Stories from Umthombo

It has been another busy year so far at Umthombo in Durban, South Africa. Since January, the Umthombo outreach team have been meeting more adolescent girls and young women on the streets, many of whom have babies of their own.

On Her Terms: A young women from Umthombo playing on the beach in Durban, South Africa.

Of the 74 young women they are currently working with on the street, 12 of them are mothers with 23 babies between them. Finding ways to support the increasing number of girls and young women being met on the streets is a key focus of Umthombo’s work in recent years; challenges include high rates of HIV and other infections, and widespread substance misuse. There has been a recent spike in the incidences of gender-based violence and murders of women across South Africa.

Umthombo’s dedicated staff team are continuing with their vital work on the streets and in communities across the City, despite significant funding challenges this year.

Find out how you can become an ally of this work and journey with Umthombo as they continue supporting more young women and girls, on their terms.

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Tanzania 2020

The summer of 2019 is coming to an end and it’s about time to start thinking about summer 2020. If you’re looking wistfully ahead to next summer already, have a look at our Tanzania 2020 trip.

You’ll have the opportunity to visit Amos’ partners Cheka Sana, in Mwanza, Tanzania and learn more about their work challenging the injustices faced by children and young people living on the street.

It’s also the best time of year to visit Tanzania (including the Serengeti and Zanzibar), so consider extending your trip for the Tanzanian experience of a lifetime. Please contact [email protected] for more information or simply book here.

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Diwali Dinners 2019

Amos supporters across the country are hosting their own Diwali Dinners at the end of October this year, to celebrate the Hindu festival of light and support the fantastic work of our partner Karunalaya, in Chennai.

Here’s an idea... a Diwali Dinner of curry with fragrant king prawns.

If you’d also like to cook up an Indian feast, invite friends and raise money towards Karunalaya’s vital work in pavement-dwelling communities in India, take a look at our resource pack and get in touch with [email protected] for more support. And don’t forget to let us know how your event went!

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On Her Terms: the film

Amos Trust brought together women from 8 countries who work with girls on the streets. Girls who face child marriage, prison or are involved in sex work. They shared new ways of working, with a collective vision to see girls live free from abuse. This is their story.

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Amos Book Club

This month we’re reading Inglorious Empire: What The British Did To India by Shashi Tharoor.

During two recent trips to our partners in Chennai this summer, we’ve been reading this important book about facing up to Britain’s colonial legacy in India. Tharoor, a Keralan politician, has written a compelling and frank account of the realities and impact of empire in India.

It’s an important read for those of us wishing to look Britain’s past more squarely in the face. You can buy the book here.

Finally, please sign up to receive Amos Trust’s E-news which will keep you updated about our work in Palestine, our On Her Terms campaign for girls and young women on the streets and our Climate Justice work in Nicaragua.