WHAT WE DO
The WOD empowers Women in Diaspora to direct their God-given talents, skills, time, and finances in projects that focus on helping 3 of the marginalized forgotten populations in Zimbabwe. In doing that we believe in sustainable practices:
PEOPLE LIVING WITH ALBINISM (PLWA)
- Estimated 20 thousand People Living with Albinism in Zimbabwe.
- Albinism is a disorder characterized by a complete or partial absence of pigment (melanin) in the skin, hair and eyes.
Health Implications:
- Susceptibility to sunburn
- Risk for skin cancers
- Vision problems that are not correctable with eyeglasses
- Low immune system leading to high risk of infections
- Current skin treatments and sunscreens are ineffective for PLWA in Africa as a whole due to a) creams’ properties, b) environment- climate and altitude and c) Black African skin types.
Social Implications:
- Persecution
- o killed for body parts to be used in portions by witchdoctors
- o women raped to cure a man of HIV/AIDS
- Isolated and discriminated against
- Abused and threatened
- Difficulty in assimilating in schools, employment, outside relationships
VANA GOGO
- Many grandmothers (Gogos) in the rural area are left to raise grandchildren due to their children dying of HIV/AIDS.
- These grandparents are faced with financial constraints, which makes it difficult for them to take care of their grandchildren
- Most grandparents cannot read or write, which makes it difficult for them to be involved in the education of their grandchildren
SCHOOL CHILDREN IN REMOTE RURAL AREAS
- There are many children in most difficult-to-reach and not-served communities who walk miles barefooted to school
- Most take their lessons under trees
- They also cannot afford schools supplies such as books, pens, and bags
- In addition they lack personal hygiene items.
We believe in enhancing capacity to promote independence and self-sufficiency in all the 3 communities. Therefore, our efforts and goals include:
- Providing SUNGALSSES, SUNHATS/CAPS AND SUNSCREENS for PLWA.
- Hold public health campaigns to advocate and raise awareness to the inhumane treatment this marginalized population faces.
- Work with a Zimbabwean pharmacist to provide locally developed sunscreen more effective for PLWA.
- Promote and maintain healthy practices for vana Gogo to minimize diseases
- Develop and provide training to meet these PLWA and vana Gogo’s community needs
- Promote education to enable the rural students to complete their education for a brighter future.
- Collect and ship educational supplies, including books, soccer balls, pens and personal hygiene items for the students.
Thank you for considering volunteering and donating your time and talents on behalf of WOD to give back to our community back home in Zimbabwe. At WOD we know that your time and talents are precious, and every minute you spend is precious and worthwhile.