ZIMBABWE: Women with some hope on Christmas Day

Dear Dr. Marta R.Zabaleta Warm wishes from Womankind Worldwide on Christmas Day and thank you for your support this past year. We'd like to tell you about a special celebration happening today at a shelter in Harare. Musasa, Womankind's partner in Zimbabwe, provides somewhere safe to stay, where women  escaping violence can rebuild their lives with their children  At the shelter women receive medical treatment, counselling and training. There is also a play and learning centre for the children.Today the women in the shelter are celebrating a safe Christmas with their children. Sadly, the shelter is always busy during festive periods.Pressure in the lead up to Christmas means that violence often escalates in the home and on Christmas Day, like every day, Musasa will respond to women trying to escape violence. A new start for Grace Grace and her children are enjoying Christmas together in a new home outside Harare. They have very recently left the shelter and Musasa has helped Grace  to move on, and find somewhere safe to live, not just for this Christmas, but in the future. "Because of Musasa’s support my confidence has increased. I know my rights, what to do and where to get help. I will not allow my husband or any man to abuse me again."  Read Grace's Story