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Protecting the Mountain Gorillas of Virunga
Ranger Widows Get Sewing in a Quest for Financial Autonomy
We often blog about the death of Rangers in Virunga – each time it is devastating event that permeates life throughout the park. Over 125 have died in the last 10 years in the line of service. This is a significant number – and as significant is the number of widows and fatherless children who are left to struggle. We at ICCN try to assist them as much as possible, with a one-off payment to start with. This has largely been possible thanks to your support on this website – your donations have been extremely generous and made an enormous difference to our over-stretched resources.
Now a group of 32 widows, with the help of IGCP, a not-for-profit organization here in Virunga, are learning how to sew to enable them to gain some financial autonomy. Much is reported on the plight of women in Congo – indeed it is one of the toughest places on earth for women.
So it is heart-warming to have an opportunity to blog about this positive initiative. Once the ladies have finished their training they will each receive a sewing machine so they can set up independently. Bravo.
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20 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 76 for one month
Kevin 25 $ - 20 Mar 2010Open donation
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Maria O 25 $ - 20 Mar 2010 Multiple items
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Terry S 10 $ -
19 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 39 for one month
Bill W 25 $ -
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Cherez T 25 $ - 18 Mar 2010 Multiple items
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Unregistered Donor 30 $ - 17 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 33 for one month
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Thierry 25 $ -
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andrew 25 $ - 16 Mar 2010Briquette Program
Unregistered Donor 12 $ - 16 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 46 for one month
Unregistered Donor 25 $ - 16 Mar 20102 x Briquette Program
60 $ -
16 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 210 for one month
Hector F 25 $ -
15 Mar 20102 x Salary Supplement for a Ranger
Deborah L 80 $ - 15 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 200 for one month
Unregistered Donor 25 $ -
15 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 56 for one month
Brenton H 25 $ -
15 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 35 for one month
Theresa S 25 $ -
15 Mar 2010Support the Gorilla Orphans
Vanessa N 10 $ -
15 Mar 20101 Briquette Stove
Alberto G 7 $ - 15 Mar 2010financing bukima Open donation
Vanessa N 20 $ -
15 Mar 2010Open donation
Erica 500 $ - 14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 193 for one month
Raemonde B 25 $ - 14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 41 for one month
Theresa S 25 $ - 14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 36 for one month
Unregistered Donor 25 $ -
14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 60 for one month
Danny M 25 $ - 14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 3 for one month
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Gillian 25 $ - 14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 43 for one month
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14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 42 for one month
Robert W 25 $ - 14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 21 for one month
Unregistered Donor 25 $ - 14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 69 for one month
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Wolfgang 25 $ - 14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 310 for one month
Wolfgang 25 $ - 14 Mar 2010Support the Gorilla Orphans
Unregistered Donor 10 $ - 14 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 126 for one month
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13 Mar 2010Protecting area no. 164 for one month
Lynn H 25 $ - 13 Mar 2010Open donation
Unregistered Donor 10 $ - 13 Mar 2010Briquette Program
Sasha A 12 $ -
13 Mar 20102 x Briquette Program
Philippa T 24 $
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News from Congo- DR Congo could win debt relief deal by June: IMF - Reuters
- Media for Liberty Award Honors '60 Minutes' 'Congo Gold' - CNNMoney.com (press release)
- Congo: Soldiers Seize Wounded Patients at Gunpoint - New York Times
- Kobe gets a court in the Congo - ProBasketballTalk (blog)
- Paris Club agrees Congo Republic debt relief - Reuters South Africa
- Mazembe suffer Champions Lge loss - BBC Sport
- WFP launches airlift to help DR.Congo refugees in Congo - AFP
- A Chat with Congo Cash - Lakers.com
- DR Congo could win debt relief deal by June- IMF - The Punch
- Republic of Congo, South Africa: African Bond, Currency Preview - BusinessWeek
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12 Responses to “Ranger Widows Get Sewing in a Quest for Financial Autonomy”
Great idea, I hope they set up some fair trade online shop, so we could purchase some of their work.
Hey, Samantha! Thanks for this news - it’s great. My first reaction is the same as CT’s. But here’s what - I pledge to purchase an item from one of the women, made by sewing machine or by hand. I don’t have deep pockets but even a small purchase might give them a boost. And what might seem like a small amount to me might make a big difference to them. Not sure how expensive shipping or how complicated customs would make a small purchase but maybe we could call it a donation and fit a small item like a top in an envelope as a non-commercial sample. If this type of thing might fly for starters, one idea would be to make an item that might not require exact sizing or fitting like a long, lightweight jacket with contrasting belt to wear over other things. Well, I have a creative imagination and could go on (and on) but I’ll quit there. Happy to hear the report. Thanks again! (I’m serious about my pledge!)
You’re Right CT and this activity makes Ranger widows more financially independent
Thanks CT and Suzanne for your ideas. I shall communicate them to IGCP and we can follow this project on the blog.
Bravo indeed!!!
Oops! Innocent has just called me and told me that Avsi, the Italian not-for-profit organization is also a key player in this initiative. Apologies for that bit of misinformation… my mistake.
I would love to be able to purchase an item. The colors they use are so beautiful!
When I give to your organization, I always give to help the widows. I figure lots of people will want to donate for the gorillas and briquette program but I feel so sorry for the family left behind when a ranger is killed in the line of duty. I too will be interested in buying from the program. I love those printed cottons available in Africa. Keep up the good work.
Bravo to the widows. As a keen seamstress myself, I will gladly support and buy. Just tempt me.
Jacina
Trustee G4G
Thanks guys.. again, will let Avsi and the ladies know…
oh my! beautiful work. and what beautiful gifts… i would gladly purchase! please keep us up to date on how?
Shirts for guys in those wonderful African fabrics would do very well online. Certainly XL sizes ! LOL I work with a Luo lady originally from Kenya, and she always says I have African ‘in me’ because I like to wear colourful shirts!