HISTORY
CHILD has been in existence since 2004 and operated under the name of Haiti Children's Benefit Foundation (HCBF). As it expanded its outreach more internationally, HCBF changed its name to Community Health International Learning & Development Foundation (CHILD) in 2011.
2021 INDIA COVID RELIEF Through very generous donations during the year, CHILD was able to send funds to India for Disaster Relief, which was used to provide supplies like oxygen tanks and oxygen concentrators as well as sanitation kit to vulnerable people in villages to combat COVID. They saved several lives. Funds were also sent to provide food, water and other supplies to people living in a slum, who lost everything in a flood. RICE and other nutritious foods As in the past, the children of Metropolitan's Children's Home were supplied with rice and proteins from CHILD, even in the times that they could not attend school due to COVID. The food was delivered to their homes as many would have been starving otherwise. Most children have returned to school and or home and and still benefit from the rice. Wells 5 new wells were drilled in villages where there was a shortage of clean water and 5 more will be drilled soon. SOUTH AFRICA SAHARA (Smoking & Alcohol Harms Alleviation & Rehabilitation Association) CHILD has just started up a partnership with SAHARA in George, South Africa, after a site visit by our executive director, Estelle Reuter. We are excited to report that two batches of medications have been purchased with CHILD funds. These medications will be used in addition to counselling programs SAHARA runs to help people reduce or stop alcohol, tobacco or drug use. The counselling and medicines are free for those who attend the program at five locations in George. Already many people have been helped to stop their addictions. SLANGSPRUIT PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILD funded 6 desktop computers and a printer for the school in the impoverished township to make a lab that the teachers can use for curriculum development and research. This is a great help to the teachers, and it’s all thanks to the generosity of our donors! SCHOLARSHIPS AT QUEEN ALEX SCHOOL CHILD has provided scholarships for several children from the township in South Africa to get an education in a good well resourced school. All the students have done extremely well, although they came from impoverished families. The last 3 students are finishing their Grade 12 this year. They persevered through the COVID crisis, often doing their homework on WhatsApp. Their final exams are coming up in December . HAITI MARCH 14 I PI DAY Through the Pi Day fundraiser, about $6,800 was raised to help change the lives of malnourished children in Haiti! The funds went to buy high nutritious medical mumba bars and manna packs for many children in the nutrition program of Haiti Children's Home. Many pies were baked and delivered, and we are so thankful for all our pie bakers and other volunteers who made this fundraiser possible! 2020 OCTOBER l ANNUAL FUNDRAISER FOR INDIA This year the fundraiser was very different due to the COVID restrictions. It was mostly online, through emails, newsletter and social media as well as some phone calls. Our guest speaker Dr Anja and Dr Ebenezer from India did a video presentation about India which we sent on to our supporters. We also showed the videos at a few backyard fundraisers Even though we missed the big event, people were generous and our monthly donors saw us through the year, so CHILD could secure SOME funds to be used in 2021. The funds could buy rice and other nutritious food for 2021 and the children from the children's home all received their yearly Christmas gift, which is a new set of clothes. MARCH 22 l COVID-19 RELIEF and WATER WELLS A newsletter was sent to our donors to request funds for COVID-19 relief and the drilling of wells in Andhra Pradesh. Many people are going hungry during the lock down and many villages need access to clean water for drinking, household needs and proper hygiene to prevent infection with COVID-19. The response was overwhelming and we were able to send $30 000 for COVID-19 relief and $20 000 for 10 wells. MARCH 14 l PI DAY Instead of hosting several Pi Day events, pies were delivered to purchasers, as the COVID-19 precautions prevented us from meeting as groups. The response was very good and we raised several thousand dollars for Haiti which was used for nutritional programs as well as providing sanitizing products to reduce the risk of coronavirus infection. 2019 NOVEMBER 2 l READING RICE & RICKSHAW In November we had a very successful Annual CHILD Fundraiser. Thanks to all the wonderful supporters, we surpassed our goal to raise $50 000. This year the proceeds went to India to buy rice and other nutritious food for the children at the home, as well as to purchase educational and recreational equipment, a new set of clothes for Christmas and a rickshaw to be used for transportation and emergencies. MARCH l PIES FOR PALTO ON PI DAY This past March, there were 8 Pi Day fundraisers held to raise funds for protein and vitamin-rich food for severely malnourished children in Palto, Haiti. There were 34 whole pies sold, in addition to many pieces of pie, and over $5000 was raised for this life-giving project! MARCH 22 l WELLS FOR INDIA For World Water Day CHILD raised $10,000 for 5 wells that are currently being drilled! The State of Andhra Pradesh in India has had another severe drought this year, so every well funded by CHILD has brought much needed water to the respective communities. 2018 NOVEMBER 8-19 l SITE VISIT Board member Tyler, and Nils, a previous volunteer at Metropolitan Mission, visited the mission to see how things were going and to report back to the board and the sponsors. For updates on their trip, please see the Facebook posts. OCTOBER 13 l HARVESTING HOPE FUNDRAISER We tried a new venue this year at Country Side Golf Club. The facility was very suitable and we had a successful evening with Mr. Msomi, the principal from the public school that we are supporting in South Africa, as guest speaker. We raised $38,000 which will be divided between two projects. In South Africa, it will buy milk for Kindergarten and Grade 1 children in Slangspruit Primary School and continue to support 3 scholarship children attending Alexandra High. In India it will be used to buy rice and other nutritious food for the children in Metropolitan Mission's Children's Home. APRIL|A NEW SCHOOL BUS FOR INDIAN CHILDREN The CHILD team were ecstatic when they could send a cheque for $36 000 to Metropolitan Mission in April to purchase a large school bus to transport disadvantaged children from the villages to school. The school has expanded and now also offers an English teaching stream, so the bus came just in time to manage the expansion. It was put to use immediately. take-a-ride-on-the-metropolitan-mission-school-bus.html MARCH 22 l WELLS FOR INDIA Sufficient donations came in to drill 6 wells in villages in desperate need of clean water during the drought in Andhra Pradesh, India. Two wells were also drilled at the children's home. This year's donors of an entire well could request to donate in memory of a loved one. The name of the loved one is inscribed on a plaque on the well and a photo will be presented to the donor. MARCH 14 l PIES FOR PALTO ON PI DAY This year 3 hosts opened their homes for Pi Day and many pies were enjoyed and donations poured in. Avalon School also contributed from their Pi Day pie sale. About $5 000 was donated and immediately put to use buying protein rich peanut butter bars for severely malnourished children in Palto, Haiti. 2017
NOVEMBER 4 | ANNUAL FUNDRAISER Again this year we had many supporters join us at the Annual Fundraiser at Narayanni's. We raised funds for food (mainly rice) for the children in Metropolitan Mission's Children's Home in India as well as for a much needed school bus to transport poor village children to the MM School. Fundraising for the bus is continuing and we are hoping to have all the funds together for the new school year, which starts in April of 2018. For information about the bus go to take-a-ride-on-the-metropolitan-mission-school-bus.html SEPTEMBER 30 I RIDE FOR REFUGE CHILD had 9 teams riding their bikes and walking to raise funds for nutrition support in India and Haiti. It was a huge success thanks to dedicated riders, walkers and sponsors. Over $10 000 was raised. For results see rideforrefuge.org/charity/childfoundation For photos of teams see ride-for-refuge-huge-success-due-to-riders-and-sponsors-love-to-help-the-poor.html JULY I SITE VISIT, SOUTH AFRICA Gerhard and Estelle Reuter made a self-funded site visit to Slangsruit Primary School and Alexandra High School in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa to check on the projects CHILD funds with partner Carolyn Burns, the director of Ukulapha. They were able to observe the nutrition projects as well as visit the children that CHILD is sponsoring. For more info: visit-to-slangspruit-primary-school-and-alexandra-high-school-pietermarit.html and visit-at-queen-alexandra-high-school.html MARCH 22 I WORLD WATER DAY CHILD raised funds for 5 wells in drought stricken Andhra Pradesh, India thanks to some very generous supporters. For info see hope-2-others-health-2-others.html MARCH 14 I NEW PROJECT STARTED IN PALTO HAITI CHILD fund raised to supply high protein nutrition to malnourished children in Palto, Haiti. On Pi Day pies were baked, sold and people are pied in the face all to raise funds for Medical Mumba bars and Manna Packs for Haiti. For more information, see Blog palto-project-our-newest-involvement-in-haiti.html For information and photos about the Pi Day event, see -pies-on-pi-day-for-palto.html |
2016 OCTOBER l POWER OF PROTEIN FUNDRAISER A great crowd of supporters came out to Narayanni's Restaurant to feast on Indian-South African food to raise funds for impoverished children in India and South Africa. For details see -smashing-and-spicy-power-of-protein-fundraiser.html OCTOBER 1 l RIDE FOR REFUGE Four teams and 31 riders or walkers participated in the Ride for Refuge to raise funds for nutritious food for impoverished children in India and Haiti. We were grateful to many generous supporters who together contributed $10 398. Please see October 2016 blog for photos. MARCH/APRIL l WORLD WATER DAY We raised enough funds to install 8 wells in drought-stricken Andhra Pradesh, India. Thousands of people were migrating away from affected areas to find water, taking their cattle along with them. See blog for update. 2015
OCTOBER 25 l POWER OF PROTEIN FUNDRAISER We were very happy to have Carolyn Burns from Ukulapha join us for a delicious Fundraising dinner at the Tiramisu Restaurant. She filled us in on all the positive changes happening at Slangspruit Primary School in South Africa. Money raised is being used to buy a cup of milk a day for Kindergarten children and protein enhancement for the lunches for the 1000 students at the school. Slangspruit also partnered with an Edmonton School to exchange letters and videos and the reciprocal learning is exciting for all. OCTOBER 3 l RIDE FOR REFUGE On 3 October, 33 participants in 8 teams rode in the Ride for Refuge. We were able to provide all the required nutritious food for Metropolitan Mission's two Children's Homes for a year. Thanks to all! MARCH 22 l WORLD WATER DAY The severe drought in Andhra Pradesh and the water shortage prompted CHILD to ask for donations to build wells. We were grateful to be able to sponsor 5 wells in areas in desperate need. MARCH | SITE VISIT Two board members visited Slangspruit Primary School to experience firsthand the difference the power of protein money has made for the children living in the impoverished township in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. 2014
OCTOBER l RIDE FOR REFUGE We had riders in 4 locations consisting of 10 teams and 42 riders. We were grateful to raise $14 665 which will be used to buy rice for the 2015 year for the two Children's Homes in India. JUNE | POWER OF PROTEIN FUNDRAISER CHILD STARTED NEW PROJECT IN SOUTH AFRICA Enough money was raised to support two projects. 1) To buy a cup of milk each school day for the impoverished Kindergarten children in Slangspruit School in South Africa . 2) To buy protein-rich food for the two Children's Homes of Metropolitan Mission in India . APRIL | SITE VISIT A team of 6 people from different walks of life visited the Children's Homes at their own expense. They stayed at the MV Gudem Home with 200 children and experienced what life is like for residents in the home. It was good to see that the children are happy, healthy, very studious and well behaved. They enjoyed eating big portions of the rice donated through CHILD. The director, Dr. Ebenezer, and the rest of the staff made sure that the team was well looked after. JANUARY | RIDE FOR REFUGE The rice bought with the Ride for Refuge fundraising money was delivered to Metropolitan Mission Children's Home. The joy was great. There will be enough rice for 2014. Thanks to all the riders and sponsors. For photos, see the blog page www.childsociety.org/blog/archives/01-2014 2013
OCTOBER | RIDE FOR REFUGE Forty riders participated in the Ride for Refuge bike ride to raise funds for rice for 200 children in the Metropolitan Mission Children's Homes for 2014. The riders were successful in getting enough sponsors to be able to buy rice for most of the year. Thanks to all who worked so hard. THROUGHOUT 2013 Through very generous donations, CHILD could buy rice for the 200 children in 2 Children's Homes of Metropolitan Mission in India, which should last from February until October 2013. MAY | WELLS FOR INDIA In May generous donations made it possible to fund 13 wells in villages in Andhra Pradesh, India, where water has been scarce. Drought, electricity shortages and extreme temperatures of up to 48 degrees are causing a crisis situation. See blog for updates. 2012
FEBRUARY | SITE VISIT A group of 10, including 3 CHILD directors, visited Metropolitan Mission in India in February at their own expense. The team was privileged to enjoy the hospitality of the joyful staff and the children. They were able to observe first hand how the generous donations raised in 2011 were spent on the various projects, as directed. Donations from 2012 were spent on: rice purchases for 2013; bathroom renovations; repairs of sewer system leakage, water tank, and mold problems in the Children's Home to improve the health of the children. A scholarship was provided for a nurse graduate from Metropolitan Mission for her studies. See blog for update. CHILD was instrumental in placing two volunteers at Metropolitan Mission. Their presence helped to bridge the gap between the Canadian and Indian communities and made the cultural exchange more meaningful for all. 2011 CHILD expanded its outreach to India. It has partnered with Metropolitan Mission to help the materially poor. Regular communication took place by email and Skype to bridge the gap. CHILD hosted a fundraising dinner to introduce its objectives. CHILD gratefully accepted enough donations to pay for:
Here is more information about Metropolitan Mission. 2010 Funds collected in 2010 were donated to the Olive Tree Project. |