Women of Compassion in Coventry Gather to Celebrate through Service

Compassion for others abounds in Coventry. On 11 March, over 60 women from the community gathered to provide support for the children of Gatispo, a rural community in eastern Rwanda. The joint project was spearheaded by Compassion Direct UK and female members of the Coventry Stake (diocese) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Because of poverty and health-related issues, many of the Rwandan children are hungry and lack decent clothing for school. The struggle for survival and dignity is real for many families in the rural community of Gatispo, particularly for those affected by HIV and its ripple effects.

To offset some of these challenges, women in the Coventry community sewed nearly fifty pairs of Bermuda shorts for the children so they could feel comfortable attending school. The ‘day of compassion’ was also designed to celebrate International Women’s Day and the organisation of the Relief Society (women’s organisation) of the Church, through service to others.

The event was attended by women leaders in the community who were panel members in a Q & A session focused on the importance and significance of women. The panel consisted of Councillor Ann Isherwood, Madam Mayor of the Borough of Redditch; Nyear Nazir, Councillor for Batchley and Brockhill and deputy leader at Redditch Borough Council; and Kate Taroni, President of the Coventry Stake Relief Society.

Madam Mayor Councillor Ann Isherwood said, “It’s International Women’s Week and I felt honoured to meet with like-minded sisters. Christlike service, helping people [who] we will never meet is a great privilege. I feel honoured to be part of an organisation that recognises this.”

“The worldwide struggle of women continues,” noted Councillor Nyear Nazir. “Change is slowly happening. My Muslim faith empowers women. Women are nurturers. A nurturing woman can create a beautiful society. Celebrating women is paramount. We are there to support other women and families.”

President Kate Taroni added, “It’s been really good to celebrate International Women’s Day. Being a woman is part of our identity. We are daughters of God, and this reminds us of who we really are.”

The chairman of Compassion Direct UK will be taking the clothing to Gatispo at the end of March.  CDUK provides practical support to rural children and families living in poverty by providing environmentally sustainable solutions and self-help projects in the developing world.