Hagar International: Restoration

Our guest post today comes from Jane Tafel, the Executive Director at Hagar USA.

As Hagar works to truly restore life in all its fullness to women from devastating backgrounds, we don’t consider our work complete until each is living on her own and supporting herself and her children independently. That also means that all dependent children are enrolled in school, in order to have hope and vision for independent futures of their own. Only then can we expect to break the cycle of abuse and poverty, suffered by each woman we serve.

Women coming out of Hagar Cambodia programs are survivors, but their first steps into mainstream society are not easy ones. In most cases, women have no experience in formal work environments. They also lack characteristics of successful entrepreneurs. That’s why partner employers like STOPStart, in Cambodia, are so key to long-term economic empowerment. As a social enterprise, they strive to employ the otherwise unemployable, providing a nurturing work environment. When you buy recycled rice bag products and silk bags made by STOPStart through Dignity Regained, you help support the effort. You keep women from Hagar Cambodia employed. And, they, in turn, keep their children in school and everyone can expect a better future. A future without violence, impoverishment and the egregious human rights abuse of human trafficking.

Read Boupha and Chanyra's stories by clicking on their pictures above.

You can find products from Hagar in our shop! We carry bags like this recycled rice bag tote and messenger in many different colors. Sturdy and perfect for school or travel.

Thanks Jane for sharing a bit about Hagar!

Oasis India: India on my Heart

Making a difference

The story is told of a man who saw thousands of starfish littered on the beach. A little boy was picking up the starfish one by one and throwing them into the ocean. He asked the boy, "What are you doing?" The boy replied, "I'm throwing starfish back into the water. If I leave them here, they'll dry up and die" The man said, "But look how many there are. What you're doing can't possibly make a difference." As the boy picked up another starfish and threw it into the ocean, he said, "Well, it makes a difference to this one!"

Although statistics related to human trafficking are overwhelming, at Oasis, we strive to make a difference to individual lives we come in contact with, believing that every life is precious and priceless and that no one should be bought and sold.

Raina was twice divorced before she was 20 years old and was desperate to leave her hometown. Her neighbour, taking advantage of the situation, promised Raina a job in Mumbai but instead, sold her to the owner of a dance bar in one of Mumbai's large red light areas. She was forced to work there and serve customers. She soon became pregnant and was forced to have an abortion. Years later, Raina met an Oasis social worker and visited the Aruna drop-in centre where she was counseled and offered options of rehabilitation. She went to live at Oasis India’s home for rescued women and is now enrolled in a literacy programme and learning to put her past behind her.

Many women like Raina are helped through various initiatives offered by Oasis India. Believing that education and the right training opportunities are the keys to a brighter future, we strive to change abuse and despair and replace them with opportunity, hope and dignity, allowing people to reach their God-given potential.

For more information on the work of Oasis India, log on to http://www.oasisindia.org/ or sign up to receive news and updates at www.oasisindia.org/signup

Photo from OasisIndia.org

Thank you Divya from Oasis India for sharing your heart for women in India with us!

Visit Dignity Regained's India on my Heart page for more info.