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By Lailani Mendoza
AN organization in Kelowna aims to provide financial support to help victims of
sexual terrorism in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Fullstop is a non-profit organization that advocates for women’s and children’s rights by raising awareness among Canadians about injustices in different
parts of the globe. Fullstop also raises funds to support other organizations
which are working to protect women and girls from injustice.
Co-founders Ursula Wedmann and Ellen Hubert started Fullstop in late 2008, after
discovering they had a common passion for helping marginalized women in
developing countries.
“We realized it was time to stop weeping, and time to start doing something to
help,” said Wedmann. “We were spurred on by the biblical mandate to . . . ‘loose the chains of injustice, to untie the cords of the yoke, to set the
oppressed free.’ (Isaiah 58:6) Out of our talking, dreaming, researching and praying, Fullstop
was born.”
Fullstop’s two-pronged approach of education and fundraising is designed so people can
make that same transition from dreaming of change to becoming part of the
change.
“One of the things Fullstop does is to help people learn about injustice issues.
But knowledge itself isn’t enough. To help, people need to take action, but they often don’t know what to do,” explained Wedmann.
“So Fullstop provides people with opportunities to act. One of the most effective
ways to act is to financially equip non-profit organizations that work to stop
injustice against women – organizations with the required skills, experience, local contacts,
infrastructure and resources. We channel 100 percent of donations received to
these organizations.”
The Free to Fly Giving Circle was created in January, to maximize the impact of
the organization’s financial support towards a chosen project.
Each member pledges to donate $600, which goes toward a cause that members have
chosen to support. Alternatively, a person can also give a one-time donation.
So far, $14,000 has been raised through people’s generosity.
“This year, the money raised through the Giving Circle is being donated to the
Stephen Lewis Foundation (SLF) project to help survivors of sexual violence in
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),” said Wedmann.
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“The SLF funds some of the urgent needs of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, DRC, which
provides free medical care, accommodation, food and support to thousands of
women with severe internal injuries and obstetric complications from sexual
violence.
Each year, more than 3,500 women undergo surgery to reconstruct their bodies at
Panzi.
“The hospital’s mobile clinic visits outlying areas each week and brings more women to the
hospital. The SLF is also helping to support the construction of the City of
Joy, a transitional housing complex for 150 survivors of rape and abuse who
will be trained as community leaders.”
For some people, $600 may seem like a huge amount. However, many have stepped
forward in faith. “We’ve had some Giving Circle members say, ‘We can’t really afford this right now, but we believe in the cause, and we’re trusting God to provide.’”
Wedmann noted that members are more invested in their giving as part of the
circle. And it’s this level of commitment Wedmann and Hubert want to stir among people, the
kind of attitude that says ‘Count me in,’ to realize the change Fullstop envisions.
For more information, visit fullstopnow.org.
July 2009
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