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Gifts That Give Back

“What do you give a person who has everything?”

It’s the ongoing question that seems to burst from the lips of our loved ones, as the anxiety of holiday shopping builds. We find ourselves combing through shelves at shopping centers, laden with trepidation, over the possibility of not finding the perfect gift. Marilyn Smith knew a similar feeling until she decided to participate in Women for Women International’s Gifts that Give Back campaign.

Gifts that Give Back is a symbolic giving program that allows the supporters of Women for Women International, to give a gift to their loved ones, and impact the lives of women survivors of war. The gifts you purchase go toward our global mission and can help support a woman’s ability to gain important skills such as literacy and numeracy training, or access other trainings and resources needed for their day to day lives. Many WfWI supporters find the gifts to be meaningful way to surprise their loved ones and make a difference in the world.

Marilyn, long term supporter and grandmother of three, purchases three gifts or more yearly- one for each of her grandchildren. The anticipation of receiving the gifts has even created a meaningful tradition in her home. On Christmas day, she stretches out a map of the world and lists the countries where Women for Women International works. It is the assignment of the children to locate the countries on the map and to discuss, with her, how their gifts might be used.

“My grandchildren have everything, and this is a way for them to give something special to someone else. They really seem to enjoy it too,” Marilyn says. 

She spoke of how she hopes the act of giving back is something that they will continue throughout their lives and how grateful she is for a program like this.  Marilyn (who is also a sponsor) and many of our supporters are taking advantage of this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of women war survivors and so can you!

Women holding coffee beans smiling
Photo Credit: Ryan Carter Images/Women for Women International

If you are interested in impacting the lives of so many by purchasing a gift, follow these simple steps:

  1. Choose A Gift: By visiting our website, or using the gift catalog, you can select from several symbolic gifts to send your family and friends.
  2. Place Your Order: You can select your gifts and fulfill your entire order online, or you can call our headquarters directly at 1-888-504-3247 and speaking with a member of our Donor Services team. We are happy to process your request.
  3. Choose A Card: Whether you prefer a card sent in the mail, or one sent electronically, we have a few options available for you to personalize a greeting to your recipient over the holidays.
  4. Make an Impact: The gifts you purchase will aid the women with their 12 month courses that include rights awareness and business skills training. They will also be beneficial in helping them to start their new lives with the tools they need for success post-graduation.

Being in the position of not knowing what to get the person who has everything truly isn’t a bad place at all. If you find yourself in that place, consider giving to a woman who is lacking in terms of objects, but is overflowing with the gift of hope. Her hope is that she will gain an education and change her life that was almost shattered by war and conflict. Her hope is that she will be able to make educational and social investments, that, over time, will impact the lives of the women in our program, the lives of her children and the community she lives in.

Give a Gift That Gives Back, and know you could be giving a gift that will affect many generations to come.