Project Air, a noble experiment which began in 2007, teaches yoga to HIV-positive rape survivors and their children in Rwanda.

But why yoga?

Critics of yoga generally attack its ethereal quality and the lack of short-term practical results gained from the practice. Deirdre Summerbell, one of my all-time heroes, responds to those criticisms with pragmatic realism. Namely, she believes in applying that medicinal, spiritual aspect of yoga into a real-life trauma situation -- post-genocidal Rwanda.

Participants in the program have voiced a reduction in the stress from their violent attacks. Eventually, Summerbell hopes to expand the program into other war torn regions like the Congo, Gaza and Afghanistan. Project Air has also launched a "$1,000,000 in 100 days" online fundraiser that will continue through February 2010. "Using yoga to help treat trauma and rebuild damaged bodies and lives is a wonderful idea whose time has finally come," said Madonna, who has already donated $250,000, or one-quarter of the $1,000,0000 goal. "And Project Air really does heroic work. In fact, everyone should support it, especially now that it is taking its inspiring work into other troubled regions, like Eastern Congo."

You can donate to Project Air here.