The Greatest Silence – Premieres on HBO April 8th, 2008 at 10pm

Today in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), people are still struggling after one of the deadliest wars in all history. Millions died and new conflicts threaten peace every day. Perhaps worse than the loss of life is the staggering numbers of human rights violations. A countless number of women as old as 80 and girls as young as 5 have been raped and tortured.

 

Emmy Award winning producer/director Lisa F. Jackson spent 2006 in the war zones of eastern DRC documenting the tragic plight of women and girls in that country’s intractable conflict. She gave the women she interviewed the chance to break The Greatest Silence and share with the world their stories of courage and resiliency. Jackson was herself gang raped in 1976 and shared her experience with the survivors she interviewed. The film is a journey into a literal heart of darkness, a search for survivors who pay witness to their own experiences, and break the silence.

Host a watch party and join a conference call to learn more. For more information visit the Enough Project at http://www.enoughproject.org/greatestsilence.

We encourage you to watch with your friends and family to learn more about what is happening to women in Congo. Please watch Tuesday, April 8^th, 2008 on HBO at 10pm.

 

Taste of Humanity

Women for Women International Sponsors Barbara Smith and Dara Chantarit have organized local supporters, businesses and restaurants to create the “Taste for Humanity”, and a festive food, wine & beverage tasting experience with live music, silent auction & raffle opportunities benefiting Women for Women International. If you are in the Southern California area, please contact w4wfund@gmail.com for tickets and information!

It will be a very exciting and enjoyable evening!

Sponsor raises awareness and funds for Congo!

Adella Campbell- Eltantawy mobilized her community and was able to raise $1,000 to support Women for Women International’s program in the Congo. She was then featured in her local Nurses Association’s newsletter!

Alert your workplace or community newsletter about your efforts to support women survivors of war and spread the word even further!

Angie’s Restaurant

Walk into to Angie’s Restaurant in Logan, Utah, and you see what you would expect to see in any small town restaurant: good food and good people. What makes Angie’s Restaurant remarkable is how that combination came together to help women survivors of war a world away in Afghanistan.

For Angie’s Restaurant owner, Saboor Fahely, Afghanistan is not a far-off world. For Saboor, Afghanistan is home. He moved to Logan 30 years ago as a college student to attend Utah State University. To support himself, he worked at Angie’s as a dishwasher and slowly moved up to positions as a cook and in management. Eventually, he bought the restaurant. Along the way he married and raised a family in the safe college town, thousands of miles away from the violence and intolerant rule of his homeland.

To express how thankful he is for his adopted home, Saboor opens the doors of Angie’s every year to provide free Thanksgiving dinners with all of the trimmings. The event draws about 1,000 people from all walks of life—families with children, senior citizens, single people with nowhere to go. But this isn’t just a community feast. It’s dinner with a purpose.

For 20 years, Angie’s Thanksgiving diners have not only enjoyed a traditional meal with their community, they have raised money each year for a featured charity by dropping a donation in the fishbowl placed on the counter. This year, Saboor chose Women for Women International as the featured charity.

Although Saboor lives a comfortable life in Utah, he hasn’t forgotten what the women of Afghanistan are living through. He chose Women for Women International because he wanted to give the women tools to start their own businesses and the opportunity to obtain emotional support and counseling.

“I still have family members living in Afghanistan and am keenly aware of the problems the people face there… I’ve lived here for 30 years. I’ll probably die here,” he said. “But a part of my heart and a part of my soul is still there. You can’t divorce yourself from where you’re born and raised.”

The money raised from the dinner will enable the enrollment of a number of women in Women for Women International’s program as well as support the microcredit program in Afghanistan. The event also raised awareness in the Logan, Utah, community about the plight of women in Afghanistan.

 

Flashbags

Flashbags offers handmade handbags and accessories that make perfect and unique gifts for every occasion! These beautiful photo tote bags are designed and produced in Burlington, Vermont and are made using color photo copies and recycled newsprint.

You can choose an image by Women for Women International and open the perfect opportunity to discuss our organization and mission with others. When you purchase a handmade handbag with a Women for Women International image, Flashbags will donate 10% to help protect women’s rights and restore their voice through Women for Women International’s program. Carry this Flashbag and help “Carry a Conversation,” that will get others involved and support more women survivors of war!

Click here to order one today!

Gathering of Remarkable Women

On March 8th, 2008 in the beautiful Sierra foothills with flowering trees and budding flowers, many women’s lives were transformed by the healing circle that was created in honor of International Women’s Day.

Suzanne Grace Rolle, a Women for Women International sponsor from Auburn, California hosted the event, “Gathering of Remarkable Women”.

About thirty women from all ages gathered in a circle and opened their hearts, shared stories, drummed, sang, cried and laughed together. After watching the video created by Women for Women International, they were moved to meditate on personal and global peace. They also symbolically put women’s names from all over the world into their circle.

Many of the women that attended decided to take action and sponsor women through Women for Women International – to change the lives of women survivors of war!

Thank you Suzanne and everyone that attended!

Weavers of Nations

Mary Anne Titus, a Women for Women International sponsor from Westerville, OH held an art exhibit to raise awareness of women survivors of war. The night was spectacular full of people enjoying the beautiful art pieces, many inspired by the women we serve. Mary was able to hand out brochures and encourage people to support our program and get involved. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of these pieces will benefit Women for Women International.

Thanks Mary!

Run for Congo Women – Frederick 2008

This year’s Run for Congo Women in Frederick, MD was a tremendous success. Thank you so much to everyone who participated – despite the rain! Special thanks to Geni Donnelly and her team for organizing such tremendous turnout and a lovely event. The Run for Congo Women sends a message to the women in Congo – Congolese lives matter. The lives of Congolese women are significant. The lives of Congolese children are precious. To support a women in Congo today – visit www.womenforwomen.org.