Get Involved

Women-to-Women Giving

SWAN provides simple ways for women, (wives, mothers, aunts, sisters, etc) to "get connected" with the women SWAN serves and expand SWAN's ability to assist the world's poor.

It starts with you hosting a "SWAN Party". 

SWAN provides a packet that guides you through the steps to a successful party.  You begin by inviting your friends to your home for a social evening where global poverty issues are addressed, and solutions presented.  Your friends learn that it is easy and very rewarding to participate in changing the lives of women and children in developing countries.  They are invited to participate in simple projects that provide funds for SWAN's projects.  

Request Packet Here

Examples include:

Forming a "Microcredit a Month" Group.  You put together a group of friends and set up a monthly donation to SWAN that totals one micro-loan ($300).  This could be 10 women donating $30, or 30 women donating $10 monthly.  You then receive a report on each woman you sponsor, including a photo, a description of her business that you have helped set up, and information about her family. By the end of a year, you will feel closely knit to a dozen women overseas who are so very grateful for the way you have given them the means to provide for their family.  Such a simple way to make a difference.  Request Information.

Mailing a "SWAN Card" to all your friends and family.  SWAN provides a disk with both a printable and e-mail-able card that you can personalize and send to all of your friends and family, inviting them to help make a difference in the lives of women and children in dire poverty.  Request Information.

Ordering Lucy Shook's Letters from Afghanistan for your book club.  Included with an order of 10 books or more, SWAN provides the DVD "Letters from Afghanistan" that combines excerpts from Lucy Shook's letters with actual home movie footage and slides from her five-year stay in Afghanistan over 40 years ago.  100% of proceeds of book sales go to assisting poor women.  Order Book

Taking Make CHANGE to your local school.  "Make CHANGE” (Children Helping Ailing Nations Grow) is a 20 minute multimedia presentation that features a Senior in high school involving his kindergarten brother in producing his Senior Project.  This Senior Project investigates the obstacles that keep children in developing countries from getting an education.  Make CHANGE discovers ways that these obstacles can be overcome.  The interaction between brothers is entertaining, and the message is thought prevoking. 

Make CHANGE is ideal for public schools where, after viewing the program, students are invited to make a change in the lives of poor children by gathering up loose change.  They learn that a little in our society goes a long way to help youth in emerging countries.  It is a simple way for children and youth to participate in service, and the impact on the lives of youth in need is profound. 

The schools that participate in Make CHANGE will receive feedback from the projects that have been assisted, including pictures and letters from school children that have been able to attend school as a direct result of the “Make CHANGE” program.

Request Information.