Current Partner Projects
Shifting Ideas Through Education
for African Women (Uganda)
Sister Stella Santana, an Ugandan nun, is the energy behind this project that initiates educational programs and support groups to help women in Uganda. They seek to lift up life giving traditions in eastern Africa while working to change those that oppress women. In particular, they work to change traditions of female circumcision, domestic violence, premature marriage of daughters for large dowries, the inheritance of women by male family members, gender discrimination within the judicial system, and exploitation by churches and other religious groups. They also support girls who are at risk of dropping out of school. Sister Stella recently published a book for children celebrating diversity!
Association Ubuzima Burahenda
“Life is Expensive”
(Rwanda)
This project is located in an area of Rwanda which was badly affected by the 1994 genocide. The majority of the population is composed of widows and orphans, many of whom are living with HIV/AIDS. GWP funds will help purchase land, tools, and seed so the members of the association can grow their own food, selling the overflow at market. The goal of the project is to help the women “come out of poverty” and Esperance Nyirandayisenga is its leader.
Growing Grounds
(Wabash, IN, USA)
Growing Grounds is a collaborative effort between Education for Conflict Resolution, Inc (ECR) of North Manchester, Indiana, and Wabash Church of the Brethren, Wabash, Indiana. GG was created to provide a systematic program in a nurturing environment that supports women who have been incarcerated throughout the difficult reentry process. GG works with women in the Wabash County Jail and the beginning movement of GG has involved volunteer mentors conducting initial interviews with participants to discover needs of women in prison. GG holds classes for women in GED, nutrition, CPR, jewelry, knitting, parenting, conflict resolution and more!
Women’s Sewing Cooperative
(South Sudan)
This sewing cooperative is inspired by the one in Nimule. GWP’s grants have provided sewing machines and teachers. Former Steering Committee member Nan Erbaugh visited this project in January 2009.
Cultural Academy for Peace “CAP”
(India)
Cultural Academy for Peace (CAP) is an organization with a vision to work towards a gender just society based on human values, equality, development, and peace. Their mission is: To create a society based on peace, justice, reconciliation, and respect for life where models of domination and destruction are replaced by those of nurture and cooperation.
Women’s Health
(Chiapas, Mexico)
Women and children share sacred conversation about their menstruation and maternal health in Chiapas Integrated Health (CIH) workshops. CIH serves anyone in need in their area, and the needs have only increased with covid-19, climate change, increasing violence and poverty. Mexicans have access to universal health coverage but reliable, quality health care is hard to come by—especially in remote, rural areas of Chiapas.
Past projects
Exchange for the Organization and Promotion of Small Entrepreneurs (ECHOPPE) – Togo
Women Empowerment – Nepal
Women Empowerment (WE) is a community-based organization that works in multiple districts in Nepal to improve the socio-economic status of women. They focus on increasing literacy, educating girls, skills training, and providing micro loans to women-controlled small business ventures. Skills include computer techniques, hair styling, beadwork, pillow making and making natural fibers from the allo plant. Roshni works full-time for Women Empowerment, thanks to a grant from New Community Project, one of GWP’s most valued partners. Elizabeth Keller visited Women Empowerment in January 2008 and will return in November-December 2011 as a liaison from GWP.
Palestine News Network – Bethlehem, Palestine
The Palestine News Network has started a weekly radio show by and for women, airing on 8 radio stations in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. GWP funds support the show, which discusses often taboo subjects of health, society and politics, reaching women in over 80 communities. Former Steering Committee member Anna Lisa Gross visited in January 2008 and met the show’s coordinator, Rana Al-Arja.
Women’s Sewing Cooperative – Nimule, Southern Sudan
The fledgling sewing cooperative in Nimule had 8 brand new donated sewing machines, but no money for supplies and teachers. A one-time $3500 GWP grant helped immensely. Former Steering Committee member Nan Erbaugh visited this project in January 2007 and in January 2009.
Christian Commission for Development – Honduras
Through a one-time $2500 grant, GWP partnered with the Christian Commission for Development. The CCD has begun a women’s empowerment initiative, intended to give women a greater voice in civil society and local governance.
Casa Materna – Matagalpa, Nicaragua
Casa Materna was founded in 1991 to reduce maternal and infant death by providing pre- and post-natal services for rural women carrying high-risk pregnancies. Since opening their doors, over 10,000 women and their infants have received care during their stay at Casa Materna. They also offer education and outreach services to the local community.
Learn more about becoming a GWP partner
Growing Grounds is a collaborative effort between Education for Conflict Resolution, Inc (ECR) of N. Manchester, Indiana and Wabash Church of the Brethren, Wabash Indiana. GG was created to provide a systematic program in a nurturing environment that supports women who have been incarcerated throughout the difficult reentry process. GG will work with women in the Wabash County Jail and the beginning movement of GG will involve volunteer mentors conducting initial interviews with participants to discover needs of women in prison.
Global Women's Project 
I read with interest about the women’s sewing projects. I’m wondering what kind of machines they use. I’m assuming that they are old-style treadle machines which don’t need electricity. Is that correct? We might be able to find some old ones in thrift stores if that would help. I don’t know about the shipping costs, etc., but would be willing to try to find machines. Or maybe you could publicize the cost of one machine so that we could fund one if we can’t find machines.
Hey Jan!
How delightful to read about your interest
for sewing machines in Sudan!
As you might already know,
shipping is next to impossible . . .
and plus, anytime we can empower spending locally
(meaning, there in Sudan, rather here in the U.S.A.),
than the better for these folks’ local economy!
So, I’d highly recommend sending $money$
directly to New Community Project,
http://www.newcommunityproject.org,
indicating how you’d like the money to be used and where.
Currently, a cost for a sewing machine is $150.
There were at least two women’s sewing co-ops,
who also dreamed of purchasing a designer sewing machine!
I’m not sure yet of the cost,
but if you wanted to raise a bit more,
then a designer machine would be possible!
Manzora (thank you in Madi!) Jan!
salaam, Elizabeth
Jan,
Thanks for your question. Yes, they use the treadle type of machine requiring no electricity. Shipping from the US is prohibitive, and our goal is to help the local economy, so normally the machines are purchased from as close by as possible. I believe that is typically Uganda or Kenya. I think the cost is just under $200 including transport into Sudan, but I can check on that.
Thanks for your comments and interest,
Nan Erbaugh
Thanks for the responses. My husband did say that he sees few treadle machines in the thrift shops anyway so that’s not an option. Do they still make these machines? I’m guessing that those of us who have our grandmothers’ machines are keeping them as antiques.
i know that’s true in my family, Jan!
I’ve had my sewing machine since the early 80’s and have used it for both practicality and fun so the Sewing Coop article really sparked my interest. Thanks for the information about the approximate cost of a machine. I would encourage you to include this type of information in your articles.
Dear Judi and all of you my dear friends,
Thanks so much for the great work you are doing.
SITEAW, INC., (Shifting Ideas Through Education for African Women) is marching forward with a couple projects at the same time. 1. Supporting girls so that they may stay in school and not be circumcised and given away in marriage when they are still children. 2. Helping women to acquire some skills and have a second chance in life. Right now we have: Sawing, Basketry, Brick Laying and Computer Literacy projects going. Anne and Kelly Campbell of the Village Experience in Indianapolis are helping us to sell the baskets for SITEAW women. When the women earn some money they are able to support their children in school and to buy some essentials of life. 3. We have joined hands with Fr. Ponce Kaweesa of ELITE-K Primary School and Clinic. SITEAW orphans now go to school at ELIT-K Primary school.
The names of both organizations will remain as they are but we will be giving each other a hand in order to pull together for the good of those in need of our help.
Volunteers to teach for two weeks, a month or even the whole summer are welcome. We thank you Global Women of the Church of the Brethren for your great support.
Be happy always.
Sr. Stella.
thanks for the great work for women.
God bless you
wanjiru
Thank you very much for this initiatives which will make women to become active in all social and economic sector. In Tanzania where HIV/AIDS is killing a very big number of women , the education on HIV/AIDS awareness and small project is very needy . How can we get assistance for others for this problem especially in the affected area of Tanzania Iringa Region, Could you please let me know how to send our application for this project.
In His Service.
Sister Stella,
I am a friend of Fr. Ponce Kaweesa and I live in Minneola Florida. I met Fr. Ponce 3 yrs. ago at Blessed Sacrament Church. Fr. Ponce and I had breakfast together 3 weeks ago during his visit to Clermont Florida. I told him I found your mission SITEAW on the internet. He said you will meet him in Chicago next week!! I am so excited to know him and plan on flying back to Kampala Uganda next year when he returns.. Until then, I want to support your mission by making some purchases of jewelry, clothing and baskets through your website. God has BIG plans for me over the next year!! I want to give some of your AFrican handmade items as gifts over the year. I hope to meet you some day. Until then.. I pray for you and FR. Ponce that all the needs are met in Uganda!! Kampala, the city I was named after!!
Love,
PALA Heidorn
Minneola, Florida
We are requesting for you grant cretaria and guideline on how your Organisation works with Women Groups.We are seeking to get funding Assistance from your Organisation.
And inform us whether you do co-funding Women organisation Projects.
Yours
Zeripa Mbeki
chairperson
Thank you for inquiring about our guidelines for project grants. Currently we are serving six projects throughout the world and cannot take on any more. Our criteria for grants and an application can be found at our website–globalwomensproject.org.
Blessings, Nan Erbauagh, on behalf of the Global Women’s Project steering team
Hi, I’m at Chautauqua, NY this week and the study theme is Crime and Punishment. The ecumenical community is discussing how churches can provide support to those in prison. Is there some contact information people can have for how to find out more about the Growing Grounds project in Indiana? I’m on your email list, so you can send contact info there. Thanks much!