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ETHICS
Our integrity guarantees your donations are used according to your wishes when you partnered with WOHP, your organization. Our ethics are to the women. Together, we have helped over 1,500 families move from poverty to self-sufficiency.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN INTEGRITY IS NOT RETURNED
Earlier I told you that this is difficult to write. It is a newsletter that no one wants to have to publish. However, you must know what has occurred to WOHP during Betsy's last trip to the United States.
We did not want to publish this until we had all of the facts nor did we want to say anything in anger.
In Betsy's absence, a planned, hostile takeover of our women and their products occurred. We don't say this lightly...detailed research and interviews from staff were painstakingly done.
The most painful fact to us is that this living nightmare was created by an American contractor and his wife, who was entrusted to be the U.S. presence in Betsy's short absence. For Betsy, the hurt she feels from someone attacking her credibility and integrity will leave a scar forever.
WOHP WILL NOT ABANDON THOSE IN NEED
We researched every avenue possible for any legal action we could take. The heartbreaking truth is that each and every person gave us the same news. Because this was done in Afghanistan, there is nothing we can do. The Embroidery Project is the cornerstone of WOHP. Without product to sell, rent can't be paid, gas can't be purchased for our vehicles, it's getting harder to pay staff and oil for heat has to be used sparingly. Many cold winter days and nights, Betsy burned newspaper to keep warm. We have an obligation to pay our women for their product. We will pay them for the items that were stolen from our center. It's the ethical thing to do. The women continue to come to the Center in with hope that we have money for them. Their livelihood was stripped from them by two people who did not have their best interest at heart. We continue to sell the product we have in the U.S. and the money is wired to them immediately. A COMPARISON I had the privilege to attend a lecture by Greg Mortenson this evening. Those of you who have attended my WOHP Presentations, have heard me compare two selfless, individuals who have devoted the last decade of their lives to helping Afghan women and who insist on their education - Betsy and Greg. The world knows Greg. Betsy, on the other hand, has to live and work in Afghanistan "under cover" because she is a woman. Her promise to our women has always been for their safety. This comes at a cost...funding. My admiration for both are identical. Each discovered the key to success in Afghanistan. It is working from the ground up and listening to what the Afghans want, not what we think they want. However, Betsy's work is much more difficult, at the beginning. It is so much easier for a foreign man to talk to a village leader. It takes more courage, fortitude, and sheer determination for a woman to do it and do it right! HELP US TO CONTINUE THE MISSION
Women of Hope Project has been proud to be self-sufficient. Now that we lost our venue to take our items to Camp Eggers, we can't meet the demands placed on us. Betsy will vacate the Center at the end of the week. It's gut wrenching knowing that she can't sleep in her own bed...her place of refuge and comfort for the past nine years. Many of you have been our partners for years. Many more, just learning about WOHP, and new partners, believe in the work WOHP is doing. It is only right that we ask you to stay. We offer no guarantees, but we are not leaving. Our self-help groups are growing and the success stories are abundant. Women coming together, not only strengthening their families, and their own communities, but women who now contribute beyond their immediate surroundings - at the government level. GIVING BACK and PAYING IT FORWARD In past newsletters, success stories of our women have been featured. I want to leave you with probably the most touching story of not only success, but also one of gratitude for the woman who helped her achieve her success! Afshan (name has been changed for her protection) is one of our stars. WOHP provided her with the skills to succeed and now she shares those skills with the disabled and teaches them embroidery so they too, can have a better life. And, she gives them dignity. Afshan is also head of an organization she founded. Betsy will no longer have an office when we vacate the Center. Lack of a place to work from would almost guarantee that Betsy would have to leave. Afshan approached Betsy and offered her an office in her home! There is no better "Thank You" or display of gratitude! | 
