About sponsorship
Sponsorship with Women for Women International is a one-to-one connection between our supporters and the women participating in the programmes where we work, as they move from victims to survivors to active citizens engaged in rebuilding their lives and communities. Because of the life-changing connection created through sponsorship, the women in our programmes and their sponsors refer to each other as ‘sisters’.
When you become a sponsor, you and your sister embark on a life-changing journey together.
What your sponsorship does
The act of becoming a sponsor enables your sister to join our one-year programme, in a group of up to 24 other women from her community. Your support will provide the tools and resources your sister needs to rebuild her life after war. A portion of your donation will provide her with direct financial assistance - helping her to meet her family’s basic needs, pay for her children’s schooling and even save seed capital to start an income-generating business. The remaining funds go toward your sister’s participation in our programme, focussing on economic stability, rights awareness and building support networks.
Creating a connection
As a sponsor, you will be able to connect with your sister in a very personal way by sending messages directly to her. If she is able, your sister may also write to you from time to time, to tell you how she is doing and how your support is transforming her life and that of her community.
Being a sponsor
At the start of your sponsorship, you will receive information about your sister and her life as well as her photograph, if we are able to provide one. During the course of your sponsorship you will receive monthly Sponsorship Community Updates by email, which highlight developments in our programmes and feature sponsor stories. You will also receive e-updates about each stage of the programme that your sister is in and what she is learning about.
The sponsorship connection
As a sponsor, you can send messages to your sister to show her your support and to share your own life with her. You can send messages to your sister through your online account, where you can also attach photos. Learn more.
The challenges your sister may face
While many sisters write to their sponsors, it is important to bear in mind that not all of them do. Many of the women we serve are illiterate or may never have written or received a message from someone in their life. For them, the prospect of writing a letter to a stranger from another country can be incredibly daunting. Others may still be experiencing the after-effects of the trauma they and their family have experienced. These are just some of the reasons why your sister may not be able to write to you. But please, don’t stop sending your messages of support to her. We know that for some of the women we serve, they are an emotional lifeline.
Graduation and the chance to change another woman’s life
A few months before your sister is due to graduate from the year-long programme, we will let you know. Then, once she graduates, we will match you with a new sister, unless you tell us otherwise. If you would like to sponsor a woman from a different country, please let us know at this time.
