Thursday, February 7

Women for Women International

If anyone is interested in getting involved in overseas aid specifically targeting women from war torn countries such as Rwanada, Afghanistan, Columbia etc. Women for Women International is a great organization to get involved with. Here is what they do:

Women for Women International mobilizes women to change their lives by bringing a holistic approach to addressing the unique needs of women in conflict and post-conflict environments.We begin by working with women who may have lost everything in conflict and often have nowhere else to turn. Participation in our one-year program launches women on a journey from victim to survivor to active citizen. We identify services to support graduates of the program as they continue to strive for greater social, economic and political participation in their communities.


Once the basic needs of these women are met they are trained in job skills and business development. Annually, Women for Women International has empowered over 30,000 women survivors of war to move toward economic self-sufficiency with their year-long program of direct aid, rights education, job skills training and small business development.

To help you can donate money, shop their bazaar which features items made by the women in these programs or sponsor a women for one year. I chose sponsorship and will be sending just 27 bucks a month to a women that they match me up with. They encourage you to write letters back and forth with the woman you sponsar so you can provide support and encouragement while they try to put their lives back together. I did some research to make sure this is a legite organization and all appears good.

I have been wanting to get involved in something charitable for quite some time but haven't found something I have really liked. I am excited to financially and emotionally help support a woman who has gone through hell in her life become self sufficent and hopefully I will be able to forge a relationship with her as well.

4 comments:

Adam said...

Neat!

Anonymous said...

I am def. going to look into this, what a great organization!

edluv said...

i am truly not criticizing what your doing because i think this sounds like a great organization, but just wanted to ask a further question. have you thought about getting involved with one of the local women's charities?

Lulu said...

I have looked into it and I havent found any that I have I felt inspired by, or has been something I want to do (Even if it does help, I do not want to do paperwork for a few hours every week when thats what I do all day at work) or have responded to my request to help (I cannot tell you how many times I have inquired to local organizations that have either ignored me completely or turned me away). It is hard to find an organization that fits your own needs as a volunteer and thats important.

I understand that locally women have issues too but the women that the organization I am affiliated with are far worse off. If you take the time and read through the profiles of these women and the horrific conditions they face I truly can't imagine a better cause. They profiled a woman on 60 minutes that had her home burned, her baby killed in front of her, was brutally raped while the rapists forced her brother to watch and when he couldnt they killed him in front of her and she was left without a family or income or a place to live. It broke my heart and inspired me to help.

I would be wiling to get involved in something locally but it isnt as easy as I thouht to find an organization I feel passionate about and that meets my needs as a volunteer.