WOMENS GLOBAL EMPOWERMENT FUND
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June 4, 2012
During the summer of my sophmore year in high school I met Karen Sugar and was instantly drawn to her non-profit organization. She described that she held fundraisers to provide micro loans for women in Uganda, and that so far the money had transformed the lives of all the women. From that moment on I started volunteering. So far I have been volunteering for three years now and there has been so many unbelievable things this organization has been able to accomplish. Women's Global Empowerment Fund has given women literacy, health, and leadership education, allowed their buisnesses to exponentially grow, have allowed the women to become more confident and independent, and has even supported them to run for political office. It is truly amazing what so little money can do for a communitiy. I even personally met one of the women, Grace Ouma, who won political office in Uganda. She was so appreciative of everything Karen Sugar and Women's Global Empowerment Fund had done for her life. Hearing her stories and her newfound strength that she had gained throughout this experience makes me unconditionally proud to volunteer for this organization. It is an incrediably fulfilling experience that I will forever continue to support.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 27, 2012
Women's Global Empowerment Fund is an absolutely inspirational organization, dedicated to helping the women of Gulu, Uganda pull themselves out of poverty, and place themselves at an equal level in the playing field. After seeing and talking to Grace, a client in Gulu, I have a greater respect and understanding for the powerful changes this organization can make in these women's lives. The organization is not just about micro-loans and finances, Grace continually talks about how the peer counseling program that was set up alongside the education and literacy programs have truly changed her. These programs which go alongside the loans, are what have enabled Grace to become a true leader in her community, allowing her to support four children, go back to school, have three business, and be elected for local governance in Gulu. That is just one success story, and the organization has more than 3000 women just like Grace, who just needed support to help them realize their undeniable potential.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 24, 2012
I had the privilege to travel to Gulu, Uganda in 2011 to work with WGEF. During my 3 weeks of work with current and past clients of WFEG and their staff I saw firsthand how this program is creating substantial change and opportunities for women. The most outstanding results I saw were: families eating more meals, children in school, collective community support, and an increase of female leadership in the community. One aspect of WGEF's program that I personally saw as an empowerment of the women is the literacy program. The effect of this education trickles down to the children and the community. Education, in my opinion, is a very important tool to assist people out of poverty. My hope is to continue to work with and support WGEF for years to come so that more women can join the program and the community in Gulu can continue to prosper by the sheer dedication and heart by the people themselves. I hope others will be in the position to do the same, knowing that the support and work is changing lives as we speak.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 24, 2012
Working with the Women's Global Empowerment Fund was one of the most amazing and inspirational experiences I have had. As an intern, I was able to see first hand the difference WGEF makes in the lives of women in Uganda. The dedication and passion for the women is apparent in every program and every action of the organization. I am proud to say that I have had a chance to make a difference for women by working with this great organization!
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
March 17, 2011
The WGEF has been an amazing organization to work with. I have already learned a lot about empowering women and making significant differences in the lives of women in Uganda. I have enjoyed my work and look forward to more projects and achieving the goals of the organization.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the work that is done is important for women in Uganda.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
help create more awareness for this great organization
May 23, 2012
I began volunteering with Women's Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF) earlier this year. I was immediately welcomed into the organization and feel I have been given meaningful tasks and am a part of the team. I was initially drawn to volunteer with WGEF because their mission of achieving women's empowerment through microfinance was in alignment with my interest in feminist and gender studies. I am inspired by WGEF's commitment to making systemic social and economic change for women in Gulu, Uganda. The voices of participants in the organization are always considered when making decisions about programing. Ugandan women advocated for the issues they saw in their community and WGEF was responsive in creating programs to meet those needs. In particular WGEF has a literacy program, an agriculture program and recently began a drama festival where women use theater as a vehicle to express criticism of the patriarchal status quo. It has been a wonderful experience serving on the resource development committee board and I look forward to my continued involvement with Women's Global Empowerment Fund. -Laura
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 23, 2012
Women's Global Empowerment Fund does amazing work in post-conflict Nothern Uganda, alleviating poverty by giving women access to education and helping fight for agricultural rights. Their dedication to this country is unparalleled, and the women they serve have seen positive changes in their community that will never be undone. Microfinance loans and literacy programs have been tremendously successful in giving these women the tools they need to earn a sustainable income.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
May 15, 2010
Women's Global Empowerment Fund helps empower underserved women of Uganda with microfinance and education. The mission is inspiring and the results are incredible! I am thrilled to have become a part of this organization and to help create positive change for women.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing how women's lives are transformed by education and microfinance.
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How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
March 29, 2011
I have now been volunteering with Women's Global Empowerment Fund for over a year, and in that time have been able to see the impact this organization makes, both for women in Gulu, and here in the States. The bond between the women participating in the program and the people "across the pond" raising funds and awareness is overwhelming. I am so grateful for the opportunity to meet the inspirational men and women involved in WGEF!
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Meeting the women who have been in the program and hearing their stories of how WGEF changed their lives in so many ways; their families are stronger, they are able to help provide for their own well being, their children are able to attend school, and they have a support system they have never experienced before.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Allow for more funding to make a difference for more families in Uganda.
March 29, 2011
As a volunteer for WGEF I have been incredibly impressed by the (direct) positive impacts that microfinance has on the lives of the women in the program. I myself am constantly motivated and inspired by this revolutionary concept and the way that WGEF has personalized and improved upon the experience from client to volunteer. For example, their literacy program and peer counseling program have created new dimensions to improve the lives of their clients beyond just the financial aspect.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the education I received on microfinance and the various impacts it has on communities and individuals.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would not make any changes to this organization!
March 22, 2011
I help to plan events to raise funds for WGEF. Last fall we had the great pleasure to welcome one of our clients and our Program Director for a visit to Denver from Gulu, Uganda. Our client, Grace, spoke eloquently of how she had been able to start five businesses with her loans from WGEF. These businesses now employ other women, and the income allows her to provide three meals a day for her family and to cover the school fees for each of her four children. In addition, her husband now includes her in family decisions, and she even recently won a political office to represent women in her community. She credits the skills she has learned through her involvement with WGEF with her ability to display this kind of leadership. This is just one of the many success stories of WGEF. This organization has done so much with relatively limited resources. The loans and services provided by WGEF truly are transforming lives in a previously war torn area.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
hearing the success stories of the women and families helped by WGEF in Gulu, Uganda.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
figure out a more effective way to share the mission and success with our local community such that a broader audience would feel inspired to invest their time and funds in support of the empowerment of more women in Gulu, Uganda.
March 21, 2011
I work as pro bono legal counsel to WGEF and have been involved, outside of work, with fundraising and spreading the word about this great organization. Having spoken to, and seen correspondence from, women who have been able to improve their lives, not only from the loans they get, but from the mentoring program and literacy program that WGEF runs, I am really proud to be part of the "team".
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Seeing the women who have benefitted from the program succeed!
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
work on grant applications to get additional funding for the organization.