FORGE Meheba Women's Center

Project Update: Field Project from June 2010

As Reported from FORGE’s site manager in Meheba:

Women’s Savings Circle

Saving Circle Participants: 49

In June the Women’s Centre has been concentrating on getting women together to repay their loans and continue saving. It has been a long process trying to gather women again after rainy season but the staff are working diligently and the SM has sent official letters to all saving circle participants to inform them of the need to start meeting again.

Looking Forward

Preparations are being made for the next 2-month outreach & training program, which will start at the beginning of July and include training in sewing and knitting as well as education on women’s rights, maternal & reproductive health, and early childhood development. In August, an influx of new Congolese refugees will be arriving, on transfer from the nearby Mwange and Kala refugee camps, which are in the process of closing down. Once these refugees arrive, the Women’s Center will be doing an assessment of their needs and potentially planning an outreach specifically for their particular circumstances.

Due to personal reasons Annita felt it necessary to leave The Women’s Center, she will be greatly missed.

- Annie D, Project Development Summer Associate

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Project Update: Field Report from April and May 2010

In April and May the Maheba Women’s Center continued to help women refugees who are scheduled to return to Angola build useful skills through the knitting and sewing outreach program at the departure centre. The women graduated from the program in May with a valuable skill that they will be able to employ as a source of income once they repatriate. Because these women will be departing the Camp soon it was not possible to initiate a savings circle with them but the training they received has better equipped them for success in their return to Angola.

The existing savings circles have suffered from a drop in participation and repayment in recent months. To address this decline, the Site Manager has written official letters to the women urging them to prepare to save and continue scheduled repayments as soon as possible. Jacqui and Annita will follow up with the women directly and encourage them to resume with the savings circle now that the rainy season has passed.

The Center’s staff continues to work tirelessly. Dinah returned from maternity leave in mid-May and they are pleased to move forward with outreach to new groups. Interest in the knitting and sewing class continues to grow in the Camp. Women living in Block C have conveyed their wish to participate in one of the classes. The Center staff is excited to start with this new group at the end of May and to help increase the opportunities open to the women of Block C. The Women’s Center also plans to begin a savings circle for the Block C residents in the coming month.

-Gretchen Murphy, Citizen Effect Project Development Assistant

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Project Update: Field Report from February 2010

The Meheba Women’s Center continued their capacity building programs in February, celebrating the graduation of a sewing and knitting class and starting a new course geared towards supporting refugee women who will soon be returning to their native country. The Center's team has also been working diligently to encourage women to participate in the savings circles and manage their financial planning throughout the year.

Sewing and Knitting Outreach Program:

In early February, the Road 36 sewing and knitting class that had included many Congolese women was completed. On February 5^th, a graduation ceremony was held to highlight the women’s achievements. Although several students were unable to attend due to a protest within the Meheba Refugee Settlement, those present spoke highly of their experience and the skills they acquired from the class.

Shortly after this celebration, a new sewing and knitting class began, directed at women at the Meheba Settlement’s transit center...Read the full February field report!

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Project Update: Field Report from January 2010

In January, the Women’s Center continued its ongoing educational and financial programs and outlined its yearlong goals. During the first weeks of the year, the Center successfully hosted an intensive workshop, held regular sewing and knitting classes, and encouraged the expansion of its savings circles and community outreach programs.

Sewing and Knitting Program and Outreach Workshop:

Sewing and Knitting Program Completion Rate: 10%

Outreach Workshop Completion Rate: 80%

The sewing and knitting outreach program at Road 36 held weekly classes and the Center is excited to announce that this course’s students graduated on February 5^th. The Center also conducted a four-day workshop that focused on reproductive health issues, nutrition, and childcare... Read the full January field report!

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Project Update: Field Report from December 2009

The Meheba Women’s Center began the new year with its 2010 operations fully funded thanks to Candice’s project. Contributions from Candice and her friends allowed one new sewing machine to be purchased, already expanding the sewing classes offered by the center. The proceeds women earn from sewing will both benefit their families and enable the Center to become self-sustaining. Below is a picture of one of the dresses a refugee made at the Center:

Attached to the picture is a short note from one of the women who has beneffited from the Center's efforts. It reads, "My name is Masela, I am happy with the work FORGE is doing in Meheba Refugee Camp where as refugees we have many problems. We have left our country and relatives because of war. Through the women's center we have made friends and relatives who support us. Thank you."

The Center’s Project Manager has also sent a December 2009 Field Report full of promising plans for 2010:

In December, the sewing and knitting project continued to run… Read more!

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Congrats to Candice & Friends!

Congrats to Candice & Friends on completing fundraising for the Meheba Women's Center project! $5,646 has been wired to FORGE, Citizen Effect's field partner in Zambia to support the 2010 operations of the Meheba Women's Center.

Check back for updates on project and the Meheba refugee community!

–May Yu, Citizen Effect Project Manager

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