The Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas (FAWCO), Inc. http://www.fawco.org/ is an international network of independent organizations whose mission is to serve as a resource and channel of information among its members, provide a voice for American women abroad and to support the rights of all Americans worldwide and contribute actively to the global community with a specific focus on education, the natural and human environment, multicultural understanding and international goodwill.
The International Women’s Club of Antigua & Barbuda is a member of FAWCO. It has in the past taken part in a number of developement projects run by FAWCO.
In 2012 it took part in an International Water Project to donate wells in Cambodia.
See: Women’s_Club_donates_to_international_water_project___An tigua_Observer_Newspaper
In 2014 / 15 the International Women’s Club of Antigua & Barbuda is supporting the FAWCO Target Project to assist “Free the Girls” with their international campaign “Donate a Bra” http://freethegirls.org/
“Free the Girls” works with former victims of sex trafficking in Africa and Latin America, helping them rebuild their lives through economic empowerment.
“Free the Girls” is a non-profit organization that provides job opportunities for survivors of sex trafficking. By collecting gently-used bras, “Free the Girls” donate them to women as a starting inventory for their own business selling the bras. Women “Free the Girls” work with were sold into prostitution, often as children. Bras provide great income, working in a safe environment with a flexible schedule, is a sustainable model, and has minimal effects on local markets.
Why bras? Bras provide a great income because second-hand clothing is a thriving industry in many countries around the world. Bras are usually sought-after items and some girls in the program are making three-to-five times the minimum wage in their communities selling bras!
The International Women’s Club of Antigua & Barbuda is calling on all women in Antigua, not just its members, to search their closets and see if they can contribute any bras to support these suffering sisters.
See: DONATE A BRA for details.