Our Founders
Our vision is rooted in the work of Kalsoom Jaffari, who had been supporting women refugees affected by gender-based violence in Cisarua, near Jakarta since 2013.
In 2018, Kalsoom worked with fellow co-founders Bahar, Nimo and Waheeda to open the only safe space for refugee women in Jakarta: The Sisterhood Community Center.
Kalsoom and Bahar have since been resettled to Canada. Our sister Waheeda tragically passed away in 2020 and we carry on this work in her memory.
Our Team
Nimo, Co-Founder and Director
"I have volunteered with many different projects for refugees as a teacher and community organizer but Sisterhood is my first and last one to keep my mind and heart - to work with faith and energy.
Sisterhood Community Center means a lot to me. It is my only place that I care about like my own property. I invested my time, energy and my ideas to make a better project to support every refugee woman suffering like me. This organization is my home and heart. It keeps me surviving my daily struggle. It is the place where I feel that I’m not alone in the echoes of life. Sisterhood gives me a family that makes me proud of what I’m doing today.
My goal is to make this organization home for every refugee woman globally one day.”
Arezoo, Manager
“I have been working with the refugee community both officially and non officially. I have the experience of communicating with people from different backgrounds. I have taught young kids computer classes and helped adults with translation.
I joined the Sisterhood as a member in 2018. I truly like the Sisterhood community because it mostly works on empowering women. I would really like to help this community to grow and become more stable. With the knowledge and experience which I have I believe I will play a sensational role and help my sisters to improve their skills and self confidence. Last but not least I have a bunch of ideas and thoughts in my head to apply and give benefits to refugee women as far as I understand them.”
Partners and Supporters
