Women For Women International

I came across this organization in Time Magazine and was profoundly moved by the struggles of women around the world and the mission of Zainab Salbi to try to make a difference. Below is the link to the web site for Women for Women International to learn more. I have decided to become a sponsor. I will get my sponsor kit in about 4 weeks, with the name of my sister, and I cant wait! I am so grateful to be able to do even something so small to make a difference, I wish I could do more. Think about the things that you spend $27 on regularly, wouldnt it be awesome to spend that somewhere that will really have an impact on someone less fortunate than we?

http://www.womenforwomen.org/index.php

What if you can change the course of one woman's life in a war-torn region of the world? Now what if you knew her name?

Women for Women International's Sponsorship program creates a unique experience by building a one-to-one relationship between you and a woman who lives thousands of miles away.

By sponsoring a woman you not only provide her with the financial assistance she needs to get back on her feet but also the hope and emotional support that are the keys to rebuilding her life after war.

What is Sponsorship?

As a sponsor, you will be matched with a woman in a country in which we work. Your monthly contribution will provide her with rights awareness education and job skills training so she can continue to support her family in the future. She will also receive a portion of your contribution in direct aid so she can provide her family with basic necessities.

The Connection is real...you know her name

When you receive your welcome kit, you'll receive the name of the woman you are sponsoring, information about her country of origin and her background information - does she have children, is she married? She learns your name too, because until she is matched with you, she cannot begin the program. So she knows it's your commitment that's given her this opportunity.

The letters

You'll not only know her name, you can exchange letters. In fact, your letters are a powerful tool for helping women in these desperate regions of the world know that there is someone out there who knows of her existence, who actually cared enough to sponsor her and write to her. Many women in our programs have never received a letter addressed to them, so you can't imagine the impact it has on her self-esteem.

Sponsoring a woman can profoundly change your life too

Not only do your monthly donations and your letters help women from war-torn countries, but your connection with them can change your life too. Many sponsors feel they unexpectedly “get” far more than they receive. You’ll be astounded at the strength and courage these women have in the face of so much adversity.

"I thought it was going to be me that did the giving, but I was the one who truly received the gift." - A Sponsor, January 2006

Women for Women International Keeps You Informed

You’ll receive updates on the progress of women in our programs in the Outreach newsletter and in email updates. And to the extent that she's able, you can receive letters in return. Translators in each country work with participants to write letters to their sponsors. Letters are also dictated for the many illiterate women in our programs. In Sudan alone 94% of women cannot read or write. And when you receive notification that your sponsored sister has graduated the year-long program, you’ll know you’ve significantly impacted that one woman’s life, her children’s lives and her community.

What Your Support Means

Each country’s program varies due to economic, political, cultural and religious factors. However, in all countries where we work, your monthly support ensures that your sister receives the following tools and support over the course of her one-year participation:

• Direct aid on a monthly basis in cash.
• Emotional support and encouragement from her trainers, fellow participants and from you, her sponsor.
• Training on leadership, rights awareness and the role of women in society.
• Job skills training applicable to the local economy.
• A network of women to connect with in her community.
• Small business assistance and in some countries Microcedit.
• Access to a variety of other programs, depending on the country or region where your sister lives. These include, for example, literacy training in Kosovo, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention training in Nigeria, savings and investment counseling in Rwanda and infant care classes in Afghanistan.