As Internet Coordinator when new things are available on the Northwestern Region Website, I receive notification. Recently I received an email about the Quadrennial Project: Project Independence Women Survivors of War. When I took the time to read through the message, it touched a chord in my heart and I wanted to make sure our club members are aware of the project and how we can participate.

In a nutshell the Project goal is to raise $1.2 million over the next four years. We can be a part of it by purchasing note cards and lapel pins. The note cards are $15/box of 12; the lapel pins are $5.00 each. 100% of the proceeds from our purchases will be forwarded to SIA HQ for this project.

These items may be in short supply till after the Region Conference. With that in mind, it would be prudent to get a commitment for a pre-order from our members and I can turn that in at the Region Conference in April. If you are interested in ordering either the note cards or lapel pins, please let me know what quantity of each: kathpur@insequim.com.

Below is information about the project:

Through Project Independence Women Survivors of War, Soroptimist International and Women for Women International are combining the forces of thousands of individual women to support women survivors of war in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Rwanda. Over the next four years, Project Independence will raise at least $1.2 million to provide nearly 2,000 women with the skills they need to rebuild their lives after war.

There are three parts to the program:

• Through the Sponsorship Program, Project Independence will provide at least 1200 women with direct aid and emotional support.
• Through the Renewing Women’s Life Skills Program (ReneWLS), Project Independence will provide at least 1200 women training in vocational and leadership skills.
• Through the Microcredit Lending Program, Project Independence will provide at least 600 women with loans they can use to start their own businesses and income-generating projects.

How are we going to raise the $1.2 million?? There are two things we can do right now to start raising funds:

1. Purchase a box of beautiful note cards. These cards come 12 to a box and feature women enrolled in the project in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Algeria. They are $15/box.

2. Purchase a lapel pin. The lapel pins are $5.00 each.

100% of the proceeds from your purchases will be forwarded to SIA HQ for this project.

I encourage all of you to join in this important Quadrennial Project.

Kathy Purcell
Internet Coordinator