AAUW supports U.N. refugee women at farmers market

FALLBROOK – Fallbrook AAUW members took a field trip to the City Terrace Farmer’s Market in City Heights to support legal refugees brought here with the approval of the U.S. State Department and the United Nations. The refugees are from a variety of countries including, but not limited to, Benin in West Africa, Kenya, El Salvador, Iraq, Afghanistan, Honduras and Mexico.

Donated items were delivered to them, some of which were warm blankets, bedding, kitchen items, shoes, soaps, jackets. The women received micro loans to start businesses to become self supporting. Some sold food which was grown by them on co-op farms. Others made hand-embroidered purses and other items.

The AAUW women were given a tour of the community garden. Later, they enjoyed a Salvadorian version of hot pockets while sampling Brazilian coffee and Persian tea which they called “an aromatic delight.”

These refugee women come from severe poverty in very remote locations. Women’s Empowerment International strives to assist these women to empower them with self supporting businesses to create a better life for themselves and their families.

For additional information on ways to help, contact Laurenn Barker at (310) 927-5202 or visit http://www.womenempowerment.org.