Happy Love Day & Women for Women
Sun, February 14, 2010 at 09:39PM 
Sometime ago I posted about Women for Women organization and after that I participated to become a sponsor. Soon after, I was matched by a woman from Afghanistan who is a mother of 2 children and five years younger than me. In Women for Women terminology, the sponsor and the sponsored are called sisters.
What so unique about the program is that you can actually have a personal relationship with your matched sister. It is not only about donating, but you are encouraged to send letters to your sister back and forth. With your donation, your sister is going to be put in the program and be given basic education and skill so that she can rebuild her life after the war.
Three days ago I received a letter from Women for Women and am notified that the sister has just been graduated from the program. In the same letter, I am now matched with a woman from DRC Congo, a mother of 6 children. Is also said that they are going to send me a letter very soon and will show the interview of my Afghan sister how she is now after she graduated. :)
Reading the letter, I really feel so blessed that I can be part of the program. Who would have thought that the sponsor who should be the one who helps is actually also the one that -in a way, or many ways- is helped. One example is that after participating with the program, I have noticed that I have grown more interest in my day job too as this experience has given more meaning in what I do for living. It is also unbelievably touching experience whenever I receive a letter from my sister, knowing that somebody out there is connected to me and is able to open up about her despite the trauma that she had been through in war. Moreover, I have developed more interest in where she is,- in this case, Afghanistan- its culture, its issues, its problems, etc. I could not avoid buying some books about Afghanistan, and follow all news about the country. So in the end I have more knowledge and have learned about something new just because of my relationship with the sister.
To become a sponsor, what we need to give away is only $27 per month. We might not feel it too much if we lose $27, but it can mean so much for somebody in other parts of the world. So if you have a spare $27 in your monthly budget, maybe you would like to consider to be part of the program and make a difference in somebody's life.
Happy Valentine's Day. Let's share the love.. :)
Giving, Women for Women in Giving, World Issues 
Reader Comments (7)
I love what you are pointing out here; that when we do something, when we contribute we receive.
It is interesting for me to observe that what you gain is unexpected, like being more interested in your own work. It blows me away too what comes back when all I thought I was doing was contributing without expecting something.
Your example shows that there is a whole different economy of exchange possible, where contributing and collaborating returns much more than what we give in the first instance.
I remember when I first arrived in New Zealand as an immigrant, I did lots of volunteer work and the returns I received were many fold. I learned how life worked in NZ, what the people thought and where to go for help in this strange new country.
Thanks for sharing how your contribution has reaped such rich rewards for you.
Love Wilma
Thanks so much for your message.
The contribution I have made is very very small compared to -let's say- you and other more people who are willing to give all their time to give to others. Even though it is small, I have come to a small realization that what I get from my job enables me to make contribution and make a difference in others' life, no matter how small it is. And that makes a whole new perspective of my day job and the earning that has come with it.
I have passed by your blog. It is very inspiring, I will hang around there often. Thank you for passing by here. :)
Love,
Nadia.
Contributions can never be small, you never ever know the ripples they cause. It is the love that you give with that is important, that makes the difference, that is your real gift.
Love Wilma
btw, what's the CMS of this blog? is it wordpress or else?
Hii Quinie.. thank you for visiting. :)
Just intent to spread the word, not yet done anything significant.
I'm using Squarespace. Do you like it?
i really love ur blog, really inspiring and nice appearance also
Enjoy reading here
wondering someday i could write and contribute for someone out there as well =)
Keep writing and sharing Then, God bless you =D
Hi Ochaa, thanks so much for reading and passing by here.. :)