I posted this in the Mothers Day thread, then decided to make a new thread in hopes that more people will see it.
In recent years, in lieu of more traditional Mother's Day gifts for my two mothers (biological and step-), I've taken to donating to women's aid programs, especially widows' programs in Afghanistan, Afghan widows being among the most vulnerable populations in the world. In hopes that I can get someone else to do something like this, the links below are for a few very good NGOs working with women in Afghanistan. I'm listing specifically local organizations. The list is far from exhaustive, but just a few of the orgs that I know personally and in whose principles and programming I have faith. There are many others that don't have the capacity yet to receive donations via the net (such as AWEC, Afghan Aid for Women and Children, and others.)
http://www.afghanwomensnetwork.org/index.php?q=node/229
http://www.w4wafghan.ca/
http://www.afghanistanwomencouncil.org/how_can_i_help.html#donate
There are also loads of other INGOs and LNGOs that have women's programs among other programs - like CARE, Oxfam etc. The three above are specifically dedicated to women's assistance.
I hope someone will take a look and think about donating: I do it in my mothers' names and send them the thank you card. If anyone wants more info about widows' issues in Afghanistan, the links above have their own links to some the better info available on the web. Also feel free to contact me if you would like more than you find on their sites. Or add other good orgs that you would like people to look at.
Cheers.