Good to hear your comments people. Keep em coming. After all this is how we will get an estimate of whether this idea of a talent hunt is going to work. As far as the prize amount is concerned, yes it would be nice to raise it but that depends on the level of participation and sponsors.
abc n xyz Thank you for sharing your opinion regarding this issue. Although we do not agree, I encourage and look further to exchanging ideas regarding this project. In defense to your latest statement: The idea behind the entire project is to promote and encourage women independence - not to buy it for $500. I apologise if you got that idea from my posts, I should have made myself clearer. As far as your news of  women going ahead of men is concerned, I am disturbed to learn your perception of reality. For crying out loud millions of women get abused on a daily basis - physically, emotionally, socially and culturally - particularly in 3rd world countries. Although the playing field has gotton better for women in much of the developed world, it is by no means level. To ignore a problem does not illiminate it, however, by recognising it and by taking minute steps towards a solution atleast leads us in the right direction - may it be in 5 dollar increments.
We also do not want to get ahead of ourselves. Realistically speaking maybe this project is only going to help someone pay a fraction of his/her tuition and do nothing more. Worst case scenario: we will have fun learning about each other and how is that ever a bad thing?