Women for Women

The organization for week 3 of my attempt to raise awareness and knowledge of several charity organizations, is called Women for Women.

Women for Women International provides survivors of war, civil strife, and various conflicts with tools and resources to help them move forward out of poverty and into stability. Specifically, this organization provides the women with financial aid, job training, rights awareness and leadership education. Women for Women currently works in Afghanistan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, D.R. of Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Sudan.
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“I am afraid of the fighting reaching my area. Like all women, I am afraid of being raped,” says Jeanette Yamwerenye, one of the women, who has made it to the Women for Women training in Goma on this November morning. At the age of 28 she has spent half her life surrounded by conflict, poverty, hunger, disease, and uncertainty. Twice Jeanette had to pack her few belongings and run from her home. The last time she was heavily pregnant and gave birth while fleeing the fighting.

Women and children are being killed every day by violent wars in these areas. Every day of their lives, they live in fear of death or rape for themselves or their children. They are lost, poor, afraid, and vulnerable. They need help. They need support. They need a friend. They need you and I to help get them back on their feet. They need us to help bring them hope for their future so that they can move forward and take care of their families.... so they don't have to fear anymore. As blessed women in America or wherever you are when you read this... let's make a commitment to do something to help our sisters in these war-torn countries.

How YOU can help:

1. Sponsor: For $27 a month, you can provide one woman hope for their future and a friendship they will never forget. You can communicate with your "sister" through letters, postcards, etc.

2. Send an encouraging note (via the internet): You can take the opportunity to write a quick encouraging note to the women in these war-torn areas. Once they reach their goal of 10,000 messages, they will send them to the women who are part of this organization around the world. Click here to write a quick note

3. Buy handmade items: There are various things you can buy that were created women who have graduated from the women for women vocational skills program. Some examples of items you can purchase are totes, beanies, baby booties, jewelry, cards, etc.

4. Run for Congo Women: For those of you who are athletic, here is your chance to give back while you yourself get in shape! Sunday, Oct. 18th, 2009 you can participate in a 10K run or walk in Tempe for the women in Congo. Click here for more info. Mark your calendars!