Our guest again this past Friday, was Marty Peace providing our Club with changes in the International Projects Alliance (IPA) in 2020-21. Marty has been a favorite of our Club as she updates us about the activities of IPA in Copán, Honduras. Pictured with Marty is the Peter Martin, President of IPA.
The changes that occurred in 2020-21 was the addition of Adopt-a-Village Program, Global grant, Hurricane relief, Adopt-a-Dream, their trip in February which involved Covid-19, the devastation of the hurricane and school supply delivery. They revised the management structure, showed a list of Clubs involved and the new District grant updates.
Adopt-a-Village Program: This came about because of a Club's request for more involvement and connection with the village. Parts of the Adopt-a-Village Program are to Adopt-a-School, a student health fund and a mobile library. Financial commitment is $1,000 a year toward Adopt-a-Dream. Commit to $1,000 a year for construction projects as needed. So far, ten Villages have been adopted.
Global Grants: Rapid Development 3: allows IPA to add six villages to the Rapid Development Program. Cinthia and Mauricio are wonderful people and hard workers in Copán coordinating the activities between IPA and the local villages. Although Cinthia has met with local community leaders, Covid 19 restrictions have prevented community training sessions. However school supplies were delivered. District grants are going toward water projects in three of the villages.
Hurricane Relief: IPA raised $31,000 towards hurricane relief. Restored water supply to 16 villages. The rebuilding of a heavily used foot bridge, the La Vegona Foot Bridge was important and the rebuilding a kindergarten.
Adopt-a-Dream: Currently there are 490 students and IPA has decided to limit the number to 500 in order to sustain the program. Middle school: 350, $180 a year per student; High School: 140, $280 per year per student. Sponsors: 290: leaving 200 students without sponsors. University; 25, eight privately sponsored, 17 IPA sponsored with the cost varying. A new database using the Access platform was started to better manage the information about the students. IPA is starting a laptop computer program for university students. The students sign a contract to maintain, with a deposit of $40 and are responsible for WiFi. If they graduate, the computer is theirs.
February Trip: the first trip in a year. Focus was on delivering school supplies to 2,300 students, verifying middle and high school students and reconnecting with students and friends. Copán has relied on tourism in the past and there is a total lack of tourism due to Covid 19 restrictions. The plan is to re-institute trips every three months.
What is IPA?: The International Project Alliance is a large collaborative group of Rotary Clubs in northwest Washington State, who made a long-term commitment to helping the people of the Copán Ruinas region of western Honduras. Founded in 2014, the projects cover most areas of international aid, including education, health, food and agriculture,