South African Orion Duet Ministries

Women's Global Pathways-New Mexico 

 Empowerment 

News Release:  Open To The Public
 
Good Through Sunday November 20 2011
 
Contact:  Nkazi Sinandile ( Co-Founder And Program Coordinator): southafricanorionduet@yahoo.com
 or the Christmas Shopping Venue And Fiscal Sponsor:  ( 505)  255-8095)
 

Christmas Shopping From Women's Global Pathways New Mexico ( International District)
 
Your Chance To support Our Artisans and Get Handmade, Local Artisan Products From  Women's Global Pathways New Mexico Before Christmas!
 
Ethnic garments, jewelry, string quilted products, eclectic tote bags and more!!
 
SUNDAY, November 20TH  10:30 A.M. - 2:00 P.M.
 
Venue:  Social Hall Of La Mesa Presbyterian Church
7401 Copper Avenue, NE, Albuquerque, 87108
 
Your assistance has made and continues to make a significant difference in our lives, whether it is learning to speak English, to sew, weave, build confidence, develop a product line, or reduce the barriers that we confront as refugees and immigrant women. We are growing together as a community of artisans that is contributing to the healthy economic development of our receiving communities and families.
 
The New Mexico Women's Global Pathways recently incorporated in New Mexico as a not for profit organization which is applying to IRS for a 501 (c) 3 status.  

History

Women’s Global Pathways –NM is a grassroots organization by and for refugee women, girls, other low income local women who reside in New Mexico.We have decided to take control of our financial situations by confronting the social systems that oppress us.  Our main goal is to rise out of poverty in a dignified manner that respects our self worth and dignity.We have conceived  a program designed to help us to become self sufficient.  

We collaborate with local organizations, and are committed to help empower, motivate and support ourselves , our families, while promoting our social, economic, and political well-being.     

During these hard economic times, with some of us not finding jobs, and others finding jobs only to loose them, we have decided to take control of our lives in an effort to  move from being dependent on social services,  to "self  help” by providing a nurturing environment while helping ourselves create entrepreneurial businesses.

We are currently working hard to create a sustainable economical development center where we seek to train in sewing , English As A Second language, Life, business, computer skills, weaving and beading, in our quest to improve our earning power.  Our greatest need is funds and any assistance that can be given us to create a sustainable project to help us become self sufficient.  

 Goal For Women's

Global Pathways New Mexico

 By the way our program serves men and children as well especially in the English education program.

We work to improve our economic conditions in all aspects, including:

• Leadership development;
• Capitalizing on our strengths, knowledge and skills
• Promoting cultural understanding and tolerance among all of us;
• Promoting our rich heritage through art;
• Providing opportunities for us (artisans in training) to prosper in our communities;

Youth  Children's Sewing Track                

The economical development center we are trying to create is a donated 14 x 60 mobile home that we received after  one of us staged a 16 refugee awareness Hunger Strike April 2010. 

We continue to work hard to avail ourselves of opportunities to learn to sew and are creating products for sale while in training.  With the fabric donations we have received FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS , we will be able to create high quality eclectic products that are made in Albuquerque to sell to the public. 

Since October 2010, while training to sew, we have created up to 300 pillows and desperately need polyester fiber fill to stuff pillows.

We are preparing for an upcoming Holiday Craft Sales Event which will be held on Sunday, November 20, 2011  at the Social Hall Of La Mesa Presbyterian Church, 7401 Copper Ave. NE, Albuquerque, 87108.  Time is 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

 Our Urgent Needs :

 Economic Development

1. Polyester Fiber Fill to stuff pillows very urgent as we are preparing for our upcoming holiday sales event;
2. Holiday trim and embellishments for the products we are creating;
3. Transparent and non transparent containers to store our fabric, as well as cabinets with drawers for the center;
4. New Sewing Machines to include Heavy duty or money to buy them
5. Funds to pay for child care at the women's center;

Other Needs ( till we secure funding)

•   adequate mode of transportation ( 15 seat van if possible) urgently;

• $$$$ for gas to transport program participants and children to enriching activities;
• 2 Medium size weaving looms;
• Southwestern, African, Asian and Caribbean Fabric
• New or sewing machines in very good working condition;Thread;
• Scissors; 
• Pin cushions
• Elastic
  Beads
  Faux jewels
  Acrylic jewels
  Glitter appliques
  Sequins
  Sequined appliques
  Iron-on appliques
  Extra thread
  Extra sewing machine needles
• Fabric glue.

Wanted:

Christmas Gifts for the women and their children.   Educational toys for the children's center;  microwaves x 3 for the women who desperately need them; sewing kits

Monetary Donations:

 Donate Financial Resources - Send monetary donations to La Mesa Presbyterian church, 7401 Copper Ave. NE, Albuquerque, 87108 c/o Rev. Trey Hammond: Memo Women's Global Pathways New Mexico.  Thank you for giving us wings to fly.    Thank You very much.

Services

We offer the following services:

• Work experience
• Entrepreneurial training;
• Job readiness training;
• Basic literacy skills;
• Training in crafts such as  sewing, weaving, and other needlework arts;
• Provide English as a second Language classes;
• Provide venues at which women can sell their products;

 Did You Know?

According to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, there are approximately 50 million uprooted people around the world - refugees who have sought safety in another country and people displaced within their own country. Between 75-80 per cent of them are women and children.

The women often carry the heaviest burden of survival for themselves and their families.  Most of the refugee women who resettle in Albuquerque, for example, have no formal education and suffer from a wide range of problems, including:

• The need to learn a new language

• Finding and retaining employment

• Disproportionate responsibility at home, which limits livelihood opportunities

• Skills not readily transferable to the U.S.

• Lack of community support

Thank you

Women's Global Pathways-NM operates as an all volunteer, not-for-profit organization and is fiscally sponsored by La Mesa Presbyterian Church.

La Mesa Presbyterian Church has helped the South African Orion Duet with the refugee outreach since 2007; hosting events, sponsoring children for a weekly Kidz Club and supporting families by providing clothes and emergency monetary aid for utilities payments.