Today, Episcopal Relief and Development commemorates International Human Rights Day. Sakena Yacoobi, educator and founder of the Afghan Institute of Learning, will be honored at the United Nations with the Women’s Rights Prize of the Peter Gruber Foundation.
Episcopal Relief and Development supported Yacoobi’s organization that works with displaced Afghan women and girls in Pakistan. ERD’s assistance empowered refugee women and children to improve their lives through education and health services. Working in partnership with ERD, the Institute expanded its services to reach over 300,000 Afghans using programs which included teacher training, academic classes, and mobile health clinics.
ERD helped provide innovative skills training workshops to teach women how to earn and income and protect their human rights. Health education and clinical services were given to women and children.
“We are proud of the ERD’s partnership with Sakena, which changed the lives of thousands of Afghan women and girls,” said Sandra Swan, ERD President. “She and the Afghan Institute of Learning exemplify one example of our successful work to reach vulnerable people in need.”
To donate to Episcopal Relief and Development, visit http://www.er-d.org/ or call 1-800-334-7626, ext. 5129. Gifts can be mailed to: Episcopal Relief and Development, PO Box 12043, Newark, NJ 07101.
Episcopal Relief and Development saves lives and builds hope in communities around the world. We provide emergency assistance in times of disaster. When the immediate crisis is over, we rebuild devastated communities and offer long-term solutions in the areas of food security, health care, and HIV/AIDS.
