Message from Marsha 

Dear Friends, 

2012 has been a tumultuous, challenging and very successful year. I measure success in many ways: in the energy and enthusiasm I feel from our members in chapters all across the country when I travel to various regions, in the growth we've seen in new chapters, in program revenue, and most importantly, in the reports we get from our featured programs. It's thrilling to receive program follow-up reports and learn how our funding has impacted lives.

For example:  

• Barbara Shaw, founder and president of Maasai Girls Education Fund, reports that during a recent Chiefs and Elders workshop, the facilitator explained the health issues and complications FGM causes. One man stated "How could I know these things.  I don't have babies!"  With this new knowledge, the men adamantly expressed support for ending FGM in the Maasai community, seeing that its negative impact outweighs any cultural imperative.
   
• In Ethiopia, DFW has provided 67 out of the projected 124 life-changing fistula repair surgeries at the Fistula Hospital in Addis Ababa.
   
• Lotus Outreach, in Cambodia, where the DFW grant provided trauma counseling and reintegration assistance to victims of human trafficking, rape and domestic violence, the program reports the conviction of 14 child rapists in 2011. The ages of the victims range from 4 to 15 years old. Additionally, during the reporting period (Jan-Dec 2011), the counselors provided 127 victims with 259 hours individual therapy; 57 clients with 28 hours of small group therapy; and 96 clients with 67 hours of large group therapy sessions, just to name a few of the successes the program has seen as a result of our support.  

As we move into our second decade, I am grateful for the passion embodied so clearly in you, our DFW members - evidenced by your contributions to the 13th Month Campaign. With all of us pitching in, we have reached our goal of $80,000. So far, 14.36% of you have raised $80,450! Your support of the 13th Month Campaign is what makes reports like the ones above possible. It isn't too late to give to the 13th Month campaign and together, we will continue changing the world one dinner at a time.

Warmly,

Marsha Wallace
President & Co-Founder

  

Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!

To those of you who have participated, asked your friends to participate, encouraged your family to participate, and engaged so many others in the 13th Month Campaign...thank you. If you haven't made your gift, please act now and help us reach 100% participation. 

Since the campaign kicked-off on October 1st, we have raised $80,450 from 1149 donors. This is the most raised and highest participation level in Dining for Women history! We have reached our $80,000 goal and hope to increase participation even more with your help by December 31st.

Many people have asked just what the purpose of the 13th Month Campaign is. It provides the financial resources that allow Dining for Women to sustain the operations that are critical to achieving our mission. Are we good stewards of your gifts? You bet! Here are examples of what you are making possible with your 13th Month Campaign participation.

• Salaries for 3 full time and 2 part time staff members (now supporting more than 9,500 members in 400+ chapters), office space and equipment
• $11,000 in permits to solicit donations for our sponsored programs
• $10,000 per year to maintain our website (this provides chapter resources, organization information, educational materials and more for our members and others who are interested in Dining for Women)

2012 Year End Contributions

To receive a tax receipt for 2012 contributions to Dining for Women, credit card transactions must be completed on or before 12/31/12.  Mailed contributions must be postmarked on or before 12/31/12.  If you intend to make a gift of stock, please contact our office or e-mail donations@diningforwomen.org at your earliest opportunity.

Thank you for your many gifts supporting Dining for Women's 2012 programs.

Featured Programs:  

January 2013 - Heshima Kenya

Mission: Identifying and protecting separated and orphaned refugee children and youth living in Nairobi, Kenya.

Program Summary: The Girl's Empowerment Project (GEP) is Heshima Kenya's informal education program designed for young refugee women and girls,... read more.

February 2013 - Midwives for Haiti

Mission: It is the mission of Midwives for Haiti to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality in Haiti by training Haitian women in the skills needed to save lives.

Program Summary: Haiti has the highest mortality rate in the Western Hemisphere, largely due to a lack of sufficiently trained midwives or skilled birth attendants... read more.

March 2013 - Nepal Teacher Training Innovations
 

Mission: Nepal teacher Training Innovation's (NTTI) main mission is to improve the quality of teachingin Nepal by encouraging creativity and critical thinking in Napali classrooms. In addition to teacher training, NTTI is also offering empowerment workshops for girls. 

Program Summary: Dining for Women is supporting an NTTI project called "Her Turn - Girls Education and Empowerment Project". The project objective is to help Nepali girls from Sindhupalchok District become educated, empowered, and equal... read more.

"We are touched by the powerful connection Dining for Women members across the nation have made both with the Healthy Babies program itself, and with the women and infants whose health and futures are being transformed by the life-saving work we are accomplishing together" - Linda Pfeiffer, INMED - Peru