Is there life after the Oxfam Action Corps? Guest blogger Rebecca Light, a former organizer with the Oxfam Action Corps in Boston, writes about 'Inua," a new initiative in Tanzania (not affiliated with Oxfam).
I’m
writing this blog post from the shores of the Indian Ocean, surrounded by
coconut and banana trees, in 95 degree temperatures. It’s surreal for me to
know that the holidays have quickly come and gone. It is a bizarre setting for a New
England girl, who has never experienced a winter without snow! But here I am,
in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, about to spend the next year working on a women’s education/socially
conscious clothing project. Let me tell you how I got here.
I
was a co-organizer for the Boston Oxfam Action Corps from 2012 to early 2013,
and like many of you, participated in the training in Washington D.C. I listened
intently to the speakers and engaged in discussions regarding extreme hunger
and poverty, women’s issues, lack of educational opportunities and other social
injustices around the world. I was excited to learn how we can bring about
changes to help alleviate these issues. I enjoyed co-leading the monthly
meetings and organizing events in Boston to raise awareness and inform
policymakers of needed changes. I learned much about the experiences of people
in developing countries and the ways in which Oxfam America is involved with
on-the-ground initiatives. Learning how Oxfam supports the endeavors of local
people to improve their communities and advocate for larger policy changes especially
resonated with me. This, along with my profession as a social worker supporting
marginalized women who are homeless in the Boston area, continued to solidify my
passion for social justice and international development.
When the opportunity presented itself in the spring of 2013 to
volunteer in Tanzania, I jumped on an airplane. What began as a three-month
endeavor became a seven-month stay followed by the decision to move to Tanzania
for another year to begin a development project. During my time in Tanzania, I
have witnessed first hand many of the injustices and oppressive systems and
policies we spent time discussing and working to change through the Action Corps. I am
inspired to work within this community to empower women to enact needed change.
I began working with another American woman, Sylvie Ofstie, who has a
background in fashion, design and education and a local Tanzanian woman, Pili
Mtonga, an accomplished tailor, designer, artist and educator. Together, we
developed a women’s empowerment project called Inua, which means “lift up” in Swahili.
Inua’s
goal is to lift up the community of Bagamoyo, Tanzania. As you know, it’s been
demonstrated that if women are given tools and education, the impact is
widespread and long lasting. Inua’s vision is to empower young women by
teaching them the skills of tailoring, design, and other crafts, which can be
used to generate income. The program also offers English and computer courses, which
can open doors for further job and education opportunities. Pili
and I developed a curriculum for a year-long workshop for young women who are
unable to complete their education due to lack of income and other factors. Without
access to education, young women often do not obtain job skills or a way to
earn a sustainable income and often end up married and pregnant at a young age,
thus continuing the cycle of extreme poverty. The workshop began in September
and the first group of students will attend through August 2014.
In order to create a self-sustaining model, in
collaboration with Pili and her tailors we have created a socially conscious clothing
line called naSuma. Pili and Sylvie design
unique, beautiful clothing and other items made from traditional, vibrant
African fabrics. Not only does this provide a fair, sustainable source of
income for the tailors, but it will also be the source of funding for Inua. We sell these items on our Designs From Bagamoyo FB
page, our Etsy Shop, in
Pili’s shop in Bagamoyo, and we have connected with several boutiques in the US
and Europe to sell the Spring/Summer 2014 collection.
To reach our goal of complete sustainability, we’ve
created a fundraising campaign on Indiegogo. The funds we generate via
the campaign will allow us to expand naSuma
and operate and develop Inua in the
upcoming year. We have just 13 days left
to reach our goal of $15,000.
I know that within the community of Oxfam Action Corps, we
all share a passion for social justice and opportunity for individuals to use
skills and resources to self-empower. Please join us by contributing to the fundraising
campaign (and get some great perks for doing it)! Please also share the link
with your networks. We need as wide a reach as possible, so together we can
make the greatest impact; one that is both self-sustaining and empowering for
women and the community in Bagamoyo.
Peace and joy,
~Rebecca
Click the link below for our indiegogo campaign page:
