Beta Sigma Phi Contributes to a Number of Worthy Causes
- Lifestyles
- Special Interest
Author: The Women of Preceptor Alpha of Beta Sigma Phi
Released 8 February 2007
Dear Aramco Expats,
We are writing to express our heartfelt appreciation to Aramco Expats for helping us raise money for charities by selling our Arabian themed throws through their website. Between web based sales and our sales here in Dhahran, we have been able to contribute to a number of worthy charities. Since partnering with Aramco Expats, we have sold 110 throws. After in depth research and discussions, we have chosen to contribute to the following charities:
Shanti Shop (www.shantishop.com) A young teaching couple in New Delhi, India donated the funds to help Raju, who was living in a slum, start his own business. Raju knew how to sew but did not have enough business to support his family. So Tricia and Warren Apel designed yoga bag holders and yoga accessories, purchased the fabric and taught Raju to make them. They then set up a website and are marketing these products in America. Raju now has money for his family and even employs three men to help. Our donation will help defray the cost of a direct marketing campaign to further advertise the merchandise.
Blankets for the Custodians. With the record breaking cold weather gripping Dhahran this December and January, we were concerned about the welfare of the janitorial staff at the Dhahran Schools. We surveyed the crews and discovered that more blankets would be appreciated. With monies raised from the throws, we purchased 35 blankets and distributed them to those who expressed an interest in having one.
Sociedad Amigos de los Ninos, Honduras (www.saninos.org.hn). One of our member’s daughters just returned from a three week service trip to this collection of outreach organizations, located outside of the capital city. She witnessed the love and care shown to the orphans and abandoned children. Her time was divided between an orphanage and a boys home named Flor Azul Boys Farm. Started in 2004, 100 boys now live there, attend school and learn life skills. Providing enough food for all of the boys is a challenge.
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Room to Read (www.roomtoread.org). This organization’s mission is to provide under-privileged children with an opportunity to education. In just six years, they have built 3,300 libraries and donated over two million books. They work in Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.
Lakota Tribe, Rapid City, South Dakota. A donation was made to the Rapid City School District which will be used to purchase mittens and hats for kindergarten children. Dr. Zimiga contacted a teacher at the Hills School, whose grandmother was a full member of the Lakota Tribe, for assistance. She shared the needs with the Preceptor Alpha Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi who were happy to help. The Lakota average annual income is $2,600. The unemployment rate on the reservation is 85%.
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Mercy Corps ( www.mercycorps.org). Mercy Corps has provided relief and long term development to people in 82 nations. Whenever there is a conflict or disaster, Mercy Corps is one of the first NGO’s to arrive. They also establish sustainable economic development in developing countries. Based on our desire to assist women and children, we purchased Women’s Small Business Kits, to help women in developing countries start small businesses.
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Share (www.utahshare.org) Utah Share is a volunteer organization whose mission is to serve those whose lives are touched by the tragic death of a baby through early pregnancy loss, stillbirth, or in the first few months of life. Parents and healthcare professionals work together to help families who have experienced this tragic loss. It is an affiliate of National Share (nationalshareoffice.com), which has over 100 Share groups across the country. One of our member’s granddaughter was stillborn and her family deeply appreciated the outreach and support from Utah Share.
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The Arabian Reading Association (http://www.taraconference.org/). The Arabian Reading Association (TARA) will host its 12th conference in February 2007 in Bahrain. TARA, which is a non-profit organization, was conceived and founded in 1994 by a group of Saudi Aramco educators seeking to provide a forum for meaningful professional development in literacy education for the Gulf region. The organization is a national affiliate of the International Reading Association (IRA). Delegates will hail from 10 countries in the Gulf region, representing over 25 different nationalities. For the past few years they have sponsored teachers from Afghanistan. We have made a donation to help defray the costs of one Afghani teacher.
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Tiger Temple in Thailand (www.tigertemple.org) Tiger Temple has long served as a sanctuary for injured or abandoned animals. Orphaned tiger cubs were first introduced in 1999 and since then the temple has become known as The Wild Animal Rescue Center and The Tiger Conservation Project. There are now at least 23 tigers living at the temple, including those rescued from the wild and those born there. The “New Home for Tigers”, a 12 acre home, is being constructed within the monastery. This will provide a more natural forest environment within the temple grounds, where the tigers will be able to roam freely. The new enclosure will also be used for training new generations of tiger cubs to survive in and be released back to the jungle – their real home.
Respectfully submitted,
The Women of Preceptor Alpha of Beta Sigma Phi
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
To show your continued support, please visit Sights of Saudi Arabia Throw Blanket.
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