Saturday 29 December 2012

Closure to the Year 2012

It's been an eventful year for Daughters Of Tomorrow and women all over the world. The year closed with a heart-wrenching tragedy. 2 young girls suffered in the closing months of 2012 - 1 in Pakistan and 1 in India, and they represent millions more. Nevertheless they herald a new dawn of activism for women's rights. May 2013 be a year of hope and progress for women everywhere. 

Thank you to each and every DOT supporter who paid attention, who cared, who gave something, bought something, shared something. We will need your continued support next year to expand DOT's work in awareness building and livelihoods building! 

Have a Happening New Year!

Remembrance Day for India gang-rape victim

Daughters Of Tomorrow makes 29th December of each year a Remembrance Day for this India's Daughter. 

From our Founder:

"Our deepest condolences to the victim and her family. Let not their suffering be in vain. The Indian government needs to address this. Let's not forget about this after media attention peters off. It is imperative that the pressure continues on the government to take concrete and long-term action to protect its women. 

Recruiting women into the police is a superficial gesture. I say, appoint a female police commissioner, or perhaps they need to accept an international team of consultants to babysit them to make sure their police and judicial system caters adequately for protection of women? 

I am anxious and outraged as an onlooker of such continued atrocities against our sisters. I would like to make this day a Remembrance Day every year, to remind our networks and community, and friends, to remind their friends in India - to evaluate their government's actions, to continue the demand for action and justice, until adequate change has been made in the country to make it safe for women. 

This agenda cannot be forgotten."


Thursday 20 December 2012

2012. The year of the strong women?

Dear Women and Daughters of Today, 

Beware of such media reporting and its unconscious effect on your mindset.

Our Founder's view:

"Enough of associating a woman's virtue and strength with silent suffering, and staying in unfair relationships. Women have been "conditioned" to think suffering silently is a virtue since the beginning of time, and now it's being lauded as a "strong woman" trait?? What b***s**t.

Whether a person chooses to stay or leave an unfaithful relationship is a matter of personal choice and not an indication of "strength" or weakness to be speculated and judged upon in the media.

Fellow women, are we under pressure to normalize the abnormal, accept the unacceptable, compromise our own well-being and rights to a fair and faithful relationship, because our society tells us that makes us a "good woman"? 

Consider the messages we are sending to our daughters by our decisions to stay in unfulfilling, abusive or unfaithful marriages. That it is right to suffer in silence? That their well-being must be subjugated to the "greater good" of the family? 

Let's challenge the "Sacrificial Woman" as the good woman ideal, and champion the Fulfilled Woman as the new ideal. If emotional, mental, and economic fulfillment is what we want our daughters to have for themselves, we need to start reaching for those ourselves today."

Wednesday 19 December 2012

This lady was way ahead of her time, and gutsy!

How many of us modern women stand our ground this well? Something to ponder about...
This is the prenup written by Amelia Earhart in 1931. 

Her terms included an open marriage and "some place where I can go to be myself, now and then, for I cannot guarantee to endure at all times the confinement of even and attractive cage."

"On our life together, I want you to understand I shall not hold you to any midaevil code of faithfulness..."


Aerhart was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic. In 1937, she went missing over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to set a record for an around the world flight. Aerhart married George P Putnam in 1931 and remained so until her disappearance.




20 things


1. Play a sport. 
It will teach you how to win honorably, 
lose gracefully, respect authority, 
work with others, manage your time 
and stay out of trouble. 
And maybe even throw or catch.

2. You will set the tone 
for the sexual relationship, 
so don't take something away from her 
that you can't give back.

3. Use careful aim when you pee. 
Somebody's got to clean that up, you know.

4. Save money when you're young 
because you're going to need it someday.

5. Allow me to introduce you 
to the dishwasher, oven, 
washing machine, iron, 
vacuum, mop and broom. 
Now please go use them.

6. Always treat people with the respect you wish to be treated with.

7. Don't ever be a bully 
and don't ever start a fight
but if some idiot clocks you, 
please defend yourself.

8. Your knowledge and education is something
that nobody can take away from you.

9. Treat women kindly. 
Forever is a long time to live alone 
and it's even longer to live with somebody 
who hates your guts.

10. Take pride in your appearance.

11. Be strong and tender at the same time.

12. A woman can do everything that you can do. 
This includes her having a successful career 
and you changing diapers at 3 A.M. 
Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.

13. "Yes ma'am" and "yes sir" 
still go a long way.

14. The reason that they're called "private parts" 
is because they're "private". 
Please do not scratch them in public.

15. Peer pressure is a scary thing. 
Be a good leader and others will follow.

16. Bringing her flowers for no reason 
is always a good idea.

17. It is better to be kind
than to be right.

18. A sense of humor
goes a long way 
in the healing process.

19. Please choose your spouse wisely. 
My daughter-in-law will be the gatekeeper for me 
spending time with you and my grandchildren.

20. Remember to call your mother 
because I might be missing you.

Tuesday 18 December 2012

A precious conversation

One of our friends Bee Lian posted this today, and we thought it's something lovely to share with all high-strung working mums - a precious conversation with her daughter.

"Just when I thought I had a bad start at the beginning of the week... my 4yo daughter showed me otherwise. It was truly a moment of "enlightenment", for me to realise that the super fast-paced and busy work life that I've been living for the past year(s) had made me a servant to my neatly organised schedule that allows minimal leeway (or patience) for any deviation.

I have forgotten how to slow down, how to take a break when the opportunity or need arises... to spend more time with my loved ones and to appreciate the people and things around me! My daughter had reminded me today. 

Our conversations went like these...

Me : OMG, I can't find my car key, and daddy had left all our things in the car before he went off!
Shermaine : "It's ok mummy (she likes to say this), I will help you find." After some time, she was very apologetic and said "Mummy, I cannot think anymore... I just don't know where the key is." Poor gal had been sitting quietly on the sofa trying to crack her tiny brain over the whereabout of the missing key, while I searched the whole house.

Me :"Oh dear, I really can't find the car key. Now I can't go into office and I can't even work from home without my laptop! How am I gonna finish my work... (and I started complaining abt the loads of outstanding work)
Shermaine was listening to my complaints and said calmly "Call your lao ban (boss) and tell him you lost your car key and can't go to work. Your lao ban will not scold you if you tell him the reason. Also help me call my Zhang laoshi and Ms Belle and tell them Shermaine can't go to school today, ok?"

Me :"Ok, later we take a cab and I'll send you to ah ma's place"
Shermaine :"Mummy, we can take bus 99... it's very near."
Indeed, it's only 4 bus-stops away, and I did not think twice when I thought of the presumably most convenient mode of transport.


When we finally reached, Shermaine seemed happy and said "It's a lucky day today (what?!?!)... because I don't have to go to school and I can go to ah ma's place. Mummy, you will stay with me, right?" After I nodded my head, she beamed and said "I'm very happy today!"

Monday 17 December 2012

DOT Miracle Library

Thank you everyone who helped with our Stand With Malala book donation drive last month, as well as the aftermath collection!

Special thanks to The Pit gym and Pamela, Lynn Chia and Sam from APT Showfreight, Valerie Ko from PSB Academy, and all other volunteers who gave your time and effort!




Wednesday 28 November 2012

I am Malala video compilation



A short video compilation of Singaporeans showing our support for Malala, we too can do our part!

Tuesday 27 November 2012

Sunday 25 November 2012

International Day for Eliminating Violence Against Women

Today is International Day for Eliminating Violence Against Women - in honor of the Mirabel sisters who died for standing against dictatorship. 

Tuesday 20 November 2012

Do your part for Malala!

Thank you from Malala.

Your signature – with that of two million others – has started to change the world. Pakistan has this week voted for the first time for compulsory free education. 3 million boys and girls will now receive cash stipends to help them go to school. All political parties are now discussing doubling education expenditure from 2% to 4% of national income. 

But to keep the pressure on, as Malala’s family want us to, we are now aiming for 2.5 million signatures by Christmas and 3 million by the end of January — Please show the Malala film to your friends. 

Tell them that Child + Teacher = Hope∞, and ask them to 
SIGN ON on to this site NOW - http://educationenvoy.org/

Thank you, 

Gordon Brown

UN Special Envoy for Global Education


Saturday 10 November 2012

Stand with Malala (10 Nov 2012) - Event Success!

Today, Daughters Of Tomorrow organized a local event for locals to come support Malala, a 14-year old girl who stood up against terrorists for education (Learn more about her here)

 
       Ally, our youngest volunteer,                                 Personal messages to Malala - from two teens holding on to a pretty pink balloon! :)                                                               (Brooke & Sophia)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - More event photos - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

  
                                            Thank you, Starbucks Singapore for your support
and a big THANK YOU to everyone who came to help and to support the event today!

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Stand with Malala on 10th November

Show support for a girl's right to education!








Watch this video to find out why we are standing together this 10th November:

                  

Updates on Malala's Condition:Dr Dave Rosser, medical director of the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS foundation trust, says Malala Yousafzai is 'not out of the woods but is doing very well'. The Pakistani schoolgirl was shot in the head by the Taliban. The bullet grazed her brain but doctors say she is writing, has memory and has expressed gratitude for support

                      


Thursday 25 October 2012

Show some support for Malala!

10th November is global action day for Malala's cause. 
I say, let's show some support to this brave girl, what say you?

Monday 22 October 2012

We love this quote. Do you have a favourite quote about ending poverty?

Friday 19 October 2012

Article: China's Leftover Women

Our view? More bulls**t. Shame on you, All-China Women's Federation for telling women these.



Wednesday 10 October 2012

Malala Yousafzai

A young heroine at age 14, fighting for girls' right to education. And shot by Taliban for it. The struggle is still real. 

She is in our prayers. May she escape death and fulfil her dream to be a politician and lead Pakistan to a better tomorrow.


                  

Wednesday 26 September 2012

Update: One Young World

Dear Friends of DOT,

Thank you for your support and pledges to help sponsor our intended trip to the One Young World summit in Pittsburg.

However due to unexpected worsening of a chronic back condition for which I've had to undergo a surgery recently, I am unable to make the trip to the US this year. This is certainly regretful, and I would like to return the money sent to us for the pledges.

For those of you who have already sent the money to us, you would have been contacted by me personally to make arrangements to send you your money back.

I have been discharged from the hospital and am recovering well, and intend to keep up DOT's efforts in spreading awareness of our cause. The progress on our product development has taken a toll due to my inability to travel to India these months, however we will persevere in our endeavor to build a sustainable business that can contribute to livelihoods of women who need them.

We hope to have your continued support.




Yours truly, Carrie

Thursday 12 April 2012

Sharing session at St Nicholas Girls' School

Carrie shares real stories of girls & women in India at St Nicholas Girls' School and talks about her emotional journey that led to founding of Daughters Of Tomorrow, encouraging the young girls to do their part for the world.

Hear about the real stories of Women in India:



Hear about Carrie's personal journey as a women:


Wednesday 21 March 2012

Real Stories, Real Time (Part 2)

Production Trip to Lalitha Women’s Cooperative (at Aarti Home, Kadapa)
18 – 24 March 2012 

Day 2
We arrive at Aarti Home and Madam Sandhya is immediately ushered towards a woman in a green sari, with pain and apprehension on her face. On closer look, I notice that her entire arms, and the parts around her chest and neck which is visible from her sari, are horrendously scarred. They look like burn marks. 
I could not bear the look of helplessness on her face and was moved to go to her and tried to offer a hug, hoping a gentle physical touch from me would help to soothe her pain, all the while trying to keep my own tears from spilling.

Madam Sandhya gently took her to another room, and said she will speak alone with the woman. Later, she explained that she did not let me follow because she noticed my watering eyes and felt that I will not be able to withstand the story of the woman when she tells it, hence it’s better so as to prevent me from breaking down in tears in front of the poor woman. She had had kerosene poured on her and was burnt by her husband. The rest of her story, Madam Sandhya has yet to share. 

I am only glad that the woman survived and hope that she will be well-rehabilitated in a safe place by Aarti Home.

Meanwhile, I hold back my tears and focus myself on the task of checking the baby dress sample that Parveen has made, DOT’s first product in partnership with the women at Aarti Home.


     






















     First production completion! Wages for the                                Final touches to our first reversible baby dress!
women handed to Pushpa, our Project Manager at 
             Lalitha Women's Cooperative




Tuesday 20 March 2012

Real Stories, Real Time (Part 1)

Production Trip to Lalitha Women’s Cooperative at Aarti Home, Kadapa 
18 – 24 March 2012

Day 1
Met a young mother 18 years of age, her name is Ramalakshmi. I thought she is much younger, perhaps 14, due to her thin, petite frame. Her 2 year old son, Chendu, is napping on the floor beside her, where she sits with 8 other young women practicing embroidery.


She is one of many young women in India who are married off at a young age, due to the perception that daughters are a liability for the family. Girls as young as 12 years old are married to grown men of 30, 35 years of age, sometimes older. Often, their education is disrupted as they are then expected to perform the wife’s role of keeping house and bearing children. These are pressures exerted on them, sometimes from their own mothers. 

One girl in such a circumstance was beaten at home by her husband. She ran away and came to Aarti Home, pleading for help. She was taken back home when her husband and mother-in-law came looking for her. The police was involved, and the case was resolved by the authorities giving her 3 days to stay at home and from there, to decide for herself if she wanted to remain married, or to go to Aarti home to continue her schooling. It seemed like she was given a fair chance and option to choose for herself.

Unfortunately, in the first of those 3 days when she returned home with her husband, she was abused severely, stripped naked and beaten. Fortunately, she was brave enough to attempt another escape, and this time, she managed to secure a safe shelter with Aarti Home, whose members helped to push her case with the police, who eventually makes an arrest of her husband.

Many such stories happen all around parts of India, and many more girls suffer the same situations, and more often than not, continue suffering in silence when they do not have a supportive organization such as Aarti Home to run to.
Many of these women are abused, sometimes even killed, by husbands, and sometimes mothers-in-law. These stories go unreported.

Those whose stories we hear are the fortunate ones who manage to escape from a tragic fate. How much silence is there in the vast rural countryside villages of India? We do not know, and can only imagine.

In contrast, we see women who have sheltered, trained and worked at Aarti Home for years. These women have happy faces, they smile and speak confidently. They walk with purpose in their strides. These are women who have found renewed self-worth and confidence in themselves in being at Aarti Home and benefiting from its programmes. They take on various roles and vocations, whether as coordinators, helpers, trainer assistants or trainees. The opportunity to take part in purposeful work has helped them to reconstruct their self-images as women and opens up a whole new, life filled with hope for them. 

We hope that very soon, Daughters Of Tomorrow can offer a job to Ramalakshmi and more women like her to produce our designs. And with our profits, we want to help fund Aarti Home’s continual outreach to the women community of Kadapa, so that young women suffering in silence can be aware of this window of hope for them.


Children blessed by the book donations, enjoying their reading time.

Happy and cheerful face of a child 
(His mom is empowered through employment at Aarti Home)

"Helping women help themselves" sees benefits trickling to the next generation, of healthy, well-loved children whose parent is empowered economically and emotionally to provide and care for them independently. Because only when mothers are empowered, will they be able to support and love their children. Support sustainable livelihoods for women!

Saturday 17 March 2012

Founder's Interview with 早安您好

On International Women's Day 2012, DOT founder, Carrie went for an interview with Channel 8 早安您好. Catch Carrie's sharing about Daughters Of Tomorrow and her thoughts on juggling life's multiple pressures.

                        

Wednesday 14 March 2012

One Young World Campaign

A better future for our children starts with empowering our less fortunate sisters today.



*Update 11 May 2012*


Along with Aarti Home, our NGO partner in India, this is what we pledge and our commitment in the course of Daughters Of Tomorrow's work:“I pledge to support the advancement of girls in society. I believe that every woman stands equal to man. I pledge to respect and protect the freedom of every girl and woman. I will speak out against all forms of violence and discrimination against women, so that every woman can hold her head high with dignity." Help us bring the message to a worldwide audience. Our One Young World delegation fundraising is at $1,745, with another $4,800 to go. Help us spread the word!

Wednesday 11 January 2012

A topic close to my heart

We’d Pick Our Partners Wisely (Sheila Ellison, editor)

Those of us fortunate to be born and live in the developed parts of our world are blessed with the circumstances in which to exercise our power of choice. How can we help our less fortunate sisters get to the same place we are?

Social, political and economic circumstances need to change in other parts of the world. Help us do our bit in paving this path for our less fortunate sisters and their daughters by helping them build financial self-sufficiency