Summary of project status and achievements:
From October 5-9 there was a UNHCR training on Psychosocial Counseling and Annita and Jaqui both attended this training. This training will greatly increase the capacity of the Women’s Centre when dealing with cases of SGBV. Jacqui and Annita mentioned that most of the material covered pertaining to SGBV was already being taught by the Women’s Centre. This was very encouraging, knowing that we are already teaching the information UNHCR is training. The facilitators specifically sought me out to mention what an asset our Women’s Centre staff were in the training.
The Women’s Centre continued to run saving circles through October. A four day workshop on SGBV was held in Block D at Road 36 in October as well. This was taught by Annita who was accompanied by Dinah. The workshop was held in the afternoon at Road 36 in hopes that this would not conflict with cultivation and more people would be able to attend. Attendance was up from the last workshop, doubling from four participants to eight.
The sewing and knitting outreach finished in October and a graduation celebration was held for the thirty women who finished the course. The women sang songs and performed dramas they worked on during the outreach that taught about topics such as SGBV and HIV/AIDS. These topics, along with Reproductive Health and Nutrition and Childcare were taught during the outreach. Many of the women have expressed an interest in forming a saving circle and continuing to meet.
Future activities and projections:
In November we will be recruiting a new intake for a sewing and knitting course. We are working to start this new outreach in Block D on November 23rd and are specifically targeting the Congolese community and new arrivals to Meheba, two groups that have been underrepresented in recent Women’s Centre activities. The reason for starting another outreach so soon is to try to graduate one more class before the rains are prohibitive.
We are also working to start new saving circles in November. Advertisements will be posted in the hopes that at least one new saving circle will begin at the Women’s Centre. As well we will work to start a saving circle with the women who just graduated from the sewing and knitting class. In November we will also be reaching out to church communities to begin trying to start saving circles amongst these groups without the need of a cash box.
Indicators and statistics:
Please see M&E spreadsheet.
Substantial problems or issues:
None.
Wishes or requests:
None at this time.
Budget:
Please see expense monitor.
