Frequently asked questions
How can I contact you about sponsorship?
You can email us at sponsorshipuk@womenforwomen.org, call us on Freephone 0800 023 2346 (UK only) or write to us at:
The Sponsorship Team
Women for Women International
32-36 Loman St
London SE1 0EH
United KingdomOur normal office hours are 9:30am-5:30pm, Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays. If you would like to phone us out of office hours, please leave a message.
You can also notify us of a change in your contact details through your online account.
[Close]-
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 they create, our sponsors and the women they support 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 your sister’s sponsor enables her to join in our year-long programme, in a local group of up to 24 other women. Your support will provide the tools and resources she needs to rebuild her life after war. A portion of your donation will provide direct financial assistance to your sister, helping her to meet her family’s basic needs, pay for her children’s schooling and save seed capital to start an income-generating project. 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. You simply cannot imagine the impact that your messages will have on your sister. After experiencing hardship and isolation, receiving a message of support from someone she has never met will inspire her to hope for a better future, and to know she is not alone. Learn more.
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. While many sisters write to their sponsors, it is important to bear in mind that not all of them do. 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.
[Close] -
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 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 have never written or received a letter 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.
[Close] -
You can currently sponsor a woman in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda and South Sudan.
[Close] How long does a sponsorship last?
Sponsorship of each woman lasts one year- the length of the programme that she will participate in, focussing on economic stability, rights awareness and building support networks. However, many Women for Women sponsors have sponsored several women over many years. When your sponsorship of your sister comes to an end, we will match you with a new sister unless you tell us otherwise.
[Close]-
Your gift of sponsorship costs £22 a month, which you may pay monthly, quarterly, bi-annually or annually through your debit or credit card. Please consider making your donation annually, as it means Women for Women pays fewer charges and more of your donation goes towards our programmes.
When you first sign up, there is also a £25 one-off administration fee, which covers the cost of administering your sponsorship
[Close] -
Every penny of your £22 donation goes towards our programmes and your sister’s participation in it. A portion of your donation provides direct financial assistance to your sister so she can provide her family with basic necessities such as food, medicine and school fees. The remaining funds are used to fund her participation in our programme focusing on economic stability, rights awareness and building support networks so that she can continue to support her family after she graduates. The £25 one-off administration fee offsets the cost of our administrative expenses - such as posting letters, translation, and providing updates - so we can send more of your monthly support directly to your sister.
[Close] How do I connect with my sister?
You can connect with your sister by sending messages through your online account. After you log in, you will be able to see your sister’s information and photo, and her information will be automatically filled in for you so that you can start writing your message straightaway. You can even attach photos, write captions, and save draft letters to come back to. Register or login.
For more information about connecting with your sister, click here.
[Close]Why haven't I received a letter from my sister?
In some cases, your sponsored sister may be unable to write, or may choose not to. As you know, the women in our programmes are dealing with multiple hardships that may make it very difficult to write to you. Some are suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Your sister may be unable to write for these or other reasons. But please don’t stop sending messages to her. They show her you care and in time, she may write back.
[Close]I’ve misplaced my sister’s details. How can I get hold of them?
If you have misplaced the details we sent you about your sister at the start of your current sponsorship, you can access these in your online account, where you can also send messages to her.
If you would like to contact us to request your sister’s details, please email sponsorshipuk@womenforwomen.org or call us on Freephone 0800 023 2346 (UK only).
[Close]Why has my donation been taken before I have received details about my sister?
Since we match sponsors with their new sisters and take their donations around the same time each month, sponsors will sometimes have their donation taken before they have received information about their sister. If this has happened to you, be assured that you will receive it by the end of the same month.
If you have still not received details about your sister after this time, please contact us by emailing sponsorshipuk@womenforwomen.org or call us on 0800 023 2346.
Remember that as soon as you are matched with your sister, you can view her photo and information in your online account.
[Close]Can I send extra money or a gift to my sister?
Your sponsorship donations mean so much to your sister and all of the women we serve. In the countries where we work, giving one woman more money or a gift can have a negative impact on efforts to develop the self-sufficiency of the entire community. For this reason, we do not facilitate sending extra funds or gifts to programme participants. We would be delighted if you would like to make one-off donations towards your sister’s country programme, which will facilitate extra services. Donate.
We encourage you to send a message to your sister to show her your support.
Please do not send any gifts for your sister to our offices as they will not be passed on.
[Close]I am having trouble using my online account. What should I do?
If you are having trouble registering, logging in or using your online account account, please email sponsorshipuk@womenforwomen.org or call Freephone 0800 023 2346 (UK only).
[Close]-
Our sponsors are the heart of our organisation and we would be very sorry to lose your support.
If you wish to cancel your sponsorship, we ask that you give us 30 days’ notice. This would allow us enough time to connect your sister with another sponsor so that we can continue to provide uninterrupted support to her.
Please contact us by emailing sponsorshipuk@womenforwomen.org or call us on Freephone 0800 023 2346 (UK only).
Please note that we will continue to charge your debit/credit card until notice is given to end your sponsorship.
[Close] -
There are so many ways you can get involved and support our work besides becoming a sponsor. You can donate, fundraise, volunteer, Run for Congo Women, organise a film screening, start a student society, host a Lunch, Join us on the Bridge, get your company involved, or organise something completely original and your own.
Our supporters have climbed mountains, run marathons, hosted clothes swaps, sold cupcakes and so much more!
For more information, visit our Get Involved page.
[Close] Can you claim Gift Aid on my donations?
Yes, if you are a UK taxpayer, we can claim Gift Aid on your donations, which is currently 25p for every pound you donate. If you did not tell us to claim Gift Aid when you signed up or are no longer a UK taxpayer, please email us at sponsorshipuk@womenforwomen.org or call us on Freephone 0800 0263 2346 (UK only).
[Close]
