Thank you so very much for sharing Esther's video with me. I was brought to tears to see that she had the maps that I sent to her. I will make sure I write and send maps to other women I sponsor.

We are so blessed in this country. I forget sometimes that I can actually make a difference in the world of another woman so far away.

I forwarded the video link to my best friend, Pam. When Pam, two other friends, and I met for lunch today, Pam had tears in her eyes as she told the other two women about the video. Pam was so touched and proud of me for helping Esther. The other women asked to have the video sent to them and asked for the name of the organization.

I was again reminded of the amazing and beautiful power that conscientious and caring women have to touch the hearts and lives of one another, to help one another, to support one another, to make big changes in little ways. I am humbled. And, alternatively, I feel proud to be part of something so wonderful.

I became aware of Women for Women International after viewing the HBO documentary "The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo". I sat in stunned disbelief that such atrocities were being committed and had been for so long and yet, where was the global outrage? I watched, tears streaming down my face as I saw and heard testimonies from women and young girls who had been brutally violated, again and again, yet somehow managed to survive and rebuild their lives, both physically through the incredible work done at Panzi Hospital and emotionally, through their inner strength - the likes of which I never imagined possible, and through Women for Women International.

As the end credits rolled I couldn't move. All I could think was, I HAVE to do something. I will not be an innocent, uninvolved bystander.

I went to the Women for Women International website and found that for $324 a year I could literally help change someone's life. I am far from rich, but I have spent that much on dinners in New York City, restocking my wine rack and many other innocuous frivolities.

So far I have had two sisters in the Congo, one in Afghanistan, and one in Nigeria.

I participated in the NYC Run for the Congo last year and was overwhelmed with the generosity of my friends and co-workers who sponsored me.

The courage and strength of the women I have seen and the stories I have heard inspired me to return to school to finally complete my Bachelor's Degree, which I had abandoned 20+ years ago. I have been attending Fordham College of Liberal Studies in NYC at night, while working full time during the day, and so far have maintained a 4.0 GPA. My dedication and focus is a direct result of the resilience and beauty I've seen in the women who have overcome so much difficulty, pain, loss and abuse and refuse to give in.

I plan to major in International Studies, with a focus on the issues of women and children in the Congo and the Middle East. Once I have earned my Bachelor's degree I will continue on to pursue a Master's Degree in either Social Work, Psychology or perhaps I'll go to law school and focus on International Human Rights.

Joining Women for Women International has enriched my life in so many ways. The stories I have heard have inspired me to become a citizen of the world, not just the self-involved microcosm I had lived in for years. The women of the Congo have given me the strength to face my fears and insecurities and strive to better myself. My courage is drawn from theirs and my future is finally clear. I will complete my education and use that knowledge and power to speak for those who have been silenced, fight for those who have been brutalized and stand with the amazing women I am honored to call my sisters all over the world.

I remember exactly what got me started in sponsoring. It was the "Oprah" show where Zainab showed a video of women in the Congo who had been brutally raped. One woman in particular had an expression that showed her hopelessness, a vacancy in her eyes. I started crying and could not stop. I sat down and wrote a song about what I felt and signed up to sponsor immediately. That was the first time I had heard of "Women for Women, Intl."

This was in January 2005. Every time I read a letter or information about a new sister, I am touched by their stories, their courage and strength. I have been unable to work for 10 years now and it has been a real struggle for me, but I must say that when I think of how hard these women are trying, I find inspiration in their example. We are all the same. We all just want to live in peace, raise families, work at our jobs, feel safe.

I had initially dreamt of recording this song and selling it to benefit WFW, or getting a well-known artist to do it, but I'm afraid my funds and energies are limited these days. I won't give up on the idea, though. WFW has showed me that one person can make a difference.

Thank you to everyone at WFW for helping our sisters around the world, and giving me a way to be involved.