I decided in January that I was going to make a donation to a different charity each month.  Last month’s donation went to Why Water (linky goodness, if you want to check them out). Ally, the company for whom I work, matches my donations up to a certain amount per year. That means when I make my $20 donation, it turns into $40.

This month’s charity of the month is Amnesty International (again, linky goodness if you want to check them out). I first became involved with Amnesty International when I was part of MoMenTuM and working on a show about the horrific homicides of women and girls in Juarez, Mexico.

Why donate to Amnesty International? They speak out against global human rights violations.

Featured Action
June 3, 2011

Free Liu Xiaobo

Liu Xiaobo, Chinese scholar and 2010 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, is serving an 11-year sentence for “inciting subversion of state power”. Urge Chinese authorities to free Liu Xiaobo immediately.
 
 
February 22, 2012
For peacefully raising a flag at an annual Indonesian ceremony, Filep Karma may spend the next decade or more in prison.
February 21, 2012
Call on the King of Bahrain to protect the rights of Bahrainis to assemble, speak, and protest government policies. Bahrainis who choose to exercise their basic human rights should not face the risk o…
February 17, 2012
Ralph Kasambara, lawyer and prominent critic of the government, was arrested, charged with assault and released on bail. Hours later he was rearrested at his home by armed police.
 
 
 
These are just a few of many, many–too many–human rights violations. You can get involved in any of a number of ways. If your company, like mine, makes matching funds available not only for cash donations, but for hours spent volunteering, your impact is doubled.
 
You can search their website for different causes that speak to you for whatever reason. You can write letters. You can send money. You can attend events. You can volunteer for whatever the needs are.
 
If, like me, you’re fortunate enough to live in a society where your rights are respected, for the most part, it can be easy to forget how many people suffer inhumane treatment and indignities. If you have any spare cash, please consider sending a little to Amnesty International.
 
And if you have any charities that are near and dear to your heart, please leave a comment. I want to spread my limited funds far and wide this year.