EL PASO, TEXAS (KVIA)–A Uganda-based nonprofit is in El Paso this weekend for the African American Heritage Celebration, sharing handcrafted goods that help vulnerable girls return to school and rebuild their lives.<\/p>\n
Rescue Women Foundation<\/a>, supports girls and young women who are survivors of sexual abuse, many of whom became pregnant by men who were meant to protect them. Proceeds from the group\u2019s handmade items including fans crafted with local Ugandan fabric go directly toward education and care.<\/p>\n Founder Miriam Kiwummulo has led the foundation for six years, guiding girls who arrive traumatized and without hope.<\/p>\n \u201cWe get these girls when they are totally hopeless, like they have lost all hope in life,\u201d Kiwummulo said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s a journey.\u201d<\/p>\n Rescue Women Foundation counsels the girls through pregnancy and childbirth, while reinforcing that their lives are not over.<\/p>\n \u201cWe counsel them until they give birth, and we let them know that it\u2019s not the end of the world,\u201d Kiwummulo said. \u201cYou can still make it in life.\u201d<\/p>\n To raise money for school fees and basic needs, the girls learn income-generating skills such as crafting jewelry boxes and other handmade goods.<\/p>\n El Pasoan and co-founder of Mycelia Matters<\/a> Aixarret Hernandez learned about Rescue Women while visiting Uganda. She said the foundation currently cares for 71 girls and 33 babies.<\/p>\n \u201cShe invited us to her organization, which is where we got to see and hear all the girls\u2019 stories and hold the babies,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cIt was really hard to listen to their stories, but I really admire Miriam for uplifting the girls in such a way that they feel comfortable sharing such traumatic experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n Hernandez said that despite having limited resources, people in Uganda were generous and eager to learn. In return, she taught them about mushroom farming as a sustainable source of income.<\/p>\n \u201cMushrooms are a super low-resource crop,\u201d Hernandez said. \u201cYou don\u2019t need a lot of water, and you can grow them off agricultural waste like banana leaves and banana husks. It gives women, children and farmers an opportunity to make an income.\u201d<\/p>\n Kiwummulo said the work remains challenging, but the foundation remains committed.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a hard journey, even for us as a foundation, to take care of these girls,\u201d she said. \u201cSo we journey with them slowly. It\u2019s a healing journey. It\u2019s a healing process.\u201d<\/p>\n The handcrafted items from the Rescue Women Foundation will be available for purchase at the El Paso Museum of History from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7. <\/p>\n For more information visit Rescue Women Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n