Kelowna Charity IWEN Liberates Families Through Education

IWEN, a non profit organization that KelownaNow is proud to be affiliated with, provides access to education for girls in Nepal, as young as age six, who are sold by their families for domestic duties and sex trade work. IWEN’s goals are created when they see what is needed in a community and then commit to create a sustainable solution. They saw a need for girls to receive an education and began to develop schools in Nepal.

However, through educating these girls, IWEN found that it was difficult to convince their parents of the importance of education as many were illiterate and did not understand. Soon after, they realized that by educating a mother, you educate a community, which led the organization to implement the Tharo Mother Literacy Classes. It was not only an education they were providing these mothers, but empowerment, self confidence, and a better chance for their daughters to succeed at graduating.

Nepalese Mothers

IWEN also created the UNAKO Signature Scarf Project which provided these mothers the resources to sew and sell scarves locally and internationally. All the profits go directly back to the women and towards educational programs. More importantly, it gives them the opportunity to become self-reliant financially, as well as the pride that comes from being employed.

The mothers who work on the UNAKO Signature Scarf Program

Currently, the priority for fundraising efforts is all going towards IWEN’s first UNAKO House. This facility will be used for the creation of UNAKO scarves, tutoring classes and housing opportunities. Many Okanagan businesses, such as Edgecombe Builders of Kelowna, have generously contributed materials to build the house. Riverside Energy Systems and AMEC have also charitably donated a top of the line solar powered roof to be installed.

This building will be constructed completely through donations and the “Buy a Brick” program which allows you to buy a brick with your family name on it and have it installed on the walls of the school. It will be built by volunteers, local Okanagan residents and UBCO students, who have travelled to Nepal and participated in a truly life changing experience.

“My heart swells with such a mixture of emotion when I recall my time in Nepal - especially in the villages - that I find it difficult to verbalize the experience. Each picture brings to mind the reward of that moment in time which only those who experienced it can truly fathom. There is hope for a better future for everyone, and I encourage all who have the opportunity, to join the "mud line" and change lives - your own included - one brick at a time.” - Diane, local volunteer

IWEN Founder Michelle Bonneau with a Nepalese Mother

To become a volunteer and join the Nepal Team

http://iwencanada.com/Become-a-Volunteer.htm

To free a girl from an indentured labour contract

http://iwencanada.com/donate.php

To buy a brick to “Build a Future”

http://iwencanada.com/buyabrick.php

To buy a scarf to support the Nepalese mothers and communities

http://iwenunako.com/shop/

KelownaNow is committed to its alignment with IWEN and are dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of their organization. Our intention is to be a media resource about Stuff That Matters to the people of the Okanagan Valley.