Working Gifts
ICA International is constantly seeking ways to highlight these initiatives, share learning from these projects and find creative ways to broaden and deepen the impact of this extraordinary work. One of the ways to achieve this broadened awareness and increased support is through the Working Gifts program. The idea is simple: In the communities where ICAs work, small gifts can create important impact. At the same time, in response to our increasingly consumerist societies, many of us are seeking to give alternative gifts to friends and loved ones that are both thoughtful and meaningful. Thus, in collaboration with national ICAs who are working directly with the communities in need, and with the help of a dedicated volunteer webmaster, ICAI developed a program that gives each person a simple opportunity to create a positive impact for an individual or community. The goal is to allow people to select a gift of their choice in support of a development project and to give that gift in honour of a friend, family member or other loved one. Rather than giving a standard gift this holiday season, you can now choose to give a Working Gift that helps a mother of eight access the support she needs to be successful in her new sewing business, that improves the community well to make the water safe, that ensures a vulnerable child receives desperately needed medical care, that allows an orphan to continue in school and advance through education, or that supports many other live-changing initiatives. In addition to providing targeted support where it is most needed, the program promotes awareness of the issues facing people around the world and highlights some of the initiatives underway. In recent months we have worked hard to develop and strengthen this program and we are proud to launch the new Working Gifts site – www.workinggifts.org. On the website, you can select gifts by country, category, or price, and read a description of how the gift will make a difference in the lives of the recipients. There are gifts to suit all budgets and all types of people, so everyone can take part and support these initiatives. The Working Gifts program has already raised thousands of dollars for grassroots projects around the world, and with the new design and organization of the website we are confident that this is just the beginning of what we can achieve. The program needs your support. Purchase a gift today at www.workinggifts.org. Tell your family and friends about the program, join us on Facebook and add the Working Gifts logo and link to your email signature and website. Every bit helps, as small gifts really can make a big impact. ICA Kenya: Responding to Crisis and Impacting Lives The widely disputed presidential election in Kenya in December 2007 created a serious political conflict that led to the deaths of 1,300 people and resulted in over 650,000 people being internally displaced. By December 2008, just over half of that number - less than 350,000 people - had been re-settled.
Since the launch of the program, individuals have taken part in various training, testing and counselling opportunities. The program has been a major success, with over 600 individuals participating and taking advantage of program activities.
Phase One When the project launched in early September 2008, it began with leadership training sessions for a group of young people from diverse backgrounds from North Bay and Sudbury. In early November, these youth began conducting community consultations with their peers, organizations, businesses and other stakeholders to develop a complete picture of the current situation in North Bay & Sudbury when it comes to engaging young people in community leadership roles. Community Consultation Reports are now complete and available for viewing on the following websites: http://icacan.ca/youth.htm, http://projects.tigweb.org/YCL or http://www.sudbury.ymca.ca/yes Phase Two In Phase Two, beginning in September 2009, ICA Canada is recruiting youth aged 15-30 to develop and implement their own community projects in North Bay and Sudbury. The intent is to support local youth in addressing some of the issues that were identified in ICA Canada’s Community Consultation process. Young Community Leaders (YCL) will again provide extensive leadership and skills training, as well as support and guidance for youth volunteers.
The Phulki Project: New Hope for Street Children in Bangladesh
Tackling HIV and AIDS in a Fractured Country: Prevention,
The crisis intensified military and economic problems, and has dramatically disrupted health services in the most disadvantaged areas, particularly in the northern and western regions of Côte d’Ivoire. Most of the existing HIV services are concentrated in the urban southern parts of the country, which means that the disruption of health services in the north and west have caused a disturbing increase in HIV infections within the country. In response to the crisis, ICA Côte d’Ivoire has implemented a project that targets HIV/AIDS sufferers and vulnerable populations at risk of contracting the disease. Of particular concern are young people under the age of 24. The program is being implemented over a period of six months, beginning in august 2009 and ending in January 2010. This project is reaching out to approximately 6,500 people in order to raise awareness, prevent infection, and provide services to those affected. It is expected that 150 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) will benefit from palliative care, 312 home visits will be made to help those struggling with the disease, and 150 people will be given access to health centres for visits, medical treatments and/or screening tests. The specific goals include the integration of PLWHAs into society, the provision of adequate medical care, and the development of the confidence required for staying healthy while living with the disease. With the success of the project to date, ICA Côte d’Ivoire is now looking for additional support from donors for the new community health centre. The centre is open and running, but the demand has been greater than expected and equipment and medicines are in short supply. Unfortunately, unless additional support is received soon, patients will need to be turned away. Readers who would like to find out more about this project, including how they can offer their support, may contact ICA International at info@ica-international.org. We would like to thank all those who support this important work during this time of crisis and need. ICA Côte D’Ivoire
A Tribute to Don Elliott
Don Elliott was a successful heart surgeon when he first encountered the programs of the Institute of Cultural Affairs (ICA) in 1971. He attended a week-end seminar in Boulder, Colorado and participated in the research assembly in Chicago later that summer. In the following years, Don played an important part in seeing that the courses offered by the Institute were offered in his church and community. He became a part of a cadre within his church, which recommended a cooperative leadership team for the congregation. This model was then adopted and has continued to exist through the past decades. As the Institute’s international work began to expand, Don became one of the first people to take a Global Odyssey; visiting people, sites and sacred places around the globe. This experience opened his eyes and heart to the world in which he lived and in which he would continue to serve. Don became involved in the international work of the Institute of Cultural Affairs both at the local project level and in leadership roles. He served on the Board of ICA International between 1996 and 2000. He was Board President from 1998 to 2000, where he presided over the hosting of the Institute’s 5th Global Conference on Human Development, which was held in Denver in the spring of 2000. He also served several terms on the ICA USA Board of Directors, including time as President. After the Global Conference in 2000, Don visited many of the ICAs in Africa. In 2002, he went to the village of Golokwati in Ghana to help launch the ICA HIV/AIDS Prevention Initiative. He spent a week riding in tutus (should this be tro-tro, Ghana’s local public transit buses?), visiting all the health facilities in the district to spread the word about the project and to assess the available health related resources. Working with representatives from each African ICA office, he helped figure out how to train local people to be health educators. In the following years Don returned several times to conduct HIV/AIDS training programs with national ICAs. At every level of the ICA network, Don has been an enthusiastic supporter of an ambitious vision for what was possible. He helped establish an ICA office in Denver, spent years on the ICA Board and was faithful for years to the work of ICA International. Don also maintained close ties with the ICA programs in India and Nepal. He frequently visited a hospital in India, where he provided medical services. He also made a point to visit the local ICA projects and supported them both financially, and with his indefatigable enthusiasm. On a particular visit to Nepal, he walked seven hours over hills and across river gorges to visit a group of tribal women who had participated in the ICA’s literacy programs. Among other things he did in support of ICA India, Don financed the construction of a women’s training center in Malegaon, which he dedicated to the memory of his daughter. Don Elliott – doctor, friend and leader – cared about the planet and its people. He invested his energy and resources in building sustainable communities and structures. Don’s energy was always felt in a room and gave it a lift; he was hard to describe in a few short words, and it was impossible to know where his passionate spirit would turn up next. He will be greatly missed. Nelson Stover
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In communities around the world, ICA projects are making a difference in the lives of people in need. Whether it is an HIV and AIDS prevention initiative in the townships of South Africa, an environmental conservation project in rural Togo, a community empowerment program in the highlands of Peru, or a women’s employment project in Bangladesh, ICAs are helping individuals and communities to solve persistent development challenges.
ICA Canada’s Youth as Facilitative Leaders (YFL) Program is a youth-led leadership training and mentorship initiative that works with young people from diverse backgrounds to develop the confidence, values and skills necessary to take the lead in building vibrant, inclusive communities. In North Bay, Sudbury and surrounding communities in Ontario, Canada, ICA Canada’s YFL Program, in partnership with the North Bay and Sudbury YMCAs, has embarked on an exciting three and a half year initiative to bring enthusiasm, intelligence and perspectives of young people to the forefront in building healthy and sustainable communities. 
Currently, ICA Bangladesh is helping improve the quality of life and increase opportunities for street children in Dhaka City through their Phulki project. The word ‘phulki’ is a Bengali term which means ‘spark’or a small piece of a burning substance produced by friction or combustion. The term also refers to something that acts as a stimulant, inspiration, or catalyst. The main emphasis of the program is to address practical but essential needs of the children, which can serve as a catalyst for profound changes in their lives. 
The project was inaugurated on April 15th 2009 by the chairperson of ICA Bangladesh and Honorable MP and Managing Director of Desh TV, Asaduzzaman Noor. Since the success of the project requires understanding and support from within the local communities, a community orientation meeting was held at the outset. The meeting was attended by approximately 50 people, including city officials, local club representatives and ICA officials. 
Côte d'Ivoire has been divided since the coup attempt that spiralled into a rebel uprising against President Laurent Gbagbo in 2002. This political crisis was triggered by socio-political tensions, which were caused by the adoption of a new constitution and by the election of Laurent Gbagbo as President of the Republic.
