CSW 58 may have concluded, but VGIF’s participation at the United Nations continues. We have registered for the Thirteenth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), to be held this coming May. UNPFII is an advisory body to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), to which VGIF has consultative status. UNPFII’s mandate is to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. This conference will be a great opportunity for VGIF staff and interns to represent our grantees who address the challenges of indigenous peoples who have launched a wide variety of successful projects. Learn more about the conference here: http://bit.ly/QprxKz

At VGIF, we’re inspired by the stories that our grantees share with us about their participants. Rebecca is a 60-year-old widow living in rural Kenya. She has never attended school and is raising six grandchildren. In spite of a limited income, Rebecca made education a priority for her grandchildren -- all six of them are going to school, including the four girls. Through the VGIF-sponsored Voice in the Wilderness’s Turkana Women Basketry Program, Rebecca has become a leader and spokesperson for the participants, and she has also improved her economic situation. She is grateful to this program for enabling her to acquire new skills, and open new doors . Photo Credit: Voice in the Wilderness

A message from the new VGIF President Jeri Rhodes: I am honored to be the President of this amazing organization. VGIF has a very successful record of funding grants that really do make a difference in the lives of women and children. I am committed to working to enhance that program with the support of our members and our staff. For the last few years, the Board has been transitioning to a new operating model in order to expand our visibility and to be more effective in the work we do. The hard work and energy of our staff, led by our Executive Director, Elisabet Eklind, has made this a much more focused process, but we as a Board still have work to do. Our Board members are energetic and enthusiastic about what we need to accomplish, so I am excited to be leading that effort. VGIF is fortunate to have generous donors who have supported our grants funding. I am looking to meeting many of you and to growing our membership so that more people can be involved in this important work.