Did you know that Rhea was the mother of the Greek gods; and goddess of fertility, motherhood and generation? Her name means ‘flow’ and ‘ease’; and as the wife of Kronos (Time), she represents the eternal flow of time and generations.
So, history lesson over, her name and its meaning live on today at the women’s refuge tucked away in the campo just outside the pueblo of Orgiva where, eleven years ago, a courageous band of nine women friends stepped up to take on the challenge of creating this refuge, given to them by the Instituto de Andaluz de la Mujer (IAM).
This agency had been formed by the Junta de Andalucia to set up refuges for victims of domestic violence, following the world-shattering news in December 1997 of the death of 60 year old Ana Orantes, a Granadina who turned in desperation to national television, to speak out about her long years of beatings from her violent husband. Shortly after, she was most cruelly tortured and murdered by him. But at last the covers were off, the silence broken; large numbers of women came forward to plead for protection, and the IAM was set up and charged with leading the way to change.
And so the Casa de Acogida, or Safe House of Rhea was founded in Orgiva as part of a series of refuges and other initiatives right across Andalucia, intended to tackle the identification of domestic violence across the region.
Rhea is one of the independent houses, and is unique in its rural setting and non-denominational governance; receiving women from all over the province, and of many nationalities. Over the past ten years the core of women who have run it so successfully, have had an enormous presence in the town; from the little second-hand shop they run to promote recycling, to the arts and literary events and fiestas they organise as a means of raising awareness of the issues and also raising funds to help sustain the refuge.
They also involve many of the town’s professional services in their daily work of helping the women at Rhea to recover from trauma and return to a productive life in society. Many arrive with their children, who also need help with all aspects of rehabilitation. Thus, Casa Reah and the Asociacion Mujeres have become one of the town’s hubs for social activity; and they have also forged an excellent partnership with the Town Hall, who supports them wholeheartedly.
On November 25th the town held its annual celebration of the International Day against Violence towards Women with a whole week of entertaining and educational events. Then, on the 13th December, the Asociacion will be running an ‘Intercultural Workshop’ for learning about other cultures, a subject that is very close to our hearts here in Orgiva. A blog has also been set up on the Internet at: mujeresdeorgiva.blogspot.com, if you are interested in following their activities further.
In the current climate, with the economic crisis still biting deep all around, Casa Rhea is now opening her doors to more and more victims of social exclusion. The little band of brave women who started out with very little knowledge and experience, have come a long way in the past ten years; with huge amounts of courage, energy, determination and perseverance, they have become a well-respected enterprise, and changed many hundreds of lives for the better.
As with all charitable organisations, they are always needing to raise funds to continue their work; so, as we approach the time of year when we give to others, and we reflect on a very special birth and a very special mother, if you feel you would like to help Casa Rhea, then you can donate here: Asociacion de Mujeres de Orgiva at the Banco Popular – 0075 3469 86 0600153028
Thank you, and have a safe and very Happy Christmas.