By , on June 8th, 2012
WIIFM? A question we often ask, even if it is only subconsciously… What’s In It For Me?
- Business wisdom will tell you that you must never enter any relationship without stopping to ask, WIIFM?
- People driven primarily by compassion may choose to never stop and ask WIIFM before stepping out in the next act of compassion!
And, as usual, the real wisdom is somewhere in the middle!
At first glance the empart4women community might look like it’s only the second group of people – women driven by compassion for their unfortunate sisters in India. But take a moment to really ask yourself, “as part of the empart4women community, WIIFM?”
Here’s my take on it…
As a co-founder of Empart I have had the privilege of ‘bringing transformation’ into countless communities in North India. At times it has been hands on in the villages, teaching women about their inherent value, their health, their babies …. cows wandering by our little gathering, kids laughing nearby as they dance in the dust. These are precious moments for me, my favourite times of ‘bringing transformation’.
But mostly ‘bringing transformation’ has been much less tangible, less appealing to my senses and far less interesting! My part has often been doing the mundane administrative tasks, organising volunteers, making dinner for board members, marketing, speaking etc etc.These often dreary and potentially boring tasks are lightened and brightened because I have a purpose in doing them – I know that I am constantly ‘bringing transformation’ to my sisters in North India 
So WIIFM?
- There are opportunities for trips to the villages and communities, sitting with the women in their environment and hearing their stories
- there are opportunities to teach about the God-given value of women, to speak against gender bias in any form
- I have been able to expose my children to realities and wonders they would never experience in normal, western suburbia
- there is the opportunity to look beyond myself, my children, my house, my …. to be bigger and better than “me and my”
- there is the incredible opportunity of having a purpose in life that is so much bigger than myself!
When I look at all we do in and through Empart and empart4women, when I stop and consider, “WIIFM?” I have to tell you that there is NOTHING in the world I would rather be doing! Somehow, in choosing to live a life of “bringing transformation” my WIIFM is answered like this: I have been/am being transformed as a person by choosing to be part of this community!
by Jenni Chacko
We are women who see injustice among our sisters in India and cannot, no, we WILL NOT, sit by and do nothing!
We cry for the neglected girl child, ache for the widow who is cast out as worthless and weep over the countless girl babies killed through gender selective abortion. We are women who reject gender inequality and rage against the evil of dowry deaths.
We listen and learn, we seek truth and justice, we value freedom and respect, we tell their stories, we pray, we fundraise, we choose to act. And miraculously, in so doing, we grow and are transformed ourselves.
By Jenni Chacko, on October 16th, 2010
 Women in Orissa listen intently to a message about their incredible worth - a message that contrasts to the gender bias they experience on a daily basis. I cried as I read Sara’s email. (Have a read here if you missed it.)
Firstly tears of delight that we had more than doubled our impact at the Orissa conference this year. From 80 women attending in 2009 to 214 this year! Obviously the word had spread that this conference was a life-changing event not to miss
Then I cried tears of gratitude: I love the creativity and resourcefulness that comes when we work together as a community of women. Although I had prepared sections of the curriculum on Esther I would never have thought of a Purim party – pure ingenuity! I am SO grateful that the women in India can benefit from a wider, global community of women who love them! Yay girls!
What ideas do you have that could be used to teach value to the women of India? We’d love to hear them in the comments section.
By Jenni Chacko, on October 14th, 2010
 One of Sara's team members shares with the Indian sisters - while wearing her pipe-cleaner crown! Sara and a team of girls just returned to the US from a trip to India! They shared at a “Sister, You are Special” conference – teaching women that they have inherent, God-given value and exist for a special purpose.
Sara reports, “The conference went better than anyone could ever imagine. The regional co-ordinator was expecting around 100 + women, but much to our surprise by 11 o’clock Monday morning we had 214!
Our nurse on the team did a simple general hygiene class on hand washing, teeth brushing, and overall body cleansing. We also broke into groups to do hand massages and simple beauty treatment, since we were doing the book of Esther, and talked about her one year of preparation to be with the king. Other topics included: being women of courage, prayer and fasting, women of influence, and women of encouragement.
We ended the conference with a Purim party, which turned out to be the big hit. As one of their craft activities, the women made crowns for the party (out of pipe-cleaners ). We served some traditional Jewish baked goodies and showed them a traditional Jewish dance. One of the leaders read a simple version of Esther at the Purim party. Everyone yelled “boo” at the mention of Haman, and then “yay!” at the mention of Esther, all part of the traditional Purim party.
The team worked very well together, and I was so blessed to lead such a great bunch of women.
My biggest joy is always to come alongside those amazing Indian women – to let women like Jaisy and Subita know they have sisters who love them and that they are not alone.
I was the one so blessed.”
OK – girls, you can come on a team to India too! Why not get the women together from your church and be a blessing to the sisters in India? Just like Sara, you will come away knowing that you have made a difference, and be so blessed in the process.
We still need women speakers and teams for some of our 2011 conferences. If you’re interested, send me an email right now for more info: jenni.c@empart.org
By Jenni Chacko, on August 16th, 2010
Excited? Slightly!!! I have such a passion for the incredible women of India and have been driven constantly by that passion for the past decade. But all this time I’ve had a feeling that something was missing…
A few years after starting Empart – way back in 1998 – (see www.empart.org) my husband and I both began to realise that unless we train and mobilise the women in India we will never reach the goal of transforming 100,000 communities.
Now, despite being in a nation where women are typically devalued and even mistreated, our Women’s Ministry has become an integral part of Empart’s work. (Yay!!) A growing number of Sisters’ Conferences, Training Centres and other programs are all designed to educate and empower these women to reach their full potential.
But as I was saying, something was still missing…
I began to realise that what was missing wasn’t in India. What was missing was a community of women who share this passion with me! I already know you are out there because I have met so many of you. But we need to somehow connect, to have a ‘gathering point’ where we can share stories, hear more about what is happening among women in India, and get ideas to follow up on. So here it is…
empart4women!
Please take some time to find your way around the site. Make sure you sign up to stay informed. (See the subscribe box above, right.)
I am so excited about the possibilities and I can’t wait to start the journey with you.
Jenni Chacko
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