In this Issue
The Spirit of Giving
Weary of increasing holiday commercialism and the
constant pressure to buy, buy, buy? Consider giving a
gift that makes a difference this holiday season.
Dollars donated to Amizade contribute to improving
lives and are tax deductible: $50 pays a skilled mason's
salary in Tanzania for one month, $100 repairs a
hurricane damaged home in Jamaica, $200 buys school
supplies for 10 Bolivian students for a full year and
$500 builds a classroom in Brazil.
Donate in an individual's name, and we will mail a card
to the honoree advising them of the gift. Your tax
deductible contribution allows volunteers to continue
making a difference where we serve. Earmark your
donation for: A specific community partnership, The
Amizade Scholarship Fund or The Amizade Endowment
Fund. There are no administrative fees, so 100% of
your contribution works for people.
As the end of another year approaches, consider
sharing some of your good fortune and giving a gift
that truly matters. To donate, please make checks
payable to "Amizade" and mail to: PO Box 110107
Pittsburgh, PA 15232. As a way of thanking you, we
will send an Amizade T-shirt or Amizade greeting cards
to all donors who donate $100 or more by December
15th.
Make a Donation to Amizade!
Quick Links
|
|
For many of us this time of year is filled with warm
wishes and memorable gatherings with family and
friends. We are often reminded how fortunate we are
and the significance of contributing to people in less
privileged circumstances. We encourage you to
consider a few ways available through Amizade to make
a substantial difference this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Michael Sandy, Executive Director
|
Jamaica Hurricane Relief Effort
As thousands of Jamaicans continue recovering from
the devastating effects of Hurricane Ivan in
September, Amizade is requesting your generosity this
holiday season to directly support the hardest-hit
island communities.
Our community partner, Association of Clubs, a
community-based organization in Petersfield, Jamaica,
identified relief programs and items that are most
needed such as toiletries, blankets, food, water,
batteries and teaching materials.
The situation is dire for families who lost their homes
and crops and now face unemployment. Most of the
sugar cane fields and fruit trees - which form the basis
of residents' livelihood - were destroyed by torrential
rain and wind. Community schools and centers, as well
as teaching supplies, were also ruined. Hurricane Ivan
killed 19 people and caused $36 billion in damage.
Matthias Brown, Amizade's community liaison with AOC,
said a total of $16,000 is needed to help residents,
including many struggling single mothers and
low-income elderly, purchase items such as soap,
toothpaste, canned goods and activity books for
children. He added that just a few dollars can go a long
way. For example, $50 buys 10 fruit trees. Amizade
donors have already generously contributed $1,500,
towards our goal of $16,000. Please consider a
contribution today.
Amizade is also offering volunteer programs in Jamaica
in January, February, March, April, September, October
and November. Volunteers will repair
hurricane-damaged buildings including four schools, 10
homes and
one community center.To learn more about volunteer
programs, please visit www.amizade.org.
To donate, please make checks payable to "Amizade"
and mail to: PO Box 110107
Pittsburgh, PA. 15232.
All donations are tax deductible and Amizade will
transfer 100%
of the donations to AOC for hurricane relief efforts.
Learn more about volunteering in Jamaica! »
|
|
Amizade Updates Web Site!
To increase awareness and improve understanding of
the exciting volunteer programs Amizade offers around
the globe, we have updated our Web site.
The new site, which is faster and easier to navigate,
features descriptions of our mission, history and vision;
a list of our community partnerships and upcoming
program dates; and an informative overview of what
volunteerism and service learning is all about.
The site is still a developing work in progress, so we
invite
you to give us a click and tell us what you think.
www.amizade.org.
Visit Amizade's New Web Site! »
|
|
Motorcycling Through South America
"Let the world change you, and you can change the
world."
That is the theme behind a new film, "The Motorcycle
Diaries," now playing at select theaters. Based on the
memoirs of world revolutionary leader Ernesto "Che"
Guevara, the movie - which the New York Times
calls "passionate and stirring" - is the story of
Guevara's life-defining motorcycle trip across South
America in the 1950s.
Inspired by the story and theme, Amizade partnered
with Focus Films to donate free volunteer programs to
Bolivia for individuals ready to change the world. The
contest winners will join a small group on a volunteer
program to Cochabamba, where they will make a
difference by building an orphanage or renovatimg a
school, all while exploring and embracing Bolivian
culture and people.
For more information about the movie visit
www.themotorcyclediariesmovie.com. To volunteer in
Bolivia or elsewhere around the world, please visit our
website at www.amizade.org.
Volunteer in South America! »
|
|
Ceoli Cards Make Wonderful Holiday Cards!
The painting of Bolivian scenes on cards began as an
occupational therapy program at CEOLI. However, the
center soon recognized its potential as a vocational
skill for some of the more talented artists. Within the
past year, CEOLI has made significant strides in
developing its card-making into a unique business,
providing long-term job opportunities for 10 - 12 young
adults. Because of Bolivia's poverty, the best markets
for these hand-painted cards exist in the United States
and Europe. Thus, Amizade, through several of its long-
term volunteers, has furthered the marketing and sales
of these cards in the U.S.
Please visit Marty and Marvin Wach's (Amizade Bolivia
Alumni in 2002 & 2003) website for complete
information on how to buy CEOLI cards and support this
youth program in Bolivia.
Purchase Ceoli Cards! »
|
|
