Urgent Assistance

It may mean driving to a village on short notice. A woman may have lost all her possessions as she fled violence. Perhaps she needs clothing, perhaps food, perhaps transportation to a women’s shelter or to the OCVAW station. Things that are relatively small in cost or effort for the organization, but which are insurmountable expenses or effort for a vulnerable woman will always be a primary focus of our organization. Without this help, whatever it may be, could be the reason she returns to a violent home or even decides to end her life. We interviewed women who have considered suicide an option to escape their lives.

One of our research participants who lived in a government-run shelter for years only owned the clothes she wore. She expressed a high level of shame due and had no sense of self-worth. She had never been to school, never been anything but an object to be used, and had never known anyone who she felt cared for her, “except God.” Small blessings can yield great empowerment.