Havng traveled in Africa myself and seen the suffering but also the courage and strength of the women there, I m impressed by the choice of Mercy Beyond Bordeers to partner with displaced women. MBB is liftng women from poverty through small measurable projects that really work... I have donated to Mercy Beyond Borders and will continue to be a donor.
A great new non-profit with very low overhead that benefits refugees in selected developing countries. Run by an experienced person who maximizes her contacts and has a hands-on approach.
The women of Sudan have proven their moral, physical, and emotional stamina in the face of the wars and environmental challenges imposed upon them and their children. MBB addresses the needs of these women today as they forge to re-establish their identity and that of their country. Perhaps no other avenue to self-reliance equips women more than education; young girls afforded the opportunity to access the web to broaden their learning, or mothers/grandmother tackling the beginnings of running a self-sustaining small business. These are long-term benefits realized by MBB through both first hand knowledge of the plight of women and children of Southern Sudan and in collaboration with the Mercy Congregation who since 1831, have responded pragmatically to the needs of women and children in need of fundamental human rights. MBB is in communication with Sudanese local communities and listens with mind and heart in order to provide them with their identified requirements that can best break the cycles of poverty, neglect and ignorance brought about through prolonged sufferings. As a high school educator I have had the opportunity to bring greater awareness of concerns of the Sudanese children to the mind-scope of young American students. Moved by the goals of MBB, the expertise of its Director, and long-lasting commitment of the Mercy Congregation, these young students have initiated programs to raise funds for this worthy cause. They know that MBB funds go directly to the people in need to assist them in implementing life-long goals which can be generated from generation to generation. In past activities, funds were designated for St. Bakita School in Sudan. Our US students saw immediate results of their efforts in the implementation of newer learning equipment to the school. I would want to see MBB continue its fine work and in future, perhaps open up more opportunities for US volunteers to labor hand-in-hand with those women and children whose lives MBB seeks to enhance.
I have seen how MBB works directly with women in South Sudan enabling them to achieve their goals. A young woman, in a culture that expects girls to be married early and to find their place only in the home, finds a place in school. A school is supported to provide a more encouraging and healthy environment for girls. Women returning home after war, hoping in the fragile peace agreed by their leaders, receive funding for income-generating activities around which their families will learn to thrive once more. Responding to the aspirations of local communities, and working through Church personnel, including members of the worldwide Mercy Congregation, MBB is addressing problems of poverty, ignorance and neglect and thus contributing to long-term peace and stability of the region. Previous to the founding of MBB, members of the organisation have visited the area over a decade during the war, and in the years of peace since 2005, and know the communities well. They have worked closely too with many others forced to flee their homes to seek refuge in USA. They are trusted and well-regarded friends with a good understanding of the current situation in Southern Sudan.
