CEPAD Celebrates International Women’s Day
March 8 is International Women’s Day, and CEPAD wants to celebrate the women we know and work with. Empowering mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends is interwoven in CEPAD’s mission – to bring the Gospel to life by serving with respect without discriminating by gender, race, nationality, ideology, political views, or religion.
Through CEPAD’s programs, women in rural Nicaragua are empowered to:
- Be community leaders and take part in voting on community decisions.
- Contribute to the family economy by taking part in CEPAD’s craft training, family gardens, community banking, or patio project.
- Raise the next generation of leaders by learning how to vary the Nicaraguan diet using the fresh produce from their gardens.
Some of our beneficiaries share how CEPAD has helped transform their lives:
“I belong to the Women’s Craft Training program, and it has given me the opportunity to learn. Now I make bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings, piñatas, and typical Nicaraguan food. I am able to be self-employed and have a stable income. There aren’t enough words to describe how grateful I am – I feel I can overcome whatever lies ahead and provide for my family. Thank you to God and to CEPAD for this opportunity.”
Isaura Mendez, Women’s Craft Training, Matagalpa
“We have received training to learn about how to care for pigs and chickens. With the animals that I received through the loan, I was able to earn enough money to pay the loan back and with what I earned, I bought a sewing machine to work from my home and hope my husband in feeding our family. I also bought a small pig to continue breeding and raising the animals. It is a joy for me to be working with CEPAD because we are a family with few resources and a great desire to prepare our children for life. I hope that this opportunity will be available for other women in my community so that they too can work and help their families.”
Rosa Isabel Rodrigues, Patio Project, Nueva Guinea
Not just our beneficiaries are empowered, but CEPAD staff as well.
“Women are the fundamental pillar in many Nicaraguan homes and some the great responsibilities of education, economic provision, family spirituality, and contrite to the development of our country. Working with women is valued at CEPAD. At all levels, we have a voice to share our opinions and ideas to make decisions. There is a lot of respect for women at CEPAD.”
Anita Taylor, Director of Delegations
After our weekly devotions on Monday, we took time to celebrate and honor the women of CEPAD through songs and gifts while talking about the value of women in scripture and why it’s important to support women.
Praying over CEPAD women
Men singing to CEPAD women
CEPAD also takes part in the Thursdays in Black campaign through the World Council of Churches where we wear black on Thursdays to stand up against violence against women. Check out their campaign here and join us in wearing black on Thursdays!
Take time today to celebrate the women in your life!