ANNUAL UPDATE 2016-2017 Cuso International Would Like to Recognize Our Patron, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
ANNUAL UPDATE 2016-2017 Cuso International would like to recognize our patron, His Excellency the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada. The governor general plays a key role in promoting national identity by support- ing and promoting Canadian values, diversity, inclusion, culture and heritage. As such, the governor general is patron of many community, charitable, military and cultural associations, as well as public service organizations, lending them vital support and recognition for their outstanding contributions to society. Photo credit: Sgt Ronald Duchesne, Rideau Hall © OSGG, 2015. Cuso International Cuso International gratefully acknowledges the financial support is a registered charitable of our donors, partners and the Government of Canada (through organisation in Canada. Global Affairs Canada). No. 81111 6813 RR0001 We are supported by donors in the United States through Friends of Cuso International. This report is also available in French and Spanish | Ce IRS tax number: EIN 30-0545486 bulletin est également disponible en anglais et espagnol | Este informe también está disponible en francés y en inglés For additional copies, please contact: [email protected] © Cuso International, 2017. Printed in Canada LEADERSHIP MESSAGE e are in a new era in development partners for allowing us to work with Waround the world: the Sustainable them and our volunteers for taking on Development Goals. Spearheaded by these special assignments. the United Nations, the Goals represent Volunteers are essential for achieving a world-wide action plan for equitable, the Sustainable Development Goals. socially inclusive and environmentally They create new spaces of interaction sustainable economic development. between governments and individuals, Beneficiaries There is a new era for development in and they leverage the combined energy 617,325 Canada as well, with the new Feminist of all people. Volunteering gives global International Assistance Policy. We are citizens, especially the world’s young very pleased to see this formalization people, a tangible way to contribute to of putting women and girls at the centre health, governance, sustainable liveli- of development as it has been the way hoods, environment, gender and social Cuso International has undertaken its Volunteers work for decades. their communities. It provides oppor- 292 An essential part of the Sustainable tunitiesinclusion for and everyone find leadership to play an roles active in Development Goals is their universality. and meaningful part in the international No longer are we focused solely on effort to meet the Sustainable Develop- developing nations—we have an obli- ment Goals. Partners gation to meet these goals in every Thank you for your support of Cuso 278 country, including Canada. Cuso Inter- International as it works with partners national is embracing the universality here in Canada and around the world Countries of the goals, continuing our work to have lasting and sustainable impact. around world, and undertaking new 20 projects with Indigenous partners in Canada. This is allowing us as an orga- nization to better understand the dev- astating effects of colonialization and E-Volunteers to be a part of reconciliation efforts in Hon. Lloyd Axworthy 265 this country. We thank our Indigenous Board Chair “Putting women and girls at the centre of development has been the way Cuso International has undertaken its work for decades.” —Lloyd Axworthy Cuso International Board Chair ANNUAL UPDATE 2016-2017 | 1 HIGHLIGHTS Khamoom now realizes having her own business one day is possible. 2 | ANNUAL UPDATE 2016-2017 COMMUNITY HEALTH LIVELIHOOD In May 2017, Cuso International At the Maweni Regional Hospital For 32-year-old Khamoom, the and its partner the Programa de in Kigoma, Tanzania, Dr Bruce smells of rich curries and stews are Rehabilitación de Parálisis Cerebral the smell of change and success. (Prepace) mourned the loss of a down. The busy paediatrician from bright young star, Mayori Velasco. QuebecD’Souza hasis a difficultfull days man supporting to track Mon, a restaurant run by the Mon Prepace supports youth with dis- local doctors and nurses as they Women’sShe is one Organization. of five women Together at Pao abilities in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. treat newborns and young children these women serve traditional fare Maryori had sickle cell anemia, for everything from malaria to as a means of preserving their Mon which left her exhausted and strug- motor vehicle accidents. As a vol- culture. In addition to cooking skills gling to keep up with her peers. A unteer, one of Dr D’Souza's biggest and learning how to lead in a kit- surgical error after she was struck challenges has been the lack of chen, Khamoom and the other by a motorcycle led to the amputa- modern equipment such as incu- women are learning important tion of one of Maryori’s legs when bators for sick newborns and skills in management, business and she was 17. phototherapy to treat jaundice. customer service. They are learning At Prepace, Maryori was on the Physicians and nurses are also about working as a team, planning, high school’s honour roll and scarce commodities in Kigoma. served as president of the student Practising in a developing country government. In that role, she devel- had always been something Dr and financialleadership management abilities. Theseskills. oped into a dynamic advocate for D’Souza wanted to do, and Cuso typesThey are of skills building are criticaltheir confidence in a com- people with disabilities. In 2016, International provided him with munity where entrepreneurial the opportunity—one that comes success for women is rare. Learning disability awareness campaign in with both frustrations and rewards. to become a chef has opened new Honduras.Maryori helped She spread plan the the first idea ever that - doors for Khamoom. She now real- “disability does not mean inability”. pected but the people are warm izes having her own business one “Prepace taught me that I have and“It's welcomingdifficult to and expect that themakes unex all day is possible. rights,” said Maryori. “I’ve learned the difference,” he said. “While that I have a voice and that I must many of the practices differ in use it.” Kigoma, it sparks excellent discus- sions. After all, we are all working 340,746 173 207 54 together to ensure optimal care for the children.” 88,561 69 45 5 188,018 34 26 15 ANNUAL UPDATE 2016-2017 | 3 GLOBAL IMPACT CANADA Our most recent Indigenous organiza- tion partner, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata has spent three decades working with Indigenous communities in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Using Indigenous ways of knowing, they build the strength and brighten the future of those they serve. ‘Mino Stat An’ (Cree for “Making Things Right”) involves creating a partnership based upon the shared goals of recon- ciliation and growing a vital community institution. Another project related to the wellbe- ing of Indigenous youth involves volun- teers being placed with the Beaufort Delta Education Council & South Slave Divisional Education Council. Supporting positive education outcomes for Indigenous children in Canada is crucial to the alleviation of poverty and working towards reconciliation. using radio, telenovelas and more to JAMAICA weave educational content into enter- Volunteer Christine French implement- taining and engaging platforms that ed a week-long summer camp for stu- promote behaviour change. dents of the YMCA’s Youth Development Program, where students were given BENIN hands-on training in renewable energy In Benin, citizen-journalists are helping and robotics. “It was amazing to watch to end the stigma around mental health. the students thrive,” said Christine. “I Patients and staff of our partner felt very inspired and honoured to be a St-Camille, which provides comprehen- part of their learning experience.” sive mental health services, started by Christine was able to take a leave of writing and producing the Journal Échos absence from her work thanks to a de la St-Camille. Writing about their partnership between Cuso International lives and mental health is both a therapy and the Government of British Columbia. tool and an education tool for readers. Lately, articles have been submitted to BOLIVIA national newspapers and blog posts are Local partner CISTAC is helping men regularly published on the St-Camille and boys in Bolivia challenge the tra- website. - types and pressures they face to be ETHIOPIA strong,ditional―and stoical, harmful―gender competitive and stereo tough. Cuso International, in partnership with With support from volunteers, the orga- the Canadian Association of Midwives, nization has offered creative and inno- organized a Gender Equality and Social vative edu-tainment programming, Inclusion (GESI) Training for in-service 4 | ANNUAL UPDATE 2016-2017 Respectful Maternity Care (RMC) in Addismidwives Ababa, with Ethiopia. a specific The emphasis participants on were engaged and actively discussed how the subjects related to their own lives and practices, forming critical analyses of GESI and RMC topics. “Since I am working on producing healthcare professionals, the knowledge that I get helps my students to be knowledgeable regarding gender equality and social inclusion.” –Genet Fikadu LAOS Farmers in Laos’ climate smart villages have seen yields double by planting climate-resilient rice and adopting new irrigation techniques. These new tech- niques are also increasing harvests in home gardens, so families have more nutritious food and extra produce to sell. We are now working with the Read more about our stories of impact at cusointernational.org/impact International Rice Research Institute to try to reach other farming communities across the country. ANNUAL UPDATE 2016-2017 | 5 YOU HAVE CHANGED LIVES THANKS to you, we’ve been able to have impact in the world and change lives. It’s your dedication, investment and commitment that allows our volunteers, partners and the communities in which we work to make a difference that truly lasts. Your support to Cuso International means so much as we work together to eradicate poverty.