Biking across Canada to empower Ghanian women (VIDEO)
Former MEDA interns helping women get out of poverty
Sarah French and Mary Fehr were hugely impacted during their time in Nicaragua and Tanzania working with MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) and their efforts helping women live healthier lives. Now they want to make an impact themselves. Together they embark on a four-month bike ride across Canada to raise $150, 000 for MEDA’s Greater Rural Opportunities for Women (GROW) project in Ghana.
“The GROW project is assisting 20,000 women farmers and their families to sustainably emerge from poverty,” French says in a release. “Mary and I wanted to support a project that focused on women because we saw the gender inequalities while on our own internships. It couldn’t be more symbolic: Two women cycling across Canada representing independent, self-sufficient women.”
Bike to GROW will begin May 18 in Victoria, BC and conclude September 5 in Leamington, ON. On the way, Sarah and Mary will stop at MEDA chapters, churches and community centres to speak with locals about MEDA, the GROW project and their experience.
“These women (in Ghana) work hard and persevere every day to provide for their families. You can see their smiles when they learn new things, produce a good harvest and have income because of our support,” says GROW country project manager Catherine Sobrevega. “It’s exciting to know their life-changing stories are going to be shared across Canada. Our team will include both of them in our prayers. May they remain strong and safe throughout this memorable journey for GROW.”
GROW - Greater Rural Opportunities for Women from MEDA on Vimeo.
GROW is helping women soybean farmers in Northern Ghana increase agricultural production, strengthen their links to markets, diversify the food they produce and understand more about nutrition. Funded by Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD), this six-year project will improve the incomes and food security of 20,000 women and their families.
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