Well-Being For All

World Accord Announces Planned Retirement of Executive Director Terry Fielder

2009-02-12T23:55:00.004-05:00

The World Accord Board of Directors announces the planned retirement of World Accord Executive Director Terry Fielder, effective June 2009. “Terry has not only been the face, voice and heart of World Accord for 25 years,” said Steve Capling, President of World Accord, “but he has been a tireless advocate for progressive development policies within the Canadian NGO community.”

Terry Fielder, having been the Executive Director of World Accord since July 1984, asked the Board to begin planning for his retirement over two years ago. “It is more difficult to think of leaving than it was to think of coming. World Accord is more than a job or career – World Accord has become part of my signature, part of my last name, part of my expression of things I believe and believe in.” stated Fielder. “World Accord has brought us into friendship with some of the greatest people that our nation and the world community has ever produced.”

Under Fielder's leadership, World Accord has developed funding from CIDA (Government of Canada), Community of Christ World Hunger Fund, Wild Rose Foundation, other foundations and from thousands of ordinary Canadians. Those funds have been channeled through local partner organizations in dozens of countries around the world. This approach allows those local organizations to implement development programs that have improved the well-being of many thousands of hard-working people who have been born into the poorest circumstances.

The World Accord Board of Directors will be launching a search to recruit an Executive Director.

A Personal Note from Terry Fielder:

Dear Friends:

In 1980, a handful of North Americans got together. They were looking for an alternative to the “aid” model that characterized our relationship with what was then called the “Third World.” All had personal lives and other work responsibilities that made them busy people, yet they cared for a world in need and they dared as a group to ask “What if?” They had given a great deal of thought about ways to empower communities of people born in poor circumstances. They conceived an agency that would enable people with resources to share them with those who had not. It was these early thoughts and this new agency that attracted me.

One day in 1984, the phone rang in my hardware store and within a minute, life for me and my family changed forever. Sandra and I had been volunteers with this new agency for four years and now the Board of Directors asked me to be the first staff member of what we now know as World Accord. We would need to leave the security of our home town and a business that was solid and profitable. It was both scary and exciting.

World Accord has evolved significantly over these 29 years. The “what” that handful of people wanted to accomplish all those years ago continues to be proven as valid. The values, the hope, the concept of empowering the poor were visionary at the time and are today accepted as critical to fostering an environment where people can flourish sustainably in peace with each other and the environment we share. While the “what” is the same, the “how” has changed greatly as we have learned what works and what doesn’t. Expectation and Hope are powerfully different concepts. Our Hope motivates us; our Expectation is based on HOW we exercise our power of choice.

In mid 2006, after 22 years as Executive Director of World Accord, my wife Sandra and I made a difficult choice and I approached the Board of Directors of World Accord and asked them to begin a process of Succession Planning. It is more difficult to think of leaving than it was to think of coming. World Accord is more than a job or career – for Sandra and I, World Accord has become part of our signature, part of my last name, part of our expression of things we believe and believe in. World Accord has brought us into friendship with some of the greatest people that our nation and the world community has ever produced.

The belief I share with Sandra and our children and with the Board of Directors of World Accord is that this agency needs to remain a vibrant component of our world community. The realization of Well-Being For All is still some distance off, beyond the horizon. The world community needs organizations like World Accord to express their hopes from a base of shared values.

The Board of Directors takes seriously their responsibilities for governance of this cause-related agency. They employ the same techniques we learned together a long time ago in the villages where projects were designed by listening and deciding together. Over the next few months, the Board will search for the person that World Accord needs to advance the cause of world accord.

Many people have influenced the evolution of World Accord and fostered and encouraged me to experiment as we learned and continue to learn how to express concern and caring. I treasure the life we have shared. I expect a shared future where we can and will still toil with our eyes fixed on our dream for a better and more peaceful world. I hope we get a chance to celebrate together the past we have shared and the future we have yet to experience.

Terry Fielder

Fundraiser Pancake-less Pancake Breakfast!

2008-07-10T13:33:00.001-04:00

Tuesday July 8th, 2008, at 7:30 AM donors gathered around the kitchen at Ziontario Campgrounds for a pancake breakfast, sans pancakes! What did they eat, you may ask? Bacon and Eggs!! The Eggs were donated by Grayridge Eggs and all was cooked by the Mahoney sisters and 'surrogate Mahoneys'. The event raised $838 for World Accord to support overseas programs.
Thanks to all who prepared, and ate!!
World Accord Staff

Fastathon(s) a Big Success So Far

2008-07-04T15:58:00.001-04:00

Once again this spring, youth and adults from all over the country participated in the 36 hour fasting and fundraising event. Between the events held at Ziontario and Hills of Peace campgrounds, we raised just over $35,000. Another outstanding year. AND there is still more to come.

For the second summer in a row, the directors of the BC reunion have not only encouraged a mini-Fastathon within the reunion but are helping World Accord with handling the planning and organizing as well. It may be a small group of fasters but they are keen to participate and are eager fundraisers too.

The theme for Fastathon this year is "If Everyone Cared... imagine what the world would be". We had great events with more than 120 people showing up to fast so far.

This year we also had some special participants at the Ziontario Fastathon. Kayla Wyer brought 12 of her companions from the Katimivik group she has been traveling and volunteering with.

In a strange twist of fate, Kayla won the Construction Trip. At the western Fastathon, the trip was won by Carson Moor - a driving force behind getting the Fastathon going in the west. Congratulations to Carson and Kayla.

The BC Reunion Fastathon will take place July 21 - 23 at Samish Island campgrounds. Watch for an update after that.

Thank you to all participants and those who sponsored them. The funds from the event will be used primarily in support of the CORDI Women's Shelter in India. Thank you again for helping make that possible.

World Accord Staff

Letters from Honduras Children

2008-06-23T10:55:00.002-04:00

That is Al Wigood Pictured above with Ever Domingo and Marco Brenedi (in green)

To: Mr. Al with lots of love.
From: Ever Domingo Flores Doblado
I wish you all the best of the world. I am firstly a child of God and I will never forget you. I love you so much I pray that God will keep you safe where ever you may be. Thank you so much for what you and your partners did for us and left with us. At the same time I don't know how to properly say I wish you a Happy Christmas and Prosperity in the New Year. Those are my wishes for you Mr. Al from Ever Domingo with all the love in the world.

Ever Domingo's brother Marco writes:

From marco Brenedi Flores Doblado
To: Mr. Al
Although I have a short time of knowing you, I love you. I am five years old and I will never forget you and I ask God that you come back to this place. I also ask God to keep you safe where you live. I want to tell you I have 7 brothers and every one appreciates you though I appreciate you the most. This small and humble paper may you take with you as a memory from the children that wish you health in the name of our Lord and to all of your friends that worked hard in this place with a lot of love. I say good bye with a million kisses and a million hugs.
Brenedi
ps Good Bye not for ever.

2008 Summer Job Available

2008-05-23T09:25:00.001-04:00

As of 23-May-2008 World Accord has a position for a summer student for 2008.

Job title is "Program-Resource Assistant" and duties will include but not be limited to:

Community Awareness initiatives
Fundraising activities
Office Administration

See posting on the website for details.

Excerpt from Jack Allen Memorial

2008-04-17T10:31:00.002-04:00

SHARING OUR ABUNDANCE OFFERINGS - Jack Allen

Sharing Our Abundance offerings for May honors a long time member of UCE, Jack Allen. Many of us remember Jack fondly as he made everyone feel so welcome at UCE. As well, when Jack died, he left a $10,000 life insurance gift to UCE. We really appreciate all the contributions Jack made to UCE and to Unitarianism and therefore, we will be honoring him by donating our charitable sharing of offerings for May to World Accord.

In 1961, Jack was led to the Unitarian church by his daughter, Judy. It was such a good fit with Jack's principles of justice and equity and interdependence. Judy brought him but Social Justice kept him here. He was part of the group in this church who supported with time and money, a hostel for the multitudes of hitchhikers criss-crossing the country. In the 60s the Native Friendship Centre became a focus for him and he encouraged other members of the church to offer hospitality and tutoring at the Centre. He and other Unitarians joined the protest against nuclear testing in Southern Alberta. He long supported the gay and lesbian community, marching in protest when Anita Bryant came to town in the 70s and most recently in the Gay Pride Parade last June in his friend's power wheelchair.

After 41 years he resigned his membership in this church but immediately joined the Westwood congregation where his partner, Elaine Roberts, was an active member. He became an active member of their Social Justice Committee and supported enthusiastically their projects in Nicaragua and Peru. Together, Jack and Elaine journeyed to Central America 5 times with World Accord, an organization whose development philosophy embraces the idea that "development is not a destination, but a journey". World Accord works with people, families and communities, helping create opportunities and choices that improve their well-being in ways consistent with their culture and value. Each time he went, he joyfully assisted a campesino family to build a home or the people of a village to build a school or community center. He was very sad in 2005 when he realized that his balance was so compromised that he was unsafe on the worksite and that it would be his last trip. He was 81.

A team of Jack's family and friends are going to Honduras in January 2009 to build a school in his honour. Contributions to World Accord, to the Jack Allen Memorial Fund are still being gratefully received. Further information about this is available from Elaine Roberts or from World Accord.

World Accord www.worldaccord.org
1C-185 Frobisher Dr. Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2V 2E6 1-800-525-3545

Hunger Awareness '08 in Ottawa

2008-03-18T11:26:00.003-04:00

We just received a note from Erny Cowan of the Community of Christ in Ottawa regarding their Hunger Awareness event. Thanks Erny.

We had about 30 people attend, mostly families with young children. Our first activity was an hour of swimming at the local Dovercourt pool. Then there were some activities around building cooperatively, such as building a bridge out of straws and connectors and churches out of cardboard boxes and tubes. A short sing-a-long, let by Christine Pigeon, wrapped up the activities. Then we shared a meal of chili or rigatonni.

The event was organized by Barb Kernohan, with assistance from Steve Wozniac in the kitchen, and Dianne Galbraith and Connie Hicks keeping the kids busy.

AND they raised $290 in support of World Accord programs. This is a great example of having fun while learning and supporting a cause. Way to go everyone. Thank you all for putting on this wonderful event.

The staff of World Accord

Dave Snell's Perspective

2008-01-08T23:37:00.000-05:00

Terry thought it would be interesting to get Dave Snell's perspective particularly because he was one of the first to visit back in 1985. Here's what he has to say:

My first impression having arrived here at La Buena Fe is just how much all of the vegetation has grown up around all of the buildings because it was pretty open when I was here before. The houses weren’t there at the roadway. The village near La Buena Fe is much bigger and more prosperous. There are new schools and the hydro line had just gone up months before I was there. There is certainly a lot more traffic on the highway than what there was then.

Sunday, when we went out to Conception, the road was paved!! That was a real shock to go up there to a paved road. Henrique spoiled it all by bringing us back on the gravel road.

Certainly the level of poverty is not what it was on my first trip back in 1985. A lot more people are living in either Adobe or concrete houses. Most people were living in stick houses with thatched roofs. There was certainly no hydro up in the villages in the mountains. There’s a lot more roads in the hills than what I remember. There are a lot more schools as well.

Alfonzo has that concrete house up on the hill now. He wasn’t living in anything near that when we saw him the first time. I don’t think it was even an adobe house. To me, seeing him today, he is one of the more prosperous men in the town. Not having seen the rest of the men, but that would be my take. His land around his property has a lot more growth on it than what it had then.

As we were driving along the roads, the corn fields and the coffee growers, everything is just much more prosperous. Before there would be a stock of corn every two feet in the fields and they were considerably smaller than the fields we were looking at today.

The one thing that I haven’t noticed is the bees. The first time we were down here, quite a number of the homes had honey bees. They would have a hollowed limb by their house and that is where they got their honey from. We got to actually watch them process the honey.

Dave Snell

Honduras January 7th

2008-01-08T22:14:00.000-05:00

Our focus today was on housing. We took the time to travel around and see some of the homes and schools that PRR has built.

Those of us who were feeling adventurous, hopped into the back of a truck and took the tour with the wind blowing through our hair. There was nothing blocking our view of the mountains and valleys.

One home that we stopped at was particularly tragic. This shack had been built out of mud and is dangerous in this area, because the walls provide a place for a disease carrying bug to dwell. This bug, called a chagas, is about an inch and a half long and bites you in your sleep and sucks blood. The family is actually a candidate for a new hom ethat will be funded in party by PRR. These homes are to be constructed by mud blocks that the family makes themselves. PRR will help with building the concrete floor, a tin roof, and put concrete over the mud walls in order to seal them. The family has already started to build their blocks, but is having difficulty getting them made because the father has two broken legs and cannot walk. The mother stays up all night killing the chagas that are already filled with the blood of her three children. She cannot take them to the medical clinic to even get them tested for this disease. Even while this family is struggling so hard to live their life, they are still trying to plan for their future. Some of the group members were suggesting that the community should step in and help them form their blocks because it was an extreme situation. If you could have seen the look on the woman's face though, when she said no, that this was something she had to do for herself. It was going to be her home. Amazing.

Cindy's Perspective

2008-01-07T11:51:00.000-05:00

Cindy's Perspective on our experiences so far:

I found the amount of information that I heard today overwhelming at times. I was really fascinated by Pablo and his work and what they’re doing with the agricultural side. There is genius in using the farmer’s as their own scientist. To be able to teach farmer’s who in many cases are not literate to follow a scientific method of developing their own food source for their own micro climate is just genius. I’m not sure how else to describe it. The buy in that’s needed to get people on board to do that kind of thing. As he was explaining with the beans, it’s a very painstaking, detail oriented process. To have a group of people that dedicated to a long term project is really amazing.

What also struck me was the simplicity and the common sense ideas of the silos. The simple solution to a very big problem. The silos mean that the beans and the corn can be sold at a time when the price is better in order to maintain an income for the family throughout the year and they’re then not losing 30% of their crop or having rodents in their house that carries disease. There is no mold this way, it’s just a very simple, powerful solution.

When Marina and Claudia were talking this afternoon, I felt really helpless. Claudia was sitting there and she’s ill and her daughter is ill and thousands of people are ill through no fault of their own. To take on a corporation like that requires so much tenacity and so much courage and they have no resources. People in that situation never have resources. It’s one of the huge injustices in the world. The lead in the environment is going to persist forever unless it’s cleaned up. How will that clean up be forced onto the big business? They don’t want to do it. It’s going to be very costly for them. Caught in that squeeze between Claudia and her family.

Tonight we went to church. I was humbled by the dedication of the pastor from Tegucigalpa. He had to drive for hours to get here for just one family to worship. They were very gracious to us. I was struck again by the familiarity of the community of Christ, even in a language that I can’t understand.

January 6th

La Buena Fe January 6th

2008-01-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

January 6th

The next morning, roosters greeted us as we woke, alarming us of the morning. Other birds chirped softly and cheerfully in the background which made it a little less annoying. We had a relaxing morning, half of that may have been the fact that most of us did not have our checked luggage, so our choice of outfits was somewhat limited. We took our leisurely stroll over to the Casa Blanca (white house) for our breakfast. The breakfast was wonderful. There was porridge with milk and cinnamon, pancakes with honey (or maple syrup was also available) and fresh fruit. They roast the coffee bean after it has already been sweetened, so there was no need to add sugar to your morning coffee.

After breakfast, we took a tour of the project here at La Buena Fe. We had a chance to walk around the grounds and see all of the organic farming that is being done here. They have been able to actually cross pollinate bean seeds in order to make them resistant to drought and other hazards. All of the farming is purely organic, no chemicals are being used. We walked to the compost piles and dug through the beautiful black dirt that the worms are making out of the stalks from the beans.

We had the opportunity to share lunch with two women from El Salvador that shared with us after lunch about their project in El Salvador focusing on education and heard of a new problem that they are currently facing: lead poisoning. It’s a tragic story about a battery factory that was dumping their waste into the water and it has now penetrated basically everything in the community. Children are dying, people and cows are mutilated, and the treatment for lead poisoning will cost each person $2500, which is just an impossible amount of money for the people in El Salvador.

In the afternoon, we took a walk through the town. Walking down the path, we were greeted by the local people who all came to the doorways and windows to look at the bunch of white people walking through town. Children would giggle as they spoke their bits of English that they knew. Several curious individuals followed us along the way as we walked. We paused to take pictures of the dense foliage on the mountainsides.

New sounds were all around us. Animals are all around us, goats, cows, horses, chickens, dogs, cats, lizards. There is a heavy undertone of crickets playing in the background at night.

After dinner, we all had the opportunity to cram into the ambulance. Yes, that’s right, we had 10 people packed in an ambulance on the way to church. No one was injured, we simply were using the ambulance as a means of transportation. The members at the church were waiting for us when we arrived. I think that we overpopulated the local people that were there, but they seemed excited to have us there. We were without a translator at this part, so we got by with the little Spanish that we had. We started off the service by sharing in music. We sang “This Little Light of Mine” in English and then the congregation shared in a song in Spanish. The minister was from Tegucigalpa and had traveled to this small church for the first time. He was wonderful at engaging the congregation and was very energetic in his message. It was obvious that he had a lot of experience in being a minister and giving powerful messages. They took up an offering, which I think was more money than they may have gotten all year long, even though some of us were being much more modest than what we would put in the offering plate at home. They sang another song in Spanish and then I attempted to lead what I know to be the words to Santo, Santo, Santo. Fortunately, it appeared anyway, that what I was saying was close enough to the actual Spanish words, that they were able to pick up on the song.

Cramming back into the ambulance was even more interesting this time, because we picked up an extra passenger, the minister. Also picture, in your mind a windshield that is completely fogged up and no defroster functioning. So Terry had to wipe away a clear spot on the windshield with a Kleenex. The roads here are not what I would call paved for the most part either. I don’t think anyone hit their head on the roof when we went over bumps, but it wouldn’t have surprised me. All in all, we made it back safely and dropped of the minister who was spending the night at La Buena Fe.

I can’t get over how much I feel at home here in this place. It’s strange to be in a foreign place where nothing seems foreign to you. Except maybe throwing the toilet paper in the waste basket. That still seems a little awkward to me.

Erin Clark

Another Perspective

2008-01-07T11:29:00.000-05:00

January 6th

I will be posting both my own viewpoint and a short perspective from another person on the trip with us.

Today´s perspective is brought to you by Barb M:

It was good to meet Henrique and know about what they’re doing. You can put a face to the project, you can see their concerns and their dedication. You see how proud they are of their accomplishments. I think all of us should become activists for the causes that we believe in, justice. I just recently joined Amnesty International, so I feel like I’m doing something globally. We need to be thinking of our own communities as well as other parts of the world.

La Buena Fe, Honduras January 5th

2008-01-07T11:05:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends:

My name is Erin and I am writing to you from our Discovery Expedition to Honduras.

Upon arriving at La Buena Fe, Honduras we were shown to the building in which we’d be staying. It was originally a medical clinic and has 4 separate rooms with a couple of beds in each one. As we settled into our rooms and divvied up the best beds, the sound of the birds in the trees greeted us, as if saying “Welcome back to this place called home.”

After settling in, our first task was to be fed. Stepping outside, we realized that twilight had vanished from the skies. As we walked along the stone path, overgrown by the lush grass, we were reminded of the cornerstone that connects us, because in the background, slow and steady, came a familiar hymn being sung in Spanish, “How Great Thou Art” enveloping us and blessing our journey. The only thing lighting our way was the dim glow of the fireflies nestled into the blades of grass.

We were led to a small white house, quaint and welcoming with the porch light on and dogs to greet us at the steps with their tails wagging feverishly. The aroma of what lie ahead wafted through the doorway. A wondrous spread of scrambled eggs and mashed beans with sour cream and fresh, home made tortillas had been prepared for our feast. Fresh fruits were also available and fried plantains were tasted by many for the first time.

We passed the time after our meal by telling stories and sharing in laughter around the table. Many of us gathered together to play cards before heading off to bed. It had been a long day for all of us, having to wake early in the wee hours of the morning to catch our flights.

Erin Clark

Letters From Young Children

2008-01-04T14:18:00.001-05:00

The Passing of a Great Canadian

2007-12-13T09:32:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends:

We have just received some sad news. Lewis Perinbam passed away early this morning , December 12th in Vancouver after fighting a difficult heart condition over the past few months.

Mr. Perinbam was asked by Maurice Strong, the founder of CIDA, to create a program to support Canadian NGOs engaged in international development like World Accord. He did so, taking the reins of the new and budding "NGO Division" in 1969 and moved up to the new position of Vice President in 1974. He remained in that post until the early 90s. After leaving CIDA, he joined the Commonwealth of Learning in Vancouver, eventually becoming its Chair, a position he held until today. Along the way, he was closely associated with many Canadian agencies, including WUSC, CUSO, and CESO. When it began, Mister Perinbam gave strong support to South Asia Partnership which World Accord has been apart of since the 1980's.

As the key architect of Canada's international NGO program with CIDA, he helped hundreds of agencies across Canada. He facilitated the community as he championed development cooperation and civil society for more than 60 years.

Lewis Perinbam was the first advocate of innovation and of giving everyone an opportunity to be engaged in international work. His admirable characteristics and his accomplishments in and for the NGO community are legion. We understand there will be a memorial for him in Vancouver on December 28 or 29 and another in the New Year in Ottawa.

His vision will be missed. His legacy remains because of what he made possible. He was truly a great Canadian.

Hurricane Felix...

2007-09-10T10:40:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Felix certainly made the rounds through our program areas in Central America. It passed over Programma de Reconstruccion Rural (PRR) and Proyecto Aldea Global (PAG) in Honduras then moved on to Mujeres en Accion in Guatemala and further to ADCASMUS in El Salvador. Honduras was first and although there was lots of rain it wasn't as bad as was anticipated. Here is an exerpt from the Executive Director of PAG, letting us know they are all well. Gracias a Dios!

Overall we have good news from Honduras in that Felix did not damage the country as was expected. The high wind, the heavy rains only hit down in certain areas but not to the extent that we had previously anticipated. Some low lying areas along the coast and certain valleys were flooded with rivers carrying a lot of water from the mountains; landslides did happen in some areas but there was no loss of life to my knowledge.

We moved some of our equipment, (a dozer, grader, trucks and a front end loader) to clean slides and reopen some third degree gravel roads that were partially washed out but overall there was little damage. We do not have any knowledge of homes that were washed away because of the flooding although several water systems were affected and we are seeing how to help purchase pipe and accessories to fix some of those systems.

Overall we feel quite fortunate that we and the people of Honduras were not affected too much this time around. Thank you for your prayers and concern and we will continue to be in touch as we make our way through this current hurricane season, 2007.
Blessings,
Chet

Loaves and Fishes - Fundraising Breakfast.

2007-07-11T16:17:00.000-04:00

We had a wonderful breakfast at the Loaves and Fishes Reunion at the Ziontario Campgrounds yesterday. The eggs and bacon were donated by Greyridge Eggs (thanks to Scott Brookshaw), the pancakes were donated by Isabelle Mahoney, and the juices were donated by Coca-Cola Canada (thanks to Nancy Brookshaw). The Mahoney's and their crew did a great job cooking and servers included Ken Barrows and the guest ministers - the Chavala-Smith's.

We had a smaller group than expected, with about 75 diners (most of the Stratford Congregation were at a funeral service for Vernice Corlett). However, we really did the job in the eating (and giving) departments. Overall, we raised $1,030 for the Gordon Curry Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will go to ensure the continued education of a deserving young girl in our program in Honduras.

Thank you to everyone who participated, organized or ate to help out with this great cause.

Construction Expedition Season Filling Up Early!

2007-07-06T16:32:00.000-04:00

Richard Kirsh, Construction Expedition Coordinator, reports that the 2007-8 season has started selling out early. The February and both March Construction Expeditions to Honduras are now full.

The groups to Honduras in November, and Guatemala in January, still have some spaces available. If this is your year to live an adventure like this, we encourage you to act soon! Contact World Accord or Richard Kirsh directly at the address on our web page. Go to http://www.worldaccord.org and click on "Get Involved"

Thank you for helping to create a better world!

Terry Fielder, Executive Director

East teams West and Records SET!!!

2007-06-15T10:29:00.000-04:00

Fastathon 2007 was a HUGE sucess with two events held again this year in Calgary, AB and at Ziontario Campgrounds in Ontario. Together there were approximately 115 people and everyone raised $38,180.64! What difference a weekend can make!

The theme this year was "I need to Wake up to some Inconvenient Truths" and we discussed how we can all do things here in Canada to make a difference around the world and for the world/enviroment.

Funds raised will go far to help World Accord's partners around the world and from them we say THANK YOU!

Touching lives and hearts everywhere!

2007-06-11T13:27:00.001-04:00

Fastathon East took place May 25th to 27th 2007 and it was a great success once again, but something new happened this year. One of our top fund raisers was Jillian Dailey! She was also one of our youngest attendees!

Jillian has been to Guatemala and wanted to do something big this year so she set a goal for herself to raise at least $1,000! With the help of her parents she used this T-shirt that says "I'm going to raise $1,000 for World Accord and my friends in Guatemala, and I'm not taking off this T-shirt until I do!". Jillian surpassed her goal with a whopping $1,020! Way to go Jillian!!

Thank you Jillian for showing all of us that even the youngest can truly make a difference!!

Need Summer Work? We have a summer position open!

2007-06-05T15:28:00.000-04:00

World Accord has received approval for funding from the Canadian Government for a 10-week Development Education Intern position for summer 2007. To qualify, government regulations require that the student must be eligible to work in Canada, has just completed a year as a full time student (university or high school)and must be planning to return as a full time student in the fall of 2006. They must be between the ages of 16 and 30 inclusive.

The position would include traveling to youth and family camps across Canada to provide information about development issues and what World Accord is doing to make a difference.

If interested send a resume and cover letter to Sandy Heathers.

Music Fundraiser for Cordi Women's Shelter

2007-05-16T03:01:00.000-04:00

Join us for an evening of delicious authentic Indian cuisine, great entertainment and a cultural music mosaic.

When: Sunday, May 26, 2007, 6:30pm
Where: Indian Well's Golf Club, Burlington, ON

Reserve your tickets ($100) by calling Dr. James Seager (905) 928-9677 or Sherry Outhwaite (905) 869-3898. [Download a poster with more information]

Mary Burbidge -Making a difference in Central America!

2007-05-14T11:14:00.000-04:00

Years ago, Mary Burbidge was touched when she traveled to Honduras on a Construction Expedition. She saw many children running around in the cold and damp air of the Honduran winters and as a former nurse, felt driven to take action. She returned home and asked her friends to help make pneumonia vests for the children to help keep them healthy through the winter months. From there it took off and Mary has not slowed down in her endeavors! This year marked more than 11,000 vests and half as many toques making their way to Central America.

This very colourful photo shows some of the children who received vests this year! What a beautiful sight!

Thank you Mary for making a difference to the lives of the children in Guatemala and Honduras!

The Journey of a Lifetime

2007-05-08T15:27:00.000-04:00

Editor's Note: The following story was submitted by Bill Bulmer. Bill is a teacher and has taken his students on Construction Expeditions to Honduras.

This past March Break, five of us from Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate and Vocational School (three students and two teachers) traveled to rural Honduras to assist in the construction of a kinder-school. It was without a doubt, a life-altering experience.

The weather in Honduras was hot and sunny. With daily temperatures around 30 °C, the construction process was a challenge, but extremely rewarding. The villagers greeted us daily with smiles; they were the ones who dreamed of this school, we just helped them realize it sooner.

We ended up working at two separate construction sites. The site we spent most of our time on had the main building almost complete. It was here where we worked on building the bathrooms and “la cocina,” or kitchen. This school was in a community devastated by Hurricane Mitch back in 1998, and they are still trying to rebuild after eight years. That might seem like a long time, but since we mixed concrete by hand and there was no electricity in the village, it wasn’t difficult to understand. The construction process takes a lot longer without the aid of heavy machinery.

We spent half a day touring some other projects World Accord was helping out with. It was easy to see the positive changes World Accord and their partner in Honduras PRR have made in those communities. Houses made from cement blocks instead of mud, running water, and improved, sustainable methods of agriculture were just a few of the ways quality of life has been improved in these remote mountain villages.

This experience, without doubt, changed my students’ perspective on life. The smiles on the villagers’ faces were at first difficult to understand. Hondurans make on average under $7.00 a day and most of the homes had no electricity or running water. But they genuinely seemed happy with what limited resources they had. It certainly put life in perspective, especially considering the commercial, fast paced society we live with in Canada. We always seem to want more “stuff,” although we don’t seem to get any happier once we have it.

The trip was so successful for our school that we’re going back again next year. This coming March Break, we will have 11 members of the KCI community heading to Honduras. The word is out.

Some people balk when given the opportunity to make positive changes in the world. “What can I do? I’m only one person.” It is projects like a construction expedition to Honduras that create meaningful and lasting changes in our global community. It gives people even in the most remote places the opportunity of choice; a chance at an education and a chance at improving their lives and the lives of those around them.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -- Margaret Mead

Register Now for Fastathon 2007

2007-04-16T19:48:00.000-04:00

"Wake Up" to Some Inconvenient Truths at Fastathon 2007 where we will be fasting and learning about the life support systems on spaceship earth and how we can play our part in making sure the ship will support human life in the long term. On spaceship earth there are no emergency exits or escape pods - so we have to maintain the earth's ecosystems.

Fastathon is May 25 - 27 at the Ziontario Campgrounds near Priceville, Ontario.

For more information or to request a pledge sheet, contact World Accord at 1-800-525-3545 or email waccord@worldaccord.org

Download a registration form and map