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 > Early Marriage > Kanni & Kaliya De...

Kanni & Kaliya Devi Chaudhary



 
Kanni Devi Chaudhary (left), 71, and Kaliya Devi Chaudhary, 68, are sisters-in-law who were both married at the extremely young ages of six to seven. They both stayed with their own families until around age 14, when they were considered mature enough to move into their husbands’ homes.

Neither Kanni nor Kaliya knew about uterine prolapse or possible treatment until social workers talked to them. They had no idea they were suffering from uterine prolapse, and both kept their problems hidden from their husbands and others.

After talking with social workers, Kanni and Kaliya both decided to have hysterectomies to treat their prolapse. Both subsidized the operation through an NGO. Kaliya’s husband did not resist the surgery, and her sons contributed 750 rupees (about $9.73) toward the treatment. Kanni’s husband died by the time she learned of the possibility of treatment. Kanni raised 500 rupees ($6.48)  through goat rearing to pay for her hysterectomy.

So far, none of Kanni or Kaliya’s daughters have problems with uterine prolapse. Right now, they do not do heavy work because their children are small. But when their children grow up, they will have to go to the fields. If they experience any problems, they plan to go to the campaigners for help.

Because of Kanni and Kaliya, the lack of awareness and knowledge in their family about uterine prolapse has ceased.

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