Notes from January 17, 2017
Posted by Kelly Salwei
ELLEN WOLANER & BECKY JASPER: FIRST STEP INITIATIVE - HELPING WOMEN IN THE CONGO LIFT THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY
Introduced by Irene Kelly, the presenters gave us a background of the Congo in Central Africa (formerly Zaire). The country has 77 million people and is 70% Christian. The median age is 17.9 years. While the country is rich in natural resources, the majority of people do not reap the benefits of the abundance of resources. The GDP is just $700 per capita, making it one of the poorest countries in the world. First Step (a 501 c 3 based out of Edina, MN) operates in Lubumashi which is on the border of Zambia. The Organization has three team members in the Congo and recently began partnering with a British non-profit on a sewing school which had its first graduating class in 2016. The Organization empowers women to raise the living standards of their families.
Introduced by Irene Kelly, the presenters gave us a background of the Congo in Central Africa (formerly Zaire). The country has 77 million people and is 70% Christian. The median age is 17.9 years. While the country is rich in natural resources, the majority of people do not reap the benefits of the abundance of resources. The GDP is just $700 per capita, making it one of the poorest countries in the world. First Step (a 501 c 3 based out of Edina, MN) operates in Lubumashi which is on the border of Zambia. The Organization has three team members in the Congo and recently began partnering with a British non-profit on a sewing school which had its first graduating class in 2016. The Organization empowers women to raise the living standards of their families.Sample grants awarded in 2016 include-
- Five women supporting 15 children received a grant for equipment to serve ice cream.
- Five women supporting 26 dependents received a grant to triple the size of a vegetable oil business.
- Six women supporting 40 dependents received a grant to expand dried bean business.
Plans for 2017 include continuing funding the sewing school and adding a second and purchase land for the women to locate their businesses.
Anouncements
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January 28 - Winter Social at the Old Log Theater
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January 28 - Mid-term Assembly
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February 19 - Family sledding and skating event at North Lotus Lake from 2 to 3:30
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March 6 - EP Reads Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Eden Prairie AM Rotary Foundation Update
Jay Simpson presented a brief history and explanation of the Eden Prairie AM (EPAM) Rotary Foundation which was formed by the board several years ago to provide a 501 c 3 entity to which donors can make tax deductible donations. The EPAM Rotary Foundation is also the beneficiary of the net profits from our Vino Classico fundraiser from which grants to local community and charitable causes are made. In an effort to raise additional funds Irene Kelly introduced the creation of the Roy and Mary Lou Terwilliger Legacy designation which is patterned somewhat after the RI Foundation's Paul Harris Fellows. All members pledging to give to the EPAM Foundation joined in a cookie toast using cookies baked by Jan Eian using Mary Lou Terwilliger’s recipe.
Happy Fines
- Roger Jorgensen had a great weekend of worship, friends and football. Hail Mary!
- Jan Eian shared news of her new position at Sylvan in Edina.
- Chief George Esbensen was up at 3:30 a.m. fighting a structure fire with his crew.
- Dan O’Brien’s grandson called him this morning to say “hi”.
- John Crudele shared a heartwarming story of interaction with a senior resident at a senior center after speaking at the LeSeur Rotary.
- Prafula is happy to be back in town.
- Roy Terwilliger is grateful for the EPAM Rotary Foundation's Roy and Mary Lou Terwilliger Legacy program introduced this morning.
Visitors
Exchange Student: Ale Pena Gonzalez
Student Interns: Carter Mason and Stella Lindberg