SistersInAction
SistersInAction is a program that raises both awareness about the plight of refugees and money for these displaced persons through artistic means. Currently, we are raising money for a reproductive health care program for displaced women and girls from war-torn Darfur, Africa, a region in Sudan that Senior UN officials have characterized as experiencing “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.”
Reports from the region
indicate that rape of women and girls is widespread and is being used as a
weapon of war by the government-sponsored militias terrorizing citizens.
Proceeds from the performance will go to ensure that women and girls receive
basic, quality reproductive health care to prevent the spread of HIV, to
prevent death during delivery and to respond to cases of rape.
The funds raised will reach these women and girls in Darfur through the
Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, a well-established
non-profit based in Manhattan. SistersGeographic raises money through ticket sales from a play, "Waking Kya," the story of an African refugee woman that was written by Siobhan Fitzpatrick. "Waking Kya," which now stars Linda Obasi,Petol Weekes,Danielle Elliott,Bethany Davis, and which was directed by Pamela Warwick and Siobhan Fitzpatrick, premiered at the Women's Center Stage Playwright Festival 2003 in Manhattan. There, we raised (in addition to a 'dress rehearsal' that spring) over $2,500 for a program in Sierra Leone, Interwostrack, to aid refugees run by the Women's Commission. Since then, "Waking Kya" has been presented at numerous venues including Symphony Space in Manhattan, Marymount Manhattan College, Sacred Heart Girls' schools (PLEASE NOTE: we are particularly committed to presenting "Waking Kya" at schools). ************************************* Recently, Belise Rutagengwa, a surivor of the Rwandan Holocaust (both her parents and grandparents were victims) and winner of OPRAH WINFREY's 2006 National High School Essay contest, saw a production of "Waking Kya" and was so moved by it, she has invited us to present the play at her school, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, in Lake Forest, Il, this fall of 2007. We will also presenting "Waking Kya" to a number of other high schools and colleges in the CHICAGO area this fall. (Please note: if YOU are interested in us presenting "Waking Kya" at your school, please call us in the U.S.A. at 917/923-4674 or email us at: edit@SistersGeographic.org).*************************************We at SistersGeographic love our SistersInAction program, but in order to be more effective, we need help! If you are interested in being a partner, please email us at edit@SistersGeographic.org or call us in the USA at (917) 923-4674.***
Below are some pictures of Interwostrak, the first refugee program (in Sierra Leone)that "Waking Kya" benefitted (today, proceeds go towards a program in Darfur) including women attending a class, that were taken by Ramina Johal. Below is a poem dedicated to the women rebuilding the garden, and to women--and men--trying to rebuild gardens throughout the world
TILLING GRACE
Earth rough,
Kabul cough,
Does rain ,
have a soft memory?
Our garden, So proud she stood,,
Protective,
Like her Cyprus tree ,
firmly rooted,
And vast she spread,, Like the arms of outreached women, linked together,
Creating life ,
But she is empty now ,
A desert-waste ,
--yet no tears reside,
There is only time ,
For clearing ,
And digging , And planting ,
Because bombs exploded,
Even if intentions were good, Cause Heroes protect, But revenge manifests,
And kills , And maims, And hates ,
A shadow of a life,
yet hope perseveres,
Where women have set aside their burkas
So they can
Sow,
And water,
And grow,
And They'll stop at nothing,
Till the guns fire flowers,
And the choking dust spreads hope
They'll stop at nothing,
Cause they're Tilling Grace,
-by Siobhan Fitzpatrick
ABOUT THE GARDEN
.
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SistersInAction - BACKGROUND:
SistersInAction held its first fundraiser, "Tilling Grace," in October 2002. "Tilling Grace," benefitted a group of Afghani women who have been rebuilding a
much beloved garden in Kabul that was destroyed by last year's bombing (more details of the garden are at the bottom). The evening was
a musical showcase that featured several amazing women folk singers. It took place at The Knitting Factory located at 74 Leonard Street in Manhattan on October 29th and tickets were $25. The evening raised nearly $900! (Remember, one dollar in Afghanistan goes very far!)The money was given to the women by the playwright and activist, Eve Ensler.
If you have
any questions please email us at
edit@SistersGeographic.org or call us at 917/923-4674.
We learned about the garden last spring during a talk given by the playwright and activist, Eve Ensler. Ms. Ensler had recently been to Afghanistan and met with women leaders including Sima Samar, M.D., and the head of Afghanistan?s human rights commission, who asked Ms. Ensler if she could help find ways to raise money for this garden. Dr. Samar explained that the rebuilding of this garden was very important because it was one of the few sanctuaries Afghani women had during the Taliban rule.
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...Dedicated to promoting peace in our small way, SistersGeographic is honored to have helped raise funds for this garden in Kabul and for the refugee programs in Africa.