Food For The Poor of Canada saves lives, transforms communities and renews hope

BY PAUL JUNOR

The work of the non-profit, charitable registered organization Food For The Poor of Canada (FFPC) continues to make a difference in the lives of people in third world countries. Since it was founded in 1975, it has had a major influence in countries such as: Haiti, Honduras, Guyana and Jamaica.

These countries have benefited significantly from their work in providing water purification tablets to deal with the cholera outbreak crisis and feeding children in Haiti, tackling food insecurity in Honduras, providing truck scholarships and in Guyana upgrading a STEM program and TVET training. In a recent newsletter, these developments were highlighted including changes to the management of the board.

It is in Haiti that FFPC has had a major impact. There has been international attention that has focused on the general destabilization of the social services infrastructure and cholera outbreak. FFBC was able to provide more than 14 million glasses of clean water to tackle this issue and deliver an estimated 900,000 aqua labs to affected families.

Children comprised over 50% of the cases and their lives were impacted significantly. One respondent notes, “Aside from God, the only reason I’m alive is because of the doctors who helped me and Food For The Poor who provided the aqua labs.” In addition, over one million nutritious rich meals were delivered to children with Okanagan Gleaners in April 2023 as well as 120 food baskets were given to families in June 2023.

In San Antonio Honduras, a Women’s Income-Generation Centre was funded by FFBC donors in 2021 and eventually opened in May 2023. The Centre is intended to provide services such as:

• Regular access to technical training
• Empowered workshops
• Equipment for learning skills such as sewing and baking

In many ways, these provide opportunities for women to enhance their basic literacy skills by acquiring additional development of business knowledge that enable them to pursue entrepreneurial activities. The centre serves the community as a central place for: board settings, religious services, medical outreach programs and other secondary community gathering. 1,800 students were able to benefit from the centre in areas such as: Choalapa, La Chorrera, Malanula, Corral de Piedra, La Estanzuela and Santa Rosita. The fact that more individuals are able to use the centre increases its utilization.

One of the positive things that FFPC does is awarding truck-driving scholarships to twenty-two students. Ten of these students were able to obtain their certification, which will provide them opportunities to obtain employment in jobs that will potentially pay them a high salary. The first part of the program involves a truck-driving simulator, and the second part involves actual practice on the road.

In Guyana, FFPC upgraded several things such as a school garden that was built in 2022, which will ensure that children learn how to grow vegetables. The expansion of the STEM Guyana Learning pod will improve access to these programs and provide students with technological devices such as tablets and robotic kits. In addition, TVET training will enhance the facility so that vocational training will be available to students in grades 7- 8.

In Jamaica, there have been 1,008,000 meals that have been distributed to schools, orphanages, and community partners. In addition, 75 mattresses were shipped to Jacob’s ladder which is a home for children with disabilities.

Anyone interested in learning about Food For The Poor of Canada (FFPC) can check:

Website:https://foodforthepoor

Facebook:https://m.facebook.com.foodforthepoor

LinkedIn: Food For the Poor of Canada,Inc.

Twitter: @FoodForThePoor

Instagram: @foodforthepoorcanada

YouTube: Food For The Poor Canada