From the Home Office ...
Announcing: Efforts to Assist Dorothy Granada and
the Women of Mulukukú
The Women’s Empowerment Network has grown in the past few months.
We are pleased to introduce both a new half-time staff person and a new
board member. Ellen Farmer joined WEN the beginning of April as the
program manager for the Mulukukú Clinic Project. We are extremely
grateful to be working with Ellen, who has many years of experience in
grant writing, administration, editing, and political activism. Ellen
is a founding member of the Cuba Study Group of Santa Cruz, a member of
WILPF, and is active in the US-Cuba Sister Cities Association. In
addition to administrative duties, she will organize speaking tours, grantwriting,
volunteer activities, fundraising events, and much more. With Ellen’s
help we are maturing into a more responsive and efficent organization,
with increased capabilities for supporting the clinic in Mulukukú.
Within the last month, we have officially added another great woman
to our ranks. Janie Yett, a longtime volunteer and supporter of the
Mulukukú Clinic and Dorothy Granada, has joined the Women’s Empowerment
Network’s executive board. Long-time supporters are sure to know
Janie for her insightful and beautiful writing. Janie brings valuable
experience in philanthropy and activism. While Janie has been doing
valuable volunteer work throughout our entire 501(c)(3) process, other
obligations kept her from joining our board. We are very happy to
now have her as a member.
Financial donations are urgently needed. Many of you have responded
very generously, and the need continues. More than $9,000 was raised
so improvements could be made to the clinic in order to pass government
inspections and keep the doors open. With extremely heavy rainfall
this year, the roads have become much worse in some areas, and a tough
vehicle is needed to transport critically ill patients for treatment.
Dorothy hopes someone in this network knows the perfect four-wheel drive
vehicle with rugged suspension to suit this need. She asks everyone
to ask around and help us locate a late model all-terrain truck or van
with room for a patient bed as well as the capacity to haul equipment.
The person who locates this critical and timely donation can contact us
for assistance at our email address: wempowermentn@yahoo.com.
Dorothy asks: “Is there a volunteer mechanic-driver who would like to
spend a bit of time in sunny Mulukukú?”
As always, generous tax-deductible donations are welcome and applied
to the daily activities of saving lives at the Mulukukú clinic.
Please make checks payable to:
Women’s Empowerment Network
309 Cedar Street, # 547
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
On July
18, Dorothy was flown to San José, Costa Rica
as honored guest and recipient of the Dr. Hugo Behm Rosas Award.
She was recognized for her continuous struggle for the poor and her committed
devotion and work which gives the hope that comes with the benefits of
modern medicine and access to health care.
The Mulukukú clinic is a good example for health professionals
of how faith and compassion can inspire the mission of any health service.
Dorothy is also honored for her struggle against injustice, and her commitment
to peace with justice.
This award is given to those who, despite political, social, economic,
or cultural barriers, dedicate their lives to struggle for the poor and
the excluded for the basic and essential benefits of health care. Developed
in 2000, the IHCAI Dr. Hugo Behm Rosas award is named for the Latin American
epidemiologist and humanist who dedicated his life to struggle against
infant mortality.
We hope to provide photos of Dorothy receiving this honor in a future
issue.
Tour Update:
As we take this newsletter to the printer, we do not yet have dates for
Dorothy’s next tour in the states. She expects to visit sometime
in 2003. Please check the website so you can plan an event in your
community.
Friends
of Dorothy Granada and the Women's
Center in Mulukukukú is a 501(c)(3)
organization under the name: Women’s Empowerment Network.
A long term goal has been reached.
The Friends of Dorothy Granada has become a 501(c)(3). This will
enable us to apply for and receive grants and donations. We will
no longer take donations through St. Boniface Episcopal Church. Donations
can be sent directly to Women’s Empowerment Network. All donations
are fully tax-deductible. Please help Dorothy and the women of Mulukukú
to consolidate their important victory by keeping the clinic open and thriving.
Newsletter
Seeks Your Stories
How do you do it? How do you educate people in your communities,
gather useful folks for delegations to help Dorothy and the women at the
clinic in Mulukuku? How do you raise funds?
In our next issue we hope to feature stories from the far-flung corners
of the U.S. where people gather to support Dorothy’s work. If, as
she says, much of the work truly needs to be done in the U.S., you are
the ones who can help each other create new and imaginative ways to spend
your time in positive, productive action. If you have questions or
ideas for this column, please contact us at our email
address.
