Posts by worldrelief
Each for Equal
While the last two weeks have brought a lot of unexpected change and uncertainty, we know good is still happening and there are things still worth celebrating. March is Women’s History Month and today, we are taking some time to celebrate women and their impact on our lives.
Throughout history, women have played a unique role in the body of Christ — lifting the vulnerable up and proclaiming a message of Christlike love that is good news for all who hear it. Each year, we celebrate women and the value they hold by observing Women’s History Month throughout March and International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th.
Embracing women’s voices and valuing their insight as God’s image-bearers is the central point of IWD and one of the many reasons we choose to celebrate each year. Women have a unique lens through which they view the world, including the ways in which they view scripture.
Much of the Bible was written by and given to a community in the margins of society, and women have been in the margins of the church for most of its history. A woman’s perspective enriches biblical study and blesses the church. Women not only read the Bible differently, but they illuminate the stories of women in the Bible with clarity and intentionality, helping other women see themselves in the Scriptures.
In honor of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, Karen Gonzales, World Relief’s Director of Human Resources, has written an e-book that shines a light on women’s stories in the Bible and why women’s theological perspectives matter.
We hope this e-book is not only a welcome and helpful addition to your study of the Bible, but that it provides some additional encouragement while you’re practicing social distancing or sheltering in place.
Take Comfort, Choose Courage
“A church in search of the vulnerable and isolated is an irresistible force for good and a worthy witness to the grace of God.”
-Scott Arbeiter, Christianity Today
Two months ago, very few of us were familiar with the term coronavirus, and even fewer of us had heard the more specific term, COVID-19. For those of us who were familiar, the novel coronavirus was something happening somewhere else. Today, somewhere else seems to be everywhere as the virus has spread to affect more than 150 countries worldwide, the United States included.
Things have moved quickly. In a matter of weeks, schools have closed, restaurants have shifted to take-out-only and some have closed their doors completely. Church gatherings have moved to strictly online platforms and many office workers have begun working from home for the foreseeable future. The change has been sudden, the uncertainty and anxiety palpable. But as our team has gathered together via Zoom over the last few days, we are reminded that in uncertain times like these, we can take comfort and choose courage.
Crisis and ambiguity are not new for the people of God. In fact, we, like the rest of humanity, have been experiencing crisis since the beginning of time. Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites faced a number of crises including war, drought and famine, to name a few. Jesus himself was persecuted to the point of death, and throughout the book of Acts, the early church endured continued hardship in the form of violence and imprisonment. But even as the early Christians endured these adversities, they took comfort in knowing God was for them and, following Jesus’ example, they chose courage, continuing to serve the vulnerable in their communities.
This type of courage defined Christianity throughout the first and second centuries. In 165 A.D., 100 years after the book of Acts was written, a massive plague broke out that devastated the Roman Empire. Sickness and disease ran rampant for 15 years. Without the convenience of modern medicine, fear permeated Roman society, and the sick were left to fend for themselves. When all was said and done, more than five million people died, cutting the Roman Empire’s population by a third.
Nearly a century later, a second pandemic known as the Cyprian Plague erupted killing an estimated 5,000 people daily. These two epidemics shifted the cultural landscape of the Roman Empire, but amidst the fear, amidst the sickness and disease, one population’s response stood out among the distress — the Christians’.
In his book, The Rise of Christianity, sociology professor, Rodney Stark quotes the bishop of Alexandria at the time of the epidemic saying,
“[The] Christian values of love and charity had, from the beginning, been translated into norms of social service and community solidarity. When disasters struck, the Christians were better able to cope.”
When others were too afraid to go near the sick, Christians provided food and water to those affected by the disease, which greatly reduced mortality rates in the communities where they lived. Christians cared for anyone who had need, their selfless love and courageous acts of service allowing hope to grow.
While this early account of the church’s response to crisis is inspiring, we’ve seen this same type of courage and generosity play out in our 75+ years of work as we’ve partnered with local churches around the world. We think of our church volunteers in Haiti who banded together after a treacherous storm to assist those who were most affected. We think of our outreach group volunteers in Burundi who daily visit their neighbors to provide lessons on health, nutrition, savings and more. And in the United States, we’re already seeing people choose courage and mobilize compassion in support of neighbors affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
In Seattle, one of the cities most affected by this crisis in the U.S., our World Relief Seattle team has started training immigrants — some of the most vulnerable to the economic impact of the crisis — on how to access the community garden irrigation system in order to maintain their plots and provide produce for their families during this chaotic time of financial need. Volunteers who were previously assisting immigrant families in person are being asked to write notes of encouragement to those experiencing hardship and isolation. While we’ve had to close our physical office locations at this time, our teams are finding creative ways to support immigrants through virtual learning, access to health information in their languages and other vital resources.
Many newly arrived immigrants are falling victim to layoffs as they work in some of the hardest-hit industries in the U.S. — hotels, restaurants and other service-related fields. As we sit in the tension of the unknown, we echo the words our president, Scott Arbeiter, prayed at a recent staff meeting: teach us to be wise while also giving of ourselves freely.
We have often said in regards to immigration that compassion and security do not need to be mutually exclusive, and we believe the same sentiment applies here. The Christian response has shone brightly in times of crisis throughout history, and we pray that as we take comfort in the God who sees, that same courage would continue to shine today.
Rachel Clair serves as a Content Writer at World Relief. With a background in creative writing and children’s ministry, she is passionate about helping people of all ages think creatively and love God with their hearts, souls and minds.
World Relief’s Response to COVID-19
The World Health Organization has now officially recognized the COVID-19 crisis as a pandemic, with more than 170,000 individuals already known to be affected throughout the world, and experts anticipate the numbers will continue to rise.
At World Relief, our desire and the core of our mission is to walk with and serve those in vulnerable situations. In any disaster, those on the margins are the first to experience the full impact, and this is already proving true with the spread of this novel coronavirus. The elderly and immunocompromised are particularly susceptible, and those already facing financial hardship will likely experience continued difficulty accessing the resources they need.
We will be continuing in our work to restore hope and rebuild lives in communities around the world, but in compliance with expert advice and out of an abundance of caution, we are taking steps to protect the World Relief family, including those we serve.
Effective end of day on Monday, March 16, all of World Relief’s U.S. offices are handling all non-essential programming and services remotely for a minimum of two weeks.
Any programming and services that are deemed essential will be conducted in observance of CDC hygiene recommendations and social distancing precautions, with the end goal of assisting in the efforts to help “flatten the curve” and mitigate the spread of the virus. Our staff will be working to communicate with existing and current clients to make sure their needs are met in a way that ensures each party’s safety.
As we take these appropriate precautions, our prayer is that World Relief, and the church by association, would earn the reputation for caring sacrificially for those who are most vulnerable during any crisis. This is possible, “for God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). We see this time of turbulence not as a time to withdraw or hoard resources for ourselves, but to consider ways to serve others in our communities, including the immigrant, the elderly, the isolated and the immunocompromised.
As such, and to the extent that the threat of the disease and our resources allow, we will continue with current programs to address the most pressing problems and sustain the most vital services — such as ensuring vulnerable groups are getting accurate health information in their language, housing and employment assistance, and continued refugee resettlement support, among other things.
Thank you for your care, support and faithfulness. Together we will continue praying for the cessation of this disease, for the health care workers at the front lines, the most vulnerable in our communities, and for wisdom for the authorities leading the way.
In Christ,
Tim Breene & Scott Arbeiter
FAQ
Will I still be able to volunteer?
At this time, we’re suspending in-person volunteer opportunities. But, there are still a lot of ways you can continue to help create welcoming communities. Please see below.
Will this affect World Relief’s international offices?
In our international programs we serve in both development and disaster settings. We are seeking to maintain our life-saving and life-improving work in some of the most difficult to reach and most vulnerable places. However, our work may well be affected in accordance with the COVID-19 threat and government guidance in each country by mandated travel restrictions, quarantines of people and regions and other factors as is true in the U.S. currently.
Will World Relief staff continue to travel internationally?
All nonessential travel is being suspended. We are also being sensitive to avoid visiting countries that have not yet been infected by COVID-19.
I’m getting a lot of different messages about coronavirus. How do I know what to believe?
We recommend visiting the CDC’s website for all updates regarding COVID-19 and for expert advice.
How is this impacting the refugee and immigrant communities?
Immigrant participants will feel the effects even more acutely. Already, several refugees who had just secured their first job—a huge step towards economic resilience—have been laid off. Schools are closing and refugee families are facing the added challenge of full-time childcare. Those who are experiencing symptoms of sickness or who are in high-risk demographics will be experiencing the tangible effects of isolation.
How can I help?
Pray! We serve a God who sees and cares for our suffering. Pray for health care workers, pray for healing for those suffering from COVID-19, pray for comfort for the lonely.
Employ foreign-born workers. Immigrants and refugees are a disproportionately large portion of the hospitality and healthcare industries. These sectors will be some of the hardest-hit by this crisis.
Engage with your local church. Work with your local networks to make sure the physical needs of those in your communities are being met.
Give. While we may not be working in the office, the work continues. During this unprecedented season, we will be responding to the urgent needs of the refugee and immigrant community with emergency financial assistance to address the most pressing problems. Please consider joining us with a special gift to sustain vital services and meet urgent needs of our newest neighbors. Visit worldrelief.org/covid-19 or your local office’s website to join us and give today.
FAQ for our Clients
I’m not feeling well, but I have an appointment with a World Relief caseworker. Should I still go to that appointment?
If you are experiencing symptoms, visit the CDC website, please try to avoid visiting World Relief offices, and seek immediate medical attention.
If I have a case pending at one of the local offices, how will I get a hold of my caseworker?
There will be staff attending to office phones and other methods of communication. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
My family member is arriving at the airport this week. Will someone be there to meet them?
Yes. We will make sure that all essential services will continue. This includes airport pickups, rent payments, food drop-offs, etc.
Fear, Faith and the Force of the Church
It’s easy to feel anxious and fearful of what the future holds as the global COVID-19 pandemic and economic uncertainty loom large – for ourselves, our families, our World Relief community and those we serve in some of the most vulnerable regions around the world. Yet, we find comfort in knowing God is faithful, good and a keeper of his promises. At times like these, the social distinctions that can separate us are stripped away, and we are reminded: We are all human and we are all in this together. We are also reminded of the power of the local church.
Our President, Scott Arbeiter, reflected on this today in a piece published in Christianity Today. In it, he encourages us to move beyond fear, and think about how we might reach out in love to those who are most vulnerable in the midst of this crisis, while also protecting ourselves. We pray his words would be both comforting and encouraging to you during this time.
You can read the beginning of Scott’s piece below. Visit Christianity Today to read Scott’s full piece.
The World Health Organization has now officially recognized the COVID-19 crisis as a pandemic, with more than 100,000 individuals already known to be affected throughout the world. The numbers are likely to continue to rise quickly, both in the U.S. and globally, as the disease spreads and as testing capabilities are expanded.
As we take appropriate precautions to protect ourselves and our families, my prayer is that the church would earn the reputation for caring sacrificially for those who are most vulnerable in the midst of any crisis. This is possible, “for God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (I Timothy 1:7).
In the midst of any humanitarian crisis – whether a natural disaster, a war or a public health emergency – those who were vulnerable before the crisis tend to suffer most. When Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake in 2010, the number of casualties was exponentially higher than when earthquakes of similar magnitudes have occurred elsewhere, because of recent flooding and inadequate infrastructure.
Though Haitians of all sorts were affected, those living in the most extreme poverty had the worst living conditions to begin with and also the least margin to respond to an unexpected crisis. Middle- and upper-class individuals generally have some savings to rely upon in the midst of a crisis; the poor are the most likely to become homeless, to lack adequate healthcare and to be forcibly displaced.
Our Commitment to Gender Equality
As we celebrate International Women’s Day and reflect upon the theme of #EachforEqual, we think it’s important for us, as leaders, to affirm and reinforce our belief in full equality and inclusion of women at all levels of leadership, as well as to demonstrate the ways we’re working toward achieving this within our own organization.
We recognize the importance of transparency when it comes to these issues, so we wanted to take some time to share with you how World Relief is working hard toward a gender-equal world — both within our programs around the world and also right here at home within the walls of our offices.
This past year, we piloted a gender equality Bible study for our Rwandan staff designed to help them break free from damaging cultural norms and behaviors and empower women to take on more leadership roles within our programs. We train our staff first because we know that God’s word can’t be powerful through us until it is powerful within us.
In 2020, we have begun rolling out gender equality training to all of our staff, arming them with God’s truth that both men and women are created in the image of God and are equally deserving of worth, dignity and respect. We saw the fruit of this effort at our recent meeting of international staff leaders where a full 50% of participants were women.
This year, we also welcomed three new women to our board, a 75% increase in female participation. Our Executive Committee also evolved to better reflect our stance on women in leadership across the organization. This group is now 45% female, and we have undoubtedly become a stronger team in this shift. Finally, we are excited to announce the appointment of WR Burundi’s first female Country Director, Cesalie Nicimpaye.
We believe that gender equality is a matter of both justice and stewardship, and we recognize that we are both more just and better equipped to fulfill our mission when we embrace the gifts, passions and experiences of women and men equally. For that reason, we will continue striving toward gender equality in everything we do. We, of course, recognize that we still have progress to make, but we are committed to this journey and to being #eachforequal, not just on IWD but every day.
Thank you for joining us on this important journey.
Blessings, Tim & Scott
Tim Breene served on the World Relief Board from 2010 to 2015 before assuming the role of CEO from 2016-2020. Tim’s business career has spanned nearly 40 years with organizations like McKinsey, and Accenture where he was the Corporate Development Officer and Founder and Chief Executive of Accenture Interactive. Tim is the co-author of Jumping the S-Curve, published by Harvard Publishing. Tim and his wife Michele, a longtime supporter of World Relief, have a wealth of experience working with Christian leaders in the United States and around the world.
World Relief Celebrates International Women’s Day, Announces New Organizational Oversight Board Gender Ratio
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
March 8, 2020
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734
World Relief Celebrates International Women’s Day, Announces New Organizational Oversight Board Gender Ratio
Global humanitarian organization honors the women and girls served in 2019 and sets future standards high
BALTIMORE – This International Women’s Day, World Relief recognizes the women and girls served through various programming throughout the world and maintains that the goal of achieving “Each for Equal” doesn’t need to be a future eventuality, but today’s reality. To that end, World Relief is renewing our commitment to elevating women by announcing that we have welcomed a 75% increase in the number of women participating in our board, which is now 45% female. Additionally, World Relief is excited to announce the appointment of World Relief Burundi’s first female country director, Cesalie Nicimpaye.
“We often forget in our quest for gender equality around the world that improvement starts at home,” commented World Relief Director of Program Resources Joanna Kretzer Chun. “As the great-granddaughter of a child bride in the U.S., I’ve personally seen the transformation that can take place and the opportunities that can be generated in a few short generations. I’m constantly inspired when I get to witness firsthand the change that comes about when a woman is seen, heard, trusted and empowered to make a difference in her community – and I get to partner with some of the most committed and sacrificial women and men who are equally committed to this kind of transformation.”
 In addition to this renewed standard, World Relief is rolling out gender equality training for all international programs staff. The fruits of this is already evident; over the last year, World Relief piloted a Bible study with the Rwandan staff designed to help participants break free from damaging cultural norms and behaviors and empower women to take more leadership roles. Additionally, at World Relief’s annual international leadership gathering at the beginning of the year, intentional efforts were made by each program and country office to invite emerging female leaders, and as a result the overall female participation rate was 50%. This time was also dedicated to prayerfully evaluating the organization’s own policies and standards across its international teams.
Throughout 2019, World Relief partnered with churches around the world to serve over 5 million people. Of that, approximately 80% of the organization’s beneficiaries are women and children. These are just a few of the exciting projects that directly benefit women and girls:
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In Rwanda, 1,764 women were trained by 20 World Relief-trained volunteers on women’s rights, gender equality, hygiene and nutrition.
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Around the world in FY19, World Relief supervised 2,827 Savings for Life groups with a collective 64,310 members. On average across all countries, 75% of participants are women.
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In Burundi alone, 2,167 couples were impacted by Families for Life programming which focuses on strengthening marriages by improving communication, empowering women and promoting healthy families.
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In the U.S., World Relief resettled 1,570 women and girls through the refugee resettlement program in FY19.
World Relief President Scott Arbeiter said, “We believe the life of each human being to be incredibly precious, and it breaks our hearts when any woman or girl is held back from living fully into her God-given potential. Whether through our Families for Life programming, refugee resettlement, Church Empowerment Zone (CEZ) work, anti-human trafficking efforts or church partnerships with any of the above, we are stepping into 2020, expectant to see the Lord make the path clear for more and more women and girls to experience greater degrees of flourishing than ever before.”
 To learn more about World Relief’s work to empower women and girls, visit https://worldrelief.org/women.
Download the PDF version of this press release.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
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Toward a Vision for Gender Equality in Kajiado, Kenya
At the southern edge of the former Rift Valley province, just south of the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, lies Kajiado, a mountainous region with vast valleys of open space where zebra, giraffe and wildebeest roam. Spread throughout the diverse countryside are communities of the Maasai people — a people known for their brightly colored clothing and the multi-colored, beaded jewelry they wear around their necks and arms. Although they’re widely celebrated for honoring and maintaining their way of life, the Maasai people aren’t without challenges.
World Relief began working in Kajiado in 2018, and it wasn’t long before we came to understand the hard truths of life for people living in this community. 57% of children are under-vaccinated against common yet life-threatening diseases. 10% of children under the age of five are malnourished. 44% of all households are food insecure, meaning that they either do not have enough food or enough money to buy food in the next week. And the rates of preventable diseases are very high due to unclean drinking water and poor hygiene practices.
These numbers alone are difficult to comprehend. And yet, the situation in Kajiado is even more dire for girls and women. Harmful cultural beliefs and traditional practices strip opportunity from thousands of young girls and women and prevent them from achieving their God-given potential, condemning them to a life that is anything but equal.
Among the Maasai tribespeople living in Kajiado today, 78% of all girls undergo female genital mutilation (FGM) — a harmful practice that involves either the partial or total removal of external female genitalia, or other injury to the female genital organs, for non-medical reasons. FGM typically takes place between infancy and the age of 15 and can result in serious, life-long health consequences such as severe bleeding, life-threatening infection, complications in childbirth and increased risk of newborn deaths.
Today, more than 200 million women and girls living around the world have undergone this brutal practice, and the WHO now classifies FGM as a human rights violation.
FGM, however, is just one way gender injustice manifests itself in Kajiado. Only 10% of young girls attend secondary school due to early teenage marriage and/or unexpected pregnancies. In a community that values men as warriors and chiefs, girls and women are given little to no opportunity to break out of the age-old mold and shape their own futures.
And yet, change is beginning to take root.
With the help of 184 local church partners, World Relief is changing hearts and minds through Bible study, behavior-change workshops and vision casting seminars. Implemented through local churches, these programs teach basic biblical definitions of marriage, friendship and equality. Little by little, men and women of God are embracing the concept of Imago Dei and are beginning to speak out against harmful cultural beliefs — in particular, those that harm or marginalize young girls and women.
Take Josephine, for example, a brave woman of about twenty-five years of age and a mother to five children. Her husband is all but non-existent in her life, except when he has material needs. Every few years, he pops back into Josephine’s life, robs her of the food and material goods that sustain her family, and spends her money on alcohol before leaving again.
In Maasai culture, a woman cannot leave her husband even in the most challenging and unfair of circumstances. Therefore, Josephine is forced to stay in this harmful marriage. And yet, there’s hope.
Josephine is surrounded by a band of women from her church, one which partners with World Relief, who have come alongside her to pray with her. They share food and clothing with her during the harder times, and they check in on her to see how she is doing. Josephine is now one of the few in her community to speak out against domestic violence and inequality in the marriage relationship, which is a little talked about issue despite the high number of marriages facing similar challenges.
And then there’s Beatrice, a woman who is speaking out strongly against the traditional role Maasai women are expected to play – a role that burdens Beatrice daily. Often rising at four o’clock in the morning, she spends her days preparing and cooking food for her family, fetching water that’s a two-hour walk away, raising her children, finding ways to cover school fees, caring for livestock, and building and maintaining her house. Most days, Beatrice doesn’t make it to bed until 11 o’clock at night, only to rise again at 4 am the following day.
Now, Beatrice is raising her voice against this kind of inequality. She’s also speaking out strongly against female genital mutilation, which she herself experienced as a young girl.
Remarkably, not all advocates for gender equality are women. Sabore is one of the last laibons in his community – the highest of chiefs in a Maasai tribe and a role that passes on from father to son. A Laibon acts as a ritual leader and has authority over all political and military decisions. Yet Sabore’s testimony is about more than just his generational status. It’s of his status as a follower of Christ. He now speaks out about a hope that far outshines his role and has become a prominent church leader in the community, advocating for the most vulnerable, including many of the young women in his community.
There is still much work to be done in the Maasai community of Kajiado, but we are seeing change take root, and we are committed to continuing the journey toward a gender-equal world, wherever it takes us. Thank you for being #EachForEqual alongside us.
Amanda Patterson serves as World Relief’s Humanitarian and Disaster Response Unit Program Officer in DR Congo and South Sudan. Prior to joining World Relief, Amanda worked overseas as a humanitarian responder to refugee and conflict emergencies in Niger, South Sudan, Greece, and Ethiopia with a large Christian NGO. She is passionate about helping others experience the beauty and diversity of God’s creation through art, nature and cultural engagement.
World Relief North Texas Reveals New Name, Expanded Footprint
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
March 2, 2020
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734
World Relief North Texas Reveals New Name, Expanded Footprint
FORT WORTH, Texas – Today, World Relief’s office in Texas announced a new name: World Relief North Texas. Formerly known as World Relief Fort Worth, the organization has had a presence in Texas for the last 40 years, welcoming and resettling refugees and providing a variety of services to asylum seekers and other immigrants. In the last nearly 20 years, 88,572 refugees have been resettled in the state, of which many have been persecuted for their faith, their service to the U.S. military abroad or for peacefully advocating for human rights.
“World Relief’s presence and work in Texas has never been limited to Fort Worth,” commented office director Troy Greisen. “It was past time to name what has been true for years; World Relief North Texas’ work extends to many corners of the great state. We have been privileged for many years to serve the newest members of many communities in Texas, and we look forward to continuing the good work being done in partnership with volunteers and churches to welcome and resettle refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants.”
Since opening in 1980, World Relief has welcomed over 12,000 refugees to North Texas in addition to serving other immigrants who did not originally arrive in the U.S. as refugees. Today, World Relief North Texas offers – in addition to welcoming and resettling refugees – case management, financial education, job training and placement services, ESOL training, youth sports opportunities, food distribution and other services. These services are offered in partnership with local churches and volunteers.
World Relief President Scott Arbeiter said, “We are grateful to have had the opportunity and privilege for so many years to serve individuals and families arriving for the first time in Texas. We believe that updating the name to reflect the scope of work honors the efforts being accomplished and positions World Relief in Texas to continue to be the hands and feet of Christ to those arriving in Texas.”
To learn more about World Relief’s work in Texas visit www.worldreliefnorthtexas.org
Download the PDF version of this press release.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
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Voices From the Field: Future for Women
There are more than 3.5 billion women and girls in the world today — women and girls made in the image of God. At World Relief, we envision a world where women and girls are free from violence and oppression, and have the opportunity to live up to their God-given potential.
We asked World Relief female staff working around the globe to share their perspective on women in their nation. Here, they discuss the challenges they face, the opportunities they have, the potential they carry to shape culture and society and, finally, the hope they have in advancing issues of gender justice in their respective countries.
Below is a Q&A with five female staff from World Relief in Sudan, South Sudan and DR Congo — Muraa Rose, Reproductive Health Officer; Puru Jeska Mario, Roving Finance Officer; Suad Yuasif Ibrahim Idriss, Nutrition Coordinator; Esperance Ngondo, former SGBV & HIV/AIDS Program Officer
What is the biggest challenge women face in your country?
MURAA ROSE:
The challenges are many — social, economic, emotional and domestic violence against women. Women are often neglected and disrespected in the community and even their homes. They are often excluded from important decisions, under-valued in their families and in some places even deprived of rights such as attending school.
SUAD:
Women have no power or agency. They are expected to defer to their husbands or fathers in every single decision without question. This includes how finances are spent and resources such as crops and livestock are used.
PURU:Â
Young women in our country face early and forced marriages. Many parents rely on daughters to bring an income home so girls are restricted from attending school. When girls don’t attend school, they are also more likely to be forced to marry early in order to fetch a bride price for their families.Â
ESPERANCE:
In the Congo, we live in a society which has become very violent — and where women are considered as prey. Women are the main victims of war because sexual violence is used as a weapon of war. This is likely a result of our culture, which considers women to be incompetent and restricts their rights to almost everything including inheritance, access to school and even their own bodies.
How do you see the influence of women shaping culture/society?
MURAA ROSE:Â
I am hopeful that we will see a power balance in workplaces as well as more equal employment opportunities for men and women. This would help to empower our women economically. I can see women playing a key role in the economic development of South Sudan. I hope one day women’s rights will be practiced nationwide, particularly in decision making, professional spheres and even politics.
SUAD:Â
In the past, educating both boys and girls was not a priority. But now, families are investing in both boys’ and girls’ education. Because of this, we are now beginning to see female community leaders and women supported by their families, attending school as adults and even husbands supporting their wives..
PURU:Â
Because of our ongoing health program, the maternal mortality rate has decreased in South Sudan. Another aspect of our health programming is education around family planning. More couples are practicing planning and having fewer children, which has resulted in more boys and girls able to attend school.
ESPERANCE:Â
Despite all the challenges that women are facing in our country, they are not staying silent. They are fighting to regain their rights with the support of churches, NGOs and the UN. Currently, there are many proceedings and legal processes beginning that are focused on promoting the rights of women.
How is your office empowering/providing opportunity for women?
MURAA ROSE:
We respect and honor the dignity of all women, practice equal opportunity employment regardless of gender, and we strongly encourage women to apply.
SUAD:
Our nutrition program depends on community volunteers from villages. 75% of those volunteers are female. The success of these programs significantly transforms communities as they see how successful women are in their roles. We also seek to empower mothers and other caretakers through different educational topics in order to improve health for her family.
PURU:
Our most effective way to provide opportunities empowering women is through trainings such as employment opportunities, health services and Bible studies.
ESPERANCE:
We have implemented support programs especially for women, many with the objective to reduce the instances of sexually based violence against women and promoting gender equality.
These programs include:
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SGBV & HIV Programming — medical, psychosocial and economic support to women survivors of sexual violence. The major objective is to reduce the incidence of sexual violence and HIV, and promote gender equality
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Trauma Healing
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Peace Building — Women are now members of local Village Peace Committees, chosen by community members.
Dana North serves as the Marketing Manager at World Relief. With a background in graphic design and advertising and experiences in community development and transformation, Dana seeks to use the power of words and action to help create a better world. Dana is especially passionate about seeking justice for women and girls around the world.
World Relief Celebrates A Moment of Hope for South Sudan As Government Unites
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
February 25, 2020
CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
Lauren.carl@pinkston.co
703-388-6734
World Relief Celebrates A Moment of Hope for South Sudan As Government Unites
South Sudan signs deal for a unity government, ending civil war
BALTIMORE – On Saturday, February 22, South Sudan’s two rivals, President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, made a peace deal aimed at ending the six years of civil war. To seal the peace deal, former South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar was sworn in as First Vice President of South Sudan.
The civil war, which began in 2013 between Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), has killed about 400,000 people and displaced millions. According to OCHA, in South Sudan, 80% of the people live below the poverty line, and of its 11.7 million people, 4.5 million are displaced and 7.2 million are in need of help.
“Over the years the world and media have turned a blind eye to the horrific conflict in South Sudan,” said World Relief President Scott Arbeiter. “This is a moment of hope in the nation, and we ask that you join us in praying for the Unity Government, the United Nation and the many NGOs on the ground, including World Relief.”
Since 1998, World Relief’s programs in South Sudan have been providing humanitarian assistance in the areas of healthcare, food security and other lifesaving activities. In the Greater Upper Nile region, World Relief is responding to the recent conflict and displacement with emergency health, nutrition and education programs while also distributing agricultural inputs and training sessions aimed at reversing the cycle of food aid dependency. In the more stable Western Equatoria State, World Relief is empowering local churches to serve their communities while promoting agricultural training sessions and savings groups.
“It will take years, even decades to return to the high hopes of independence in 2011, but the suffering has been so great, perhaps now there is a way forward,” added World Relief CEO Tim Breene.
This is a new beginning in South Sudan, and World Relief is asking for others to join them in prayer and to consider partnering with their work in South Sudan.
Download the PDF version of this press release.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
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