Tanzania Women’s Center
Last fall, ROAM Humanitarian’s founder, Lindsay Bowen, stood in Tanzania teaching a women’s health class to a group of local women. As she spoke, she felt an undeniable prompting to tell the women, “You have rights. You can protect yourselves!”
One of the women listening was Naomi’s friend who quickly returned to her village to tell Naomi all she had learned—Naomi, a young mother, pregnant with twins, was desperate to save her 9-year-old daughter. Her child was about to be forced into marriage with a 39-year-old man and set to endure Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the coming weeks, a brutal practice that endangers the lives of countless young girls. Naomi heard Lindsay’s message and for the first time in her life realized she had a choice to leave. With the help of ROAM donors and what can only be described as miracles, the ROAM team rescued Naomi, her two children, and her two unborn babies. She has been provided with a home, health insurance, school fees through graduation for her children, and business grant and basketweaving skill classes. Her life, and her smile, is now full of hope.
These stories are not rare. They are horrifyingly common.
In December, Senyati approached a ROAM advocate. She had heard Lindsay’s message through a friend and needed help. Senyati had been burned beyond recognition with fourth-degree burns covering her body. Her husband had set her on fire for trying to protect their 10-year-old daughter from FGM. In some tribes, December is known as “cutting season,” when thousands of young girls are subjected to this life-threatening ritual, performed without medical supervision, often leading to infection, infertility, or death.
Once ROAM got Senyati and her children to safety, she was admitted to the ICU. But after three agonizing weeks, her body could fight no longer. She tragically died from her injuries. ROAM has stepped in to care for her children financially through high school graduation at a highly acclaimed boarding school. Arrangements for family responsibilities are still ongoing.
Please, if you have ever wanted to make a tangible difference in the world, this is your moment.
Because of this, ROAM has officially transformed our planned Tanzania Community Center into a Women’s Center—a refuge for women and children escaping abuse and child marriage, especially during the December cutting season. The building foundation has been laid, and construction began with full funding in place. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the planned funding has been put on hold for the time being.
We need $175,000 to complete the center before December. With your help, this center will not sit empty. It will be a sanctuary. A place where women like Naomi and Senyati can run toward hope instead of being trapped in horror. A place that saves lives. A place where women can be educated, provided clean drinking water, fresh meals, business opportunities, and a haven from the world of abuse many are seeking refuge from.
