Problem

Because the majority of Afghan women are illiterate and unskilled, simple donations do not fully address their needs. That’s why Beyond the 11th specifically funds programs that offer Afghan widows a means for continual income generation. Manufacturing balls and other leather made goods is an excellent income generating opportunity for widows since it allows them to work at home, yet learn a marketable skill and make an income.

The Gift

Your gift will provide an Afghan widow with all the tools she will need to manufacture soccer balls from her home. Ball manufacturing can truly improve the quality of an Afghan widow's life: * Many widows are not allowed to leave home; balls can be sewn at home. * The skills required for making balls are primarily sewing, building on traditional skills previously learned in the home by women. * There is a sustainable demand for soccer and volleyballs in Afghanistan and globally. * Working together with other widows and other women provides an opportunity for social networking. Each woman is paid $1 per soccer ball. It is estimated that each can make 2 soccer balls a day for a total monthly income of approximately $50 – comparable to the average monthly household income ($50). For many widows this is often the only money coming into the household.