We met some pretty fierce women’s advocates in Kalma Camp in South Darufr. And they told us some really incredible stories.
Stories about accompanying victims of abuse and sexual violence to the clinic or the police station in the middle of the night. At their own personal expense. At times when they themselves were ill. And often to be scolded or treated with suspicion by the authorities.
This women’s group was doing incredible work in a vacuum of organizations dedicated to preventing and responding to violence in Kalma Camp. But, it wouldn’t last if they had to continuing going it alone with their own very limited resources.
So, to help the women’s union earn a little money to keep their work on behalf of Kalma Camp’s women going, we purchased them the materials to start up a small peanut butter business. With grinders and a bag of peanuts to get them started, the women could grind peanut butter to sell in Kalma (peanuts grow well in this part of Darfur). With sugar and a few other commodities, the women were ready for business.