MJ Todd, founder of Shamsaha, spoke to WTM about the organisation’s practical support for women during the coronavirus pandemic.
Formerly Women’s Crisis Care International (WCCI), Shamsaha, while still continuing its crisis intervention role, is currently delivering food to hundreds of women in need across the island.
Growing to Meet Demand
MJ says: We initially anticipated making just a small contribution towards the food need among women who had lost their jobs, by sending out two to four household food deliveries per day. However, in one day alone, Shamsaha was getting on average 220 requests. So, we have increased our daily food relief to 10 to 15 relief packages per day which, as of now, is our maximum capacity.
“As we take in more and more sponsorships, we intend to increase the numbers of deliveries incrementally. We hope to be able to get closer and closer to meeting the huge need that exists.”
The food deliveries follow World Health Organisation nutrition/caloric/economic/long-life recommendations. Each package contains:
- Rice – 5kg
- Oil – 1lt
- Whole chicken – 2kg
- Bread – 2 loafs
- Carrots – 1kg
- Green apples – 1kg
- Onions – 1kg
- eggs – 20
- long life milk – 2lt
Stepping Up
MJ continues: “Initially we did not have any budget for it, but we were going to stretch what we already had in place. But In the last week (to April 16), we have raised more than BD4,000 to support the programme. And that includes more than 200 small-dinar contributions, between the amounts of BD5 and BD20. Hundreds of people have stepped up and want to help with the relief efforts, along with substantial sponsorships from the Yateem family.
The initiative was initially intended to end on April 30, but it will now run throughout Ramadan with MJ explaining: “During the Holy Month, nobody should be going hungry. So, it is our duty as members of the Bahraini community to provide support during these unprecedented times, especially during Ramadan.”
What is Shamsaha?
Founded in 2013 as Women’s Crisis Care International, the organisation provides help, support and advocacy for women who have been victims of sexual or physical abuse. It also runs community education programmes and shares knowledge with hospitals and local organisations.
Earlier this year, WCCI was renamed Shamsaha. MJ explains: “The work of Shamsaha is the same. The only difference is that with the new brand, Shamsaha seeks to more effectively root into Arab culture, while expanding throughout the region in the coming months. Shamsaha is currently developing a mobile phone application that is scheduled to launch this summer, that will scale the programme throughout the region, making violence crisis response services available to millions of women for the first time ever.
“The leadership team of Shamsaha felt that WCCI no longer reflected our greater goal of promoting empowerment and equality. While it was descriptive of our services, in that we primarily provide response care for women victims of abuse, our greater goals are to promote positivity, empowerment, equality and success for women around the world, rather than a sad or oppressive message.”
Aside from the food deliveries, that side of the operation is more important now than ever. MJ says: “Domestic violence around the world is on the rise, due to the nature of the pandemic and the restrictions that have been put into place. We have also seen this to be true here in Bahrain, with an increase in calls coming through the helplines. Please see here for our recent newsletter about the intersection between Covid-19 and domestic abuse.” https://mailchi.mp/46b1ec20b6ae/covid-19-and-domestic-violence
Testimonials
“I am not be able to Thank you personally Ma’am, but I pray that you will be more blessed. Thank you so much”
“Words cannot express how thankful I am to have been given such blessing. This means such [that] people like you had a big heart. I know that Allah always has things in his control, and I believe he used you all to bless me in a time of need. I will forever be grateful for this, and I cannot thank you enough for that. Blessings on each one of you in Shamsaha.”
“We all don’t have work mam…we are staying in the same room and now this problem come we’re all sharing our food…you help all of us…thank you so much. Please relay our thanks to Ms MJ and to everyone in Shamsaha”
Food deliveries are growing but limited. If you need help, get in touch on 38 474-018 between 9am and noon.
