December 2020
The following article is from The Nation, Kenya’s largest newspaper. It highlights the work of Edith Murogo, founder of the Talia Agler Girls Shelter, and as you will see, much else. The article describes the work at TAGS which is followed by her new initiatives convening a national shelter network and a campaign against gender-based violence (GBV).
Once again, we are incredibly proud of our relationship with this outstanding woman.
The story was published in Nairobi on 12/3/20. You can see the original article at this link (which is free but requires registration) or a cut and pasted pdf adaptation by your webmaster ;-) here
successes through the pandemic
The big story of 2020 has of course been the COVID-19 pandemic. There is scarcely a person or institution, anywhere in the world, that it has not effected in some way. The Talia Agler Girls Shelter (TAGS) and its parent organization, the Centre for Domestic Training and Development (CDTD) are no exceptions.
Here is a brief video on how some of TAGS girls have managed to continue their learning and training in the aftermath of a nationwide school shutdown. Special gratitude goes to our partners at the One World Children’s Fund, as you will see.
A special point of pride for us is that Tali's initiative led to the CDTD's first class on Sexual and Reproductive Health in 2006—which she herself taught. It is now a central part of the curriculum.
Pandemic or no, CDTD is broadening its mission and vision. In addition to our traditional focus on Improving the lives and Preventing the exploitation of domestic workers, CDTD will be more active in the fight against Sexual and Gender-based Violence and will work to counter Human Trafficking. The Talia Agler Girls Shelter will continue to offer Protection to the victims of these crimes, as well as to children who have been abandoned, abused, trafficked, etc.
We know that each of these are global scourges and we will never eradicate them completely. But in the spirit of the late Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, who went to his eternity on November 7, we will light a candle instead of cursing the darkness. Those words are a perfect fit with the motto of the Tali Fund: Saving the World—One Life at a Time.
We Thank You for Journeying With Us!
August 2020
There have now been over ONE MILLION VIEWS! for the “Hidden Lives of Housegirls,” featuring the work of the CDTD and the Talia Agler Girls Shelter. Reported by the BBC. See it here if you missed it.
Covid continues
As reported in the New York Times, Kenyan students have lost the entire academic year due to the COVID-19 virus. Instead of being away at boarding school, TAGS’ residents have remained at the Shelter, studying as much as possible with private instructors and in online classes.
During this time of worldwide pandemic, TAGS continues to take in trafficked, and other, girls. As a result, 55 girls, the most ever, require 3 meals a day—and much more. Unanticipated expenses pursuant to there being so many “residents in-residence,” are real.
The girls thank you for supporting their education, sustenance, and enrichment, as we continue to uphold the motto of the Tali Fund: “Saving the World—One Life at a Time.”
UN WORLD DAY against trafficking in persons
The United Nations marked the “World Day Against Trafficking in Persons” on July 30. Several of the residents at the Talia Agler Girls Shelter are victims of this terrible crime.
TAGS provides them with protection from predators and the opportunity to re-enter life with greater education and skills. Be inspired by their resolve in This three-minute video.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we know that the most vulnerable have been hit the hardest.
The Centre for Domestic Training and development (CDTD), TAGS’ parent organization, has been working to assist its students, graduates, and other “Mama Fua’s” who are giving their all to keep their families afloat during these difficult days.
Special thanks to our partners: the One World Children’s Fund, the Global Fund for Women, Sukuma Twende, and the Novo Foundation, all of whom have helped expand CDTD’s leadership with innovative programming. See some of it in the video below.
May 2020
Our partners at the One World Children’s Fund presented a virtual Benefit Brunch this month. Edith Murogo, founder of Talia Agler Girls Shelter and the Centre for Domestic Training and Development was a featured guest. It’s a great way to learn about the work and mission of OWCF. You can watch it in its entirety here.
april 2020
The beginning of tags’ response to COVID-19
April 9, 2020
marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Talia’s birth.
We are beyond grateful that her life, legacy, and work continue.
From its start-up in January 2012, the Talia Agler Girls Shelter has grown stronger each year. Thanks to Edith Murogo’s matchless skill and dedication—and the support she has received for it—TAGS has given hundreds of girls and young women not only shelter from exploitation, trafficking, and abuse, but also the chance to build normal and productive lives. Today, the program affords most of the girls in residence the opportunity to acquire either an accredited secondary education or marketable vocational training skills.
See some new stories below!
a life-skills Seminar for the girls
A recent day-long Empowerment Seminar was held for the TAGS Girls at Nairobi’s JJ McCarthy Conference Centre.
Noga Lewenstein, a great friend of TAGS from the Nairobi Hebrew Congregation, conducts a workshop on “Courage and Confidence: What I Learned in the IDF”(no less!)
Engaged! The opportunity to acquire real-life knowledge is not one that these students are going to let get away.
A professional counselor is in command leading the session on “Facing Challenges.”
The girls also received instruction in meditation and stress-management at the Sri Aurobindo retreat center in Nairobi. Among their teachers were Ms. Varsha Vora (foreground, alongside Noga). Phoebe Nyawira, Edith Murogo’s peerless Advocacy Manager stands third from left.
TAGS and the Nairobi Hebrew congregation
Following the 2019 Passover Seder experience, (and if you haven’t yet seen the must-see five-minute video of the seder, write me for the current pw) the ties between TAGS and the Nairobi Hebrew Congregation have increased tremendously. From this relationship, Amiran Kenya, an Israeli-owned company, donated two 5000-liter water tanks to the Shelter. Since there is no municipal water source connected to TAGS, this is a major upgrade! The event was reported in The Daily Nation, Kenya’s largest newspaper. Running water never felt so good!
Members of the NHC have also helped with targeted medical assistance to the girls at TAGS. Rosh Kehillah–Congregational Leader Dr. David Silverstein and his wife Channa Commanday have contributed to and helped coordinate such care for special needs Shelter residents. Here is a letter from one of them:
NHC members have also mobilized to provide food supplies (maize-corn and rice) and numerous in-kind donations of clothing, baby-feeding bottles, clothing, underwear, shoes, storybooks, and more. The ongoing relationship is one for which we are most grateful.
Now, ICYMI: this two-minute video pretty much says it all:
Thank you Blidge–for sharing your journey. We are honored and grateful to travel with you.
Organ donation—the work remains vital
The Tali Fund is a proud supporter of the cause of Organ Donation. Talia’s donated organs saved the lives of five people. If you are not yet a donor, go to organdonor.gov (or your own country’s national registry) and become one today! The gift of Life will always be the greatest gift of all.
