As the year comes to a close, we are pleased to share our achievements from 2013 with you. Thanks to our scholarship support, over 2,000 underprivileged children across four countries, namely, Burkina Faso, Morocco, Thailand, and Cambodia, are able to access education, basic health care, and basic nutrition. Since 2006, 189 students have successfully completed professional school. Many have continued studying and most are now employed by reputable companies and businesses and earning fair wages. Many of them now help support their parents and younger siblings. They have come from extremely marginalized and poor communities, and are now active contributors to society, free from the dangers of exploitation and trafficking. We sincerely believe that investing in children's education is the best investment in human capital to move towards a more peaceful and equitable world.
We have also entered a new phase in our flagship project, the Chiang Rai Village Project. Starting in 2006, we have developed a Village Model Approach to help villages become self-sustainable while allowing children to immediately access school. Based on the village needs, in collaboration with the local community and the local authorities, in a number of villages we have built full school infrastructures, water systems, and promoted agricultural programs. An impact assessment study in the first village where we are present has shown that over 90% of the families are now able to support their own children's education since their income level (mostly from coffee plantations) has significantly improved in the past seven years. We will be conducting assessments in 2014 of more villages and hope to replicate this model in other villages in need.
To lead this next phase of our project, we have appointed a new Country Manager, Giovanni Santavicca, in Chiang Rai, Thailand. Giovanni has over twenty years of experience as program/project manager in international cooperation and development in the areas of education, agriculture, and water supply, among others, for international NGOs such as CIAI (Centro Italiano Aiuti all'Infanzia) and GVC (Civil Volunteer Group).
We are very grateful for our new supporters in Italy and the successful Inaugural Charity Dinner in Milano held in June. Equally successful were the numerous fundraising events in Singapore, benefitting from the support of our corporate sponsors, event organizer Juliana Benelli, partner organizations including the Italian Cultural Institute and the Financial Women's Association, and the memorable Charity Concerts performed by world renowned pianist Julian Gargiulo.
For this Holiday Season, consider donating to our children in need - 100% of your donation will be used to fund our ongoing scholarships.
Wishing you a Joyous, Meaningful, and Peaceful 2014!
Pasquale Pistorio
