Mercy Beyond Borders certainly wishes you the happiest of New Years, but our hearts remain with the people of South Sudan who are once again displaced by deadly violence. Fierce fighting spread after an attempted coup in the capital, Juba, in mid-December: over 1,000 already killed and 200,000 seeking shelter in UN camps....  

 

Being about 200 miles east of Juba, I was never in any imminent danger from the rebels; but sadly, road blockades and bombing prevented many of our Scholars from reaching Narus, where Mercy Beyond Borders was hosting its annual Leadership Training week.  42 Scholars did manage to make it and to concentrate all week on honing their leadership skills despite their ongoing anxiety for family and friends trapped or vulnerable elsewhere.

 

These young women are the hope of South Sudan because their friendships and their vision for the nation cross the old boundaries that still divide the men. We THANK YOU for supporting this long-term peace-building effort through the education of girls!  May we all experience the blessing of PEACE in 2014.

 

Gratefully, 

 

Sr. Marilyn signature  
What's in a NAME???
 
Avoid confusion!  There is now a Syrian aid organization called
"Mercy Without Borders."

It has no connection to 
MERCY BEYOND BORDERS
When you think of us, think MBB! 
Spread the word.... 
 

 Did You Know?

 

 

There are at least 80 distinct languages spoken in South Sudan by the various ethnic/tribal groups.

 

Tribal divisions remain a serious problem; cattle raiding between tribes are commonplace and deadly. Those traditional divisions undermine efforts to create a stable coalition government.



Our Blog

 
provides a weekly commentary from Mercy Beyond Borders founder, Marilyn Lacey, RSM, on MBB activities at home and abroad. 
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Good Reads
 
You can read about Sr. Marilyn's experiences with refugees in the U.S. in
This Flowing Toward Me , available at amazon.com.
 

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About Us

Mercy Beyond Borders improves the lives of displaced women and children living in extreme poverty through education, microenterprise and improved child and maternal health.   
Our programs currently target South Sudan and Haiti.  

 

Mercy Beyond Borders is a 501(c)3 non-profit agency registered in California. 
 
Sister Marilyn Lacey
Executive Director 
Mercy Beyond Borders

   

 

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Mercy Beyond Borders
1885 De La Cruz Blvd #101
Santa Clara CA 95050-3000
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Girl(s) Rising

  During the December Leadership Training, our South Sudanese Scholars viewed the documentary, GIRL RISING, which profiles 9 girls in 9 different countries struggling to get an education. The Mercy Beyond Borders Scholars were surprised to learn that girls their age in other countries also face cultural, gender-based, and financial barriers to formal schooling. This newfound global sisterhood encourages them; they see themselves now as Girls Rising in South Sudan. Just look at their earnestness, their confidence, their thirst to learn and grow!  

 

Pictured here are 3 graduates of our scholarship program:  having finished high school on Mercy Beyond Borders scholarships, Miriam and Shanas teach primary school in Kakuma Refugee Camp while Mercy Beyond Borders supports their ongoing inservice training for official teacher certification. 

Teachers Miriam and Shanas
Teachers Miriam and Shanas

 

Deborah, proudly wearing her graduation gown, completed nursing school in Rumbek last month!

 

Deborah graduates
Deborah Graduates 

 

Congratulations to these pioneers in female education. Many more will follow their lead, thanks to your support of Mercy Beyond Borders.

 

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Understanding Gender-Based Violence 
   
 Gender-Based Violence (GBV): it's not an easy topic to face, but it's one which has already deeply affected our Mercy Beyond Borders Scholars. For several hours each day during the Leadership Training, Australian volunteer Felicity Rorke, social worker and expert in this field, had the full attention of the Scholars as together they explored, role-played, and discussed the reality and the ramifications of GBV around the world and in their own cultures and families.
Felicity starts her GBV lesson
Felicity Starts Her GBV Lesson
The Mercy Beyond Borders Scholars are aware that violence is never right and they're serious about imagining a future where domestic abuse is no longer acceptable. As one Scholar remarked to Felicity, "This workshop has changed my life."
Group consensus activity
Group Consensus Activity

 


Ambassador of the Month 

Art from New Zealand

 

Gabriella Lewenz, an artist living in New Zealand, is Mercy Beyond Borders January 2014 Ambassador of the Month. After learning about Mercy Beyond Borders from a colleague, Gabriella decided to donate to Mercy Beyond Borders the proceeds from the sale of one of her paintings, entitled "Chasm Between Meadow and Sea"  

"Chasm Between Meadow and Sea"
By Gabriella Lewenz 

 We thank you Gabriella, for using your talents to support Mercy Beyond Borders. You can enjoy more of her beautiful work on her website: www.lewenz.net. She is pictured here in her studio.     

 

Gabriella Lewenz studio
Gabriella Lewenz Art Studio
 

 

 

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