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VGIF has been and will continue to be in the forefront to advance women's rights, develop leadership skills, and empower women to make positive changes in their lives… through access to education, health services, economic opportunities, and resources to combat abuse.
Most funded projects have an educational element to enhance sustainability for future generations.
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Opening doors to educational opportunities
In rural regions of Senegal, fewer than 15% of girls ever get to junior high school. If they fail to pass grade-level exams, they usually drop out. “The improved level of literacy and the number of project beneficiaries will result in a positive improvement in their level of self confidence, self reliance, and knowledge use.” “After-school tutoring is the hidden support necessary for girls’ education to thrive; the VGIF grant makes this possible.”
This young lady (right) placed 4th (the highest for any girl!) in her class of 36 students following a tutoring program. She now has HOPE for the future in teachingFrench
In Peru, Chile, Bolivia, and Ecuador educational toys provide displaced children and their families a fun learning experience in a safe environment.
A series of training workshops in two Samoan schools provided teachers with knowledge to locate effective resource materials and create engaging study aids.
A Tanzanian project for literacy (above) and vocational training provides income-generating vocations while at the same time building self confidence through education offering women belief in their innate potential.
In remote areas of Tibet, a woman’s life is characterized by long hours of hard labor and no formal education. VGIF support provided warm clothing for over 250 children in the first primary school in the district. Another grant to supply textbooks and learning materials to advance skills and develop a school library followed.
“… in this one remote corner of Tibet, children of poor subsistence farmers are being given a chance to explore new worlds and examine new ideas through the power of the written word.”
Literacy development for at-risk children between 18 months and 5 years of age is the focus of a program near Buenos Aires, Argentina. Working with the community’s only kindergarten and early childhood center, early literacy skills prepare children to be successful in reading, conversational and listening skills at primary school.
A literacy program for adult women in Haiti (above) was expanded to include training in cooking nutrition, sewing, carpentry, and car repair. “What a relief, I will not die without learning to write my name”
In the Kigoma district of Tanzania, desks, textbooks, and toilet facilities were supplied for a primary school. A dramatic increase in girls’ attendance occurred, increasing the likelihood of their continuing their education.
Making a difference… one community at a time
Combating HIV/AIDS and other diseases
HIV/AIDS has inflicted immense suffering on countries and communities throughout the world. Extreme poverty, malnutrition, and lack of accessible health care compound the problem.
Discrimination toward women and children infected with HIV/AIDS is rampant in Nigeria. In Lagos, a project to change attitudes that included seminars, advocacy visits, neo-natal counseling, and behavioral change materials has been successful in engaging dialog and altering attitudes in the entire community.
Children and youth orphaned by HIV/AIDS in the Republic of Cameroon are being taught how clean water and sanitation facilities are critical to their health. Funds for intergenerational training camps and wells have been provided to strengthen immune systems at an early age. Prospects for a longer life expectancy in Bogso community have been improved significantly.
A comprehensive HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention program has proved to be extremely successful in Ghana. 80 young people were trained to help educate other youth by advancing awareness of the disease, its possible infectious modes, and its prevention – often to participants that did not believe the disease existed or had not heard about it. Dramatic presentations helped to make large attitudinal and behavioral changes in the community. “You have really given us a good education about HIV/AIDS and effective training to our volunteer youth and women. We have been living without operational knowledge of the disease.”
VGIF grants bring reproductive health services within reach of rural communities that are under-served or offer no services at all.”
In Tajikistan, education of the female population in a remote district of Penjikent on reproductive health and rights, family planning, STDs. 20 women were trained in their communities by doctors and medical staff. Funding covered training materials and on-site support for all aspects of reproductive health.
Women in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya are building ferro-cement water tanks with funds provided by a VGIF grant to ensure safe and accessible water for bathing, cooking, and drinking.
Workshops were held in the rural community of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria (above) to reduce maternal mortality. Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and midwives were trained and materials were provided for midwifery kits. A baseline survey was conducted with monthly monitoring visits to determine progress.
Seemingly insurmountable problems…
yet, the beginnings of effective solutions
Training for 2,400 women and girls in reproductive health issues was provided in Bangladesh, including maternal health, pregnancy, and STD.
50 poor, adolescent girls in India are trained in nursing assistance and health education in addition to women’s rights and gender equity.
An integrated fish farm project educated 250 women on the nutritional value of fish in their diet. Two ponds were built and stocked. Income generation improved food security, and increased employment in Kenya.
Empowering women to alter gender imbalances,
obtain and sustain economic opportunities
In many parts of the world, there is a decided lack of participation by women in economic development. Discriminatory employment and law enforcement practices contribute to maintain gender disparities. Micro-credit and funded projects are providing seed money to groups of women to break from the past and create sustainable economic growth for their families and communities.
100 disadvantaged women in Madurai in southern India have turned the production of footwear into a thriving enterprise. A VGIF grant provided raw materials and training aids to help market their products in local cooperatives and showrooms.
A comprehensive program of livestock management was the focus for a micro-business project in Paraguay. Participants were trained in maintenance of stock, breeding, butchering, and marketing of pigs to provide food security and income generation.
In the Bolnisi region of Georgia (right), women of various ethnic backgrounds receive training on the use of sewing machines to manufacture finished textile products. Training courses are conducted to help establish economic independence, build cross-cultural relationships, and promote greater understanding of women’s economic rights.
200 rural women living below the poverty line in the Kathmandu district of Nepal are increasing their self confidence and self reliance through leadership and skill development training prior to help apply for micro-credit loans.
20 women are being trained to produce hangers and garment bags for sale in stores and markets in Turkey.
Leaders were trained to improve the economic and social position of women in 14 Russian regions.
100 poor migrant workers in Sucre, Bolivia were trained in macramé, confectionary and cooking following a program they helped to design. Production units have been established and sales initiated in local markets and neighborhoods.
Use of bicycles to get produce to market in a swift, efficient manner is the focus of a project in Kenya affecting 84 women. “This was the most exciting project and activity we have ever had in our lives.”
Physical violence and mental abuse against women and children…
implementing progressive action for change
Rape, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), domestic violence abuse, and the sexual exploitation of women and children continue to plague all parts of the world, particularly in developing countries. Regional conflicts, limited legal protection, and traditional habits and practices place women and children at constant risk. Progress is underway…
Prevention and intervention services for Palestinian children at risk of abuse are currently unavailable in the Bethlehem area. 40 adults and 40 children in a refugee camp will be offered parental education, support groups, and home visits in an effort to ensure that children live in safe and nurturing homes. Mental health counseling and psychiatric services for abused children, youth, and non-offending parents will be offered through the VGIF grant.
Training in tailoring skills is provided for Sebey, Uganda girls who are ostracized and alienated from their parents or guardians for refusing to undergo FGM. Tailored goods are sold for income; project funds were used to acquire sewing and knitting machines.
A commitment to reproductive health and human rights issues for the prevention of FGM is underway in Tamale, Ghana. Basic education focuses on physical, mental, and social well being of women and children with workshops reaching 40,000 men and women. Workshops, advocacy training and information campaigns, and skills training were provided.
Breaking the long-standing taboo of discussing female circumcision in the Abagusii community of Kenya is a difficult process; however, open discussion of FGM and HIV/AIDS is now occurring. Men and medical experts were identified and enlisted to speak against the practice. A number of students have declared their intent not to circumcise or be circumcised. Group discussions and song and dance presentations are used to communicate the serious health and psychological damage inflicted by FGM.
Over 350 women who suffered from domestic violence participated in meetings in Cairo, Egypt. Additional awareness-raising sessions are planned with production of training manuals and resource guides dealing with domestic violence. Victim advocacy takes place at the House of Eve shelter, the first comprehensive shelter in the area for victims of domestic violence.
VGIF – Almost 40 years supporting women in developing countries
