November 26, 2008, Washington, DC: As 2008 draws to a close, The Advocacy Project (AP) is reaching out to its supporters to help fund work on key projects in the year ahead.

AP Executive Director Iain Guest recently sent a letter to supporters briefing them on AP’s work in 2008 and the progress of these projects, including freeing pygmy slaves in the Democratic Republic of Congo and helping to treat and prevent uterine prolapse in Nepal. AP’s target is to raise $5,000 for each of 13 exciting projects by early 2009.

In 2008, AP raised $304,000 for partners and sent 34 graduate students to serve as Peace Fellows with partner organizations in 20 countries. More importantly, AP’s model of supporting community-based advocacy is helping to produce real social change, as evidenced by the following:

Pygmy slaves in central Africa: AP’s partner in Uganda works to free pygmy families who have been enslaved by landowners in Uganda and Eastern Congo. The group has made extensive use of AP’s website and newsletters, and freed twice as many slaves this year as last. Their approach is attracting interest from the UN.

Girls in Afghanistan: The Oruj Learning Center has brought girls’ education to Wardak province, with support from AP. After starting with just 35 students in 2003, Oruj now supports more than 2,000 girls in six schools. AP has helped to raise more than $150,000 for Oruj. In 2009, we will support an innovative handicrafts project by Afghan girls.

Uterine prolapse in Nepal: AP Fellows have played a key role in publicizing this terrible condition, which condemns 600,000 women to pain and shame. The publicity is beginning to make a difference – this year the Government greatly increased funding. In 2009, AP will help Nepalese women’s groups to launch a campaign of prevention and treatment.

These developments are very encouraging, but will need to be sustained. AP has invested heavily from its own core funds in these partnerships and is now seeking modest funding to draft proposals, recruit volunteers, conduct outreach in the US and help partners that need a small emergency cash grant. A full listing of partnerships and projects can be found here.

To help with these efforts, simply go to the donate page on our website and click on the partnership of your choice. Or you can donate through the AP page on Change.org.