A Voice For the Voiceless

The Advocacy Project helps marginalized communities to tell their story, claim their rights and produce social change. We recruit graduate students to volunteer as Peace Fellows with partners.

The Impact of Service



"Speaking with locals and living in a country is the best way to learn about the real lives of citizens, not just the stories in the mainstream media. I will be more critical of what I read as a result of this experience. I also feel even more grateful for my education, and I feel a stronger responsibility to assist others who do not have resources or access to opportunities in their communities."

Maria Skouras (New York University) volunteered in 2011 as a Peace Fellow for eHomemakers in Malaysia.

For more 2011 feedback click here.

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Partner Campaigns > Women's Repro... > Women at Risk > Poor Nutrition > Chandar Kala Devi...

Chandar Kala Devi Yadav

 
Like so many other women, Chandar Kala Devi Yadav was married between the ages of 10 and 12 years old. She has five children, and her prolapse began after the birth of her third child.

The combination of early marriage, poor nutrition, and heavy work took its toll on Chandar. After the delivery, her family had trouble getting the good, nutritional food that Chandar needed to help heal. Added to that, she started working again only six days after giving birth. There was no one else to do the work in her home; all of the responsibilities fell to her.

This harmful combination prohibited her body’s recovery. While she does not remember exactly what she was doing when her uterus first prolapsed, Chandar was sure it was during heavy work.

There is no option for her other than to work. Even now she works in the rice field and does all the housework. She must ask her small daughters to help with what they can. Chandar wants to have surgery to help the prolapse and relieve her of the symptoms. Initially, her husband would not support her getting the surgery, but now he has given her approval.

Chandar, however, must still wait. It is planting season, and she must work. She says that after the season is over she will go for treatment.

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