One of the initiatives of the Mariéme Jamme Foundation is to help abused women get a new and sustainable life, through education, mentoring, and information.

The word abuse is meaningless in countries like Dakar; they don’t understand it and many people really laugh at you when you start talking about it. They think it’s a Joke. 2 in 5 women is abused in Senegal, theses abuses occurred in families alone, it’s done by direct family members. Women keep quiet about it and get on with their lives; it’s a repetitive and multiplied activity..

As a semi- Muslim country, in some villages, you cannot talk about it, sometimes mothers are aware, but ashamed to confront the predator, by saying or making it public, she will be humiliated or her daughter will take the blame for being a bad girl.

Abortion is clandestinely done, with high risk of death. In Kaolack alone, you will find 2 health centres for 700.000 women they usually don’t practice the abortion correctly if requested by a woman and in many circumstances. These actions will lead to a death of a woman or endless pain.

Every time I go to Dakar, I spend time with these women, they tell me their stories, and it is heart broken, I cry a lot, you cannot imagine what I see and hear. I have asked myself many times after my returns what will make them gain back their dignity, what will make them happy, cheerful and be a human, woman again. How can I help them? The fascinating fact is that despite all that, they cope, they sing, dance and pray a certain God that no one touched them again.

My foundation will not heal these women pain, I understand this but it will certainly help them have a better life, minimum it can be.

Bill Liao and Philip de Lisle are talking at the Neo Consciousness event; please join us on the 26th of Feb 2009. Both men are transforming people lives.

All the proceeds of the event will go to the Hunger Project, The Mariéme Jamme foundation and many more charities that are making real changes.

Come along and make your mark!