the backpack project 2014 newsletter
DESCRIPTION
Thank you for your continued support! Here's a recap of our 2013 activities.TRANSCRIPT
1
NEWSLETTER
EDUCATION IS THE
MOST POWERFUL
WEAPON WHICH YOU
CAN USE TO CHANGE
THE WORLD - Nelson Mandela
IN THIS ISSUE About the Backpack Project……1
Christmas Gree ngs……………….2
2013 Year in Review……………...3
BPP in the Community……………4
Our Students………………………….9
Our Sponsors ……………………….10
What’s in Our Backpacks?......11
How to Get Involved…………….11
Upcoming Events………………….11
Health Ar cle……………………….12
Some Fun Stuff……………………..13
The Backpack Project Newsle er #3 December 2013
The Backpack Project
ABOUT THE BACKPACK PROJECT ENSURING THAT EVERY CHILD IN THE CARIBBEAN HAS THE TOOLS NEC-‐ESSARY TO RECEIVE A BASIC FORMAL EDUCATION
The Backpack Project is a non-profit ini a ve aimed at promo ng health and educa on among Caribbean students between the ages of 5 and 18 years. The Backpack project, which was started in December 2008, assists students of impoverished families to pursue their educa onal goals through the shipment and distribu on of pre-packaged backpacks con-‐taining school and personal supplies.
Students are iden fied by Caribbean educators who then no fy the or-‐ganiza on of the students’ needs. Once eligibility is confirmed, backpacks are then assembled, shipped and distributed to the students. Upon re-‐ceipt of the backpacks, the students then maintain regular correspond-‐ence with The Backpack Project regarding their progress both inside and outside of the classroom.
Tutorial High School (Guyana) teacher presents backpack to student recipient
2
SEASON’S GREETINGS ‘Tis the most wonderful me of the year for most of us, as we spend quality me with our loved ones celebra ng Christmas. At this special me of year however, let us not forget those less
fortunate than our ourselves. We ask that you give generously so that can con nue to improve the lives of Caribbean students one backpack at a me. May God con nue to bless you richly, as we move forward into what is hopefully a pros-‐perous and produc ve 2014.
Warm Wishes,
The Backpack Project Team
Above: The Backpack Project Team Canada (From left to right): Michael Omitiran, Ayana Billy, Melissa Enmore, Jonelle Douglas, Kenita Cumberbatch-Walcott, Kimani Williams Jamohl Rutherford
Above: The Backpack Project Team Trinidad (from left to right): Karelle Clark, Michelle Kan-dasammy, Daniel Yearwood
Help us eradicate poverty in the Caribbean and make a difference in children’s lives one backpack at a time. Your can contribute to The Backpack Project by:
Donating financially through our PayPal account at our website www.backpackproject.ca
Donating in-kind items (a list of items can be found on page 10)
3
BPP Update—Trinidad:
Thanks to your generous dona ons and support, The Backpack Project team has been able to provide 115 children from 9 schools and 2 communi-‐ty organisa ons in Trinidad, with backpacks containing the necessary tools for their educa onal pursuits and personal hygiene items for their health. Your dona ons will provide students with the educa onal tools they need for the next 6 months.
The Principals have indicated that the students are mo vated, excited and apprecia ve of the comprehensiveness of our backpacks, as there is a need for personal hygiene items, which is o en overlooked for Primary School students. We are proud of all of our students, par cularly those who wrote SEA (all of whom were successful):
•2 students from Nelson Street Boys R.C. School passed for CIC and St. An-‐
thony's
• 2 students from Arima Boys Government Primary passed for Queen's Royal College
Although these victories may seem small to the average person, we know that they are not. Your contribu ons go a long way and The Backpack Project team, as well as the children we serve are full of gra tude for your gen-‐erosity. Again, thank you for all you do for our kids. You are a part of their lives too.
BPP Update—Canada:
This year (2013) has been a good year for The Backpack Project team in Canada, par cularly with the expansion of our team which now comprises 7 commi ed volunteers. Thanks to the hard work of 2 of our volunteers (Jamohl Rutherford and Phillip Lewis), we were able to revamp The Backpack Project website, www.backpackproject.ca., a er which our summer collec on drive began in the summer. The collec on drive was a success and backpacks were assembled and shipped to 3 schools in Guyana (Queen’s College, St. Roses High School and Tutorial High School) and 1 community organiza on in Hai (Neges Founda on). Not only were we able to provide backpacks for our students, but we were able to get more involved in our com-‐munity with a booth at the Last Lap Lime, an annual Guyanese event, and a booth at the United Way of Peel’s third annual Unity in Diversity Gala. Several important partnerships were formed as a result of our involvement in these events. With the con nued growth and expansion of our team, we hope to con nue to grow and expand our organiza-‐on. We thank you for your con nued support, as we con nue to strive towards allevia ng poverty in the Carib-‐
bean, one backpack at a me.
2013 YEAR IN REVIEW
4
Above: Delivering backpacks to Trinidadian student recipients
Above: The Backpack Project, in col-laboration with REPSOL, delivered 20 backpacks to the students at Guayaguayare Roman Catholic Primary School
Above: Michelle, staff from new sponsor Lucky Dollar who sponsored backpacks for 10 stu-dents at Arima Boys Government School for 2013, and Arima Principal Mr. Fleming
BPP IN THE COMMUNITY: TRINIDAD
Above: Karelle and volunteers who came out to help The Backpack Project team sort items and assemble back-packs for September 2013
5
Above: The Backpack Project team (Karelle, Daniel and Michelle) is joined by a junior volunteer, while sorting and assembling back-packs for September 2013
Above: The Backpack Project, in collaboration with REPSOL, deliv-ered 19 Backpacks to Mayaro Gov-ernment Primary School
BPP IN THE COMMUNITY: TRINIDAD
Above: Karelle and bpTT staff who sponsored backpacks for students at Nelson Street Boys in 2013
Above: Some of the items found in our backpacks include soaps, deodorants, lotions, shampoo, pens, crayons and rul-
Above: BPP in collaboration with REPSOL delivered 20 Backpacks to the students at Mafeking Government Primary School
6
BPP IN THE COMMUNITY: CANADA
Above: Kimani and Melissa promote The Backpack Pro-ject at the United Way of Peel Region’s 3rd annual Unity in Diversity Gala at the Garden Banquet and Convention Centre in Brampton, Ontario (September 2013)
Above: Yoleine Gateau Esposito, Co-Founder of Neges Foundation in Haiti, and Melissa in Montreal, Quebec load-ing her van with backpacks for Haitian children (October 2013)
Above: Tutorial High School alumnus Joan McLean sorts backpack contents for stu-dents at her alma mater in Guyana
Above: Jonelle and Kenita, new members of The Backpack Project team, pack back-packs for Haitian student recipients
Above: St. Roses’ High School alumni sort items and assemble backpacks for students at their alma mater in Georgetown, Guyana
7
“WHEN YOU
KNOW BETTER
YOU DO
BETTER.” - Maya Angelou
BPP IN THE COMMUNITY: CANADA
Above: Melissa presents a Backpack Project Certificate of Appreciation to Grace Church for their generous contributions in 2013
Above: Melissa packs the backpacks into a barrel in preparation for a ship-ment to Guyana via Tennessee Interna-tional Freight Inc.
Above: Backpacks packed and ready for shipment and distribution to stu-dent recipients
Above: The Backpack Project dona-tion box overflowing at Faith United Ministries
Above: Kenita and Jamohl promoteThe Backpack Pro-ject at Grace Church’s bar-becue
Above: Jonelle, Melis-sa and Kimani collect-ing the donations from Grace Church
8
BPP AT LAST LAP LIME 2013
The largest congrega on of Guyanese outside of Guyana, the Last Lap Lime is an annual social family event held by five non-profit Guyanese Alumni Asso-‐cia ons, which showcases Guyanese culture through food, drink, entertain-‐ment and liming within the diaspora.
Our third consecu ve year at Last Lap Lime, The Backpack Project’s presence was felt at the annual Guyanese event, which was held on August 5th 2013 at Woodbridge Fairgrounds. This oppor-‐tunity allowed for face-to-face interac-‐on with several of our sponsors, do-‐
nors and educators. As well, with our raffle prize, dinner for two at Guyanese restaurant, Scarlet Ibis, we were able to secure new sponsors, donors and vol-‐unteers. Not only did we have the op-‐portunity to showcase our work to date, but we were able to network with other Guyanese business owners who were interested in collabora ng with us, sharing a common interest in the development of Caribbean children. Overall, the day was a success and the BPP Canada team had fun The Backpack Project booth at Last Lap Lime 2013 (left to right): Ayana,
Jonelle, Caesar, Kenita, Roy, Stephanie and baby Lucia, our youngest visitor
9
Our Students
Above: 2013 Backpack Project student recipients at Tutorial High School in Guyana
Above: Feedback from a Tutorial High School stu-dent who received a backpack in 2013
“Our children are the rock on which our future will be built, our greatest asset as a nation”
The Backpack Project student recipients:
• Are 5 to 18 years old
• Are currently enrolled at preparatory, primary or secondary schools in the Caribbean and re-turning to school for another year
• Demonstrate financial need
The Backpack Project student recipients are identified by Caribbean educators who notify the organization of their needs. Once eligibility is confirmed by The Backpack Project team, backpacks are then assembled, shipped and distributed to the students. Upon receipt of the back-packs, the students notify the Backpack Project Team, and maintain regular correspondence with us regarding their educational progress.
Facts about World Poverty and Education
An average of 39% of Latin American and Caribbean youth live in poverty1
In Latin America and the Caribbean, some 35 million children between 3 to 18 years of age do not go to school at all1
Too many children are still denied their right to primary educa-tion. Between 2000 and 2011, the number of children out of school declined by almost half—from 102 million to57 million. However, progress in reducing the number of children out of school has slowed considerably over time. Stalled progress means that the world is unlikely to meet the target of universal primary education by 20152
The poorest children are most likely to be out of school. Chil-dren and adolescents from the poorest households are at least three times more likely to be out of school than children from the richest households. Girls are more likely to be out of school than boys among both primary and lower secondary age groups, even for girls living in the richest households2
Sources:
1. Unicef Fast Facts on Adolescents and Youth in Latin America and the Caribbean
2. The Millennium Development Goals Report 2013
10
WHAT IS IN OUR BACK-PACKS? Sta onery Items Backpacks Erasers Lined Paper Notebooks Binders Pencils Pens Highlighters Folders Scien fic Calculators Geometry Sets Rulers Health/Personal Items Combs Soaps Deodorants Hand Sani zers Lo ons Toothbrush Toothpaste Shampoo Condi oner
HOW TO GET INVOLVED Let’s break the cycle of poverty one backpack at a me!
As a non-profit organiza on, The Backpack Project depends on dona ons from sponsors and individuals, as well as help from our volunteers. Find out how you can help to break the cycle of poverty one backpack at a me.
Become a Sponsor
We are always grateful for corporate partners who help us achieve our mis-‐sion. Please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected] to find out how your company can help.
Become a Volunteer
As a growing organiza on, we are in constant need of addi onal support. Whether you are based in one of our loca ons or abroad, we could always use your help. Please email us at [email protected] if you’re inter-‐ested in becoming a volunteer.
Make a Dona on
We accept dona ons in cash or credit via our Paypal account, as well as in-kind dona ons of sta onery and personal items. For a list of the items needed and to donate these items please email us at [email protected]
What’s happening in 2014?
“Figh ng the Winter Blues” BPP Fundraiser (January 25th)
BPP Brunch (Spring 2014)
BPP Annual Collec on Drive (Summer 2014)
BPP at Last Lap Lime (August 2014)
Queen’s College of Guyana Class of ‘99 Reunion (August 2014)
For more details, contact us at [email protected]
11
OUR SPONSORS
Queen’s College Alumni Associ-ation of Guyana (Toronto Chap-
ter) St. Roses High School Alumni Association Toronto Chapter
Tutorial High School of Guyana Alumni Association (Toronto
Chapter)
Syrian Lebanense Women’s Club
Repsol (Trinidad & Tobago) BP Trinidad & Tobago
Wrapworks
Hi-Lo Food Stores (Trinidad & Tobago)
Faith United Ministries (Toronto) Grace Church (Toronto) Lucky Dollar (Trinidad & Tobago)
Soft & Silky (Trinidad & Tobago)
The Backpack Project Team would like to thank all our sponsors, donors and volunteers who contributed to our organization in 2013. A special thank you to Repsol for donating to 3 schools (59 students) in Trin-idad and to the Volunteer Centre of Trinidad & Tobago for heeding our call for volunteers this year. We greatly appreciate the expediency and professionalism of the volunteers, who made our work so much lighter. We are grateful for the generosity of all our sponsors, donors and volunteers, and look forward to your continued support of our organization. We would also like to acknowledge and say a special thank you to BPP newsletter editor Ntianu Hector, for her hard work and dedication.
Amara Organics
Growing Leaders Foundation
Ntianu Hector, BPP Newslet-ter Editor
12
What does exercise do for you?
Fights cancer Research has shown that exercise reduces the risk of colon cancer by speeding up the movement of food through the gastrointes nal tract thus rapidly removing carcino-‐gens. Encouraging new data also shows that exercise may also reduce the risk of breast cancer, cancers of the reproduc ve organs in women and prostate cancer in
men!
Reverses Diabetes Exercise helps to decrease your blood sugar levels and is actually prescribed by doctors as an effec ve cure to Type 2 diabetes. You can reverse the effects of diabetes and nev-‐er have to use a syringe again.
Cures Depression In a study of clinically depressed women (McCann et al, 1984) results show that subjects who exercised “had reliably greater increases in aerobic capacity and reliably greater de-‐creases in depression” than did the other subjects. It was concluded that the findings pro-‐vided clear evidence that “par cipa on in a program of aerobic exercise is effec ve for re-‐
ducing depression.”
Combats Osteoporosis! Women who par cipate in regular weight bearing exercise may decrease the effects of oste-‐oporosis, a degenera ve bone disorder that affects many older women.
Improves Sleep Quality! Ever slept for 8 or more hours and s ll felt exhausted when you woke up? Exer-‐
cise helps to improve your quality of sleep so you’ll require less sleep and feel much more energized in the morning! The reason? Deeper sleep!
The Importance of Exercise: More than just Weight Loss for Vanity By Kamaral Bassier
13
SOME FUN STUFF
TRIVIA 1 What is the easternmost island in the Carib-‐bean? a. Bahamas b. Barbados c. Barbuda d. Tobago 2. What is known as “the nature island of the Caribbean”? a. Bequia b. Curacao c. Dominica d. Montserrat
3. Where is the highest point in the Caribbe-‐an? a. BVI b. Dominican Republic c. Puerto Rico d. St. Lucia 4 Where is the lowest point in the Caribbean? a. Anguilla b. Belize c. Dominican Republic d. USVI
5. This island, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, has the most churches per square mile than any country in the world. a. Barbados b. Jamaica c. Mar nique d. Puerto Rico 6. Pitch Lake is found here. It happens to be the largest natural deposit of asphalt in the world. a. Curacao b. Isla Mujeres c. St. Ki s d. Trinidad
WORD SCRAM-BLE Unscramble these words
asoitetnry
ulccroaatl
saetrlp
eye tgtseorm
rruel
nboetook
fldore
grwndia
uuollforc
ANSWERS 1.stationery, 2.calculator, 3.stapler, 4. geometry set, 5. ruler, 6. note-book, 7.folder, 8.drawing, 9. colourful, 10.homework
CONTACT US:
Visit our Website:
www.backpackproject.ca
Email Us:
Like our Fan Page:
www.facebook.com/TheBackpackProject
Twitter:
@BPP_Caribbean
Join our LinkedIn Group:
The Backpack Project
CROSSWORD PUZZLE—BREAKFAST FOODS
Down:
1.. This drink is made from
squeezed or blended fruit.
2.. A doughnut-shaped roll.
6.. Light baked bu er cakes that
are cooked in a pan.
7.. This drink comes from
cows. It is high in calcium.
Across:
1.. A type of fruit spread.
2.. _______ and eggs.
3.. These come from a chicken,
served any way you like.
4.. sliced, browned bread
5.. Similar to pancakes, but
these do not have smooth
sides
8.. This breakfast food is eaten
with milk from a bowl.