Mothers’ Union
Mothers’ Union believes in bringing about a better world for us all by stopping violence, poverty and injustice.
MU’s first Global Action Day was in December, following 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, an international campaign to bring an end to violence against women and girls. This was led by the United Nations and MU played a major role. Around the world MU linked to pray for and raise funds to support the ‘NO MORE 1 in 3’, for those one third of women who are abused at sometime during their life time – just for being women.
An example of MU’s work: In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Theresa was attending primary school but when her parents died, so did her education. She joined her aunt selling food in the market and married very young. Her first child was a girl which enraged her husband, who beat her. She later had a boy but her husband drank and, in order to put food on the table, Theresa had to work hard. Though still illiterate, she was finally able to enrol on MU’s literacy and skills programme, where she learned not only to read and write but also to plan and manage her finances. She became confident, aware of her rights and the support available. She left her abusive husband and today she’s a leader in her community, teaching other women and inspiring them to learn to read and write too.
Last year, Mothers’ Union was accepted to take part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, which meant all donations raised online between 1-8 December were doubled. The donations raised would support women in the DRC to improve their lives through literacy and business skills training so they can better provide for their families in the future.
Please pray for the work of Mothers’ Union. Like many other charities, MU is not immune to the pandemic. The lock-downs have swept away the income normally received from conference room hire at headquarters in London. Income has been affected from cancelled fundraising events. The London headquarters team cut what costs they could.
A prayer from the Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand: “Lord, you gave us two hands to reach out to others; you gave us two feet to walk beside someone in need. You gave us two knees to kneel in prayer for others; you gave us two ears to hear and to listen. You gave us a tongue to speak words of comfort and hope; you gave us a heart full of love for everyone we meet. So we come, in your name, to give thanks. Amen." Heavenly Father, we pray that families will be helped to enjoy faith as a natural part of family life; experiencing the love of God hand in hand together. Amen.
www.mothersunion.org
Pauline Wassell