Friday 15th March 2019 Christchurch, New Zealand
Following the terrorist attack in Christchurch, New Zealand on 15th March 2019 where fifty people were killed, Australian author, speaker and social activist wrote these words.
2019 marks 30 years since the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This landmark in children’s rights has remained a hugely important reference point for those working for justice for children and young people.
Welcome to the first ‘On Her Terms’ update of 2019
This year marks 30 years since the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This landmark in children’s rights has remained a hugely important reference point for those working for justice for children and young people.
But 30 years on, many children remain left behind, none more so than children on the streets - particularly girls. This is why On Her Terms is so important: we’re outraged that girls and young women on the streets still get ignored, abused and forgotten. We continue to stand with them and are glad you do too.
Umthombo
I recently visited Amos Trust’s long-standing partner Umthombo Street Children (in Durban, South Africa). I spent time with Hloniphile, their girls’ outreach worker, and met a group of young women who are living in the burnt-out shell of a building. Many of them live there with their babies, some with boyfriends who are also on the street.
Hloniphile from Umthombo in Durban, South Africa at the ‘On Her Terms’ conference at Pickwell Manor in Devon — October 2018
Umthombo runs sessions with them and other young women on the street, supporting them to access vital services, rebuild relationships with family where possible and work towards a better future. Although their situations are desperate and the journey is long, Umthombo’s relationship with these girls gives hope — when so many have come close to giving up.
Their approach to working with girls on the street is gaining attention, even from government departments, who want to learn more from Umthombo. You can read more about Umthombo’s work on our website, and in the upcoming spring edition of our ‘Words of Hope’ newspaper. To receive your free copy, simply sign-up on our Home page.
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International Women’s Day — 8th March 2019
We’re already looking ahead to International Women’s Day 2019 and would love you to join us as we highlight the issues for women and girls living and working on the streets.
If you or your church, or school, or group of friends are already doing something to mark IWD2019 or would like to mark it using our resources and support On Her Terms, please get in touch with [email protected] to discuss ideas.
The ‘On Her Terms’ conference participants enjoying some well-deserved time off on Putsborough beach in Devon — October 2018. Photography: © Amos Trust/Debby Besford
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Amos Book Club
This month we’re reading: “She is Fierce: Brave, Bold and Beautiful Poems by Women”, collated by Ana Sampson. Our director Chris was given this book as a Christmas present from one of the other members of the team and he’s encouraged the whole office to get it too. You can buy it here.
Finally, please sign up to receive Amos Trust’s E-news which will keep you updated on the rest of our work in Palestine and Nicaragua.
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“Climbing Kilimanjaro has been on my bucket list for some time. At 5,895 metres it is both the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.” Neil Irving writes about ticking-off one item from his bucket list to raise funds for Amos Trust.
18-year-old Millie Rose, who first visited Nicaragua in 2015, is spending 4 months working in CEPAD’s office before starting an International Development course at University. We asked her to share a little about her impressions of CEPAD’s work — particularly after the recent flooding and unrest.
“I’ve been guilty over the last few months of shirking my responsibilities towards a cause that is very close to my heart. On the eve of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, I’ve decided to renew my commitment to this cause, to seeking justice and equal rights for everyone who calls the Holy Land home.” Sarah Baron writes about how we can reinvigorate our support for Palestine.
“The idea was beautiful and crazy. The logistics alone would be an organisational nightmare. The risk assessment would run for pages. It would be a five-month, 3,300 kilometres trek across eleven countries with mountains, rivers and seas to navigate. And then there was no guarantee that the walkers would even be allowed to cross the border into the occupied West Bank, let alone reach Jerusalem.” Amos trustee Robert Cohen writes the forword for ‘Walking To Jerusalem’ – Justin Butcher’s book about his experience of walking from London to Jerusalem as part of Amos Trust’s ‘Just Walk To Jerusalem’ project in 2017.
“It’s like on a flight. When the flight attendant says, ‘Make sure you put your own breathing mask on first, before helping the person next to you.’ She is absolutely right. If we can’t breathe we are of no use to anyone.” Karin Joseph writes about the first On Her Terms conference in Devon in October 2018.
Amos Trust
7 Bell Yard, London
United Kingdom
WC2A 2JR
Telephone:
+44 (0) 203 725 3493
Email:
[email protected]
Registered Charity No.
1164234
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