We wanted to share with all of our readers an exciting little story! If you were following our Facebook Page back in December you will remember that we ran a little “Donate to your Favourite Charity” contest where we asked our fans to nominate a charity of their choice that would like to see receive $500. Rohit Communities would then choose a winner randomly and grant $500 to the selected charity on behalf of the nominator. We announced on December 19th, 2014 the winner of the contest which happened to be the Ceiba Association (Project Hope Edmonton) who was nominated by a gentleman named Ryan.
Today we want to share with you the story of the Ceiba Association (Project Hope Edmonton) and how the $500 donation is going towards an organization that focuses on making a positive impact on communities & individuals around the world.
{Andrea from the Ceiba Association picking up the $500 cheque}
Ceiba Association – The Story (Submitted by Andrea Church)
Ceiba Association is a local, grass roots organization that uses education and cultural exchange in local communities to ignite youth activism and help create the leaders of tomorrow. Our key values are community, solidarity, education, respect and sustainability. Ceiba is completely volunteer-run. Generous donors like the Rohit Communities Group help Ceiba collaborate with like-minded community groups, organizations and institutions to facilitate Project HOPE and other local and international projects.
{Mural at Grant MacEwan’s Global Awareness Week}
Project HOPE is the international branch of Ceiba. In the past 12 years, Project HOPE has engaged more than 100 students and raised nearly $500,000 for projects focused on the creation and facilitation of social infrastructure in local and international communities. This includes community and cultural facilities, accessible schooling, and sustainable water and food systems. While previous efforts have focused on Central America, this year the focus shifts to East Africa.
Project HOPE relies heavily on funding from local communities, businesses and fundraising events. This year, nine Edmonton youth, including six post-secondary students from MacEwan University and Concordia University College, will raise $75,000 for a comprehensive nutrition project in southwestern Uganda.
In May 2015 the team will travel to Kabale, Uganda and partner with the Kigezi Healthcare Foundation (KIHEFO) to furnish, equip, and paint a child rehabilitation ward. The team will also build a permaculture demonstration garden at a primary school, construct a rabbit-breeding centre, invest in educational materials for caretakers, teachers and students on the nutritional value of locally available foods, and fund two medical and dental outreach camps in rural communities.
Project HOPE helps young people develop leadership skills, practice hands-on sustainable development, experience different cultures and grow as individuals in the global community. This intense immersion program supports youth to emerge as leaders and think critically of global concerns, such as child and maternal health, food insecurity, sustainable agriculture and community development, Project HOPE empowers youth and inspires action – offering resounding proof that you are never too young to make a difference.
{School construction in San Andres Nicaragua}
Thank-you again to everyone who participated in the “Donate to your Favourite Charity” contest and we wish the Project Hope Edmonton Team all the best when they travel to Uganda in May!
Additional Information:
Team members are preparing for their signature fundraiser, the Annual Project HOPE Benefit Dinner, which takes place on Saturday, March 7, 2015 and is open to everyone. “Let’s Share a Story” is the theme for this formal evening, which will celebrate local food producers and explore global solidarity through food, culture and storytelling. The evening will also showcase silent and live auctions, live music and a giant earth ball photo booth!
http://www.eventbrite.ca/e/lets-share-a-story-project-hope-annual-benefit-dinner-tickets-15405670776
