Agriteam Gives Back
Summer 2008
Agriteam’s 2008 Charitable Donations Committee was formed in early February to administer Agriteam staff members’ recommendations for which charitable causes they’d like to donate to both in terms of time and money. So far, the committee has made donations to the following organizations: the Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa, Kamp Kiwanis, the Lotus Child Center in Mongolia, Plan Canada, the Witches of Gushiegu Project in northern Ghana, the Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Good Hope Trust in Tanzania. Background information on these organizations can be found later in this bulletin.
Summer Spotlight: The Witches of Gushiegu Project
In Gushiegu town in northern Ghana, there are approximately 90 destitute women who have been labelled as witches.They have suffered greatly from this discrimination and have been beaten and ostracized.
When Agriteam’s CIFS Field Director in Tamale learned of this situation, she was moved to assist these women. She sent out an appeal to Agriteam staff and friends for help. An initial shipment of bed linens was followed by fundraising efforts, which have resulted in donations of more than $20,000.
This money has enabled the building of a small complex in Gushiegu, consisting of 24 rooms that are divided into three per block with a bathroom in between. Construction is traditional mud block, with durable metal roofs substituting for the traditional thatch.
The CIFS project provided the women with a grinding mill, and there is running water nearby, so this small community of women should be able to provide for their own basic needs without much outside assistance.
2008 Events
The Charitable Donations Committee coordinates events that run simultaneously in the Calgary and Gatineau offices. The following events have been scheduled for this year.
April: Food Drive
October: CIBC Run for the Cure
TBD: Habitat for Humanity
December: Christmas Event–TBD
Agriteam Supports
The Boys & Girls Club of Ottawa
The Club’s mission is to provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships and develop confidence and skills for life.
The Club of Ottawa has served the Ottawa community for more than 83 years, reaching out to 4,500 children and youth through after-school, weekend and summer programs that build self-esteem and help to develop stronger social skills.
Kamp Kiwanis—Calgary
Kamp Kiwanis’ mission is to have fun, be safe and nurture growth.
Since 1951, children have had the opportunity to attend Kamp Kiwanis for up to 12 days, 100% subsidized, including transportation. This is made possible through several fundraising initiatives and the generous contributions made by donors every year.
Lotus Child Centre, Mongolia
One of the primary goals of the Lotus Child Centre is to provide primary care to all of our children, which includes food, health care, clothing and accommodation.
Through quality education, meaningful activities and by creating small family groups (10 children to one housemother), the Lotus Centre tries to give children a chance to make a positive future. Today, 148 children call the Lotus Centre their home.
Shepherds of Good Hope
Since 1983, Shepherds of Good Hope in Ottawa has worked diligently to ease the suffering of those whose needs are not being met. Money will be collected throughout the year to purchase food items for the Shepherds of Good Hope.