Transforming Vision Transforming Vision and Values into Lasting and Values into Lasting

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The Blinding Hope Foundation

A Brighter Tomorrow for Children

CHILDRENCHILDREN

There are little eyes upon youAnd they’re watching night and day.

There are little ears that quicklyTake in every word you say

There are little hands all eagerTo do everything you do;

And little children dreamingOf the day they’ll be like YOU!

They believe in you devoutly,Hold all you say and do;

They will say and do in your wayWhen they’re grown up just like you.

You are setting an exampleEvery day in all you do;

For the little child who’s waitingTo grow up to be like you.

Childhood Under ThreatChildhood Under Threat!! The life situation for many of our world’s children is staggeringly desperate.

Even in the wealthier nations, the number of children in families living in poverty continues to escalate.

Poverty-stricken families raise children deprived of nutritious food, healthy lifestyles who consequently experience difficulty succeeding in school and adapting to society. Studies indicate these children are more likely to drop out, have health problems, and become involved with risky behavior, alcohol and drugs.

Worldwide there are over a billion children today without access to even the most basic necessities of life. Whether they are orphans, child laborers, child soldiers, or disabled youngsters, they all face daily battles for survival that children in rich countries only read about. Without a parent to give them guidance, they are more likely to do poorly in school, or drop out. Without a family to care for them, they suffer from poverty, malnutrition, disease, and a lack of attention. And without protection, they suffer mistreatment, violence, and exploitation. The special dimension of poverty experienced by our world’s poorest children damages their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual development. Children experience poverty and need with their hands, minds and hearts.  

One of the worst effects of poverty is that it prevents children from having access to what may be their only opportunity for uplifting :- education. In many countries where the incidence of HIV/AIDS is increasing at an alarming rate, studies show that children who drop out of school are twice as likely to become HIV positive. The Global Campaign for Education (GCE) estimates that more than 7 million new infections worldwide could be avoided by ensuring that all children have a chance to attend school. Once there, they can be kept in school by grants to pay for their school-related expenses such as books, fees and uniforms.

If only there were a place where children could come to receive these necessities for their young life-- not only in countries around the world but also here in our own…………By helping all children, everywhere, there is unity in a common purpose, erasing boundaries of faith, race and culture.

Children may ultimately survive malnutrition, poverty and disease, only to become part of a generation destined to low productivity in adult life.

RECOGNITION IS THE FIRST STEP

A World Fit for ChildrenA World Fit for Children……an agenda an agenda

both visionary and concreteboth visionary and concrete

The Blinding Hope Foundation, along with Non-profit Organizations in over 180 nations, aspires to promote ”The World Fit for Children” agenda, with a strong current agenda focused on promoting:

HEALTHY LIVES AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT QUALITY EDUCATION AND RESOURCES PROTECTING CHILDREN AGAINST ABUSE, EXPLOITATION AND VIOLENCE INTERVENTION AND COMBATING HIV/AIDS The Blinding Hope Foundation (BHF) commits to achieve the goals and

objectives set forth by the UN Millennium Declaration, with an obligation to promote and protect the rights of all children, acknowledging the legal standards set by the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The plan of action sets out three necessary outcomes.1) The best possible start in life for children, 2) access to a quality basic education and cultural development, and 3) ample opportunity for children and adolescents, to develop their individual capacities. Other objectives include supporting families, eliminating poverty and discrimination.

The Foundation will utilize a wide range of partners to achieve this end: authors, actors, musicians, children themselves; parents, families, other caregivers; local governments, parliamentarians; NGO’s; the private sector, religious, spiritual, cultural and indigenous leaders; the mass local and international media, regional and international organizations; and people everywhere who work with and for children.

This Plan of Action affirms our goals and targets relevant to children and cultural development, which is endorsed by World Summits and Conferences on Childhood, including the UN Millennium Summit.

To achieve this end,The Blinding Hope Foundation will implement its programs through two initial locations. The development of the Blinding Hope Culture and Children’s Center of Scottsdale Arizona, will lead to the mobilization and allocation of additional Centers in South Africa, Canada and abroad.

The local and international organizations will be required to prepare and disseminate information on program administration and success.

The Blinding Hope Foundation’s mission is also its duty…to relieve the suffering of children everywhere!

Blinding Hope Children’s CenterBlinding Hope Children’s Center Health/Education /Environment/ Cultural Development/ World Health/Education /Environment/ Cultural Development/ World StoreStore

Thousands of children in Arizona suffer during their childhood as a

result of poverty and neglect. Poverty deprives them of the capabilities and skills needed to develop into thriving adults, and makes them more vulnerable to exploitation, abuse, violence, discrimination and stigmatization.

The Blinding Hope Foundation’s objectives: contribute to the lives of the underprivileged, and vulnerable children

throughout the Greater Phoenix Valley. outreach programs for children around the world. create and promote an enhanced sense of community promote cultural understanding among participants and volunteers in all

our programs in Arizona and Worldwide.

With a primary focus on Health and Education, the Foundation will play an active role in community clothing and food campaigns, programs to provide hygiene products, school materials and tools, select tutoring and mentoring programs for ongoing education. Professionals such as dentists, doctors, teachers, youth counselors, and volunteers will conduct workshops to meet these needs.

The Children’s Center of Arizona - the foundation of the Foundation!

It is as important for a child to have a helping hand in growth and development, as it is to teach today’s youth appreciation for the environment in which they live, and be responsible for as adults. The Center will host limited indoor/outdoor activities to enhance each disadvantaged youths’ understanding of the indigenous flora and fauna, and instruct them the basic skills each will carry into adulthood. This will be done through programs such as nature studies within the local preserves, camping trips, basic horsemanship and other enrichment activities previously not available to them.

All will be accomplished through working hand in hand with local parks and recreation agencies, government authorities, ranch owners, and student and adult volunteers.

The Foundation will host community events promoting cultural awareness, understanding, experience, and diversity. These events will be marketed through local papers, radio, television, businesses, and overall mass media. These functions will serve as a meeting point for sourcing potential funding/sponsors, and volunteers. They will serve to enhance the cultural awareness of Arizonans, the general public, and our visitors, featuring:Hands on Indigenous Art, Music, Theater, Food and Crafts World Music ‘live’ such as the World Beat Drumming of ( Shibambo- Africa, and potential bookings currently underway such as The Neville Brothers and many others.)Guests Speakers ( Authors, Poets, Musicians, Athletes, Professionals and International Figures)Outdoor and Indoor Activities/ Events ( Dinner and cocktail fundraisers, The annual” Drums Compassion”FundraiserAnnual motorcycle rally- Hare and Hound event, treasure hunt, bike-a-thon, the Blinding Hope Walk-a-Mile for a Child Marathon and more!)

Cultural Center Festivals-fundraisers- world

market

Fine Art/Hand made Jewelry

Arts/CraftsMusic- Indigenous Instrument sales from a World music perspective, CD’sSilent Auctions - artifactsCultural Apparel Cultural/Music Festival items

WORLD MARKET

Blinding Hope - AfricaBlinding Hope - Africa

Kruger National Park This world-renowned park ranks among the best, not only in Africa, but the world! Established in 1898 to protect wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, is home to the Big Five and annually hosts millions of tourists from around the world..But what lies just beyond the Kruger Park’s North Gate are two villages that represent the reality of the current desperate situation. Tourists visiting the Kruger Park and relaxing at Five Star Resort Hotels in the area, are rarely aware of the plight of the Shangaan and other indigenous people who live near-by. These descendents of the great Zulu King and Warrior, King Shaka, are now the poverty-stricken inhabitants of the rural villages of Cork and Ronaldsey where Blinding Hope is focused on establishing a sustainable, viable Culture and Children’s Center with outreach resources for the entire community.As in many African countries and villages, the people there now face an even greater threat than Colonialism. Blinding Hope is involved in an effort to protect current and coming generations from what many would consider extinction, from AIDS and other diseases.

Without electricity or running water, this remote area continues to be underserved by NGO’s and Governments alike.In Cork and Ronaldsey vulnerable children experience poverty as an environment that is pervasive and consequently damaging to their mental, physical, emotional and spiritual development. Sadly, over five hundred orphans struggling there to survive need immediate care and attention.

Starting the day without a nutritious meal or engaging in hazardous labor-hinders emotional capacity as well as bodily growth. Living in an environment that provides little stimulation or emotional support to children.

As the AIDS epidemic increases, so does the incidence of child-headed households. This phenomenon has resulted in numerous social and economic problems, and one very worrying factor is that the older siblings are forced to leave school to care for their younger brothers and sisters. This is likely to lead not only to an orphan generation, but also to an uneducated generation, that will never acquire the skills needed to enter the workforce.

With the rapid spread of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, extended families are increasingly being stretched in caring for one or more orphans, as well as the family’s own children. Uncles and aunts, the traditional first choice of care for orphans, are less available-either because the are themselves victims of AIDS or because the are now more reluctant to foster orphans because of stigmatization.

As a result, reports show that grandparents and older orphans are now being forced to take on this new role. Although grandparents may provide a secure and loving environment in which to care for the children, they find it difficult to respond to children's psychological, legal, economic, and basic needs. Most are elderly and often in poor health, and receive little or no support from the community to help with the responsibilities. It is important in these situations that NEW, alternative support measures be arranged before the grandparents death, so orphans do not have to be sent from one place to another.

RESPONSE

Blinding Hope will implement practice models in the fields of HIV/AIDS intervention, education- day care, extended family care, and community development. These models are the outcome of years of experience - expertise that other organizations are striving for with the ultimate goal of improving levels of service to South Africa’s children.

In the cases where children are not orphans, the day care center will assist with material needs as well as offering an educational component : Traditional Storytelling will be used to educate, meals, a library and performance/meeting area for workshops, etc.The Blinding Hope Foundation’s immediate objective is to secure start up funding, recruit and train staff, provide them with the systems and resources needed to run the Center effectively, and assist them by securing donations to ensure the sustainability of the project.

The Foundation will use local community members to staff the programs, thereby creating jobs, and also use the facility to train other community members, so that they will have the skills and experience to enter the workforce.

•HIV/ AIDS Detection and Awareness Workshop: The workshop is aimed at ECD (Early Childhood Development) practitioners, primary school teachers or other educators.

•HIV/AIDS early detection and interventionThe course is aimed at effectively intervening in the spread of HIV/AIDS through early detection. The foundation has partnered with an international medical company, which manufactures the latest technology for rapid HIV testing

•HIV/AIDS Prevention and Care in Childcare Institutions The course is aimed at people working in children’s organizations and was developed in response to the growing number of children living with HIV/AIDS. • Community Child and Family Care Training Aimed at people who are working within the community such as home-based care workers who offer support and care to people within their own homes. • Counseling Course: Bereavement and Loss This course was developed as a result of a need identified by participants of the other courses. This course is aimed specifically at counseling young children who have experienced loss and/or are themselves preparing for death. “Info provided by Cotlands institution”

The Program seeks to strengthen and equip communities to care for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS through the following courses and workshops:

    

Help the vision become a reality!

Pre-School, Daycare, Clinic,

Educational and Community Development,

Help and Wellness -Center

Organization chartOrganization chart

C e n te r o f S . A fricaO rp ha n s,A ID S ,E d u ca tion

C e nte r o f A rizo naC h ilren s cu ltu re /e du ca tio n ce n te r

C e nte r o f Ca na da

B lind in g H op e F o un d ation

StatusStatus

On-track:– Sourced proficient office/center location for Arizona and

S.Africa locations– Network development, grant writers, program directors,

infrastructure development– Program development,

Behind:– Funding programs, start-up capital– Team/employee development, start-up capital– Marketing resources, materials, start-up capital

Unexpected delays or issues: Arizona office

FundingFunding that makes a differencethat makes a difference

We believe that a donors wealth management needs are best met through professional attention (if desired) and tailored made solutions. We offer these financial services of wealth management, through our partner bank – Harris

Private Bank – for PHILANTHROPIC SERVICES in mind. A public foundation receives contributions from individuals, families, corporations,

and other entities. It focuses on specific community needs in the areas of health, social services, education, arts, humanities and civic affairs. Gifts can be:

Unrestricted – enabling the foundation to support community needs as they occur Field-of-interest funds, supporting specific areas of need, such as mental health or

the elderly Designated funds, benefiting particular organizations selected by the donor at the

time of the gift Donor-advised funds, permitting the donor to make non-binding recommendations

about where grants might go. Because donors have less control over the distribution of charitable donations, the

tax advantages of donations to a public foundation are greater than those of others such as a family foundation

CONTINUED

The desire to give something back to the community and to create a lasting legacy spurs many individuals and families toward philanthropy. Donors have often found that their contributions not only enhance the welfare of others, but add immeasurably to the quality of their own lives. For further information on these donor services contact the BHF director

BECOME A DONOR / SPONSOR (tax deductible)

•Direct contribution $$ funds

•CD Purchase $$

•Gifts in kind, corporate sponsorship, planned giving

Although your financial contributions provide the foundation, the resources it needs, at times the best contribution one can give is not that of money, but time, experience, volunteering, and contacts. If you are ready to make a contributed difference in the lives of children, please fill out the following information sheet, or contact one of the foundations representatives.

Action Is The Second Step

INFO REQUESTINFO REQUEST

BLINDING HOPE FOUNDATION, INC. 501 (C) 3

WWW.BLINDINGHOPE.ORG EMAIL- BLINDINGHOPE@AOL.COM 1 866 348 7853 or 480 348 7853

U.S.A.

8485 E. McDonald Dr. Suite 384

Scottsdale, AZ 85250

Canada

150 Sandringham Dr.

North York, Ontario

Canada M3 H-1E3

Funding 2005-06Funding 2005-06

Blinding Hope Culture and Children’s Center- Arizona Office/Building lease Manpower Resource and materials Marketing and travel Program development/implementation

OBJECTIVE ( 1.0 million USD)

Blinding Hope Culture and Children’s Center- South Africa Building construction Manpower Resource and materials Export/Import assistance Program development/implementation

OBJECTIVE ( 500K USD)

Children Learn What They Live

If a child lives with tolerance

He learns to be patient;

If a child lives with encouragement

He learns confidence;

If a child lives with praise

He learns to appreciate;

If a child lives with fairness

He learns justice;

If a child lives with security

He learns to have faith;

If a child lives with approval

He learns to like himself:

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship He learns to find LOVE in the world!

FounderFounder – – Mrs. Patricia Victoria KerrMrs. Patricia Victoria Kerr

Born in Montreal, Mrs. Patricia Victoria Kerr, known to many just as ” Miss Vickie”, is the founder and creator of Miss Vickie’s Potato Chips. She started the familyoperated business with her husband, Bill, on their potato farm in New Lowell, Ontario, Canada. Vickie realized, long ago, the benefits of having the support of family, friends, and community in order to succeed. Growing up in a family of six children,coupled with her training as an Early Childhood Educator, contributed to the development of her firm belief that positive childhood experiences must be a right for every child in the world. She became determined to make a difference.Vickie made it her life’s goal to help those in need and children in particular. “ Without the help of friends, family, and the community, there were times, when, after our farm house

burned down, I worried about how my children and I would find clothing, shelter, and support.Our community came to our aid by providing a place to live and necessary material items for our four children and again by working with us in the potato chip business. We were potato farmers without financial resources, but found the help, and most importantly the chance we needed from our community. “Establishing the Blinding Hope Foundation, dedicated to relieving the suffering of vulnerable children the world over,- our most precious resource-offering HOPE for a better tomorrow. Because It takes a village to raise a child, everyone can become involved!

My own children are MY foundation. They were my inspiration to create a healthier potato chip years ago, and the lives inspired me to begin a non-profit organization focused on developing BLINDING HOPE Children’s Centers around the world for those children who are in need of help. I thank all of my children, Rab, Liam, Dylan, and Angela for giving me the strength and support to take on this labour of love each day. They have shown me that by working together, we can overcome all obstacles and even make miracles happen.”