Yves Lassere led the discussion for the International Committee about the grant funds that were given this year to our recipients. Our focus areas this year were
on peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, and economic and community development.
Here's how the International Service Committee performed in connection with its budget: Actual Budget was $20,000, while disbursements amounted to $12,150. Undisbursed commitments were $4,575, leaving an available budget of $3,275.
Following are the specific projects we funded, and the members who provided information about them for our club:
Yves Lassere - Water Wells – Haiti. This project will enable 30 rural communities in Haiti to have 100 percent access to clean water within 500 meters of their homes, and at least 95 percent of these homes will have latrines. We contributed $2,500, and with matching funds, this project received $8,750.
Gary Schultz - St. John School Residential Construction – India. Funds for this project are used for an English immersion program. To date, 100 children have been housed and educated. We gave $5,000. There was a matching grant, and a total was given to this school of $16,000.
Kathy Tate-Bradish - The ABCs of Sex Education – Kenya. Our club gave $500 to buy solar powered lanterns, which are used for employees to charge telephones in order to communicate with trainers, and with each other to teach local residents about sex education.
Gary Peterson - Cleft Palate Surgeries. We gave $800 for two students ($400 each)- to have surgery to correct cleft palates.
Harold Bauer - Right To Be Free Project. The $300 funding for this project was given towards combatting global trafficking of children. The funds are used for housing, feeding, and educating children who have been involved in trafficking. We also gave $150 to a child who was injured in a boating accident.
Marv Edelstein - ARC of HOPE – Energy Project - Uganda. There are no power lines in Uganda away from cities. We gave $1,000 for solar panels purchased from local vendors to provide solar power for classrooms, a sick bay, preparation of hot meals, and creating additional curricula for students. There was a district grant given also.
Linda Gerber - Guatemala Literacy Project, Guatemala. The funds are for literacy education and technological training for 5,400 indigenous students in the Western Highlands of Guatemala. Primary school education will benefit 4,100 students, 157 teachers, and 40 schools. We approved $3,000 for this project.
Elizabeth Newton – Allowance for Good – Ecuador. Our funds of $500 were given to support Elizabeth’s organization’s 2016 summer program and global experiences for youth. The program gives young people an opportunity to learn about international service projects, and how they can contribute their efforts to them.
