WiA Launch Save a Tamar support group

Trained trauma counsellors, some of whom are survivors of abuse themselves, welcomed visitors warmly to the first support group meeting organised by Women in Action (WiA) at the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) in Johannesburg on 31 January 2012.

The support group is one of many initiatives in the ongoing Save a Tamar campaign which highlights the prevalence of abuse, whether it is physical, emotional or sexual, and offers victims support, guidance and knowledge, empowering them to begin their journey from victim to survivor.

Mrs Marcia Pires, founder of WiA, opened the meeting by encouraging everyone to take the first step on the road to recovery. This involved making a personal choice to accept help and work through the healing process. She said: “Victims often lose sight of the choice they have. They can choose to stay in the abusive situation or confront it and work towards changing their lives. During the acceptance and healing process, people overcome sadness, humiliation, hopelessness, pain and shame. They regain joy, start to value themselves as precious people and find meaning and purpose in their lives. Above all they learn that the abuse was not their fault – they are not to blame for what happened to them.”

One of the tragedies of abuse is that in most cases the abusers are known to the victim. They may be family members, people in authority at work or friends. The victim has no safe place. Many of the WiA counsellors have overcome abuse in their lives, so are able to empathise and relate to each person individually, The group shares a word of encouragement, prayer and one-onone counselling. In most cases, the journey starts with acceptance and sharing experiences, enabling people to take control of their lives. Nobody is pressured to participate before they are ready to do so.

This is their space – time for them. WiA volunteers are there to support them every step of the way. If volunteers sense the need for professional help from psychologists, doctors or the legal system, they refer the person to the appropriate contact. The story of Tamar is recorded in the Bible in 2 Samuel 13:20-29. Tamar, the daughter of King David, was abused by her half- brother. She felt condemned to a life as a “desolate woman”.

Mrs Pires shared a vision of hope from Isaiah 35:1-2: “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy”. The group meets every alternate Tuesday at 5pm in the UCKG conference room in Eloff Street, Johannesburg. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 14th February 2012. Everyone is welcome.

If you wish to contact the support group, please email woman2woman@ uckg.org.za.

Every case will be treated confidentially and with discretion.

 

Beautiful in every single way

As you know, they are pastors’ wives just trying to give a little bit of themselves to make a contribution to the communities where their husbands are working. They are called upon for many tasks and more often than not their hands are busily at work showing their talents. You might see them on Sundays as a reflection of the beauty of the women of God.

These same glamorous women are willing to make a difference in the Church. They are hard workers ensuring their household and church are being provided for. And they go beyond this to serve the needy with a smile, a word of encouragement, a hug and sometimes simply by holding the hands of cancer patients in distress. In December after finishing their hospital visits for the year, they still did not rest.

Find out more about our WiA members:

What is Family?

When one comes to know God and has accepted Him as Lord and Saviour, one immediately becomes part of His family. Even when trials and difficulties come, there is no need for worry or fear because the One in whom one believes is much greater than the problem. Women in Action (WiA) have become like family to those in the community, not only taking the time to empower or bring awareness to individuals but also by listening to what’s on their minds and offering counsel.

We all know what being alone during the holidays can do to a person, and it’s even worse when that person is sick. WiA decided to do something special and extraordinary for the cancer patients they had visited during the year. In the last two weeks of December 2011, some cancer volunteers took time from their personal duties to telephone all the patients they had visited during the year. What a priceless time it was!

This is what the volunteers had to say after making the calls:

Taking part in the callbacks to the cancer patients was a good thing to do. It showed we remembered them, especially at this time of the year. Even though some of them were not feeling ok, but deep down in their hearts they felt special because we called them. Some of them are positive that they will be fine. I really enjoyed myself. It was such a blessing to the people even I felt revived. Hearing them say how much they appreciate these calls and how strong they felt after the call was good.

One even said that by calling them, we are giving them hope again. He even mentioned that sometimes they don’t need many words, just knowing that someone cares is enough to keep them going. It was heartbreaking hearing of how some are discriminated against at their work place, being called names or ill treated by the health professionals. Some were too weak to speak, making it hard to hear what they were saying, but they kept on the line nevertheless. I was reminded about the suffering our people experience daily. The joy those calls gave to them was priceless! They were truly grateful even those who had lost a family member. We always aim to make a difference, that’s why we are called – Women in Action.

Marcia Pires

Photo Captions:
1) WiA hold gift bags prepared for the staff of Charlotte Maxeke Hospital during their last visit in 2011
2) Looking glamorous, WiA members who volunteer at the hospital throughout the year
3) WiA with the staff from the Oncology Ward at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital

* If you have a problem and would like to speak to one of the Women in Action, do not hesitate to contact us on woman2woman@uckg.org.za

 

WP takes action against Human Trafficking

 As part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Abuse of Women and Children, Women in Action travelled to Cape Town to host a special Human Trafficking Awareness Event on 26th November 2011. Special guests were representatives of ‘Justice Acts’, one of the organisations in South Africa which works to combat human trafficking. WiA has named this drive the “Fragrance of Freedom” and was well supported by Western Province members who turned out in numbers and made generous contributions to purchase bracelets made by pastors’ wives.
A donation of R25, 000 was made to ‘Justice Acts’ on 15th December. This will be given to a safe house which the organisation runs in Cape Town. Victims of human trafficking are giving accommodation, protection and rehabilitation. WiA is grateful to all supporters from the Western Province. Your contribution enabled us to help one more worthwhile organisation.

“When I left the meeting on the 26th I learnt that I needed to be more vigilant as not everything is what it seems. The meeting taught me about the different forms of human trafficking which I had not been aware of. Since these talks, I met a girl in the church who is from Lesotho. I met her through my younger sister and she said she had been taken from Lesotho by a man who claimed he was going to give her employment.

“When they arrived here in Cape Town he changed his mind and decided that he wanted to marry her. Luckily, there were members of the church who lived nearby who took her in. “We talked to her in the church and through the members, she was able to go back home. She went back to Lesotho three weeks ago. “I had known about her for a while but it never clicked in my mind that this was a case of human trafficking until we started talking about it in the meetings.”

• UCKG member from Cape Town

PHOTO CAPTIONS: Top WiA meeting in Cape Town

Below ’Justice Acts’ receives WiA donation

 

Acknowledgement

We have proudly concluded our activities for 2011 with our last Fragrance of Freedom Event in Cape Town on the 26 November whereby we counted with the support of …people.

This event aimed once again to bring awareness to one of the hardest social injustices of all times: Human Trafficking. And believe me, it is so real and so growing in our South Africa.

We have raised donations to benefit Justice Acts, another organisation militating against human traffic in the mother city where sex tourism reaches unbelievable rates. As for WiA, there is never a limit or a common sense in the back of our minds that we have done enough. All efforts, all commitment, all work put together is just not enough to decrease the suffering in people’s life.

Hence, we are fully aware that by crossing our arms and doing nothing we are actually just contributing to increase the problem. So we do our part by bringing awareness, raising funds, donating to honourable organisations, offering counselling and support to victims of abuse, ministering comfort to Cancer patients and being present in the life of many women who invites us in.

It has been so great to be part of WiA but above all to count on the support of all women inside and outside our church, who come along in the same spirit, and participate, and get involved with our cause, and donate, and pass on the message of awareness to their family and community members. It has been far great honour to serve side by side with my colleagues, pastors’ wives, who set aside their own challenges and commitment just to help this work grow.

As much as I believe that knowledge is power and as much as I strive to share this knowledge with those around us, I also believe in the power of two simple words that enhance a great meaning: THANK YOU! For your support, for your prayers, for your sponsorship, for taking a stand against social injustices therefore showing you are a woman of value, you are virtuous.

Marcia Pires

Break the Silence. Stop the Violence. In South Africa

On Saturday, 26 November, the Women in Action (WiA) – supported by the V-Women, the Sisterhood and the Universal Youth group – took to the streets of Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg in an effort to raise awareness of abuse. South Africa started its national campaign against women and child abuse called 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children which will run from 25 November to 10 December.

Cape Town
In Cape Town Marcia Pires, founder of WiA, launched the campaign at the Cenacle of the Holy Spirit at 10am. Promoted as The Fragrance of Freedom, attention was directed not only at the issue of abuse, but also the subject of human trafficking. Speakers Ralph Muenstermann and Miryam Danam from Justice Acts, an organisation aimed to create awareness of human trafficking, spoke about the increase of “slavery” in South Africa.

“Justice Acts is available to empower people who are at risk. We teach the police officers and community members how to protect themselves and help others. Make a difference in the place where you live, hold on to hope, pray, have compassion, stand in purity, spread the word, volunteer, watch out, reach out, speak up and finally invest in resources,” Ms Danam said. She also urged people to talk openly about human trafficking, to be alert and research any company or group who promised ‘once-in-a-life-time’ opportunities.

Mrs Pires said, “Many people do not know much about human trafficking and we realised that something needed to be done. We cannot sit back and watch while these cruel actions take place.”
“Behold, the former things have come to pass, now I declare new things; before they spring forth I proclaim them to you,” Isaiah 42:9
Quoting this Scripture, she concluded by saying that no one should be a slave of abuse. WiA has hosted many different campaigns that highlighted crucial social issues and the subject of abuse has been one of its major concerns.

Durban
Women dressed in ‘Break the Silence. Stop the Violence’ t-shirts marched through the streets and invited people to join the meeting held at the Cenacle of the Holy Spirit in Durban. Starting at 9am with a prayer for all victims of abuse, pastors wives spread the message that women and children should not be silent when abused. They should speak out and report this crime.
Several women spoke about their experiences of abuse and the damage it caused. They encouraged others to break the silence and not be afraid to speak out. One woman shared her story, telling how her husband stabbed her and she ended up in hospital.

In a video message, Cristiane Cardoso, founder of the Sisterhood and V-Women, advised women to seek strength from God. She said God saw each women as a valuable asset.
The meeting ended with a special word of encouragement from Bishop Flavio. Referring to Jeremiah 29:10, he said: “God’s plan is not for you to suffer, but for you to be happy and to prosper.” He prayed for all those who had been abused.

Johannesburg
“When you speak out, you are voicing what happened. It’s not wrong to speak,” said Donna Onwubiko, a member of WiA in Johannesburg. Grace, a young woman of 21, told her story of abuse at the event:
“At the age of seven, I was staying with my grandparents. My uncle came to stay with us and he sexually abused me. Every day when I woke up, I would find him on top of me. When I told a relative about the situation, she told me it was my fault and I deserved it. I used to cry a lot and I was unhappy. A year later I went back to stay with my parents. I thought I was safe, but when my cousin came to stay with us, he did the same thing. He would rape me every day and I could not speak out, because I thought that I deserved it. My cousin was a gangster and he threatened me. I developed a grudge and when I saw others were happy, I would get angry. I did not understand why they were happy, but I was not.

“I even had anger against God. I remember one day I wrote a letter to God about how I felt. I wrote how much I hated Him and asked Him why he gave me parents that could not even protect me. For more than 12 years I lived in a cave and I thought it was my fault. I became suicidal and used to drink chemicals and cut myself so that I could ease the pain I had inside.
“But one day I decided to speak out. It was hard because I thought people would judge me. I spoke to a UCKG assistant and immediately felt relieved. I felt like a huge burden was lifted off me.
“I was silent for 12 years and only four months ago I decided to speak. I have now taken my power back. I have learned that God would not have allowed me to go through all that if He was not going to take me out of that life. I let go of the past and I am free from all hatred”, said Grace.

Mrs Onwubiko officially launched a Johannesburg support group for abused victims. These members have been trained in rape crisis to help those who are or have been victims of abuse.
Members of the support group for abused victims are:

Pinky, Val, Kimmy, Fikiswa, Simone, Ana Paulo, Flavia, Kelly, Jenaina and Donna.

Called to make a difference

Since the inception of Women in Action (WiA) in May 2009, members have focused on the goal of making a difference in the lives of those they meet by spreading awareness on various health issues and empowering individuals to take care of themselves.

This group is made up of pastors’ wives who assist their husbands in the communities where they work. Within the group there are those who have become volunteers and been trained by the CANSA Association of South Africa for Cancer Awareness and Bohani Trading and Projects for HIV Awareness. The group first began going to the Oncology Department at the Johannesburg Charlotte Maxeke Hospital three times a week. When they found patients came from Baragwanath and the Far East Rand Hospital, they formed other volunteer groups for those areas.

Now groups visit the Johannesburg hospital every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and other groups go to Baragwanath and the Far East Rand Hospital on Tuesdays. Because some of the patients do not only have cancer but also HIV, WiA has formed a separate group dedicated solely to HIV Awareness. As volunteers, WiA help make the patients in various hospitals more aware about cancer and HIV.

They not only distribute relevant handouts but also take the time to listen to what the patient has to say, and in so doing they come to know of many other needs the patients have. After every visit there are those who take the time to follow-up with the patient by calling them back to see how they are doing. During such call backs we come across those who are in dire need and require further assistance other than just knowledge about their sickness.

The WiA goes that extra mile to visit patients in their homes doing what they can to assist, whether it is going to the CANSA office to collect a pair of walking sticks that will make the person a bit more comfortable or rallying together to buy food so that they’ll have something to eat. It doesn’t matter whether you are a member of the UCKG or not, what matters to us is helping you to cope in your time of need.

The women of Women in Action are just that – women who take action in making a difference in the lives of others. They make every effort to become educated and trained in the relevant area of volunteering so that they can give proper and accurate information to the patients. No matter where the need may arise, you can be sure if a difference needs to be made you’ll find a Woman in Action doing just that.

Mrs Donna Owumbiko

 

Cancer Volunteer Coordinator

http://www.womeninaction.co.za/news/the-fragrance-of-freedom-donations/

The Fragrance of Freedom campaign

The women take a stand

More than 10, 000 people attended the launch of the “Fragrance of Freedom” campaign, held by Women in Action (WiA) at the Cenacle of the Holy Spirit in Soweto on 9th August 2011.

WiA believes that ‘knowledge is power’ which is why they decided to use Women’s Day to educate the community about human trafficking. Mrs Pinky Dada, a member of the WiA recited a poem, ‘Power to the women of the world’ as a tribute to all South African women. Among the guest speakers was Ms Khanyi Motsa, founder of the Berea /Hillbrow Home of Hope, an organisation which provides shelter for those who have been sexually exploited and are victims of human trafficking.

“In South Africa children become orphans after the loss of their parents to HIV/AIDS. When no one looks after them, they can become victims of human trafficking. We are called into service because there is something we can do for the orphans before they are trafficked,” said Ms Motsa.

Another guest speaker, Boogie Dhlamini, manager of Women and Men Against Child Abuse in Orange Farm, agreed that human trafficking was an international problem. She explained that human trafficking happened in three different phases — recruitment, transportation and exploitation. She also said that many cases remained unknown because they were ‘organised crimes’ in which trusted people could be involved, such as neighbours, nurses, doctors and government officials. She warned people about checking up on simple things such as ensuring a company existed before applying for a job. As people often said, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and she called on women to work together as communities to protect orphans.

Founder of Women in Action, Mrs Marcia Pires said that when she first heard about human trafficking, she thought that it was not relevant to South Africa, but research has shown this was not so. “I don’t believe that organisations lobbying on the subject ever dream they will be able to bring modern slavery to an end. However, we are certain that we will be able to educate more people if we alert youths who aspire to careers as models or those who dream of being footballers about the false proposals. We will also create awareness among parents that not all the promises offering better lives and study opportunities for their children are true. If we educate women to verify the accuracy of job offers abroad, we will be saving many from the potential ambushes of traffickers,” said Mrs Pires.

“Let us use the freedom we enjoy today to bring freedom to others who are captives of this social injustice. The spirit that led 20,000 women, 55 years ago, to pave the way to freedom lives on. ‘And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God’ (Rom 12:2),”Mrs Pires said.

At the end of the event Mrs Thoko Nkayi thanked all who provided information for the launch of the campaign and prayed for the women and children of South Africa, all victims and those vulnerable to human trafficking.

View photo gallery of the event in Soweto

The Fragrance of Freedom

WiA Celebrate Survivors’ Day!

Women in Action (WiA) in Cape Town continues to support survivors of cancer at the Tyger Valley Oncology ward.

In June this year WiA celebrated Survivors’ Day with cancer patients and the medical team. Volunteering to offer aid to cancer patients assists them in dealing with the disease and the challenges it poses. Seeing patients and survivors as brave and not treating them with pity helps them to confront their situation and see a way out.

They don’t need our pity, they need our comfort and encouragement to face what they need to and find their way through it. At present WiA has 16 volunteers working in Cape Town and 42 at the Charlotte Maxeke Hospital in Johannesburg. A WiA support group will soon be started for patients at the Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria.

Childhood Cancer Awareness

Women in Action (WiA) held a childhood cancer awareness conference at the Cenacle of the Holy Spirit in Park Station, on Saturday, 25th June. The aim of the conference was to educate people about child cancer and the importance of early detection.

Opening the conference, Bev du Toit founder of an organisation named “Lets talk about cancer”, who is also a cancer survivor, said that about 500- 600 children will be diagnosed with cancer in South Africa while about 500 children will die before being diagnosed.

“Cancer is not one but three hundred different diseases and it begins with changes in body cells. Cancer is a deformation on certain cells and it can only be treated by doctors. The immune system protects the body and the more fruits and vegetables a person eats the better the immune system as it is strengthened. Though cancer is mostly found in older people, men and women, it doesn’t mean children don’t get it. Unlike the adult cancer, children often respond well to treatment. The earlier a child is diagnosed the easier the treatment and better the chance of survival. The goal of any type of cancer treatment is to cure the child. In childhood cancer there is a 90% cure rate and the most important key is early diagnosis,” she explained.

She also spoke of the different symptoms of child cancer, side effects and the treatment needed for all the different types of childhood cancer. The symptoms range from nausea, fever, soar throat, vomiting, drowsiness, sweating, problem with balance, lumps, the unexplained in the body.

Bev also emphasised the importance of doing regular check-ups especially in the case where family members had died from cancer and the importance of knowing the type of cancer they died from as only 10% are hereditary. Remaining 90% is environmental.

Women in Action believe that knowledge is power and it has changed people’s lives through different projects such as “save a Tamar” and others.
“Fear and not being aware of what is happening will not bring cure. We need to understand how our bodies and of our children’s bodies work, said Mrs Marcia, the founder of WiA.
WiA dedicated two weeks to raise funds as their pledge of support to the LTAC. Mrs Marcia handed the proceeds of R6000 to Bev du Toit to extend it’s cancer awareness campaigns.

What are the visible symptoms:

• Eye: White spot in the eye, new squint, new blindness, bulging eyeball.
• Lump: Lump in the abdomen and pelvis, head and neck, limbs, testes, glands.
• Unexplained: Prolonged fever over 2 weeks, loss of weight, pallor, fatigue, easy bruising or bleeding.
• Aching: Aching bones, joints, back and easy fractures.
• Neurological: Change or deterioration in walk, balance or speech, regression of milestones, headache for more than a week with or without vomiting and enlarging head.

Generous donations by WiA

Women In Action (WIA) handed over a cheque for R10, 000 to the Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) in 1035 Arcadia Street, Pretoria on 13th June.

The aim of the donation is to raise awareness of women and children abuse. Women In Action has already made donations to other foundations such as the Teddy Bear Clinic in Johannesburg, WMACA in Durban, as well as Rape Crisis in Cape Town.

All these organisations serve the same purpose which is to protect the rights of children and women

WiA SAVES MORE TAMARS

In an effort to raise awareness of women and child abuse through the Save a Tamar Campaign, Women in Action speak at the UCKG in Pretoria and Park Station

Women in Action visited the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) in Pretoria on Saturday, 16th April.

The aim of the visit was to spread awareness of women and child abuse. Mrs Marcia Pires who is the founder and the leader of the WiA, an organisation of pastors’ wives, addressed the people.

“The worst thing is when a child tries to confide in his or her parent or guardian, and is accused of lying. The one who is supposed to protect a child is the first to disregard evidence of abuse,” said Mrs Pires.

One of the guest speakers, Ms Boogie Dlamini, manager of the Women and Men Against Child Abuse and Kidz Clinic, said:

“When children are abused we make sure they are examined, go through counselling and are prepared for court. We also offer support to the parents of the child who was abused. We always tell our children to say ‘No’, but a three-year-old cannot say no to an older man. We as parents have to teach them what is right and wrong. Everybody is so protective of a girl child, but what happens to a boy child? We have to protect our children. Abuse is every one’s problem. A child can’t handle the burden, but we have to help them.”

Another of the guest speakers, Lerato Phadima, a social worker, underlined the necessity to support those who had been abused.

The Save a Tamar Campaign was first launched in the Cenacle of the Holy Spirit in Soweto on the 9th August 2010.

Since then, WiA has taken a strong stand against the abuse of women and children in society.

Women in Action held its last Save a Tamar campaign in Gauteng for 2011. The event took place at the Cenacle of the Holy Spirit at Park Station. The campaign ran for eight months since August last year.

“I do not expect to change the world but if I managed to impact positively those who have attended our meetings and read our messages making them aware of abuse and later a voice in their communities, we have somehow made a difference,” said Mrs Pires.

 

 

 

16 Days of Activism against abuse

Imagine if no rape or child abuse took place in South Africa for 16 days. That’s the challenge posed by the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign — for South Africans to declare a truce on violence against women and children – and, ultimately, to make it permanent.

Throughout the country, South Africans are being called on to combat violence against women and children. This appeal is fully supported by Women in Action (WIA) which started the “Save a Tamar” campaign to oppose abuse on Women’s Day, 9th August this year.

This is the 11th year that South Africa is taking part in the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign, which runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) through to International Human Rights Day on 10 December.

While the campaign only runs for 16 days each year, its objectives are reinforced by a year-long programme and a national plan to combat abuse.

Despite our renowned Constitution and a legislative framework which safeguards women’s and children’s rights, South Africa still witnesses high levels of violence against women and children. Government, business, civil society, faith-based organisations and the media are all participating in the drive to increase awareness of the negative impact of violence and abuse on women and children.

In its four-month long campaign against women and child abuse, WiA members have repeated the message that abuse stripped women of their dignity and most women in society could not strike back at those who abused them.

WiA Launches Save a Tamar in Soweto

 

 

 

It is now 54 years since women took to the streets to petition against the apartheid laws which required Black people to carry “pass books” with them each time they left their compounds, homes or designated areas. Failure to produce a “pass” often resulted in the person being arrested.

This big march by nearly 20,000 women to the Union Buildings took place on 9th August, 1956. They sang a song called “Wathint’ abafazi wathint’ imbokodo uza kufa!, meaning “When you strike the women, you strike a rock, you will be crushed or you will die!”

Women in Action (WiA) celebrated women’s struggle in South Africa and welcomed all present to the “Save a Tamar” launch at the Cathedral of Faith in Soweto.

Addressing the packed church, Mrs Marcia Pires, founder of WiA, said abuse took away dignity and many women in society could not strike back at those who abused them.

“As Christians we uphold the Bible’s principles, we believe that man should lead the house and Psalm 128:3,4 speaks about the man who fears the Lord.” She pointed out that if children grow up in this kind of family environment it was unlikely they would suffer abuse or become abusive, since ‘Children see, children do – whatever we do in front of them they will try to do it as well’.

“Sometimes women are told that it is their fault that they were abused. They hear accusations from friends or family members, such as: Why were you walking alone?, Look at the clothes you’re wearing!, but what blame can be put on a child whom someone takes advantage of, in her or his very own home? We have to deal with the consequences of abuse and give emotional and spiritual support. Maybe you have been through abuse and feel despised, rejected by the community and even by God, but today we the WiA want you to know that you are a woman of value, of courage and know that today is the birth of a new year in your life,” Mrs Pires said.

Men came in large numbers to support women and the campaign against abuse. Directing some of her comments at them, Mrs Pires said: “Man, you are a man of character, a man of honour because we believe you have the responsibility and the power to change South Africa. You can act in the community, with your colleagues, on your way from work to join the cause of fighting against women and child abuse.”

A survivor of domestic abuse, Mrs Elizabeth Mabunda described how she lost an unborn baby after her husband beat her. Today however she has a happy and united family and can celebrate 26 years of marriage with abuse a thing of the past. Her husband, William urged everyone to change the way they looked at women.

“Let us fight this abuse against women and children and change the way we look at them with respect, as the bible says they were created from our ribs. Let us love and be a good example to them,” said William.

Mrs Dalene Bishop, from the Teddy Bear Clinic, a non-profit organisation protecting and assisting abused children, said they educated children about sexual abuse, giving therapy, counselling, assistance, love, comfort, safety and ongoing support.

The WiA choir presented their special “Save a Tamar” song which will be sung throughout the four-month-long campaign. They also made key ring dolls which were sold with all profits being donated to the Teddy Bear Clinic.

View Gallery

Why save a Tamar?

In an interview with Women in Action founder, Marcia Pires, Universal News asked about the significance of the new project ‘Save a Tamar’. The Bible records in 2 Samuel 13:1-21, that Tamar was one of David’s daughters who was abused by her own brother, Amnon. There are many Tamars in South Africa today – women who are physically, sexually and emotionally abused.

UNIVERSAL NEWS: How many members does the WiA currently have?

MARCIA PIRES: We have about 300 pastors’ wives.

UN: What is your vision as WiA?

MP: To interact with our community and to empathise with their needs and daily struggles. We want to give back to the communities where our husbands work.

UN: What is the motive behind the ‘Save a Tamar Campaign’?

MP: To focus on the subject in such a way that each one of us feels the responsibility to reach out to anyone, anywhere who has been directly or indirectly affected by abuse from any source.

UN: How do you plan on fi nding the Tamars of today?

MP: We will raise awareness of abuse at different levels and call upon women to stand up and not accept it as a natural course of life. We will motivate males to be role models for youngsters in their neighbourhood and spread awareness of PSP (Post Exposure Prophylaxis) to prevent HIV after rape cases.

UN: How have the woman from WiA prepared themselves in work with the Tamars of today?

MP: This goes back to our daily experience in the church of counselling and praying. Only spiritual strength can really free a victim of the ghosts of the past.

UN: The project will run for four months. What will happen to the Tamars when the project comes to an end?

MP: We hope to achieve a greater level of awareness and prevention and to deliver the message that any Tamar may count on our support to claim her life back.

UN:Abuse affects not only Tamar’s but their family members too. Will you be working with the families when you try to help Tamars?

MP: One is part of the other and if we are given an opening by the victim, we will give counselling if the family welcomes our intervention.

Join the Women in Action at the Cathedral of Faith in Soweto on Women’s Day – Monday,

 

9th August 2010 at 10am

 

 

 

Who is Tamar?

You may be wondering who is Tamar and why we need to save her!

I am very pleased to introduce to you our new WiA campaign that will be launched at a special meeting in Soweto, on 9th August, 2010. We will be taking a stand against the Abuse of Women and Children in our society and we will be looking at the matter, not from a feminist but from a feminine perspective, within the context of the Holy Bible and examining the purpose for which God has created women.

Tamar, as the Bible records in 2 Samuel 13:1-21, was one of David’s daughters who was abused by her own brother, Amnon. There are many Tamars all around us being physically, sexually and emotionally abused. Families are devastated as a result of it, lives are shattered by abuse and dreams are destroyed by regret and pain.

We will celebrate Women’s Day holding up the banner of peace. We will focus on awareness and bring comfort to those who have been victims of this experience. We count on you to support this campaign.

This is our Tamar, the symbol for our campaign. Watch this space to learn more about it. From now on, make your decision and help us to “Save a Tamar”.