Author Archives: wifeducationorg

Be Your Best

By: Hannah Franz

“I don’t believe you have to be better than everyone else.  I believe you have to be better than you ever thought you could be.”

– Ken Venturi

Having your cause is the first step, but how do you get other people to feel as strongly as you do – or even listen to what you have to say?  You can have a solid foundation for your cause, but you have to have the right people that know they can make a difference backing the cause as well.

When the issue, that would later become W.I.F.E.’s cause, was first ignited in our founder’s spirit, it started many deep and lengthy conversations that would lead to the organization’s construction.  From those conversations, one person became two, and then the two grew into five unstoppable women.  The Women’s International Fund for Education’s board of directors each come from extremely different backgrounds; however, each have a very important characteristic in common: a belief and the confidence that they can and will make a difference.

W.I.F.E. knows that education is the solution to each problem women and men face in developing and developed countries.  We are lucky enough to have FIVE extremely motivated, assured women on board to share the stories, knowledge, and enthusiasm needed to spread what we know and bring it into the public eye.

There are many other groups and organizations accomplishing similar things.  Each of us want to empower women and make sure the world is an equal playing field for all of its inhabitants.  We aren’t competing though, because when you are trying to help others there is no winner.  There is only a motivation to keep at what you believe in when you see the successes your efforts have brought about and how you have inspired others to do something similar.

Experience

By: Hannah Franz

“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes.”

– Oscar Wilde 

Do you know how to fill out the paperwork it takes to become certified as an official 501(c)-3?  Do you know what documents you need to make or what they should look like?  Do you know anyone else who shares your passion?  Have you ever held a fundraiser or been successful at convincing strangers to donate to your cause? Have you ever written a blog post or even been on a blog?

These are all things that take time and experience.  They also come with a lot of mistakes, resubmissions, edits, advocating, and following up time and time again.  It is all hard work.  You may get frustrated and impatient.  After each first step, the subsequent one gets a tad easier, and before you know it, what took you weeks now only takes a day or two.  After a few awkward conversations you will develop the ability to talk to people you do not know and slowly build a strong network.

None of W.I.F.E.’s board members have taken classes on how to start a nonprofit, nor did we have prior fundraising, or marketing experience.  We come from finance, environment, education, and psychology backgrounds and all have full time jobs in these fields.  We had to start at home plate and are slowly making our way to second.  Communication, perseverance, research, and our passion keep us going.  The path is not straight, it had bumps, pot holes, and fallen trees all over the place.  We continue to walk the path though and take on each obstacle to gain deeper insight and knowledge.

Much of what we are doing is still trial and error and some things we just could not/cannot do ourselves.  That being the case, we have reached out to many talented people and have received unsurmountable support.

Never hesitate to ask for assistance.

People WANT to help!

People are good and want to do good.  Many are extremely talented and have made mistakes, of which you can take advantage of the knowledge they have gained.  What you are trying to do has been done in some form and there is no reason for you to blaze that trail alone.  Reinventing the wheel takes a lot of wasted effort so reach out to the people who have their own models and adapt them to your needs.

The Women’s International Fund for Education constantly seeks advice from others and have been lucky enough to obtain a lot of quality services as well.  We are forever grateful for what others have done to help us to reach our ultimate goal of helping make the world a more educated and equal place.

 

2013 Scholarships Awarded!

We are pleased to announce that we have chosen two wonderful applicants for the 2013 year!  Tena, our recipient from 2012, will continue to receive funding from WIFE.  Our newest applicant, Anna, will start with us this year.  She lives in Tanzania and is looking forward to going to school to become a teacher.  We are so grateful to have been able to send 2 women to school this year, which was our goal for 2013!  Thank you everyone so much for your support and for making this possible!

*Photo Sent By Applicant: Tena

*Photo Sent By Applicant: Tena

WIFE’s First Scholarship Award Recipient

Meet Tena, the first recipient of a scholarship from The Women’s International Fund for Education.  She lives in Tanzania and despite a very challenging life faced with many struggles, Tena has fought to achieve, make a difference and end the cycle of abuse.  She is working hard to become a teacher and a lawyer to stop other injustices to women.  Thank you all so much for helping to make this happen!  Look out for more amazing women like Tena soon!