The Flash
A publication of VGIF

It’s your Last Chance in 2011
to make a difference in the lives of
women and girls in developing countries. 

You can contribute on-line using Just Give.
Or
Mail your check to:
VGIF, 3 West 29th Street, Suite 1002,
NY, NY 10001, USA.
 

Tippy taps contribute to clean water education in Uganda

With VGIF support, the Network for Youth in Uganda (NAYOU) has mobilized a community effort on the importance of clean water, proper hygiene, and development of low-cost water harvesting methods.

Tippy taps made out of small three litre jerrycans are a simple and economical way to promote proper hand washing. Tippy tap stands equipped with soap and dish racks have improved general health through reduction of diseases related to poor hygiene practices. Additionally five water jars have been constructed by women and youth of the community with locally available materials. Beneficiaries of the jars, selected by the community, are HIV/AIDS affected households.

The project is empowering women of the community as evidence by Grace Kabahuma. “Even women speak in public and their husbands listen! Since women are good nurturers and mothers, they know how to handle and manage the structures so well. That is the reason … why women constitute a large portion … on the trained committee. This strategy has empowered our women to stand for more posts … like chairpersons on the village council, community coordinators, and others" 

VGIF funds projects in developing countries. To read more stories, please visit our website www.vgif.org.

UN Commission on the Status of Women

February 27 – March 9, 2012
 
 VGIF will once again be an active participant in the 2012 UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York.  This year’s focus is the empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication.
 
VGIF is hosting Olivia Mugabirwe, Executive Director of Peer Link and a member of the Ugandan Federation of University Women, who has many years of experience and advocacy working with youth in rural areas on the issue of sexual reproductive health rights and HIV/AIDS.  VGIF funded Peer Link in 2010 and again in 2011 to expand their project on Teenage Pregnancy Prevention with a goal to empower young women in their choices and encourage discussion in a safe environment that includes parents, guardians, and teachers.
 
You are invited to attend Rural Women and Girls: Issues in Reproductive Health, a moderated panel discussion with Mrs. Mugabirwe and other organizers of rural grassroots programs educating women and girls about their reproductive health covering prevention, childbirth, sanitation and nutrition.  The panel will also include presenters from Soroptimist International and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).  Soroptimist International and the Armenian Relief Society join VGIF as sponsors of the event.  Co-sponsors include the American Association of University Women, International Federation of University Women, Soka Gakkai International, and Women Graduates-USA. We are also planning a prix fixe dinner at an area restaurant to which all VGIF and our co-sponsor's members are invited. The date, time, and location will be available in early February.
 
VGIF will again offer an all-day training workshop on March 3 for participants from developing countries to learn the basics of proposal writing and evaluation from leaders in the field of small grants.  Last year’s event drew 32 participants from 16 countries in a very energetic and interactive discussion and exchange of ideas and experiences.  For further information about this training please contact training@vgif2.org
 
Please stay tuned to our web site for more details in the coming weeks.

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