Sisters from another mister

I first became a sponsor with Women for Women International in April 2010 immediately after interviewing the founder, Zainab Salbi. My monthly donations were supporting an Iraqi woman named Hasna. I wrote to her immediately to let her know how happy I was to be connected to her, and continued to write throughout her sponsorship year despite never receiving a response. 

A couple days ago, this came for me in the mail:

Dear Sister, 

Am the participant Hasna Edan Abdullah, Group 12Y. Unmarried, I joined the programme I was not that culturated woman, I did not know my rights as a woman or the value of the women's work or how to save money or documenting records and sewing but now I know everything from the previous things. Now I have an idea to open a small project to be an independant woman and this will be by saving. I'd love to thank Women for Women International and the trainer and all the people who made this programme work and a success.  

Wish you all the best.
Thanks.

Hasna's letter left me feeling overwhelmed with satisfaction knowing that my contribution had truly impacted another woman's life - a feeling of gratitude for the opportunity to actually contribute in a meaningful way. 

It's hard for me to imagine living in a society where I questioned my rights or the value of my work. The fact that Hasna now feels empowered to work and take control of her life makes every feminist bone in my body dance with joy. 

As Hasna graduated from the program, my sponsorship rolled over to a Sudanese woman named Azema. Before I had a chance to write to her, still reveling in the news from Hasna, I received this letter from Azema:

Respcted Madam Gina Valo! 

My name is Azema Dulan, and I'm 19 years old. I live in the city Zenica. I live with my parents and a brother. I joined in the organization "Women for Women International" as many other women, because I think this program will help me. I want to thank you for your decision to help me during my participation in the program. That means to me a lot. It's nice to know that there's someone in the world who can understand our problems, and our wish to have a good life like other women in the world. I would be very happy if you could write me, I would like to know who you have in a family, what you do, and what inspired you to do such a human gesture - to help women. 

Nice regards from your friend!

Humbling, to say the very least. Reading this, I can't help but wonder why I have been afforded "a good life" as Azema so hauntingly refers to it. Basic needs aside, why do I have the freedom to explore and create while she and so many others never get the chance to experience the joy of self expression through work or art?

I don't know why these letters came to me in such quick succession or at this particular time when I've been questioning the impact I'm making with my life, but the message was received loud and clear. I can't pretend to understand the problems faced by Azema and the women in her community, but I have the power to affect change in a very real and tangible way.  

So do you.