Summary of project status and achievements:
The Women’s Centre continued to run saving circles and also continued the Block B six week sewing and knitting workshop. The workshop changed location slightly because the previous location was at a church that was not structurally sound. The new location is a centrally located church and is in much better condition. A few days of this workshop were postponed due to the circumstances discussed in the ‘Substantial problems or issues’ section bellow.
This month one of the FORGE volunteers, Cammy, expressed a desire to work with the Women’s Centre. A perfect opportunity came up when one of The Book Bus volunteers, Linda, attended one day of the sewing and knitting workshops and was so impressed with the work the women were doing that she offered FORGE a donation to purchase sewing machines for the centre. Linda donated $150USD towards sewing machines and offered to raise more money and awareness when she returned to the UK. This launched a project for Cammy where she is conducting a study on the different aspects of running a sewing machine project at the Women’s Centre.
The staff of the Women’s Centre have brought up the desire for sewing machines in the past. When the idea was mentioned briefly to Annita and Jacqui again they both agreed that sewing machines were a big need for the centre and could even be used as an income generating activity for the centre. As such Cammy focused her research on three goals: 1. Compiling ideas for a teaching program at the Women’s Centre, 2. Addressing the issue of sewing machines as an IGA for the centre, and 3. Addressing the feasibility of future enterprise opportunities for the women taking the sewing machine course. Cammy has been working with Bridget, a local tailor in Meheba, to do research.
Future activities and projections:
The women’s center will continue to run it’s outreach workshop in Block B on tailoring and knitting. A four day workshop on SGBV will be run from September 14-17 at the Women’s Centre. As well, saving circles will continue to run including the new one that began last month in Block D.
As a member of the UNHCR SGBV Task Force in Meheba, we learned that a training will be held in September to train psychosocial counselors. Two staff members from the Women’s Centre have been invited to attend this training that will greatly increase the capacity of the Women’s Centre when dealing with cases of SGBV.
As well, the new MCDSS Drop-in Centre is slated to open in September. This facility was funded by the Danish Embassy and is a centre where psychosocial counselors will be stationed to help with cases of SGBV. There are beds and a kitchen in case the need arises for clients to spend the night at the centre. In addition to the psychosocial counselors, the centre will also have a Data Collection Officer, a security guard, and a cleaner. When women with cases of SGBV come to the Women’s Centre, we will now be referring them to this MCDSS Drop-In Centre when necessary.
Indicators and statistics:
Please see M&E spreadsheet.
Substantial problems or issues
This month the Women’s Centre had to deal with an unfortunate situation. The Women’s Centre Coordinator became a victim of domestic violence when her husband beat her and caused injuries including temporary hearing loss. After ensuring she received medical care it was determined that the hearing loss would thankfully not be permanent. One of the other Women’s Centre employees has been doing informal counseling with the couple and has been making sure that Jacqui is ok and safe in the home.
This does bring up an issue that has been of some concern recently. I have been thinking about focusing some of our efforts on SGBV towards the male community. While I don’t think it is yet appropriate to bring this up with the staff in light of recent events, I would like to consider our approach to SGBV and look at some curriculums that are being used in other parts of Africa to teach men. I know that teaching men about SGBV is a goal of UNHCR at the Lusaka level and would like to work with them, as a member of the SGBV task force in Meheba, to create these targeted programs.
I have done and will continue doing research when I am in Solwezi on a group called MEGEN in Kenya that has been experiencing success with men teaching men about SGBV. As well I know UNHCR Malawi has been seeing positive results and would be interested in following up with some of the connections that were made during the Malawian Delegation’s visit to Meheba.
Wishes or requests:
Due to limited internet access it would be extremely helpful if Abby could help do some of this research regarding SGBV curriculum as we discussed during her visit. I would really appreciate it!
Budget:
Please see expense monitor.
