Updated April 2008
Friends of India membership donations
contributed $9,140 to charitable causes in India for the year 2007.
Since 1995, FOI has contributed a total of $91,544
to India charities. This has been made possible by FOI membership/donation support. FOI is
grateful for your generosity in 2007.
FOI is committed to four charities. Notice that they received different
amounts. FOI donates $1,000 to each charity in rotation. When a member
specifies to support a particular preference (#1,2,3,4) then that request is honored.
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Charity 1: The Ecological Development Foundation (EDF)
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EDF was founded by Joe Emerson 1-38. This charity helps poor Harijans in Sirwar,
Karnataka. Some if its programs are: 1) operates a pre-school in the community
hall which includes a hot lunch; 2) a medical program which has helped many of
the poor with serious illnesses; 3) distribution of thousands of free seedlings
for three cultivation; 4) land purchase for poor landless farmers.
FOI gave $2,115 in 2007 with a running total of $22,187 since 1995.
Update: Additional Information (Click to Open; Right click to download or Open):
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Link to Ecological Development Foundation (EDF)
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Charity 2: Forgotten Children in Tamil Nadu
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Forgotten Children
was founded by Francoise Remington, whose husband was a PCV in Ivory Coast
'68-71. This project is managed by Sister Rita Thyveettill, a Catholic Nun from
the Order of the Cross of Chavanod and is from Tamil Nadu. The goal is to
provide basic education to 50 working children. A substitute income for a
working is offered to the working family in the form of a dairy cow as an
incentive to send the child to evening school and provides a lost income
compensation while the child is studying.
FOI donated $2,250 in 2007 with a running total of $22,603 since 1997.
Update: The Forgotten Children Annual Newsletter Winter 2005
(Click to Open; Right click to download or Open):
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Charity 3: Father Fleming Foundation
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founded by two Orissa RPCVs, Tom Brayak and Gerry Nelson, aids Vikas Deepti ("Ray of Hope"),
a charity in Bargarh, Orissa in eastern India that manages schools and leper colonies.
Everything done is aimed at releasing poor people from their low status and poverty by
empowering them to become self-reliant. Assistance involved support for (1) a revolving
loan, (2) a handicapped children's training center, (3) a wells and pumps program,
(4) fishponds, and (5) new housing. More
FOI gave $2,175 in 2007 with a running total of $8,640 since 2005.
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UPDATE:
In October 2005 at the FOI 20th Reunion,
Tom Brayak and Gerry Nelson gave an inspiring Power Point
Slide Presentation
of the work of the Father Fleming Foundation leper project in Orissa, India.
There is a
Webpage Version
and a
Downloadable Version.
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Charity 4: South Asia Pure Water Initiative, Inc. (SAPWII)
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South Asia Pure Water Initiative, Inc. (SAPWII) is a nonprofit organization founded by Michael Lipman,
former Peace Corp Volunteer (India-89) and his wife Cathy Forsberg, past president of the Rotary Club
of Hamden Connecticut. The founders established a small factory in Kolar Karnataka to manufacture a
simple and effective water filter called the Bio-Sand Filter. They are overseeing the distribution
of these filters in villages and schools in Southeast Karnataka.
FOI gave $2,600 in 2007.
See www.sapwii.org for more information.
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Charity 5: George's "Lucky Dozen"
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George's "Lucky Dozen" is a recent FOI Charity started by George Nepert (I-26).
The student sponsorship called the "Lucky Dozen" evolved from George's January '08 trip to see FOI-sponsored charities.
While in Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu he met Sister Mary Therese who is principal of an all girls school of 2200.
Many of her children walk long distances to attend her school and are eager to learn. As Sr. Mary Therese walked with George along
the mountain paths to see the children, he witnessed the wonderful love given to the work of the school.
In the 2008 college study year, eight girls were able to start their first year & now in their second year of studies thanks to "Lucky Dozen".
For July 2010 school year, five more girls have college sponsorships, thanks to FOI folks.
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Aid The Weaker Trust in Bangalore
was founded by N. D. Krishnamurthy, who had previously been involved with many
PC India training groups. The Trust provides training for poor widowed or
divorced women in printing and related skills. Another project is tribal
development in three districts of Karnataka where medical and dental camps are
conducted.
FOI gave $2,000 in 2002 and since 1997 a total of $8,000.
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