Women for Women International: Mitzvah Project

A friend recently told me about this organization (which was also featured on the Oprah show), called Women for Women International.  This organization helps the women victims of war in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Rwanda, and Sudan. You will help by providing direct financial aid (as little as $27 a month can make a difference) and emotional support through letter-writing.  I've checked out their financials, and they are rated as an "A" charity by several charity watchdog websites (i.e., they keep their administrative costs to a minimum, and a very high percentage of your money is actually going to help these women in need). Here's a breakdown of where the money goes (taken from their website):

As a sponsor you will be asked to provide a direct monthly contribution of $27 to Women for Women International. A portion of these funds are given to your sister so she can provide her family with basic necessities. The remaining funds are used to provide her with rights awareness training, leadership education and vocational skills training so she can continue to support her family in the future. In all countries in which we operate, $5 of your monthly contribution will pay for the administrative support of the programs.

For example, in Afghanistan women receive $10 a month as cash in hand to support their basic needs; $5 is put into a savings account for the participant for her to use to start an income-generating project or use as collateral for a traditional loan; and $7 is used to buy materials to support her rights awareness, leadership, vocational and technical skills training.

This would be a wonderful mitzvah project for a young boy or girl interested in helping others. When you sponsor a woman, you may send letters of support to your sponsored sister, and you most likely will receive letters back from them (it depends on their life circumstances)--creating a wonderful and caring hands-on connection. Consider fundraising and donating to this worthy cause.

Website: Women For Women International 

"It was only through this program that I realized I could start my own business... My business allows me to pay school fees for my children, to send them to school, the Gahini Shining Star Secondary School"
– Letter from Violette in Rwanda to her sponsor 

The connection to Violette has had such a profound impact on my life... I think about her all the time, in fact on a daily basis..." 
– Violette's sponsor