I have just received the names of the four women we sponsored after our event in April.

Please let me introduce to you Elizabeth, Kashindi, Geogette and Abea from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Elizabeth is 29, Kashinid is 25, Geogette is 42 and Abea is 47.

They each live in a simple hut with no electricity, gets their water from a nearby river or pond and each has lost family members to the ongoing violence or poverty. They are all married and make a living farming the land around them.

I was amazed to read that Elizabeth, at such a young age, has given birth to 11 children of which 5 have died. Its so touching to see that she wants to learn soap making. Kashinidi has 3 small children and she has taken in 2 older children to care for. She would like to learn to be a seamstress. Georgette and Abea both have 7 children. It breaks my heart that each has had to choose which of their children to send to school because they can't afford to send them all.

On a positive note it is very exciting to see their goals and aspirations: Each seems ready to make the most of this opportunity. Geogette's goals are very interesting, she listed out that she wants to learn her rights, develop a support network and become more active in her community - as Oprah would say - you go girl!

Thank you to each of you for being apart of the Friendship Foundation. You have given these 4 women hope but more importantly, you have given them the chance to work towards a better future with dignity and respect. Because of you these women have the opportunity to go from victim to surviver to becoming a thriving member of her community.

Please join me again, on June 3rd, at Trapeze in Burlingame for lunch or dinner. You know the drill - order from the $30 Friendship Foundation menu and $10 will be donated to "Women for Women International" to sponsor a woman in need. This time we hope to change the life of a woman in Sudan.

Thanks

Ruth