Why 10,000 Girls?

August 8, 2010 - 10:41pm — Niyah

Both prior and since founding Niyah Publishing in 2007, I've worked to raise funds for good projects happening around the world. Alhamdullilah, since I work full time elsewhere, we are able to use all proceeds from our publishing to benefit educational projects. Last year, through the sale of my book, Jihad of the Soul: Singlehood and the Search for Love in Muslim America and through donations gathered by Iman Khalid at the Riverside Academy in Dearborn Michigan, Niyah was able to donate $2400 towards the building of a long-term water well in Mile 91, Sierra Leone West Africa. Such a blessing!

I've worked in Sierra Leone, visited the region several times and I've seen the impact of our monies.

Now for 2010. This year we are producing a limited-edition one of a kind calendar that pays homage to women who cover their hair for religious of cultural reasons. We've selected another worthy project to support, 10,000 Girls in Senegal. Run by Dr. Viola Vaughn, my second mom and an African American Muslim from Detroit, Michigan, 10000 Girls trains, educates and empowers girls to be the architects of their own future. These young ladies run several businesses including selling folk art (dolls, clothing, etc), they raise hibiscus, mint and neverdai for tea, and they have run a successful bakery for several years.

I have had the pleasure to see and learn from the girls up close during my visits to Senegal and my mother just returned from a visit this summer.

Check out the video of Sis. Viola.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIvdwUKDTxA&feature=related
http://10000girls.wordpress.com/program/bissap/