablesocial groupsintheworld,womenandchildrenindevelopingcountries face profounddifficultiesinareasmanyofustake forgranted.
“WewouldliketothankTheSalvationArmyforprovidingus withthisproject,”saysRose.“Therearegoodservicesandweno longerhavetowaitinlonglines.”
Withyoursupportandgenerosity,TheSalvationArmywill continuetohelpwomenandchildreninmarginalizedcommunitiesobtainthenecessaryresourcestolivebetterandhealthierlives.
CANADA’S FEMINIST INTERNATIONAL POLICY
By Ruth Hobbis
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development, launched a new plan for international assistance on June 9, 2017. Developed with data from the 2016 International Assistance Review, Canada’s international policy now has gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls at its core.
“Focusing Canada’s international assistance on the full empowerment of women and girls is the mosteffective way for our international assistance to make a difference in the world,” says Minister Bibeau. “When women and girls are given equal opportunities to succeed, they can be powerful agents of change—driving stronger economic growth, encouraging greater peace and cooperation, and improving the quality of life for their families and their communities.”
Around the world, women and girls are the mostimpoverished, the leastlikely to have access to education, and the most
vulnerable to disease Yet research shows that when women are given leadership roles, they can boost the economy, reduce hunger and poverty, improve peace, and empower others.
Therefore, focusing on women and girls not only benefits them, but men and boys, too
“The challenge with international development is always helping Canadians see the connection with their lives,” says Julia Sanchez, president of Canadian Council for International Cooperation.
“The focus on women ’ s empowerment overseas, at a time when that conversation is very much alive in Canada […], can get people who are excited about the feminist agenda in Canada to also get excited about doing this overseas. ”
At The Salvation Army, we welcome Canada’s commitment to using international assistance that promotes gender equality, human dignity, economic growth, and peace around the world.
The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau