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Poverty Alleviation Projects
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2008 Projects
January 2008
$5,500 was given to SAACID, based in Australia, to implement their soup
kitchens in Somalia ($3,800 came from regular member dues and one member, so
moved by the project, added another $1,700 gift to the total!). SAACID
currently operates soup kitchens at ten sites within Mogadishu, the capital.
As of the end of January 2008, SAACID has served well over two million hot
meals to the starving people of the city. Our grant will fund approximately
24,000 meals. A key feature of the SAACID soup kitchens is that they are
open to any and all who need a lifesaving meal-without favor to gender, age,
or clan affiliation. This generosity of spirit has led to immense support
from all sectors of the public and resulted in no conflict at any of the
sites. The kitchens provide one cooked meal per day to those wanting it. The
meal consists of maize; a soup including lemon, garlic, Somali spices,
tomato, onion, and salt; and a banana. Our funds will contribute to the
overall cost of the project, which includes the salaries for the soup
kitchen workers (displaced people actually in the camps); supplemental items
like firewood, water, and transportation costs; and of course, the food
itself. Read more.
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February 2008
$3,800 was given to Children's Cup to implement four camps for AIDS orphans
and other vulnerable children in Swaziland. The Kingdom of Swaziland's
official report on HIV/AIDS estimates the number of its AIDS orphans to
have been about 32,000 in 2001, 70,000 today, with a likely increase to
more than 120,000 by 2010. AIDS orphans are marginalized without access to
food, shelter, and many other social services. Our grant will enable four
children's camps, each running two or three days, over the next six
months. Between 1,200 and 1,500 kids will be served by the camps. Our
grant will fund rental of the venue, transportation, take-home hygiene
kits, food, and supplies for crafts, sports, and other recreational
activities. Camp activities include group games, contests, singing,
skills instruction, health and AIDS awareness lessons, sports, and
appearances by local personalities. The camps also provide a training
opportunity for kids with leadership abilities so they can go to other
areas and schools to encourage other children to have hope and excel in
life. Read more.
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March 2008
$3,700 was given to the Maun Homeopathy Project to administer homeopathic remedies to people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS estimates that between 260,000 and 350,000 people in Botswana live with HIV, including an estimated 14,000 children under 14. Approximately 120,000 children there have been orphaned by AIDS. The Maun Homeopathy Project uses homeopathic treatments to relieve the ill-effects of trauma, shock, and grief among those impacted by AIDS deaths; improve physical and emotional health of HIV positive patients; and reduce distressing symptoms and side-effects of other AIDS treatments. Homeopathic remedies are made from natural sources, mostly plants, minerals, and metals, which undergo a process of potentization. Homeopathy is safe medicine without risks of addiction, toxicity, or side-effects. It is a holistic system of healing which has been used globally for centuries. Read more.
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April 2008
$3,700 was given to Caring for Cambodia to help teach health, hygiene and AIDS prevention to students in their schools at age-appropriate levels through the use of educational films. We funded the acquisition of three portable DVD players, three extra batteries, three projection screens, three LCD projectors, and fifty blank DVDs. As a result of this project, health and hygiene information will be passed on to some 5,000 students, 85 staff members, and student siblings and adults in the community making our possible reach for this project more than 15,000 people. The Cambodian Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports has put health, hygiene, and AIDS prevention into its curriculum at all levels. Unfortunately, they have not given their teachers all the tools necessary to impart this information to their students. The teachers often do not understand these basic issues enough themselves to teach them properly and completely. When children learn to take care of their health and hygiene they are ill less often and can attend school more regularly. They are less likely to get severely sick, including contracting life-threatening or life-taking illnesses. Read more.
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