PEOPLE ASK US…

As an organization that works directly with Afghan women and their families, CW4WAfghan is often contacted by individuals and groups who want to help through the donation of various goods, such as clothing, furniture or school supplies. Canadians are generous people, and it’s encouraging to see how many people are willing to give their own belongings to help support Afghan families. Because raising awareness and facilitating involvement is part of CW4WAfghan’s mandate, it’s important to us to help Canadians in their efforts to become involved.

  It is important that Canadians recognize that the donation of goods isn’t always the most effective way to help others in the developing world. The cost and logistics involved in warehousing, transportation and distribution of material goods is prohibitive. The funds spent on simply storing and shipping items overseas could be better spent on products bought locally in the country of destination. Spending money in the local markets of a country helps support the economy, guarantees cultural appropriateness and is a much faster way of ensuring that families get what they need. Furthermore, when Canadians base their international support on the giving away of material goods, it tends to perpetuate a mindset of “us providing for them” rather than the collaborative framework essential for successful development.

   Aid and development that is truly productive and sustainable is that which builds partnerships between societies, and seeks to utilize the strengths and expertise of each. Developing partnerships with Afghan people, and working in solidarity with them on projects that they have identified as crucial to their well-being is a much more meaningful and long term solution than simply sending material goods.

  So if you or someone you know is thinking about how best to support Afghan people, we encourage you to be creative in that support. For example, funds raised from the sale of used clothing, furniture and household items in Canada can go a long way in supporting a school or a women’s shelter in Afghanistan - much further than the donation of the actual items themselves. Rather than giving used books, why not hold a book sale in your city and donate the proceeds to purchase library materials locally in Afghanistan?

  For more ideas on how you can design a fund-raising project and partner with Afghan women and their families, visit our website at www.cw4wafghan.ca or call (403) 244-5625.

Carolyn Reicher, President