2017 Grant Recipients
1. Go Drill International – Liwale District in the Lindi Region in the southern part of Tanzania, $4000 Grant for one brand new fresh water drilled and operable well
Go Drill International serves the Liwale District in the Lindi Region in the southern part of Tanzania, focusing on the one large town of Liwale and the surrounding small villages. These extremely remote areas struggle severely with poverty. While the Tanzanian national average for poverty cites that 68% of the population lives on less than $1.25 per day, our partner, Go Drill, has determined that of the population they reach, almost 97% live in poverty. Before any other needs such as medicine, education, or hygiene can be met, Go Drill recognizes that clean, safe water is the most crucial element to survive and thrive in Southeast Tanzania.
The objective of the current project is to install a fresh water well within a village that currently does not have access to clean water. Go Drill will identify the site, drill, case, complete a borehole up to 100 meters deep, and install a concrete base with an India Mk II deepwell hand pump. Founder and on-the-ground director Scott Placke, hires and trains an all local workforce to install and operate the wells.
For more information about Go Drill International https://www.godrill.org
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2. Philippines Humanitarian – $1000 (year 3 of 5 year scholarships)
We continue to support five highly motivated young people so they can continue their education.
Here are some excerpts of letters they have sent to JHH:
I am grateful that you are always at my back and always ready in helping and supporting me. I promise that I will study hard and do my best toward my studies. You’re my inspiration. I want to become a good model to my three younger siblings. (Gehtel)
I am looking forward to participate to the upcoming event in our school – the “Math Olympics.” I am proud to say that because of your help. (Zhennid)
Thank you Jewish Helping Hands. I wish you will help more people in need. Thank you Jewish Helping Hands for this opportunity. (Orlean)
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3. Blind Connect – Las Vegas, Nevada – $4794
Most of us take our vision for granted, not thinking about how heavily we rely on our eyesight in order to complete everyday tasks. For many with severe vision loss, however, performing basic tasks, such as cooking, cleaning and overall house management, can be a real challenge. Blindconnect helps some of the 58,000 people in Southern Nevada suffering from severe vision to combat these challenges, in hopes of allowing them to live more self-confident and self-sufficient lives.
Angela’s House provides a life-like mock home with a dining room, kitchen, washroom, bedroom, technology lab, and bathroom. Using this setting, Blindconnect staff and volunteers are able to train the visually impaired on a number of daily living skills, which are immediately transferable to any home setting. In addition, the sessions include training on communication techniques and Braille.
Currently, Blindconnect uses Angela’s House for nine skills training sessions per year. Each session includes six individuals who receive intensive instruction on a variety of tasks, over a three week period (90 hours). The Jewish Helping Hands Grant will allow Blindconnect to hold a 10th training session. This means that six additional individuals will be able to benefit from these amazing life skills training, inspiration and resources.
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4. Hands of Mothers (HoM) – Kigali, Rwanda $2700
The Hands of Mothers, Baho Chicken/Egg Cooperative, brings together women who are HIV+, often as a result of rape during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The women had been part of an agricultural cooperative until the government took the land for other purposes. With our support, their goal now is to purchase 250 high quality chickens that will be lovingly tended and roam freely. Their eggs will be sold to high-end Kigali. The income will enable them to make enough profit to support their families. They hope to produce at last 200 eggs a day. The first hen was laying by the beginning of April – 19 by the end of May! The goals of independence and self-sufficiency seem quite within their reach.
The women say that they enjoy working with the chickens. When they bring out something for them to drink, the chickens all gather around. It reminds the women of how their mothers, after working in the fields, would gather around to drink water together. And then they smile!
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5. Gabriel Project – Mumbai, India $1000
Gabriel Project Mumbai assists children who by dint of their coming from impoverished families have malnutrition.
Gabriel Project provides hundreds of these children with a nutritious meal, education on nutrition and a health clinic. GPM sent a list of medical needs for their clinic which is the only clinic in this slum of 200,000 people. JHH is providing these life-giving supplies.