Building Bridges of Empowerment:

MGSCF's Partnership with Tostan & Omo Child

 

In 2018, the MGSCF embarked on a visionary journey to create pathways of empowerment and foster profound community wellbeing through a collaboration with Tostan Senegal & Omo Child. This partnership is grounded in a shared commitment to dignity and prosperity for all, emphasizing the transformative power of community-led development and education.

 

Tostan’s mission to inspire large-scale movements through empowerment resonates deeply with MGSCF's dedication to sustainable and inclusive development. For over a decade, MGSCF has proudly supported Tostan, whose impactful methodologies have significantly influenced our approach, highlighting the importance of local solutions and empowering education as catalysts for change.

 

The seeds of this remarkable partnership were sown in 2017 when MGSCF director Karen Slosberg met Lale Labuko, a courageous advocate from Ethiopia's Omo Valley. Lale has been heroically challenging harmful traditional practices, such as ‘Mingi,’ which endangers children whom are believed to be cursed. Despite facing immense personal risks, including ostracism and death threats, Lale’s unwavering commitment to saving lives and seeking alternatives struck a powerful chord with both MGSCF and Tostan.

 

Recognizing the potential for profound change, Molly Melching, Tostan’s visionary founder, identified an opportunity to blend traditional African methodologies with innovative community strategies. Together, they laid the foundation for a bridge between Senegal and Southern Ethiopia, uniting diverse communities in a shared mission of transformation and hope.

 

Since then, MGSCF has facilitated specialized trainings at the Tostan Training Center in Thies, Senegal, welcoming 60 enthusiastic participants from the Omo Valley, including community leaders, government officials and women. The outcomes have been nothing short of inspiring — four of the five tribes practicing ‘Mingi’ have committed to ending this practice, a testament to the power of Tostan’s methodology and the resilience and openness of the Omo Valley communities.

 

The successful collaboration has already sparked numerous achievements, not only in ending some harmful practices but also in enhancing overall community organization and cohesion. This initiative highlights the strength and potential of the people of the Omo Valley, whose dedication to growth and improvement is truly inspiring.

 

Our journey does not end here. We are excited to expand this initiative by sending skilled Tostan facilitators to the Omo Valley to implement the Community Empowerment Program (CEP). This comprehensive program, honed over three decades, empowers communities to envision and achieve their aspirations through a holistic, human rights-based curriculum that addresses every facet of wellbeing. It covers critical areas including women's empowerment, health education, literacy and numeracy, governance and economic development.

 

The CEP is more than just a curriculum; it is a commitment to nurturing human rights and fostering an environment where dignity and equality are paramount. Supported by well-trained community facilitators, the program is designed to be relevant and practical, delivered in local languages to ensure accessibility and impact.

 

MGSCF is immensely proud to be part of this inspiring journey toward dignity and wellbeing for all. The collaboration with Tostan and Omo Child exemplifies the power of unity and shared purpose in driving meaningful change. We invite you to join us in this transformative endeavor. For more information or to get involved, please contact us at info@mgscf.org. Together, we are building bridges to a brighter, more equitable future for communities across continents.

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