3/17/11: Public Policy Committee to Continue a Global Conversation

A Global Conversation about

the Lives of Women and Girls

Thursday, March 17, 4:30 PM

Kingston Library, Community Room

As part of My Sister's Keeper, an AAUW-NYS Initiative, the Public Policy and International Committees of the Kingston AAUW are pleased to welcome our guest speaker Lois Shapiro-Canter, president, CEO, and founder of the Saratoga Foundation for Women Worldwide (http://saratogafoundation.org/). This meeting is a continuation of our Half the Sky book discussion. Come and join in the conversation!

Click here to download a flyer for this event.
Then, click on the file name (kaauw_msk_17mar11.pdf)
or the green DOWNLOAD button to save and view the flyer.

Flash - Update on Kodi Kids

Sent: To Ellen Osgood, Thu, 31 Jan 2008 1:52 pm
From: Christine Dinsmore
Subject: Update on Kodi Kids & Kenya

Dear Friends of the Kodi Kids:

As the violence in Kenya takes center stage, many of you have been asking about the Kodi kids and their safety. I'm happy to report that all the children are safe. Unfortunately, the tainted election and the subsequent bloodshed has not left them untouched. As you know, Valaria and her aunt and cousin who she lives with had to move to another neighborhood. She was also transferred to another school as she was the only Luo in her previous school and the family feared harassment and retaliation. So she has been enrolled in a school of mixed tribal roots. The school year, which began in January, has been disrupted with the session beginning, only to be closed on a pretty regular basis.

The boarding schools of the other children have been more closed than opened. With the country's violence erupting nearly daily, the children are more out of school than in. Additionally, one of their uncles was trapped by a mob in Nairobi and was rescued by police. His home was burnt to the ground. He is safe, however. The Kodi family is understandably distraught about what's happening in Kenya, but have faith that Kofi Annan will mediate the two parties to a positive place. They believe that their homeland will return to its former calm and peaceful state and life will return to normal.

Below is a link to an analysis of what's the underlying cause of the bloodshed. http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/29/6719/

I'll keep you posted.

Best, Christine Dinsmore
http://www.christinedinsmore.com/kodi_kids.html
La única lucha que se pierde es la que se abandona. (The only struggle you lose is the one you abandon.)-- Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo

Thanks to Peggy Kelland, International Update

At our September branch meeting, Peggy Kelland, NY State AAUW International Affairs Director, announced the new affiliation between AAUW and Care and shared an update on the break between AAUW and the International Federation of University Women. She explained that the IFUW break comes as a result of pure economics. National AAUW, despite our dues, can't afford the IFUW dues and now owes millions.

Peggy also provided an update on the Bina Roy Fund, where most of our branch contributions go.

She discussed AAUW's commitment to primary education for all women, worldwide. I especially liked her explanation why. She said, " When you educate a man, you educate a man; when you educate a woman, you educate a family."

Thanks for joining us, Peggy.

International Committee Report - July 2007

Jeanne Townsend reports:

Our Branch has contributed $1,000 to the IFUW Bina Roy Projects. We gave $250 to four countries.

Zimbabwe-A national scholarship program aims to assist girls whose families cannot afford to continue to keep them at school. Many are sponsored to take exams which enable them to go to university.

Sierra Leone- This is a country where many girls do not go to school at all, or are taken out prematurely because of the cost of their education. This is compounded by the devastating civil war. This scholarship supplies one or more of the following, tuition, books, study materials, uniforms, examinations ,lodging and transportation.

Cameroon- Cameroon continues to advocate for the improvement of the status of girls and women, to encourage life-long learning and to encourage female graduates to use their expertise to effect change in society. They give awards to motivate high school students who have excelled both academically and through their sporting successes.

Bangladesh.-Health, education and vocational project for women and children living in a rural community. Emphasis on primary education, literacy courses and tailoring skills.

Sept. '07 Meeting: The Kodi Children of Miyuga, Kenya

Last September our speaker was Christine Dinsmore who spoke to us about the Kodi Kids of Miyuga, Kenya.
The father of these five children died and their mother is ill. An uncle promised his brother on his deathbed that he would make sure the children finish school. Christine Dinsmore has rallied Ulster County to "adopt" them. She will give us an up-to-date picture of this family and their needs. There are two additional projects that are looking for support. One is to bring safe water to the village and the other supplies solar cookers and training to women in the village. It is possible that the uncle can also join us.

David Marrell explained the difficulties families in Miyuga face in ensuring they have wood for cooking and water for sustenance and cleaning.He is working to provide solar cookers and hopes to drill a well in the town.

Peggy Kelland, the NYS AAUW International Officer, answered many of our questions on AAUW International Projects and the new relationship between AAUW and CARE.