60 million reasons to raise funds

BY HOLLIE WATSON



A grass-roots initiative that was set in motion just months ago is off to an auspicious start despite a decidedly low-key approach to raising funds.

Since the campaign began in earnest in June, the 60 Million Girls Foundation has secured well over half of its target figure of $100,000 for 2006. At the West Island agency’s official launch next Monday night, “we will present the first installment to Stephen Lewis, the United Nations Secretary General’s special envoy on HIV/AIDS in Africa,� said founder and president Wanda Bedard.

The money will go to the Umoyo Training Centre in Zambia, which is one of the Stephen Lewis Foundation’s ongoing projects. The centre was set up in 1996 to provide support to young girls orphaned by AIDS.

“He’s a very high-stature Canadian and we wanted a well-known speaker for the launch. He will be answering questions from the audience and sign copies of his book, Race Against Time,� the Beaconsfield resident said.

60 Million Girls was established by Bedard and a group of about a dozen other women “from different walks of life. Our mission is to support education for girls in developing countries where gender disparity is greatest,� she explained.

“We decided we only wanted to get involved in established projects that are proving to be most effective and sustainable, with no political or religious affiliations.�

Last year, as volunteers with UNICEF, the group raised thousands for the building of a satellite school in Zambia.

Bedard explains how the name 60 Million Girls was coined. “Statistics indicate that there are currently one hundred and 10 million children world-wide not attending primary school, and two-thirds of them are girls.�

Obstacles range from dire poverty to cultural bias, and in some countries, “it’s not safe for girls to walk long distances alone.�

Studies show that educating girls can have enormous impact on a community, she added.

Bedard will visit Zambia in the New Year to get a first-hand look at how the project is evolving.

“The money is spent on everything from school construction to supplies to teacher training.�

Raising funds for the Umoyo centre was largely accomplished through donations from individuals and businesses, as well as West Island schools and in “spontaneous campaigns,� said Bedard, who was recently named La Presse’s Person of the Week.

Last summer, Lakeshore Soccer Club hosted a Soccerfest, with charity matches netting almost $8,000. The Lakeshore Kiwanis Club also presented them with a substantial cheque.

“And as we’re strictly a volunteer

organization, we have no administration costs and 100 per cent of the money goes to the annual project.�

Monday’s launch will be held at the Université de Montréal’s Haute Etudes Commerciales on Cote Ste. Catherine Road. A silent auction will be held during the cocktail hour from 5 to 7:30 p.m., and will feature goodies like dog-sledding and golf packages and hockey tickets (early bids can be made at: www.60millionsdefilles.org/">www.60millionsdefilles.org

english/auction.html.)

“It has really gained momentum since we started,� said vice-president Lyne Depatie, adding generous support to date has come from those who understand that “investing in education will make the world a better place. We tend to take our own good fortune for granted,� she mused. “To think you can actually make a difference is personally very rewarding, and culturally you learn so much.�

For more information about the 60 Million Girls Foundation, or to make reservations for Monday, call 514-234-1174.