FAWCO Update (June/July 2004) -- What Does the AWCH Get Out of FAWCO?

FAWCO is the sum of 73 member clubs in 33 countries. When FAWCO speaks for 17,000 individuals, it tends to be listened to, i.e. when asking Washington to count the members in the U.S. census. In addition, information provided by FAWCO, the chance for sharing funds and scholarships, or using FAWCO’s webhosting offer great benefits for the AWCH. Tips on travel, taxes, projects and political parties can be found in the member sections on both websites. Get inspired and find out that it is easy to become involved beyond daily chores such as family, job and hobbies, and discover new dimensions to your personality.

Mary Rose S from the FAWCO Foundation said: “’Without hope and dreams life is desperate’. When we get involved, we are not requested to complete the work, but we are not allowed to abandon it either.” In her starfish story, she told of an old man watching a young woman by the sea picking stranded starfish up from the sand and throwing them back into the water. He asked her why she does this, pointing out that there are thousands of starfish each night stranded and dying. The few picked up by her would not make any difference. The women then picked up another starfish and threw it into the water and said: to this one it makes all the difference in life!

FAWCO Projects in the AWCH

- Philanthropic Projects:

Amnesty for Women (AfW) empowers migrant women when trafficking, prostitution and/or physical or psychological violence occurs. The AWCH supports AfW with donations (€ 1000 in 2003 from the Thanksgiving raffle), participating in workshops and language support, etc. Also, the AWCH nominated AfW for a 2004 FAWCO development grant.
Books for patients: Thelma F collects international paperbacks for Altona Hospital.
Possible future FAWCO Region 5 project -- Trade Toys for Weapons: FAWCO, the Red Cross and the U.S. military plan to collect toys for Iraqi children to trade in for weapons.
Peace through Knowledge

- Bloom Where You’re Planted and the Bloom Cookbook. Funds from sales go to funding the above projects.

- Voter Registration Drive.

- Equal Rights Amendment.