The Lotus Flower delivers winter clothing to children
Winter in Kurdistan is notoriously harsh, but the conditions are even more punishing for families and children living in rudimentary camps.
With temperatures regularly dropping below freezing, keeping warm is a continual challenge, so The Lotus Flower recently distributed 240 items of clothing to children at the Rwanga and Domiz 2 camps.
In conjunction with Zarok and Khaima NGOs, the ‘Coats for Children’ scheme saw winter essentials like jackets and socks donated to young refugees – most of whom were left orphans after losing their parents to ISIS.
The Lotus Flower’s founder Taban Shoresh said: “Winter is by far the hardest time of year for displaced people. The infrastructure in the camps is not designed to cope with freezing weather, and most people live in tents or basic cabins which have little or no heating. The camps are also in rural areas which become a sea of mud during winter, so it’s vital we do all we can to make things more bearable.”
Women in Conflict Fellowship welcomes The Lotus Flower
Meeting with women activists from across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, The Lotus Flower was honoured to take part in the latest Women in Conflict Fellowship 1325 in Edinburgh.
The seven-day fellowship, which aims to involve more women in global peace processes, is led by Beyond Borders Scotland and promotes greater cultural exchange between nations.
During December’s event, The Lotus Flower founder Taban Shoresh joined a host of other women from conflict-afflicted countries to learn more about conflict resolution, mediation, reconciliation and constitution-building. Many of these learnings will be instrumental in shaping future Lotus Flower projects that fall under the charity’s peace-building pillar.
The fellowship included a visit to Scottish Parliament, where meetings were held with Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), as well as former Northern Ireland politician Monica McWilliams and Mark Muller Stuart QC, founder of Beyond Borders Scotland.
Based around the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the fellowship “reaffirms the role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflict, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post-conflict reconstruction, and stresses the importance of their equal participation in all efforts for the promotion of peace and security.”
With an emphasis on inclusivity and sustainable conflict resolution, each of the female fellows come from diverse backgrounds, working in gender equality, women’s empowerment, humanitarian assistance, international and human rights law, politics, medicine, education and psychology.
The Lotus Flower takes part in 16 Days of Activism
Joining around 6,000 other organisations across 187 countries, The Lotus Flower was proud to take part in the latest 16 Days of Activism campaign.
The international movement, coordinated by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, aims to eliminate gender-based violence and raise awareness about widespread harassment which is routinely experienced by females.
Held between November 25 and December 10, the theme of the recent campaign was ending gender-based violence in the world of work.
The Lotus Flower supported the event with a series of activities held at its women and girls’ centres in Kurdistan. These included awareness-raising sessions which were run by staff on the ground, as well as an exhibition displaying products made by female survivors. In addition, a special arts day helped highlight domestic violence and outreach work across the local community.
Pushing for systemic change and greater accountability, 16 Days of Activism ultimately aims for new, legally-binding international standards to be established globally, which will eliminate all gender-based violence in the world of work.
Since its launch in 1991, the campaign has reached over 300 million people, and it has become the most widely recognised and longest-running campaign for women’s rights in the world.
Fill a #LoveLotus Jar this Christmas
This advent, do something amazing and donate just £1 per day to give a life-changing gift to female conflict survivors.
Starting on December 1st, simply recycle a glass jar and pop £1 in it every day until Christmas Day. Then donate the £25 you save to The Lotus Flower, which is helping women and girls who are ISIS survivors rebuild their lives.
Many of these women and girls have endured unimaginable atrocities – such as rape, sex slavery, human trafficking, and the brutal murder of loved ones. Our centres in the Kurdistan region of Iraq offer a safe haven for them to socialise, rehabilitate, and learn income-generating skills.
Your £25 donation can make a massive difference.
Taking part is this easy:
Dig out a glass jar with a lid and decorate it
Save £1 every day from Dec 1st– 25th
Post pics of your jar on social media using #LoveLotus and share this message
Tag three friends to do the same, and tag @thelotusf so we can share your post
After saving your £25, donate online at www.thelotusflower.org/donatexmasjar
Please urge your colleagues, friends and family to do the same – wherever they are. Let's #LoveLotus and change lives this Christmas.
Pioneering journalism project unites girls divided by ISIS
Budding young female journalists got a chance to try out their skills in an exciting collaboration between The Lotus Flower and the Yezidi non-profit DAK.
In a groundbreaking project funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a diverse group of 15 girls from Muslim, Yezidi, and Christian communities came together to learn key skills in media and journalism.
The girls, who came from Sharya district, Sharya camp and Duhok City, have been living in fiercely divided communities since the brutal ISIS invasion in 2014. Following the terrorists’ violent attacks and propaganda, girls from different backgrounds have been wary of mixing. But the scheme, called Fostering Social Cohesion and Peacebuilding through Female-Led Journalism, tackled this destructive narrative, instead championing the idea of community integration.
During the program, the girls worked together to produce a magazine called Afrandin (meaning Creation), which they wrote, edited and designed. At the beginning, some of the Yezidi and Muslim girls would not even sit together, but by the end, they were working in harmony and building lasting friendships. One of the girls has since even been hired at a Yezidi publication.
Not only did the girls learn vital communication skills to express themselves through magazines, newspapers, radio, and social media, but they also learned how media can bring about social unity rather than destruction. As fundamental drivers of change, they also recognised how their role in peacebuilding benefits their families, communities and ultimately their whole country.
One of the girls, Kheria, said of the experience: “The training was very good. I learnt a lot about social cohesion. The most amazing part was the activities that will make us never forget the information.”
Another participant, Jomana, added: “Women have to give priority to education, it’s the most important thing in life.”
London celebrates A Night with The Lotus Flower
Great minds from London’s booming creative industry came together recently for an emotional evening to showcase The Lotus Flower’s achievements so far.
A Night with The Lotus Flower was hosted by founder Taban Shoresh, who introduced friendly faces from the worlds of media, fashion, art and music to the charity’s work with women and girl conflict survivors in Kurdistan.
Held at the capital’s Never Fade, guests included internationally acclaimed poet Hussain Manawer and Philip Thomas, CEO of the Cannes Lions, who said of Taban: “She needs an army behind her. I would love to be part of that army, and I hope you will as well.”
Fresh from touring with Harry Styles, renowned singer Clare Uchima and the aptly-titled Lotus Flower Choir came together for a powerful one-off performance. Speaking about the evening, Clare said: “I’m mind-blown,” while fellow singer Kalon Rae added: “These women have had such terrible histories and they’re trying to build new lives. It’s absolutely incredible.”
Another of the evening’s highlights was a surprise dance-off to Beyoncé’s Run the World (Girls), with professional dancer Georgina Caird saying: “Taban is the most inspirational woman I’ve ever met. You would never believe the woman standing before you has been through what she has.”
Award-winning photographer Alice Aedy also presented a collection of portraits from a recent trip to The Lotus Flower centres in Kurdistan, telling the crowd: “These guys are doing so much with so little. It’s just remarkable.”
Also inspired was ex pro-boxer Cathy Brown, who helped launch The Lotus Flower’s Boxing Sisters programme in Kurdistan. Summing up the event, she said: “We’ve had amazing singers, amazing dancers and amazing poets. It’s been a real evening of empowerment.”
Meanwhile, The Lotus Flower’s Events and Partnerships Manager Gareth Smith – who gave up his successful hairdressing career to get involved with the charity – said: “I started doing Taban’s hair, and her story just really touched my heart. So, I quit my job and came to work for her. It was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life.”
Addressing the guests, Taban herself said: “Tonight was the first opportunity we’ve had to tell people who we are and what we do. I hope it continues to flourish. The future’s just begun.”
Check out a special video of the night here, presented by Levan Wolf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fw9Yn2NTw1w&t=5s
Award-winning photographer Alice Aedy visits Lotus Flower projects
Acclaimed documentary-maker and photographer Alice Aedy recently visited The Lotus Flower centres in Dohuk, where she captured a series of powerful images depicting the harsh realities of refugee life.
Alice, whose work regularly appears in publications such as The Times, Vice, The Guardian, and Huck Magazine, met many of the women and girls at our centres in Kurdistan, and experienced first-hand the projects they are working on.
Inspired by what she saw, Alice put together a project called ‘We have no friends but the mountains’ – a Kurdish saying that perfectly symbolises the Yazidis who were forced to flee to Mount Sinjar when ISIS invaded their homeland in 2014.
Alice, who has previously spent months reporting from the frontline of the European refugee crisis, unveiled some of her striking portraits at a special event called A Night with The Lotus Flower, held in November. In front of a large audience of media creatives gathered at London’s Never Fade gallery, she spoke of her support for The Lotus Flower. “These guys are doing so much, with so little,” she said. “It’s just remarkable that Lotus is helping these women, not only to survive, but to live.”
Global influencer Mama Bee visits Lotus Flower centres
The Lotus Flower team was thrilled to welcome YouTube sensation Rosana Burgos to Kurdistan recently, where she saw for herself the life-changing achievements of our women and girl ISIS survivors.
During the trip, Rosana – known to her millions of followers as Mama Bee – visited all of our women’s centres at camps in Domiz, Essayan and Rwanga. She was so moved by the women’s heartbreaking stories and acts of strength that she generously donated $20,000 of her own money to the Lotus cause, saying: “It feels right in my heart.” An active One Young World Counsellor, Uruguayan-born Rosana said of her visit: “I will never forget any of these women, nor this experience.” Her kind donation will go towards funding the Lotus Flower’s fourth centre, offering another safe retreat where displaced women and girls can heal together and take part in income-generating training courses.
After flying in to Erbil in Kurdistan from her family home in Toronto, Rosana assisted with the launch of the Lotus Flower’s Boxing Sisters programme. The pioneering scheme trains girl survivors in boxing and self-defence, improving their wellbeing, mental health and helping them recover from the unimaginable ordeals inflicted upon them by ISIS. “I know a thing or two about boxing,” said Rosana, who gave the excited girls a masterclass in sparring moves and punches.
During her time at the three centres, Rosana also supported an empowering graduation ceremony for many of the women and girls who have completed Lotus Flower skills and training projects to date. In addition, she invited the women to a special lunch, which was expertly prepared by a chef at one of the centres. In addition, she was able to experience a flavour of true Kurdish culture, visiting sites such as the UNESCO Citadel.
A short film of Rosana’s visit shows the world that Kurdistan is now a safe haven for women and girls, and also that we have not forgotten their plight. As Rosana herself says: “I wanted to make them stronger, to know that there are women on the other side of the world who love and support them.”
Statue of Lotus Flower founder unveiled in London
A 3D statue of Lotus Flower founder Taban Shoresh went on display in London recently, in recognition of her work with women and girl conflict survivors.
The ‘mini-me’ statue was created as part of Put Her Forward, a scheme recognising women who have positively impacted on others. In an effort to double the number of female statues across England, the lifelike models were constructed by the art collective None Zero One.
After being nominated for the award last year, Taban was selected as one of 25 women from across the UK to be honoured. Following a 3D body-scan, the foot-high statue – in which she even wears a Lotus Flower t-shirt – was proudly unveiled before friends and family at the Cathedral Windows at London’s National Theatre.
Put Her Forward was commissioned by Heritage Open Days, which is run by the National Trust. A spokesperson from the campaign said: “There are 925 public statues in the UK. 158 of these are women, and of these only 25 are of non-mythical, non-royal women. There are more statues of people called John. There are more statues of goats.”
The Lotus Flower has so far supported more than 3,000 conflict survivors at specialist centres for women and girl in Kurdistan, northern Iraq. Taban said: “I was delighted to be nominated for Put Her Forward as it’s such a positive, pro-female scheme. To then be chosen as one of the final 25 statues was incredible. It’s a real honour and I’m thrilled to be amongst a group of truly inspiring women, who are all making such an importance difference to others.”
Check out the Put Her Forward winners and their stories here: http://putherforward.com/the-women/
The Lotus Flower joins leading War Child panel
The Lotus Flower was delighted to take part in a high-profile panel to raise awareness of the ongoing plight of Yazidis living in northern Iraq.
The recent War Child event saw Lotus founder Taban Shoresh join a line-up of leading speakers – including Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, and Craig Tucker, War Child’s UK Country Director for Iraq.
Held at The Ned hotel in London, the discussion was titled Saving forgotten families: How can the international community provide sustainable support for survivors of war? It saw the panel discuss the ISIS invasion of 2014, which forced 350,000 Yazidis to flee to Mount Sinjar, where they remained under siege for months. The panel explored the physical and psychological impact the atrocities have had on victims, and questioned the international response to the humanitarian crisis four years on.
The speakers also addressed the pressing need for solutions from the rest of the world, including the role that businesses can play in bridging the gap between emergency aid and long-term economic regeneration.
“Financial aid to the Yazidi people has dropped off in recent years, so it is vital that we keep their continuing hardship high on the international agenda,” says Taban. “We must do all we can to bridge humanitarian aid with development work, and this is something The Lotus Flower is highly committed to.”
The Lotus Flower joins leading War Child panel
The Lotus Flower was delighted to take part in a high-profile panel to raise awareness of the ongoing plight of Yazidis living in northern Iraq.
The recent War Child event saw Lotus founder Taban Shoresh join a line-up of leading speakers – including Lyse Doucet, the BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, and Craig Tucker, War Child’s UK Country Director for Iraq.
Held at The Ned hotel in London, the discussion was titled Saving forgotten families: How can the international community provide sustainable support for survivors of war? It saw the panel discuss the ISIS invasion of 2014, which forced 350,000 Yazidis to flee to Mount Sinjar, where they remained under siege for months. The panel explored the physical and psychological impact the atrocities have had on victims, and questioned the international response to the humanitarian crisis four years on.
The speakers also addressed the pressing need for solutions from the rest of the world, including the role that businesses can play in bridging the gap between emergency aid and long-term economic regeneration.
“Financial aid to the Yazidi people has dropped off in recent years, so it is vital that we keep their continuing hardship high on the international agenda,” says Taban. “We must do all we can to bridge humanitarian aid with development work, and this is something The Lotus Flower is highly committed to.”
Supporting single mothers
A single mother from Khansor, I was left to raise my six children alone when my husband left me and remarried. Times were hard, but that was nothing compared to what happened during that dark day in August 2014.
Fatima, 37.
A single mother from Khansor, I was left to raise my six children alone when my husband left me and remarried. Times were hard, but that was nothing compared to what happened during that dark day in August 2014. As ISIS closed in around us, our plight was doubly difficult, because we had no male figure to protect us or lead us to safety.
Like so many other thousands of families, we climbed up Mount Sinjar, where we had to camp out in the open, without food, water or medical supplies for seven long days. Seeing your own beloved daughter and sons sleeping on stones on the ground without a blanket is surely one of the hardest things any mother could witness. Yet I couldn’t ask anyone around us for help, because they were experiencing exactly the same horror. Word also got around about the terrible fate of many youngsters – including my sons’ friends who were killed after venturing down the mountain to search for food.
After eight days, we left the mountain and headed to the Syrian border, walking barefoot for 10 hours. We remained there just three days before heading to Zakho in Kurdistan, where we moved into a half-built house for six months. There were no doors, windows or furniture, and it was bitterly cold. My children had no warm clothes, and could not sleep because of the freezing temperatures. In all honesty, it would have been easier to die than to see them suffer in this way.
Some time later, we arrived at the Rwanga community, and here we remain today.
“I am determined to give my children a bright future, which can only be achieved if I work. This is why I’m pleased to be taking part in Sewing Sisters with The Lotus Flower, because at last I have a chance to make that dream come true.”
Building market linkages for women survivors
We signed our first paid contract in April 2017 after our regional project manager visited the local kindergarten to speak with the school administrator about Sewing Sisters.
Sewing for Kapir Kindergarten
We signed our first paid contract in April 2017 after our regional project manager visited the local kindergarten to speak with the school administrator about Sewing Sisters. After learning about the women’s experiences when ISIS stormed Sinjar and the surrounding villages, the administrator commissioned 100 pieces of children’s school uniforms with 14 of our graduates from the pilot Sewing Sisters training program. “We have tailors that sew for us but the stories of these women inspire me,” the administrator told us, “I’d really like to give them all of our uniforms to be sewn for the year not only as a business but as a way to help these strong women from our kindergarten.”
The women started the pilot program in November 2016 and finished in March 2017 after four months of training. This contract was very important to all of us at Lotus Flower and to all the participants in Sewing Sisters as it was the first employment opportunity we were able to establish with a local business partner for our first round of graduates. It created a foundation between the local market and our program for future opportunities while building trust with our participants. In addition, the women learned a new, professional skillset that they were able to put into real-world practice very quickly and see the results of their hard work. Our regional project manager assisted them in finding the appropriate design patterns online and worked with them as they completed their projects. The women took their responsibilities seriously as they wanted the school to be pleased with the quality of their work. Upon completion, they received 100% of the income, which was split equally among them.
Kawe, one of our first graduates who participated in this contract, has now become one of our Sewing Sisters Trainers. Originally from Khanasor, she needs to work in order to support her family after leaving everything behind when ISIS attacked her home. “As a trainer for Sewing Sisters, I can help other women learn this skill,” she told us, “It is a reason to think about my life again and not lose hope that one day everything will change to a better condition.”
“I have lost many members of my family and every time I remember what happened, my eyes fill with tears. By participating in Sewing Sisters, I’m very happy as at least I have two hours in the day to get out of the home and enjoy a little bit of my time and spend it with other women who share the same story of suffering as mine.
Najwa”
Survivor of ISIS rebuilds her life for her children
Hayfa is a deaf/mute mother of three sons. She lives in the Rwanga Community and is from Kojo village. They were living in their village peacefully when suddenly ISIS attacked.
Projects participated in: Sewing Sisters Round 1, Yoga, Literacy Round 3
Hayfa is a deaf/mute mother of three sons. She lives in the Rwanga Community and is from Kojo village. They were living in their village peacefully when suddenly ISIS attacked. They came to her house and separated her from her children. When she was trying to keep her sons close to her, they hit her in the head. They took her husband and killed him. They treated her very badly, and hit her with a car. They thought she had died but took her to the hospital, and for many days, they would bring her to the hospital and take her back. One day, they were coming back from the hospital and had an accident with another car, which provided a golden opportunity to escape to Tal Afar with her youngest son; the two others are still under ISIS control.
In Tal Afar, the soldiers and National Safety directed her to the Rwanga Community, where she fled with one of her sons. A few months later, one of her brothers, who is also deaf and mute, escaped ISIS and lived with Hayfa for a few months, but after deciding to marry a girl from the camp, they threw Hayfa and her son out on the street.
With the help of Lotus Flower and Rwanga Community camp management, she managed to get a cabin for herself and her family. Haifa participates in our Sewing Sisters project as well as Adult Literacy. She has continued onto round three and loves learning to read and write, as well as learn sewing skills to help support her family.
Kawe - Sewing Sister Trainer
When ISIS attacked our community in Khansor, my 10 daughters and I were forced to flee our home – and leave behind every single thing we owned.
Kawe, 39.
When ISIS attacked our community in Khansor, my 10 daughters and I were forced to flee our home – and leave behind every single thing we owned. We headed to Ba’adra, which we believed to be safe, but we were wrong: after three days we learned that ISIS were also planning to attack there. So many people were caught, but thankfully we managed to escape in time.
On the move again, our next stop was Al-Kawashi, where we were given shelter in a hall belonging to a mosque, along with 70 other refugees. Fortunately, we were treated very well, and I will never forget the kindness of the people there.
Later, we moved to Rwanga community, where I now live with my daughters and my mother-in-law. I am working as a trainer for The Lotus Flower’s Sewing Sisters project in the camp, and am enjoying teaching other women skills to help them achieve a more positive future. While the work allows me to support my own family, I cling to hope to help build better for us all one day.
#thirtyfiveto350k Appeal
Our founder and genocide survivor, Taban Shoresh, has chosen to celebrate her 35th birthday year by aiming to raise £350,000 for displaced, vulnerable women and girls.
Give Taban the best birthday present by helping her raise funds to help others. #thirtyfiveto350k Appeal ends 31st December 2018.
Our founder and genocide survivor, Taban Shoresh, has chosen to celebrate her 35th birthday year by aiming to raise £350,000 for displaced, vulnerable women and girls.
Taban Shoresh was imprisoned at the age of four with her family in 1986 and was nearly buried alive by Saddam Hussein's soldiers. You can listen to the harrowing story on BBC Worldwide Service Outlook.
Taban’s story is an incredible testimony to human survival, endurance and hope. In 2014, she left behind a thriving career in the City and turned her attention to founding The Lotus Flower in 2016, a non-profit that supports women and girls impacted by conflict and displacement. Currently supporting women and girl survivors of ISIS who have been traumatised with rape, sexual slavery and losing loved ones.
The Lotus Flower aims to give women and girls affected by conflict, the strength and support they need to rise out of darkness; moving from past suffering and economic hardship to reach their full potential to rebuild their future.
Having survived hardship herself, Taban believes given the right tools, support and opportunities, vulnerable women and girls can thrive. Current projects at The Lotus Flower put women and girls at the centre, allowing them to choose the projects they want implemented, giving them a choice in rebuilding their future. Projects have proved to be extremely popular with The Lotus Centre over subscribed for courses in education and income generating projects. Supporting the local community is central to The Lotus Flower, hiring within, buying equipment and essentials locally too.
Despite recent launch, low funds, The Lotus Flower has a big heart and with that has managed to support over 350 women and girls in under one year.
WANT TO SUPPORT?
- Share this video with 35 more people to help us reach 350,000 people by the end of 2018
- Donate £1 to our appeal here.
HOW YOUR DONATIONS CAN HELP:
Give Taban the best birthday present by helping her raise funds to help others. Appeal ends 31st December 2018.
Sindis – Sewing Sister
Sindis , 22. Back in the summer of 2014, I was living a happy, simple life with my husband and young son, excitedly awaiting the birth of our second child. But on Sunday August 3rd, everything changed, tearing our whole world apart.
Sindis , 22. Back in the summer of 2014, I was living a happy, simple life with my husband and young son, excitedly awaiting the birth of our second child. But on Sunday August 3rd, everything changed, tearing our whole world apart. On that black day, forever etched in my memory, Daesh stormed our village of Tel Qasab, near Mount Sinjar in northern Iraq.
Like tens of thousands of other innocent families, we had no choice but to flee our home, leaving everything behind us. There was nowhere to go except for the mountain – and even that was not safe. Despite my being heavily pregnant, conditions on the mountain were terrible; there was no food or water, nor any medical aid. We were all at risk of dehydration and starvation, and Daesh surrounded us, and were firing on civilians.
After a few days on the mountain, I gave birth to our new baby, Hawar. It should have been a joyous occasion, but was fraught with fear and uncertainty. In sheer desperation, my husband Farhad went off in search of water. He never came back. We searched everywhere for him, but it was useless. He had vanished. Even today I have no idea what happened to him, and whether he is even alive.
As I desperately struggled to feed our newborn baby and care for our other son Haval, we were facing a real life or death situation. I decided we had to get to safety in Kurdistan, and later we came to the Rwanga community camp.
Though I had very little help in keeping my children safe from harm, I feel fortunate that we survived such a nightmare. I am also grateful to The Lotus Flower, which is giving me a chance of a future again. I am participating in the charity’s Sewing Sisters project, which has been established to help many women like myself learn invaluable sewing skills. The scheme will hopefully allow me to become financially independent and get my life back on track, and therefore fulfil my young family’s needs
From Struggle to Strength
The humanitarian situation in Kurdistan remains dire with nearly 3million people displaced into the region as a result of the barbaric atrocities committed by Daesh (ISIS). The suffering of innocent families are unimaginable, all forced out of their homes and losing loved ones.
The humanitarian situation in Kurdistan remains dire with nearly 3million people displaced into the region as a result of the barbaric atrocities committed by Daesh (ISIS). The suffering of innocent families are unimaginable, all forced out of their homes and losing loved ones. Women and girls have been at the receiving end of horrific brutally, imprisonment, rape and being sold as sex slaves being some examples.
The Lotus Flower raised funds to support vulnerable women and girls rebuild their lives. Our Sewing Sisters project was one of the six other projects we implemented. In 6months we’ve supported nearly 300 women and girls. Imagine how many we can help with more support.
We would like to continue our projects and help more women and girls. We would also like to give a voice to the women and girls we are supporting by highlighting their stories through videos, photography and creative storytelling.
The humanitarian crisis is no longer in the news but that doesn’t mean the situation is better. These women and girls still need your help. We want to inspire hope and make them believe in a better future, we’ve seen the positive results of the work we do and would like to provide this opportunity for more women and girls.
Donate and share this campaign to show them you haven’t forgotten them. Give them hope and help make change happen.
Women and Girls Centre
A women and girls only social space where training, education programmes and awareness courses are conducted.
A women and girls only social space where training, education programmes and awareness courses are conducted.
PAUSE. REFLECT. REJUVENATE.
Our retreats are filled with love, a big heart focused on sharing love and giving back. Not only will you be supporting yourself but you’ll also be supporting other women impacted by conflict and displacement to rebuild their lives. How many retreats can say that? It is a truly unique way of sharing love, women helping women.
Our retreats are filled with love, a big heart focused on sharing love and giving back. Not only will you be supporting yourself but you’ll also be supporting other women impacted by conflict and displacement to rebuild their lives. How many retreats can say that? It is a truly unique way of sharing love, women helping women. All profits from the retreat will go to our charitable projects for women and girls. The moment you buy tickets you’ll know you’ve already supported them.
So ladies, read on and find out what you can expect from our retreats.
Time to show yourself some love.
Pause. Reflect. Rejuvenate.
- Are you tired, uninspired, feeling lost or overwhelmed?
- Are you craving a fresh energy in your life?
- Are you in need of healing or time to search for what your heart desires?
If you’ve answered yes to any of the above then our retreat is what you need.
We’ve all been there. Our busy daily lives, overloaded with work and home duties, pushing ourselves in multiple directions – all often on autopilot mode. We can’t stress enough how important it is to pause, reflect and rejuvenate. Not a few hours, afternoon or evening off, but really disconnecting from everyday responsibilities. You must reconnect with your inner self, not just for your peace of mind and happiness but also for others around you.
Our retreats offer a new perspective, and expand your horizons. Bringing you a positive energy to connect with your mind and soul. Giving yourself the love you deserve by taking time to listen to yourself.
When you let go of daily responsibilities, and gift yourself with love and self-care, you’ll be on a new path to re-discover yourself. You’ll also have plenty of time to reflect on what you want to manifest in your life.
Our retreats offer you:
- An opportunity to push your reset button. Giving you the time, space and guidance to allow you to re-think your priorities.
- Practical skills to hone in to your inner self and passions. Through creative guided activities you will tap into your inner self.
- Relax, rejuvenate and make time for yourself. Our venue provides treatments should you want to book one to treat yourself.
- Become inspired. Through talks, exercises, experiences and meeting new people.
- Connect and make like-minded friends. A personal journey will help you build strong friendships.
- Learn to take home life-enhancing skills and positive memories. With such a practical and personal experience, you will take away a lot.
- Build confidence. Our activities are aimed at helping you find your inner self and to build your confidence in a safe environment. You will discover the goddess in you.
By the end of the retreat you will be moved and learn so much of yourself that you might not have previously. You come out with a new perspective and outlook in life.
Weekend retreats include:
Healing Waters in Glastonbury is set in a beautiful location with the whole retreat dedicated to us. There will be healthy all-inclusive food.
A tailored programme that includes workshops from below:
- Meditation
- Finding your flow
- Life Alignment
- Finding your voice
- The Joy of Drama
- Anyone can sing
Our workshops are focused on building equanimity, confidence, resilience and empathy. You will learn to move past old limiting beliefs, hurts and unconscious emotions. We will help you clarify your thinking and encourage blocked energies to flow. Our fun, creative classes will help you build your confidence and find your voice.
…all that’s left now is to welcome you there.
This transformational weekend is like no other, using practical skills and calming techniques to allow you to Pause. Reflect. Rejuvenate.
The weekend retreat includes workshops, accommodation and food, all for £449. All profits will go back into charitable projects. Sisters Supporting Sisters.
*tickets are limited so don’t miss your opportunity to experience a truly transformational weekend.
Look forward to hosting you. xxx