Darlene Charneco's Blog

status?

Darlene Charneco — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:51:52 GMT

I would love to know more about this project and how it is coming along! Where should I look? Has it been completed?

Feb 2008 CCH Cambodia report

Darlene Charneco — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:07:23 GMT

Here is the Febuary, 2008 edition of Center for Children's Happiness (CCH) Monthly Report. We hope you enjoy it.:

http://www.friendsofcch.org/MonthlyReports/0802Report.html

Also, for your convenience, here is access to all the back issues:

http://www.friendsofcch.org/News.html

Padre Pena's recycling cooperative

Darlene Charneco — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:26:38 GMT

How can I find out more about Padre Pena's recycling cooperatives (mentioned in the wiki)?

Arts and Artisan Workshop- Dominican Republic

Darlene Charneco — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 02:18:37 GMT

Community Arts and Artisan Workshop

Location
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Volunteer Coordinator(s)
A. Arnoldy of MO

Funds Needed
$9,585.98
Original Request
$9,585.98

Project Number
517-231
Community Contribution
$3,227.84 (25%)

The community that is to benefit from the project is a neglected and impoverished community that is most commonly known as the point of departure for illegal and dangerous boat “yola” trips across the channel to Puerto Rico by people in search of a better life. This human trafficking has contributed to the increasingly ubiquitous problem of drug trafficking and many of the youth, for lack of other options, have fallen into the abuse of these drugs and only dream of one day themselves participating in these illegal trips to find what is believed to be better opportunities elsewhere.

As a way of fighting this social phenomenon through providing new and different opportunities, the project consists of the creation of five spaces for the training and production of art and artisan pieces, as well as the resources necessary to sustain regular classes in the five newly-created workshops, a workshop that already exists and two additional series of classes that do not require a physical space.

Open to everyone, but with a particular focus on the youth, these classes include instruction in painting, drawing, sculpture, theater and various forms of artisan work with the goal of discovering and developing new talents as well as providing and important new source of income from the sale of the pieces created. The concept organization and implementation comes from the community members themselves in coordination with a local NGO.

Contribute to this project on the Peace Corps website:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/donors/contribute/projdetail.cfm?projdesc=517-231&

These project summaries are written by Peace Corps volunteers and their host communities.

CAPCHI Recycling Project- Bolivia

Darlene Charneco — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 01:52:46 GMT

Location
BOLIVIA
Volunteer Coordinator(s)
B. Evans of CT

Funds Needed
$597.41
Original Request
$597.41

Project Number
511-088
Community Contribution
$229.87 (28%)

This project to recycle plastic wastes from rural Bolivian communities is presented by community Water Cooperative managers. These two communities currently lack any type of garbage management system. Local surveys show that virtually every family burns their garbage, regardless of its type. Burning plastic has negative environmental and health consequences.

The project proposes to improve local garbage management knowledge, skills, and practices, as well as to create a new and sustainable outside income source for local families while protecting the community from the health hazards of burning plastic.

A purchaser for the plastics has been identified as well as a place to store the materials. The project consists of: 1) teacher seminars and school workshops covering garbage classification, the three R´s, the health dangers of burning garbage, the impact of improper garbage disposal on the environment, and the specifics of the recycling project, 2) purchase of containers and materials for the recycling project and organization of recycling efforts, 3) collection and storage of recycled plastic, 4) sale of materials, and 5) sustainable continuation of the project.

A portion of the funding from the Partnership Program, the water cooperative will be used as an incentive for the initial plastics collection (1 boliviano/kilogram of plastic brought to the water cooperative). Once the initial 1500 kilograms of plastics are sold, the income from its sale will then be used to sustain the 1 boliviano/kg of plastics incentive.

Contribute to this project through the Peace Corps Website:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/donors/contribute/projdetail.cfm?projdesc=511-088&

These project summaries are written by Peace Corps volunteers and their host communities.

Kiva in SecondLife

Darlene Charneco — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:29:25 GMT

"Kiva.org, a micro-finance organization, has funded nearly 17,0000 loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries and last week crossed the $11 million rank. Kiva.org has already had a very big year, funding about $9 million worth of loans so far, and having been featured in the mainstream media including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Oprah and on ABC News. With the assistance of dedicated volunteers, Kiva also maintains a presence on different social networking sites and has recently established a presence on Second Life through the Techsoup Nonprofits Commons Project..."

please read the full post on Beth Kantor's Blog :
Kiva in Second Life: Interview With Official SL Volunteers
http://beth.typepad.com/beths_blog/2007/09/kiva-in-second-.html

Bio-Sand Filters for Water Purification in Caserio El Amaton

Darlene Charneco — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:34:01 GMT

Location
EL SALVADOR
Volunteer Coordinator(s)
M. Gregory of WI
Funds Needed
$12,702.63
Original Request
$14,202.63
Project Number
519-091
Community Contribution
$14,131.43 (50%)

CaserÃo El AmatÃ³n is a farming community of 120 families located in Western El Salvador. Water scarcity and contamination are serious problems in the community. The Health Promoter estimates that 95 â€“ 100% of the residents of CaserÃo El AmatÃ³n suffer from parasitism.

The objective of the proposed project is to install slow sand filters in the homes of 120 families of CaserÃo El AmatÃ³n, El Salvador, and train residents in proper use and maintenance of the filters and correct personal hygiene and environmental sanitation practices. The filters will help families to purify water for drinking, cooking, and hand washing. The projectâ€™s goal is to improve community health, primarily through reduction in the frequency of diarrheas caused by fecal coliform bacteria and water-borne parasites such as amebas, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and helminthes (worms), all of which the filter is capable of removing.

The Peace Corps Volunteer assigned to El AmatÃ³n, the Health Committee of El AmatÃ³n, and the Health Promoter will conduct community meetings and house visits to educate families on the link between poor hygiene and disease, proper use and maintenance of the filters, and personal hygiene and environmental sanitation practices in general. They will also conduct follow-up visits to beneficiary families to monitor filter use and health indicators.

The estimated budget for the project is $28,334.06. The local community will provide $14,131.43 in monetary collaborations for the filters, labor, volunteer work in hygiene and sanitation education, and parasite medication (secured from the local Ministry of Health). $14,202.63 is requested in Partnership funds.

Please contribute to this project here:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/donors/contribute/projdetail.cfm?projdesc=519-091&

These project summaries are written by Peace Corps volunteers and their host communities.

Drinkable Water for Cameroon

Darlene Charneco — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 05:30:26 GMT

Location:
CAMEROON
Volunteer Coordinator(s)
J. Fugo of NY

Funds Needed
$5,097.00
Original Request
$9,202.00

Project Number
694-093
Community Contribution
$3,031.00 (25%)

Almost 140 people of the neighborhood of SONG YEM in the village of MBENG either use the only clean water source in their village, which is almost a kilometer and a half from their homes, or they find themselves taking drinking water from sources which are unprotected and often containing water born illnesses. Often times the community drinks from these unprotected sources and thus, suffers from illness.

The solution for this problem is creating a clean source of drinking water for the neighborhood of SONG YEM. To do so, the community saved money to bring in a technician who could look at possible water sources and also give an estimate of costs for a clean water source. In this visit by the specialist, it was determined that any natural sources were difficult to access and would also be difficult to make drinkable. Therefore, it was decided that the people of SONG YEM should try to put in a well, with filter, manual pump, and a basin for lost water in order to have upkeep and sanitation.

The benefits of this future well are clear. It would provide almost 140 people with clean drinking water a close distance to home and therefore largely decrease the number of daily water born illnesses that impact SONG YEM due to the current lack of accessible clean water. However, funding the construction of a well is impossible for the community to do alone. It is with that hope that they are soliciting the aid of Peace Corps Partnerships.

Please contribute to this project here:
https://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/donors/contribute/projdetail.cfm?projdesc=694-093

These project summaries are written by Peace Corps volunteers and their host communities.

10% to to Toundoute Women's Center Project/ Morocco

Darlene Charneco — Sat, 18 Aug 2007 20:03:40 GMT

One of the projects I've chosen for the 10% from my recent art sales:

Toundoute Women's Center Project
Location:Morocco
Volunteer Coordinator(s):J. Morello of CT
Funds Needed:$7,106.63
Original Request:$7,356.63
Project Number:378-081
Community Contribution:$2,418.60 (25%)

"Since its establishment in 2004, the Association Al-Jissar for Education and Scholarship (AAJES) has always included within its plans of action, a strategy for its concern with the development of women and children. Numerous programs and activities have been implemented under this strategy. For example, each year the Al-Jissar Association facilitates workshops for sports, culture and art that target the ever-growing population of youth. They have also held literacy classes for 4500 beneficiaries, which have enabled women to acquire an education.

In spite of their ongoing endeavors, the problem of empowering women and their integration into rural development is considered one of the major challenges that Al-Jissar Association is attempting to overcome. AAJES has analyzed this situation and has identified some of the basic needs women will require to over come these obstacles. AAJES decided the establishment of a womenâ€™s center would be the best means of tackling this issue.

This project will allow women to acquire skills such as, sewing, knitting and carpet making as well as providing them with knowledge about health and literacy, which will permit them to improve not only the quality of their individual and family lives, but also the community in which they live. To achieve this, AAJES has expressed a desire and commitment to this project with a 32.87% contribution of the total budget. In addition, the womenâ€™s center will be sustained and managed by a staff of trained AAJES members. Partnership support is requested to purchase sewing machines and looms. AAJES will provide the two spaces and the funds needed to cover other expenses such as trainerâ€™s wages and transportation of materials and supplies. "

help fund this project?
https://www.peacecorps.gov/resources/donors/contribute/projdetail.cfm?projdesc=378-081&