|
Dear
CODEPINKer,
 On
the eve of Congress passing the largest war funding bill yet, $178
billion, Iraqi mothers struggling to survive are being denied in
favor of endless war. This Mother's Day, as we honor the women who
gave us life, let's help give new hope to women whose lives have
been shattered by the US occupation.
When
you donate
today, 100% of the proceeds will go toward the Collateral
Repair Project, a grassroots movement working with CODEPINK
to address the catastrophic displacement of the five million Iraqis
who had to leave their homes and communities because of violence
and instability. CRP offers food, education, job training and other
vital services to refugees in Iraq, Jordan and Syria.
-
$25 will feed one internally displaced person in Iraq for one
month
- $100
will feed a family of five living in Iraq for one month
- $250-500
will support small women-based microprojects to promote economic
self-sufficiency for women in Jordan
- $1,500
will launch the Najaf sewing training project, training 50+ women
sewing/embroidery. They will be able to make a small living and
clothe their families.
CODEPINK
Co-founder Medea Benjamin recently returned from Jordan and Syria
where she witnessed firsthand the important and inspiring work being
done by the Collateral Repair Project.
Not
only does the CRP repair schools and feed the hungry; they also
provide very personal support. She saw this in the case of one Iraqi
woman, Um Marianne.
|
As
a single mother whose husband had been killed, Um Marianne
was unable to work legally; men preyed on her and bosses cheated
her, yet she could not complain because of her precarious
situation. Um Marianne wept as she spoke about leaving her
daughter at home while she went off to endure sweatshop conditions.
A group of Iraqi women, fellow refugees, were concerned about
her and banded together to help. They approached CRP, who
gave them the money to buy a sewing machine. Now Um Marianne
can work from home and take care of her daughter without worrying
about exploitation and other dangers. This is the beauty
of women coming together in sisterhood to help one another.
|
 When
you give to CODEPINK today, you will
be funding such creative, compassionate, projects. If you donate
in your mother's name, we will send her a beautiful card
to acknowledge your generous gift.
 As
we help the women of Iraq, let's remind Congress that they need
to help, as well. They are now being asked to fund another $162
billion for war! Click
here to tell your reps that we want our funds to help
the refugees, not to continue this disastrous war!
We
wish you a beautiful and meaningful Mother's Day.
Love
and peace,
 Alicia,
Dana, Desiree, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Jodie, Liz, Medea, Nancy, Rae,
and Tighe
 p.s.
To learn more about Medea's experiences in Jordan and Syria, read
her blogs here.
 p.p.s.CODEPINK mamas are gathering around
the country to celebrate Mother's Day in the spirit of Julia Ward
Howe's original proclamation. From Berkeley, where the monthly Walk
for Peace on the Golden Gate Bridge will focus on mourning mothers,
to Washington, DC, where a Peace-nic will serve as a fundraiser
for Iraqi refugees, we are reclaiming the anti-war intention of
the day. To find a CODEPINK Mother's
Day event in your area, click
here.
|
