Pathways To Peace Honored as a 2025 Purpose Earth Grant Recipient for its Avon Mattison Girls Shelter in Kindia, Guinea

SAN FRANCISCO, March 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pathways To Peace, UN-designated Peace Messenger organization, is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $10,000 Purpose Earth grant for its vital work in providing shelter for girls who say "no" to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and become homeless as a result.

The Avon Mattison Girls Shelter was founded on the International Day of Peace, September 21, 2023 in partnership with WAR AGAINST POVERTY in Guinea. The shelter  provides girls who have been forced from their home for having refused to be mutilated with all of their basic needs, as well as counseling to support trauma healing. They are enrolled in school and given the opportunity to train for a job in their community and to advocate for other young girls who wish to escape the torturous practice of FGM. The Girls Shelter is a pivotal component in a multilevel strategy to end FGM in Kindia in one generation. 

The Girls Shelter in Guinea was selected from a pool of nearly 1,700 submissions from countries around the world. The Purpose Earth Grants Selection Council finalizing the award winners represent a diverse group of leadership in the sectors of environmentalism, social justice, cultural exchange, the Arts, entrepreneurship, leadership and sustainable agriculture.

"Thank you, Purpose Earth!" said Tezikiah Gabriel, Executive Director of Pathways To Peace. "This grant means we have a credible partner who recognizes and supports the courage of these young girls to speak on their own behalf and become who they were intended to be. It inspires an entire community to look at itself and declare that girls and women have value and will no longer be silenced."

Purpose Earth is a global grant and mentorship program activating purpose-driven projects addressing environmental protection, community activation and cultural collaboration. Nurturing collaboration and community, within and among these sectors, to accelerate real-world impact.

"By investing in the people and organizations working at the local level, Purpose Earth fosters a sustainable and collaborative future on a global scale, whose ripple effect goes far beyond the local communities these projects serve," said Purpose Earth co-founder, Laura Rose.

About Pathways To Peace:

Initiated in 1978 and incorporated in 1983, Pathways To Peace (PTP) is a UN-designated Peace Messenger organization, has Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNESCO), and has worked with the UN Centre for Human Rights, UN Centre for Human Settlements, UNESCO, UNICEF, and other agencies.

Website: PathwaysToPeace.org

About Purpose Earth:

Purpose Earth's mission is to fund and mentor purpose-driven people and projects around the world. Since 2019, Purpose Earth has awarded over $475,000 to 54 projects in 31 countries and engaged in 100s of hours of mentoring sessions with project leaders, ensuring grantees have guidance in operational strategies to support longevity for long-term impact.

Website: purposeearth.org

Media Contact:
Tezikiah Gabriel
651-357-4436
[email protected]

SOURCE Pathways To Peace