We are proud, at the West Foundation, of our commitment to supporting our partners in projects big and small. On February 26, the West Foundation joined CoCoDA for Febrero Fiesta in support of their water, public health and education projects in El Salvador and Nicaragua. The West Foundation team enjoyed a delicious meal, watched lively dance, and learned more about CoCoDA’s upcoming projects and initiatives.

Through its dedication to cooperating in projects for democratic, community-based social and economic development in Central America, CoCoDA seeks to build strong relationships and communities between people in the U.S., El Salvador, and Nicaragua. Receiving the second installment of a three-year, $21,000 flexible funding grant will assist CoCoDA in experimenting with new fundraising efforts and planning future programs. Learn more at CoCoDA.

Hesperian Health Guides, a constituent of the West Foundation for the past 16 years, has released its latest book in a series of health manuals designed to assist people with little access to medical services in the Global South. Health Actions for Women assists women in creating change in their communities by providing inspiring activities, strategies, and stories that help challenge violence against women, improve access to family planning, foster safe motherhood, promote strategies for better sexual health, counteract restrictive gender roles, and improve health services for women and girls. For more information, visit Hesperian at www.hesperian.org.

Constituent organization Goodweave was recently honored when its founder, Kailash Satyarthi, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with youth activist Malala Yousafzai “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.” Our congratulations to Mr. Satyarthi and Ms. Yousafzai for this recognition of their inspiring work.

Recently, TIME Magazine named constituent organizations MAP International and CARE International  as two of their top ten recommended non-profits for donations to Nepalese relief following the disastrous earthquake which hit the country on April 25. The West Foundation also endorses these organizations, as well as relief work being done by our other partners, International Development Exchange (IDEX) and READ Global. Each of these have strong representation on the ground in Nepal through indigenous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and an excellent capacity for assisting relief efforts. Additionally, all have a sterling reputation for responsible use of funding. To give to one of these non-profits, click on Constituent Organizations to find a link to that organization’s website.

On April 17, the foundation’s Indianapolis-based partner, Building Tomorrow, held its annual “Build a School Night” benefit. I was in attendance along with our program officer, Samantha Alarie-Leca, and was privileged to see this young organization move and motivate its audience to give not just the $90,000 goal set for the evening, but to exceed it by $60,000 for a grand total of $150,000. This included an unexpected pledge from a donor for $30,000 – the cost of building an entire school in Uganda. Never let it be said that Midwesterners have no interest in international causes! Many will roll their eyes when I confess that I was so overwhelmed by this impromptu act of generosity that tears came to my eyes – let them. It was a wonderful evening that will allow the organization to build six of the sixty schools it plans to generate in Uganda by 2020 to complete its Clinton Global Initiative pledge. Congratulations to the Building Tomorrow staff and its Chief Dreamer, George Srour, on a job well done!