Posted: 04/21/2010

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 5th, 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!

When the rainy season ends in April or May, these women will be repatriated to Angola. Given their upcoming departure from the camp, Jacqui and Annita, the Center’s coordinator and assisting team member, felt these women stood to benefit most from this course that could teach them a skill with which they can earn money to feed their families. The course will also provide the space and opportunity for participating women to support one another as they await the process of leaving the Camp.

Savings Circles:

Total Saved in February: 120,000 ZMK (Zambian Kwacha)

With the continuation of the rainy season and the cultivation period through the month of February, many women in the savings program have focused their attention on agricultural activities. At this time of the year, women often face greater financial burdens as they wait for the harvest. As a result, attendance at the saving circles continued to be poor. Nonetheless, this was anticipated at the Center and letters were sent out to the women who failed to attend encouraging them to be ready to begin saving again in mid-March. Even with the decline in attendance, between the four savings groups 120,000 ZMK was saved in February.

The Women’s Center Team and Community:

It is with great sadness that the Women’s Center team reports that Annita has had to take leave recently due to personal health issues. The Center’s staff is supporting her as her condition improves in hopes of a speedy recovery. Dinah will also be taking some time off beginning March 8th in preparation for her due date in early March.

Recent protests in Meheba have caused disruption and instability for the community. What began as a peaceful demonstration sparked by the community's frustration over the new Government Refugee Officer in the Meheba escalated following the arrival of Zambian police and security forces. One woman was killed and between 50-100 refugees were arrested. Thankfully, the situation has stabilized and the Center’s staff and all FORGE employees are safe. To learn more about the protest, read the response from United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on this incident.

What’s Next:

The Women’s Center has prepared to continue the success of its knitting and sewing classes and savings circles in March. The Center’s team is planning to work closely with loan recipients to ensure repayment and provide broader support to women in the community. The Center is also organizing an event with the Zambian Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th.