Inter- cultural Women's Educational Network

 CURRENT EVENTS:

•    One of the purposes of IWEN is to bring people from opposite ends of the earth together in a common goal.  Our newsletters show what's happening in Nepal and in Canada to reach these goals, while providing more information as to the plight of females in poor countries. 
  
  July 2008: We raised $9 680.00 at last months' fabulous fundraiser in Kelowna!  This money will help girls in the upcoming school year; providing tuition, uniforms and books while helping families become self-supporting.  Click here to read more about the fundraiser and see some pictures!

  February 2008: Our Newsletter (click to download) is here, full of information from the Maghi festival in Nepal.  IWEN now has the honor of working with a woman who has experienced firsthand how education can free someone from a life of servitude. 

  • January 2008: At IWEN's AGM which took place Wednesday, November 21st at the St. Pius X Church Parish Hall in Kelowna, a new Board of Directors was elected.  We have many new ideas and projects for the upcoming year!  In order to make eveything work, we are going to need help.  Anyone who would be interested in volunteering can contact us by email at acostello@telus.net  Even if you only have a little bit of time you can spare, it is much appreciated!
  • Michelle's tour across Canada was wonderful, showing pictures that illustrated the stunning beauty and courage of the females we work with in Nepal. 
  • July 2007: Sungava is a Nepalese NGO that IWEN works with to provide help and education for challenged or disabled girls.  Recently girls from within this program gave a musical performance as part of a fundraiser.  To see pictures and read more look at the Sungava program.

  

  

  

  The Maghi celebration in January is traditionally a time when young girls are separated from their families, sold into indentured labor.  Working together with Friends of Needy Children (FNC) IWEN bought back 80 indentured females while continuing to sponsor the 20 already in the school system!  More information about this will be available (with pictures!) in the next newsletter.  To see what is happening already, click here.

  

  In January our Director at Large Michelle embarked on a monitoring trip to visit the students that are supported by the Victims of Conflict program.  Click here to see more pictures and learn about the beautiful girls that are gaining an education and a life through this project.

  Left: Birani Tharu, Dambar Bista, and Saraswati Bhusal giving flowers to Michelle

   

  From Michelle's report:

  

  "The whole school population lined up and our car drove through the middle.  They had put a red welcome sign which is visible at the front gate.

  In this school there are over 450 students.  It is one of the best schools in the area.  There are 15 teachers.  It is an English Medium School which means that most of the subject are taught in English by Nepalese teachers. 

  All of these girls came from government village schools where the standard is very low.  They were all about if not more than 1 year behind the students attending this school.  They are catching up slowly but steadily.

  It was a huge adjustment for these girls.  Most came from villages where their home was a mud hut, without toilet facilities as well as plumbing and electricity.  They have not only loss a parent, but now are separated from the rest of their families.  Despite this each student wants to come to school.  Each appeared so grateful for the opportunity given to them."

  Read more about the situation of these girls in this article from the Nepali Times.