The Latest from the Tali Fund

winter 2025

A new year—-with new challenges and accomplishments

From our February Newsletter:

HOW changes at the USAID are effecting the girls at TAGS

The recent changes at USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, have had world-wide impact—including to our program at the Talia Agler Girls Shelter. Although TAGS receives no funds from USAID either directly or indirectly, several organizations with whom we partner that provide services to our girls, are being, or have been, eliminated. The damage has been serious.
The loss of funding is...
...Stopping treatment for HIV-positive teenage mothers--rape victims all--and their babies.
...Terminating support for local community health workers. These are the people who reach, rescue, and reintegrate our girls. They help fulfill the very heart of TAGS' mission. 
... Ending USAID's vocational training for adolescent girls and young women. For those not on an academic track, this vital path to independence and a decent life is being taken away. 
...Ceasing advanced training for TAGS' caseworkers and managers--a program that has enabled our staff to care for the girls with high levels of skill and professionalism. 

There is more, and there is more on the horizon. At best, we are facing near-term turbulence. At worst, let's not even think. 

In the midst of it all, it is tempting to feel powerless. We are not. A contribution to the Tali Fund, OF ANY AMOUNT, especially now, makes a difference--

To the girls, for obvious reasons.
To the world--because it says that the people of the planet's richest and strongest nation care.
And to ourselves--because it affirms that we will not stand idly by as the most powerless among us are endangered. 

Thank you for your consideration.

Thank you for caring.

Thank you for helping to save the world--one life at a time.

Richard and Mindy Agler | Co-Directors | The Tali Fund, Inc.

The TAGS Annual Girls Summit is one of the highlights of the year—because a well-rounded young woman needs more than schooling to succeed in life. Read on to see how the girls acquire essential life skills under the guidance of Exec. Dir. Edith Murogo and her team. (With your support, of course. ;-)

mental health support from afar

We live in an age when it is possible to do things we would not have imagined just a short time ago. One of them is the ability to provide counseling from halfway around the world. The Talia Agler Girls Shelter has been blessed by expert therapists from North America, who are giving of their time and talent, to make what is an already an award-winning and model program even better.

We will be sharing in the future reports from some of them. Here is the first, from Dr. Diane Wulfsohn-Saulson, who met Edith last summer. Her words speak for themselves.

"When I met Edith Murogo in person at a gathering hosted by Mindy and Richard Agler, I was immediately captivated by her sincerity,  insight and compassion. As someone who grew up and lived in Africa, I felt a warm connection. Having listened to her narrative, I offered to volunteer to facilitate a virtual support group for the staff, drawing on my experience as a psychologist for over 44 years.

In caring for girls and young women who have been neglected, abused and trafficked, no doubt the staff, too, are exposed to the trauma of those in their care. At the moment, we meet monthly and, thus far, twelve attendees have consistently attended our safe space of support and self-care. We have talked about the value of music as a way of offering solace, connection  and relaxation. The participants were asked to bring a piece of music to share. They chose to sing as a group which movingly reflects their sense of community and spirituality.

I am inspired by the resilience, dedication and resourcefulness of these carers. I cherish this experience and look forward to our ongoing dialogue."

———

And we are inspired by YOU, Diane. Thank you for your priceless gift of self to TAGS' well-being!