It was gratifying to see the plight of the widows in Burundi and how members of Curves in Arlington were able to provide housing for the widow Asenata. But the rest of the story is even more exciting. By the time we were done with our Christmas campaign, most of the club membership had contributed to the purchase of two homes and two individual members had purchased houses all by themselves. This totaled four homes built and two widows supported and all funds went directly to the widows, with nothing withheld for administration costs.
Then guess what? The Arlington Times article prompted more community activity and in all nine homes were built by Arlington residents with connections to the Curves article. Three more houses from the 98223 zip code were built in the weeks after the article but it is unknown if they were related to the article or Curves.
Sister Connection sent us three more widows to find advocates for and we know someone will step forward and assist them. I greatly appreciate the many Curves members who came together to make this happen and I look forward to the many houses that your article could generate in the future.
How cool is it that citizens of Arlington, Wash., built several houses for homeless widows in a land so far away? Can you think of a better place to place an extra $500? The director of Sister Connection sent a thank you note a few days ago as she packed for Burundi to deliver our funds in person. She wrote the following, When you ladies decided to reach around the world and help your fellow women, I wonder if you really understood what kind of difference you make in our lives. The world pays no attention to the widows plight you are worthless, you are bereft and you are fighting basic survival. Then word reaches you that a group of women in another country have chosen to help you. That really blows a widows mind. How can people who have never met you decide that you are worthy of receiving such grand assistance? She continues to say that we have brought her up from the ashes of war, restored her dignity and filled her with hope for the future.
Thank you for bringing this miracle to the readers of The Arlington Times and allowing then to be such a big part of a womens life.
Carol Sluys
Arlington
Thank you, Arlington
It was gratifying to see the plight of the widows in Burundi and how members of Curves in Arlington were able to provide housing for the widow Asenata. But the rest of the story is even more exciting. By the time we were done with our Christmas campaign, most of the club membership had contributed to the purchase of two homes and two individual members had purchased houses all by themselves. This totaled four homes built and two widows supported and all funds went directly to the widows, with nothing withheld for administration costs.
