Create a More Just World By December 10th - Veronica Ciambra

Joy, a lawyer in Kenya, rejected life as a high powered lawyer in order to defend the legal rights of prisoners who suffer in the bad conditions of Kenya’s prisons. Influenced by the strength of her Christian faith, Joy has made enormous contributions to her country's legal aid system through her organization, CLEAR.
There is still a great deal of work to be done. A common expression in Kenya is "why pay a lawyer when you can pay a judge?" The criminal justice system in Kenya is plagued by poverty, abuse and corruption. For prisoners one of the only ways to obtain a court date is through bribery. The backlog of prisoners, people only accused of petty offenses, regularly runs to jail times of three to five years, or longer. The prisons are severely overcrowded resulting in inhumane conditions and abuse of prisoners.

Joy works tirelessly to decrease the average waiting time by working in prisons to provide legal education to the prisoners. Through Joy's dedication and innovation, prisoners will be able to represent themselves at hearings and gain access to badly needed lawyers who donate their time. Joy needs your help in her advocacy on behalf of prisoners who endure unspeakable abuses because of a corrupt system!

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Every day, IBJ Fellows like Joy take huge risks for the defense of legal rights around the world. Their programs are under constant threat of running out of money.

Despite the risks they face for their courageous work, they cannot create significant, long-lasting legal changes without adequate funding and resources. Help them realize their goals by rallying in support of their uncompromising dedication to human rights.

Your Pledge:

During this campaign, your donations will be matched by up to $125,000 through the generous funding of private donors.

My goal is to raise $300 between now and December 10, 2009, Human Rights Day, in order to support these Fellows and the changes they strive tirelessly to achieve.

Save lives and create a more just world by December 10th – contribute now!