The butterfly effect is a metaphor for the concept that small, seemingly insignificant events—like the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings—can produce tremendous and unanticipated consequences.
Something that has brought a lot of joyful meaning to my life recently has been Women for Women International (an organization mentioned in “Half the Sky – Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” by Kristof & Wudunn). There is an overwhelming happiness to be had in supporting another woman’s determination to better her circumstances for herself and her family (despite every circumstance in her way). Sharing through sponsorship means women in war-torn regions receive guided support via financial and emotional aid, job-skills training, rights education and small business assistance so they can rebuild their lives.
This organization was also highlighted for the relatively high percentage of donation reaching end recipients, which was important for me.
Visit the website www.womenforwomen.org
Find “Half the Sky – Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide” at Amazon.
Read Women for Women founder Zainab Salbi’s article about the untapped and under-appreciated capacity of women around the world to cause major and lasting change for good.
www.marieclaire.com/celebrity-lifestyle/travel/butterfly-effect-life-rollercoaster
What Women for Women International does:
“From Victim to Survivor… to Active Citizen
Our Theory of Change:
Women for Women International believes that when women are well, sustain an income, are decision-makers, and have strong social networks and safety-nets, they are in a much stronger position to advocate for their rights. This philosophy and our commitment to local leadership builds change and capacity at the grassroots level.
Participation in our one-year program launches women on a journey from victim to survivor to active citizen. We identify services to support graduates of the program as they continue to strive for greater social, economic and political participation in their communities.
As each woman engages in a multi-phase process of recovery and rehabilitation, she opens a window of opportunity presented by the end of conflict to help improve the rights, freedoms and status of women in her country. As women who go through our program assume leadership positions in their villages, actively participate in the reconstruction of their communities, build civil society, start businesses, train other women and serve as role models, they become active citizens who can help to establish lasting peace and stability.
Program Overarching Goal:
Women-led community change leading to peaceful and stable communities
- Empowered women understand their value to society and are able to demand their right to own property, access quality healthcare, live in a violence free environment and contribute their perspectives to the peace table.
- Providing economic resources to women increases the likelihood of the next generation being healthy and educated (Programs like the innovative Hand in Hand partnership with Kate Spade and the Community Integrated Farming Initiatives (CIFI) provide the resources women need to access formal markets and thrive in the process).
- By providing resources to women, we are helping women transition into a macroeconomic level and achieve ownership of their own labor, inputs and profits.