9-11 Fund Created for a United World
Orphans International (OI) Worldwide announced today that OI has established its "9-11 Fund for a United World" to fund its mission of Raising Global Citizens. "We need to raise children in Indonesia and Haiti -- and now New Orleans -- who are taught that we are all brothers and sisters, and we need to work together as a human family," states OI Worldwide founder. OI has approved projects in China, Ghana, Haiti, Guyana, India, Peru, the Philippines, Togo, Sulawesi (Indonesia), Sumatera (Indonesia) - and now New Orleans.
New York (PRWEB) September 9, 2005 -- Orphans International (OI) Worldwide announced today that Orphans International America has established its "9-11 Fund for a United World" to fund its mission of Raising Global Citizens. "We need to raise children in Indonesia and Haiti -- and now New Orleans -- who are taught that we are all brothers and sisters, and we need to work together as a human family," states Jim Luce, OI Worldwide founder. OI Worldwide has approved projects in China, Ghana, Haiti, Guyana, India, Peru, the Philippines, Togo, Sulawesi (Indonesia), Sumatera (Indonesia) - and now New Orleans.
Orphans International, first incorporated a few weeks before the World Trade Center disaster in 2001, stands to better the world though a multi-faceted approach. OI's mission is to help orphaned children grow into solid global citizens through a sound structure that is simultaneously "Interfaith, because there are many paths up the mountain; Interracial, because there is but one race, the human race; International, because our neighbors are our family; Intergenerational, because there is much to learn from our elders; and Internet-connected, because the world today is at our fingertips," according to its website.
"On 9-11 it is not enough to remember the consequences of intolerance, but to act to overcome intolerance. What better way to do that than to contribute to raising children globally to actively embrace tolerance?" Luce asks. OI works with Moslem, Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist and Hindu children in Haiti and Indonesia, and are now beginning work in New Orleans, Guyana, Togo, and Peru. "As a New Yorker who lived through 9-11, who watched the towers fall with my own eyes, I am dedicated to building a world without hatred, without the mindset of extremism that sees all in black-and-white, right-and-wrong. Diversity and tolerance are key to building a better world," Luce adds.
OI's menu of funding opportunities includes $100 to fund overseas educational costs, $200 for bunk beds, $300 for a refrigerator, $500 for a digital camera for documenting OIs progress, $600 for annual child sponsorship, $1,000 for an Endowment Gift, $1,250 for a laptop computer, $1,500 to fund a houseparents' annual salary overseas, $2,400 for an English teacher's salary overseas, $3,000 to allow one to name a room, $4,800 to fund a project director's salary overseas, $5,000 for a used all-terrain vehicle, $7,500 to fund satellite high-speed Internet access, $6,000 to fund an overseas doctor's salary, $7,500 to fund OI's annual Website cost, $8,000 for computer center hardware, $12,000 to cover OI's office in New York, $15,000 to cover sponsorship of OIs Annual Benefit at the Harvard Club in Manhattan, $16,000 to construct a small home overseas, $24,000 to fund an office assistant in the U.S., $25,000 to construct a computer center overseas, $30,000 to construct a school overseas, and $50,000 to construct an overseas health clinic.
Orphans International has announced two other Katrina-related initiatives: a scholarship fund to send displaced professionals to volunteer in Haiti or Indonesia for one year, and flying in the OI Sumatera Tsunami Relief Medical Team from Aceh to assist in recovery efforts. Last week, OI announced the establishment of a fund to cover transport, room, board and stipend to flood victim professionals who wish to volunteer for the next year assisting flood orphans in both Banda Aceh, Indonesia, and Gonaives, Haiti.
Orphans International America has received bi-partisan support from leaders such as former president Bill Clinton, Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Sen. Chuck Schumer, and Sen. Hillary Clinton, as well as many New York City-based public officials. Orphans International is a non-partisan, interfaith organization incorporated in New York in 2002. Last month in Indonesia, the Acehenese Ministry of Social Affairs recognized Orphans International's work with tsunami orphans along with UNICEF and Save the Children. We are designated as a 501(c)3 organization by the IRS.
OI's mission is "Raising Global Citizens" and OI's children remain in their native countries to become educated to their fullest potential and then help move their countries forward; they do not place children for adoption in America. Projects are running in both Sumatera and Sulawesi in Indonesia, and opening this month in Haiti. Projects in formation include Romania, Togo, the Philippines, Peru, Ghana, and Guyana. Future plans include working with AIDS orphans in both China and India. Each OI campus is working towards full programming for the orphaned children and the village community with classes for English, computer science, and a strong emphasis on the arts.
Donors who wish to support this effort may write info@oiww.org for additional information. More detailed information is available on OI's website, www.oiww.org; the organization's monthly e-newsletter is available on-line. Tax-deductible contributions to the "9-11 United Fund" may be sent to "Orphans International," earmarked "9-11," at 540 Main Street, Ste. 418, N.Y., N.Y. 10044. Last year less than 3% of OI Americas income was spent on management.
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