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UN Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender equality

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • Gender equality is fundamental to human rights, development and progress, and its achievement is enshrined as United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5.
  • When women are empowered with the skills and tools they need to become leaders, society benefits economically and socially.
  • Join Embrace Relief in advancing gender equality by supporting our R.I.S.E. program in Tanzania, which provides advanced education to talented educators seeking to become decision-makers in their field.

Gender equality, a fundamental principle of human rights, is the cornerstone of progress and prosperity. It encompasses the vision of a world where all individuals, regardless of their gender, enjoy equal opportunities and rights. United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, aptly named “Gender Equality” encapsulates this vision, emphasizing the urgent need to address gender disparities and to empower women and girls on a global scale.

SDG 5 represents not only a moral imperative but also an essential driver for the development of the world. Gender equality is not merely about fairness; it is about harnessing the full potential of half of the world’s population to create a more prosperous, peaceful, and sustainable future.

The importance of making progress towards this goal by 2030 cannot be overstated. Gender-based discrimination and inequality persist in many parts of the world, limiting opportunities for women and girls in education, employment, healthcare, and political participation. As with nearly all of the SDGs, achieving gender equality is linked with the success of several of the other 16 goals set down by the UN. Here is why SDG 5 is pivotal to global development:

  • Economic growth: Gender equality is closely linked to economic growth. When women are empowered and have equal access to education and employment opportunities, economies thrive. Reports by McKinsey suggest that achieving gender parity in the workforce could add an estimated $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025, with African countries alone seeing a 10 percent average boost in GDP. Women’s participation in the workforce fosters innovation, diversity, and entrepreneurship.
  • Poverty alleviation: Gender inequality exacerbates poverty. By empowering women economically, we can reduce poverty rates significantly. Women often invest more of their income in their families’ health, education, and well-being, thereby breaking cycles of intergenerational poverty.
  • Education: Education is a powerful tool for gender equality. Ensuring that girls have the same educational opportunities as boys not only empowers them but also benefits society as a whole. Educated women are more likely to make informed decisions about family planning, health, and nutrition, contributing to healthier communities.
  • Health and Well-being: Access to healthcare and reproductive rights are integral to gender equality. Ensuring that women have control over their reproductive health and well-being is essential for reducing maternal mortality rates and addressing public health challenges.
  • Leadership representation: Women’s participation in decision-making processes, both in governments and the business world, is crucial for creating inclusive policies that benefit all members of society. Achieving gender parity in leadership roles can lead to more equitable and effective governance.
Women's Empowerment Gender Equality

How women leaders can drive progress

We know that there is no limit to what women can achieve when they are empowered. Providing opportunities for women to become leaders is of paramount importance in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5. Women’s leadership is instrumental in driving progress toward gender equality and fostering a more equitable and sustainable world.

Firstly, women in leadership positions bring diverse perspectives to decision-making processes, resulting in more balanced and inclusive policies and programs. This diversity of thought enhances the effectiveness of governance, institutions, and organizations, addressing the unique needs and challenges faced by women and marginalized groups.

Secondly, women leaders serve as role models, inspiring and encouraging other women and girls to pursue leadership roles and break gender stereotypes. Their presence in positions of power challenges deeply ingrained biases and stereotypes, contributing to a cultural shift towards gender parity.

Moreover, women leaders can prioritize gender-specific issues and advocate for policies that promote equal access to education, healthcare, economic opportunities, and reproductive rights. Their advocacy can lead to legislative and societal changes that advance gender equality on multiple fronts.

Embrace Relief Gender Equality

Lastly, women’s leadership fosters economic growth and stability by harnessing the untapped potential of women in the workforce. Closing the gender gap in employment and leadership roles can boost productivity and innovation, contributing to the achievement of broader development goals.

Women’s leadership enhances representation, promotes diversity, and drives policy changes critical to achieving gender equality and sustainable development. It is a catalyst for progress that benefits society as a whole.

How you can help Embrace Relief train the next generation of women leaders in Tanzania

Here at Embrace Relief, providing opportunities for women to help spur development and achieve UN SDG 5 is a fundamental aspect of our mission. In Tanzania, we are helping to train the next generation of leaders in education through our “Reach. Inspire. Support. Educate.” (R.I.S.E.) scholarship program, which sponsors advanced education for talented educators.

Through R.I.S.E., we are providing skill training and development that will allow women to ascend into leadership roles in Tanzania’s male-dominated educational system, giving them a chance to make a tangible, long-term impact on their society. In its own way, R.I.S.E. is helping to provide the foundation for generations of future development in Tanzania.

Our first class of 24 R.I.S.E. graduates completed their degrees in May 2023, and we welcomed our second class in the fall of 2023. For those high-achieving women selected to take part in this program, it is a life-changing opportunity. But R.I.S.E. is also an opportunity for generous people like you to make a real contribution towards fostering women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Donate to R.I.S.E. in the box below and help bring us one step closer to a more equal world. Your donation directly supports tuition, health insurance, books, transportation and meals for each of the 24 students. Every $100 donated to this program can empower another woman to unleash her potential, making her life – and the world – better for it.

Donate For Women’s Empowerment

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How much water should I drink during a heat wave?

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • Staying hydrated during hot weather is one of the most important ways we can stay healthy.
  • Learn about how much more water you should drink if you are engaging in outdoor activities in the heat.
  • Millions of people are unable to access the water they need to stay cool during the summer time. Learn about how you can help Embrace Relief provide this to communities across Africa.
How much water should I drink during a heat wave? Summary

Staying hydrated is of paramount importance during heat waves, as high temperatures and excessive sweating can lead to rapid fluid loss and potentially dangerous health consequences. Water is an essential nutrient that plays a crucial role in maintaining bodily functions, and its significance becomes even more pronounced in hot weather. Adequate hydration helps regulate body temperature, support cellular activities, transport nutrients, and remove waste products. Thus, understanding the importance of drinking enough water during heat waves and knowing the appropriate amount to consume when the temperature rises above 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius) is essential for safeguarding one’s well-being.

Heat waves expose the body to constant high temperatures, causing it to perspire more in an attempt to cool down. This perspiration contains water and electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures and inadequate fluid intake can disrupt this delicate balance, leading to dehydration. Mild dehydration can cause symptoms like dizziness, fatigue, dry mouth, and reduced urine output. In more severe cases, dehydration can result in heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke, which can have serious health implications, including organ damage or even death.

Extreme heat calls for thoughtful water consumption

The Harvard Medical School estimates that, under moderate climate conditions, the recommended daily water intake is about 15.5 cups (slightly less than 1 gallon) for men, and 11.5 cups (slightly less than 3 quarts) for women. This number includes water we consume directly, as well as the water found in other beverages, like coffee, tea and sports drinks, and the fruits and vegetables we eat. An average person will generally need to drink between 4-8 cups of water daily to meet this recommendation, but this is only a guideline.

Regardless of exactly how much water you need to drink each day, during heat waves, this requirement can significantly increase. When the temperature climbs above 90 degrees, the body’s need for water intensifies due to the higher rate of fluid loss through sweat. In these conditions, it’s advisable to adjust your water intake to compensate for the additional fluids lost through sweating. The exact amount can vary based on factors such as age, body weight, activity level, and individual tolerance to heat.

For people who work outdoors during heat waves, or for people who participate in outdoor activities, the Centers for Disease Control recommends the following during their period of activity:

  • Drink 1 cup (8 ounces) of water every 15–20 minutes. This translates to 0.75-1 quart (24–32 ounces) per hour.
  • Drinking at shorter intervals is more effective than drinking large amounts infrequently.
  • Do not drink more than 48 ounces (1.5 quarts) per hour! Drinking too much water or other fluids (sports drinks, energy drinks, etc.) can cause a medical emergency because the concentration of salt in the blood becomes too low.

Hydrating at night and in the morning is equally important, the CDC notes, because this will make it easier for your body to stay hydrated throughout the day, and puts less strain on your body.

Extreme heat calls for thoughtful water consumption

A more personalized approach involves listening to your body and paying attention to thirst cues. If you’re feeling thirsty, it’s a sign that your body is already experiencing a level of dehydration. Therefore, it’s wise to preemptively drink water at regular intervals even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions containing electrolytes can also be beneficial during extended periods of heat exposure, as they help replenish not only water but also vital minerals lost through sweat. Avoiding excessive consumption of caffeine and alcohol, which can contribute to dehydration, is equally important.

The significance of staying hydrated during heat waves cannot be overstated. Ensuring an adequate water intake helps the body cope with high temperatures, maintain its core functions, and prevent heat-related illnesses. While standard daily water recommendations provide a baseline, adjusting your fluid intake according to the severity of the heat is crucial. Prioritizing hydration and being mindful of your body’s signals can make a substantial difference in your well-being during scorching weather.

Join Embrace Relief and make accessible water a reality everywhere

As you’re safely navigating the heat this summer, take a moment to consider the many millions of people worldwide who don’t have the luxury of pouring a glass of clean, safe water whenever they are parched. In sub-Saharan Africa alone, one of the hottest areas on the planet, more than 200 million people live in communities where collecting drinking water is a daily task, often from water sources that require a five-kilometer walk in scorching heat, or from dangerous rivers, lakes and ponds where deadly viruses are abundant.

Accessible, drinkable water is a human right. And together with Embrace Relief, you can help make it a reality for thousands of people in Africa by donating to our Fountains of Hope project!

Fountains of Hope, which reconstructs abandoned water wells in the countries of Chad and Cameroon, restoring the flow of clean, safe drinking water to more than 1,000 people per well. Click here to learn more about the Fountains of Hope project, and the amazing people and communities who have had their lives positively changed forever.

The cost to rebuild a Fountain of Hope is just $1,300 – one-third the cost of building a water well from scratch. Whether you donate in the box below, or whether you’d like to rebuild your own water well (which entitles you to name it) Embrace Relief is ready to help you give the gift of priceless, life-changing water to people in need today. Donate today and join Embrace Relief as we seek to bring about a healthier, happier world!

Extreme heat calls for thoughtful water consumption
Quick Donation

Donate today to Embrace Relief’s Clean Water Initiative

* $1,300 will ensure the reconstruction of a water well – in your name (or any name you wish!) in Africa. *

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What are the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals?

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • The UN Sustainable Development Goals were created in 2015 to provide the international community with targets to help achieve a more equitable, sustainable, peaceful and prosperous world.
  • The 17 SDGs all speak to different challenges facing the world that must be overcome in order for all people of the world to thrive.
  • Embrace Relief is committed to supporting the realization of the SDGs, and our eight programs each directly address at least one goal, while also contributing towards others.
  • Learn more about how you can support the achievement of the UN SDGs through Embrace Relief.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected global objectives established in 2015 to address a wide range of pressing societal and environmental challenges facing the world. These goals were enacted as a comprehensive blueprint for achieving a more equitable, prosperous, and sustainable future for all, aiming to guide collective efforts towards tackling issues such as poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and peace.

The SDGs advance the work of previous UN development agendas, like the Millennium Development Goals, while adding several key components reflecting the complex nature of today’s global challenges. The MDGs primarily focused on issues related to poverty and health, leaving out key issues such as environmental sustainability, gender equality, education, and economic growth. The SDGs were crafted to rectify these gaps, providing a holistic and integrated framework that acknowledges the intricate web of factors affecting human well-being and planetary health.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are:

Meeting these goals by the target date of 2030 will require extensive coordination and dedication of resources by national and local governments, the private sector, and NGOs like Embrace Relief. As a certified humanitarian nonprofit organization, Embrace Relief works with organizations around the world to develop programs in accordance with the UN SDGs.

An Agenda For All Countries, Rich and Poor

These goals are crucial for humanity due to several reasons. First, they acknowledge the interconnectivity of different challenges and emphasize the need for collaborative and multidimensional approaches. This recognition is especially important in a world where environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic instability are deeply intertwined. By addressing multiple dimensions of development simultaneously, the SDGs aim to prevent the exacerbation of one issue at the expense of another.

Second, the SDGs set a universal agenda that applies to all countries, irrespective of their level of development. This universality reflects the understanding that global challenges, such as climate change and conflict, do not respect national borders and require collective action. The goals encourage developed nations to contribute resources, expertise, and technology to support less developed countries in their sustainable development efforts.

Moreover, the SDGs emphasize leaving no one behind, ensuring that progress benefits all segments of society. This commitment to inclusivity is grounded in the principle that a just and equitable world is essential for lasting peace and prosperity. By addressing issues of poverty, inequality, and social exclusion, the SDGs aim to reduce the potential for social unrest and conflict.

In the eight years since the creation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the international community has been working towards fulfilling a vision of a world where people can thrive while safeguarding the planet’s resources for future generations. By addressing the complex interplay between social, economic, and environmental factors, the SDGs provide a comprehensive framework that guides international cooperation, policy-making, and grassroots efforts. They stand as a testament to the shared responsibility of humanity to create a more just, sustainable, and harmonious world.

A Commitment To Developing The World

Embrace Relief’s commitment to fulfilling the UN Sustainable Development Goals underpins every action we take. Each of our eight programs directly addresses at least one of the 17 goals; because the SDGs are so interconnected, the effects of each program also indirectly address other challenges.

Perhaps the best real-world example of this process is our Clean Water Initiative: By building water wells in sub-Saharan Africa, we directly support the achievement of SDG 6: Clean Water. However, we also know from experience that when communities receive a water well, they see a dramatic reduction in the prevalence of waterborne diseases. This reduces suffering and indirectly promotes SDG 3: Health and Well-being. An abundant supply of clean water also promotes greater food production in a community, inching us closer to the realization of SDG 2: Zero Hunger.

Embrace Relief stands proudly with the UN and the international community in following the Sustainable Development Goals as a roadmap that will lead us all to a more peaceful, more equal, more prosperous world. We will continue to develop our programs in accordance with the SDGs, and we will continue to work to reduce suffering around the world while providing opportunities for people to thrive in a sustainable way.

Qurbani with Embrace Relief

Fountains of Hope: Innovating to Provide Clean Water In Africa

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • Since 2013, Embrace Relief has been building water wells in Africa to help reduce disease, promote agricultural and economic production, and improve the overall quality of life.
  • In recent years, we began to focus on the thousands of abandoned, neglected, and malfunctioning water wells in this region. How many more people and communities could we help if we brought these wells back to life?
  • This was the idea behind Embrace Relief’s “Fountains of Hope.” Our reconstructed water wells provide people with the same quality and quantity of water at significantly lower cost. That means we’re helping three times as many people as before.
  • Learn how you can donate and support Fountains of Hope and give the people of sub-Saharan Africa the priceless, life-changing gift of clean water.
Summary

Making access to clean water universal remains one of the world’s greatest challenges in 2023. Clean water is a human right, and fundamental to the flowering of civilization. In areas of the world where millions of people lack access to safe, clean drinking water – like rural sub-Saharan Africa – one can always find widespread poverty, disease, and hunger. Without water, communities struggle to survive.

Africa is home to vast quantities of water, but it mostly exists underground, inaccessible without the expensive investment of drilling into the ground and building a well. Embrace Relief has been constructing new water wells in sub-Saharan Africa since 2013, in an effort to fight water scarcity in this part of the world. These wells have given hundreds of thousands of people clean water, improving health conditions, promoting agricultural production and the local economy, and overall quality of life. Each well is a significant investment made possibly by Embrace Relief and our donors, but it is an investment that continues to produce results.

An innovative approach

However, as our work has progressed, we became aware that an astonishingly high proportion of water wells in the region are no longer in use, either because of unaddressed mechanical issues, or simply because they had been abandoned. At any given time, more than half of all existing water wells in Africa are estimated to be nonfunctioning. This stunning revelation led Embrace Relief’s team and our local partner organizations to discuss how these wasted resources could be repurposed to help people. After thoughtful conversations and planning, in 2021 we developed a new approach to the clean water crisis:

Fountains of Hope.

It quickly became clear that if we could locate, rehabilitate, and re-open a broken or abandoned water well, we could provide nearby communities with the exact same quantity and quality of water as one of our newly-built wells. But crucially, a reconstructed well costs less money and involves less engineering work: a Fountain of Hope costs roughly one-third of the cost of a brand new well. That means that Embrace Relief can now provide clean water to three times as many communities for the same amount of money as before.

Qurbani with Embrace Relief

Our Impact

Fountains of Hope has been a game changer for Embrace Relief. In less than three years since the launch of this project, we have been able to reconstruct more than 170 wells in Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria, providing clean water to more than 170,000 people.

And in each community benefitting from a Fountain of Hope, we have seen enormous tangible impacts that have reduced suffering and increased prosperity.

When a village gains access to clean water, it grows – quickly. Clean water instantly reduces the prevalence of the waterborne diseases that are so common in this part of the world. The abundance of water promotes increased food production, ensuring that communities have enough food for all. The economy grows as farmers can now plant greater quantities and varieties of crops, which can be sold at local markets. Women and girls, who previously had spent hours each day fetching water, can now use that time to take care of their families, receive their education, or join the workforce.

Struggling villages turn into thriving towns when we give the gift of clean water. Our wells represent a powerful tool to bring hope to the people of Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.

Qurbani with Embrace Relief

Rebuild a Fountain of Hope today!

Fountains of Hope continues to grow thanks to the support of our donors. Our rebuilt wells are changing the trajectory of entire communities for the better – permanently. But we know there is still much work to do. There are still thousands of abandoned wells in Africa, each one holding the potential to benefit hundreds and thousands of people.

That’s where you come in. By making a donation to the Fountains of Hope project, you can make a profound impact on the lives of thousands of people for years to come.

Each well comes with a guaranteed minimum five-year warranty, covering annual maintenance checkups and all necessary part replacements. This ensures that the water will continue to flow for years to come.

The cost to rebuild a Fountain of Hope with Embrace Relief is just $1,300 – one-third the cost of building a water well from scratch. Whether you’d like to rebuild your own water well (which entitles you to name it), or whether you’d like to be a part of a group water-well fundraiser, you can change lives with just a few clicks right now. Donate to Fountains of Hope and give the gift of priceless, life-changing water to people in need today!

Quick Donation

Donate today to Embrace Relief’s Clean Water Initiative or Fountains of Hope project and you can help us move one step closer to solving the clean water crisis in Africa. A donation of any amount would be a gift that will impact thousands of people for years to come.

* $1,300 will ensure the reconstruction of a water well – in your name (or any name you wish!) in Africa. *

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Women’s Empowerment: First class of R.I.S.E. program celebrates graduation

Posted on | by Ali

On July 28, twenty-four Tanzanian women celebrated an important milestone in their careers – a celebration made possible by Embrace Relief and donors like you.

Nearly two full calendar years after they enrolled at the ADEM School in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, these professional women officially became the first graduating class from Embrace Relief’s Reach. Inspire. Support. Engage. (R.I.S.E.) women’s empowerment program.

R.I.S.E. began in 2021 as a joint creation of Embrace Relief, our partner organization ISHIK Medical and Education Foundation, and ADEM, Tanzania’s leading college for teachers and school administrators. Through the R.I.S.E. program, Embrace Relief provides funding for scholarships that allow high-achieving women at ADEM to pursue advanced education. The scholarships empower these women to receive degrees that provide a path toward leadership roles in the East African country’s educational system.

The first class of 24 women, all of whom had been teachers in the Tanzanian school system prior to joining the R.I.S.E. program, were selected to receive scholarships in early 2021 based on merit. They began to receive their scholarships from Embrace Relief in August of that year. In the two years since, the women have worked diligently to achieve degrees in either School Inspection (DSI) or Education Management and Administration (DEMA). Scholarships were contingent on maintaining a high grade-point average throughout the two-year course. The July 28 ceremony marked their successful completion of the program; with degrees in hand, the graduates will soon move on to positions in Tanzania’s male-dominated educational administration.

R.I.S.E. graduates will have the opportunity to make an enormous impact on their country for years to come. Before this program, the 24 women taught their own classrooms. Now, they’ll have the opportunity to shape the curriculum for all Tanzanian children, bringing their own perspectives and being involved in important decision-making. Perhaps just as importantly, they will serve as role models for younger girls, providing an example of the success all women and girls can achieve if they work for it.

Women’s Empowerment: First class of R.I.S.E. program celebrates graduation

Embrace Relief is proud to continue its support of the R.I.S.E. program, with our second class of scholarship recipients set to begin their courses in late August 2023. To help support the next generation of women leaders in Tanzania, donate to R.I.S.E. by clicking here.

To learn more about the R.I.S.E. women’s empowerment program and some of the women benefiting from the generosity of Embrace Relief donors, click here.

Hunger Relief: Embrace Relief, FBI Newark CAAA distribute 600 pounds of meat in New Jersey

Posted on | by Ali

FAIRFIELD, NJ – On August 7-8, representatives of Embrace Relief and the FBI Newark Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association traveled across New Jersey to deliver 600 pounds of meat to families in need at five locations throughout the state. Food was distributed at the Sussex County Division of Social Services in Newton; at Eva’s Kitchen in Paterson; at the Keyport Ministerium and Food Pantry; at Elijah’s Promise Food Kitchen in New Brunswick; and in The Heights neighborhood of Jersey City.

In each location, staffers from Embrace Relief and the FBI Newark CAAA handed out the packages of fresh, frozen meat, each of which weighed two pounds. For struggling families, this free meat distribution will be an invaluable source of nutrition for the days and weeks ahead.

The distribution event is part of Embrace Relief’s commitment to providing hunger relief in the United States. These efforts include food distribution to more than 22,000 Americans as part of our International Hunger Relief 2023 campaigns, as well as our Mobile Market, which travels to local North Jersey communities to provide fresh produce as well as basic household supplies.

For more information on how you can support Embrace Relief’s Hunger Relief efforts, both in the US and around the world, click here.

This program was also a continuation of the long-standing partnership between Embrace Relief and the FBI Newark CAAA, who have worked together for over five years to provide aid for vulnerable people and to promote peace and positive change in New Jersey communities. Later this month, the two organizations will join again to hand out backpacks filled with school supplies for underprivileged children in school districts around the state.

Hunger Relief: Embrace Relief, FBI Newark CAAA distribute 600 pounds of meat in New Jersey

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How entrepreneurship helps us achieve women’s empowerment in Africa

Posted on | by Ali

Summary

  • Providing opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs is an important way to promote women’s empowerment around the world.
  • When women own their own businesses, the effect on society is profound: more women becoming financially independent means more women with a voice in how power is distributed and how society is run.
  • Learn more about how you can help Embrace Relief promote women’s entrepreneurship in Kenya through our new Sewing Machine Program, which provides sewing machines to graduates of a tailoring training course.
Summary

In May 2023, a group of 13 women in Githurai, Kenya, celebrated their successful completion of a tailoring training course. This training would give these women the chance to open their own small clothing businesses, increasing their income and giving them a greater opportunity to take care of themselves and their families. But any start-up small business needs an initial investment before it can begin producing its product. To make and sell clothes, you need a sewing machine. And a sewing machine is a big investment in a country where 1 in 6 women live below the poverty line.

That’s where Embrace Relief entered the picture. Our commitment to empowering women around the world led us to partner with the community center operating the training course. As part of this partnership, and with the help of our donors, we provided brand-new, high-quality sewing machines to each of the 13 graduates. Starting a new business is always a difficult, uncertain process. But thanks to Embrace Relief’s donors, these women have one less obstacle to overcome.

When women are equipped with the resources and opportunities to become entrepreneurs, the impact is profound on both individual and societal levels.

  • Economic independence and financial freedom. By starting their own businesses, women can break free from traditional gender roles and gain control over their own financial destiny. This newfound autonomy boosts their confidence, self-esteem, and overall well-being, creating a positive ripple effect in their personal and professional lives.
  • Leadership. Women who run their own business also have the opportunity to be part of wider decision-making processes, both in business and society. By taking charge of their businesses, women develop leadership skills, network with diverse stakeholders, and contribute to economic growth and job creation. This participation leads to a more equitable distribution of power, where women’s voices and perspectives are valued and taken into account.
  • Addressing inequality. Providing women with the tools to open their businesses can contribute to addressing gender disparities in various industries. Historically, women have faced systemic barriers in accessing resources, capital, and business support. When these hurdles are overcome through targeted initiatives and programs, women can excel in sectors which have been traditionally male-dominated.
  • Role models. The success stories of entrepreneurial women demonstrate that gender is not a barrier to achieving one’s ambitions and aspirations. As more women venture into the business world, the prevailing narrative surrounding women’s capabilities and potential begins to shift, fostering a more inclusive and empowering culture for all.

Empowering women through entrepreneurship is a powerful catalyst for positive change. By equipping them with the necessary tools and support wherever we can, women can break free from societal constraints, create successful businesses, and lead the way for a more equitable and inclusive future. This journey towards women’s empowerment not only benefits individuals but also fosters a more prosperous and equitable society as a whole.

Qurbani with Embrace Relief

Help Embrace Relief Empower Women in Kenya

This is why Embrace Relief is committed to empowering women wherever we can. Our programs seek to provide the education, training, and resources to encourage women to be independent, professional, and successful.

Our newest women’s empowerment program is to help many more women, just like the 13 graduates in Githurai, Kenya. Our Sewing Machine Program will provide aspiring female tailors with the machine they will need to open their own clothes-making business. Sewing machines are expensive investments in a country where 1 in 6 women lives below the poverty line. By providing a sewing machine to a woman after she graduates from her training class, we allow her to pursue her creativity and business sense without restriction.

And with just a few clicks, you can make a huge impact in the life of a budding female entrepreneur in Kenya. For a donation of just $110, you can cover the full costs of training and a sewing machine for one woman.

Qurbani with Embrace Relief

That $110 represents a lifetime of opportunity for a talented woman in need. So donate today and make an investment in women, and help us take one small step towards a more prosperous, more equal world.

Embrace Relief feeds 122,000 people worldwide during International Hunger Relief: Qurbani 2023

Posted on | by Ali

International Hunger Relief: Qurbani 2023

Hunger continues to afflict millions around the globe. In the summer of 2023, a staggering 660 million people worldwide – roughly 1 out of every 12 people – do not receive enough nutrition on a daily basis to lead a healthy life.

Hunger Relief is one of Embrace Relief’s core values, and we have made it our mission to provide this relief where it is needed most. Thanks to the generous support of our donors, partner organizations, and volunteers around the world, Embrace Relief has been able to deliver immediate relief to more than 4 million people suffering from hunger over the past decade. This compassion is the driving force behind our International Hunger Relief: Qurbani 2023 campaign.

Embrace Relief is thrilled to announce the success of our Qurbani 2023 campaign. This year, our donors enabled us to distribute meat packages to more than 122,000 people in 19 countries spanning five continents! This number represents a 25 percent increase on the number of people we reached during this same campaign in 2022.

This outstanding success is possible only because of the generous support of our donors, partners, and volunteers. Together, we provided nutritious meat to tens of thousands of families in the Phillippines, Yemen, Kenya, Greece, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Afghanistan, Uganda, the United States, and many more countries – a life-changing bit of support for people in great need.

Who We Reached

  • 122,000+ people in 19 countries
  • 20,410 families received meat packages
  • Our widest reach was in the Philippines, where more than 4,800 families received meat packages.
  • We also provided aid to people in need here in the United States, with more than 21,000 individuals receiving food.
  • The Qurbani 2023 campaign reached 11 African countries, led by Tanzania, Mali, Kenya and Uganda. In each of those countries, at least 1,400 families received meat packages.
  • Embrace Relief and our partners distributed meat to nearly 1,000 families in Pakistan for Qurbani.
  • More than 2,000 people in conflict-stricken Yemen benefitted from this program.
  • Embrace Relief also distributed meat packages in South America, reaching a combined 234 families in Brazil and Colombia.
  • In all of these cases, the generous support of our donors provided immediate relief from hunger, and the peace of mind of knowing where their next meal will come from.
Embrace Relief feeds 122,000 people worldwide during International Hunger Relief: Qurbani 2023

By the numbers

Here is a list of how many people were Embrace Relief served during our Qurbani 2023 campaign:

  • WORLDWIDE: 122,450
  • Africa: 57,000
    • Tanzania: 13,100
    • Mali: 10,100
    • Kenya: 7,800
    • Uganda: 7,800
    • Burkina Faso: 3,900
    • Nigeria: 3,900
    • Ethiopia: 2,600
    • Togo: 2,600
    • Ghana: 2,600
    • Central African Republic: 2,600
  • Asia: 39,400
    • Philippines: 26,700
    • Pakistan: 5,200
    • Afghanistan: 2,600
    • Indonesia: 2,600
    • Yemen: 2,300
  • United States: 21,400
  • Greece: 3,350
  • South America: 1,300
    • Colombia: 1,050
    • Brazil: 250
Embrace Relief feeds 122,000 people worldwide during International Hunger Relief: Qurbani 2023

About Embrace Relief

Embrace Relief is a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit international humanitarian relief and development organization based in Fairfield, New Jersey. The foundation collects and distributes supplies and aid to families, individuals, and institutions around the world. We support eight programs covering a wide variety of humanitarian causes: Disaster Relief, Health, Clean Water, Hunger Relief, Refugee Relief, Women’s Empowerment, Education, and Children.

Embrace Relief’s mission is to deliver research-based, sustainable solutions to achieve immediate and lasting improvements in situations of humanitarian emergency and improving the quality of life of individuals and communities enduring chronic hardships. We are committed to creating a lasting impact on the lives of individuals, both locally and globally.

By implementing research-based programs, we can achieve measurable, sustainable improvements in the lives of those in need. Through constant and rigorous research, coupled with close interaction with those we serve, we can ensure that we deliver the most beneficial services. Our core principles are humanity, inclusivity, impartiality, independence, and voluntary service. We value sustainability, transparency, innovation, and partnership. With the guidance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Embrace Relief hopes to provide much-needed humanitarian and crisis assistance to communities to reduce global poverty.

Since 2013, we have:

  • Built water wells providing clean drinking water to more than 800,000 people in Africa
  • Aided more than 1 million victims of natural disasters
  • Distributed more than 1.5 million pounds of food
  • Provided more than 500,000 health screenings in Mali

And much more!