Latin America & Caribbean Latin America & Caribbean Regional Office8 calle 00-22 avenida, Zona 9, Interior 5, oficina 5B, Guatemala Ciudad, [email protected]
I would like to send warm greetings to all our donors,
staff members, volunteers, development cooperation
partners, and community members in the Good
Neighbors country offices in various continents. I wish
you all a happy new year.
In August 2012, Korea launched the “Development
Alliance Korea,” the first cooperative network between
the government and various private partners in the
field of overseas grant aid. Since 1995, as one of the
cooperative NGOs of KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency), Good Neighbors
International (GNI) is now well known as the representative NGO leading the Public Private
Partnership (PPP) sector. As an example, GNI established a successful PPP model together with
KOICA and GS Kaltex, one of the leading energy companies in Korea, in the domain of renewable
energy through appropriate technology. GNI will keep on working for the fulfillment of MDGs
and a sustainable future.
On the same month, GNI built a “Hope School” in collaboration with Kia group in Tanzania
Madale Community Development Project (CDP). Through the “Hope School Project”, GNI is
aiming to build 100 schools in Africa. Thanks to the interest and support of our donors, the hope
school project is widely spreading across Africa. I strongly believe that this will bring great change
to the children, families, and communities of the region.
In October, GNI held the ‘2012 Annual Conference’ to discuss future strategies and direction of
our community development projects. Under the theme of “Our Challenges towards Global
Good Neighbors,” GNI staff members convened from all over the world reviewed together our
long term vision. Among all, the participants discussed about efficient ways to enhance the
transparency and responsibility of our operations on the field. Another major issue was setting
new directions for advocacy projects as we shared successful case stories on the promotion of
child rights and Global Citizenship education in Indonesia, Korea and the Philippines.
As always, GNI will continuously fulfill our vision toward sustainable development throughout the
world. I deeply appreciate all our passionate partners and ask for your continuous support.
Wishing a Splendid New Year, Promising a Great Leap Forward
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Ilha Yi President, Good Neighbors International
04 Issue No.68 PARTNERSHIP 05
As an international humanitarian and development NGO,
Good Neighbors Philippines (GN Philippines) is also committed
in raising awareness of human rights especially children’s
rights and welfare. GN Philippines has developed programs
which advance children care support and services to ensure its
principal contribution in building a world wherein people live
with respect to human rights and dignity.
One of the advocacy programs of GN Philippines is the ‘Child
Rights Campaign.’ It was in 2009 that GN Philippines started
to conceptualize a child rights campaign program aiming to
develop and enhance the awareness of individuals, groups
and communities through public education and massive
awareness campaign to uphold and protect the rights and
welfare of the children. Through this child rights campaign,
GN Philippines aims to form and organize a network with
the local and national government, international/ local non-
government organizations as well as civil society organizations
that will become partners of GN Philippines in setting up and
implementing the child protection system not only in GN
Philippines community development projects but nationwide.
It was also in 2009 that GN Philippines came up with the ideas
and conducted activities that are more effective and will catch
more attention from members of the community to promote
child rights. Brainstorming among staffs was done to know
what would be the possible activities that most Filipinos like
and be willing to participate. Activities like singing, dancing,
photo exhibit, drawing contest, festival in the community level
(local area) or concert in the city for more public audience
were among the many activities that would surely become an
effective way to promote the child rights campaign program
in the Philippines. Finally, GN Philippines decided to render
different activities for child rights campaign but the main activity
was the ‘Child Rights Concert.’ GN Philippines believes that
concert is one of the alternatives and effective ways to promote
awareness on the child rights as well as to promote awareness
on the existing international covenants like the UN CRC and
other laws that protects the rights of the children.
To proceed the child rights campaign successfully, GN
Philippines organized the Child Rights Council (CRC) which is
composed of student members and youth groups. The youth
advocates operated and worked to promote and advocate
the child rights to the youth in school and in the community.
Summer Youth Camp, Room to Room campaign were the
main activities of CRC.
Until now, GN Philippines has organized 2 CRCs, one in San
Isidro and Southville Community Development Project (CDP)
and the other in Tingloy CDP. San Isidro and Southville CRC
is formally recognized by the school principal in the high
school as an organization who would be campaigning for
the awareness on child rights to the whole campus. They are
allowed to recruit more members to join the council. Southville
and San Isidro CRC were able to formulate guidelines and
policies and were able to design plan of activities for the
remaining months of 2012.
Whereas, the Tingloy CRC is based inside the community.
They implement activities not only in schools but also in the
community. They formulated their own guidelines and policies
in accordance with the general policies from the Head office.
Still, the main objective of the CRC is to promote awareness on
child rights and to organize the youth as child rights advocates
in the community and in the schools.
Furthermore, as part of the commitment to protect the child
rights and welfare of the children, GN Philippines is on the
track of establishing a Child Protection System (CPS) which will
further promote GN Philippines’s advocacy in the protection of
the rights and welfare of the children in the CDP areas first and
eventually all across the country.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) stipulates that every child has the right to
protection from all forms of violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Filipino children are not spared from
critical soial issues and are greatly affected by several effects of worsening poverty. In 2009, the Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported 6,524 cases of child abuse of all forms throughout
the Philippines. Aside from physical and sexual abuses, Filipino children are also vulnerable in issues such
as health, education and other basic social services. Inadequate public awareness on the basic rights of
children is one factor which leads to an increase in child abuse cases.
The Philippine government as duty holder is obliged to protect the rights of children through the national
agencies and local government units. There are efforts of creating child-friendly communities and ensuring
the protection of child rights. Child protection laws and policies were promulgated, but the implementation
and enforcement by national government agencies and local government units is by itself a major challenge.
Stand Up for Child Rights
FIELD REPORT
Written by_ Rhona Valente-Okamoto Community Development Coordinator, GN Philippines
>> ‘I L.I.K.E (I Live, Inform, Educate:Karapatan para sa
Kabataan)’ brand launching
06 Issue No.68 PARTNERSHIP 07
Representatives from The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) and the National Council on Disability Affairs participated
Partnership building between GN Philippines, local government unit of Barangay San Isidro, Rodriguez, Rizal and the San Isidro Elementary School
More than 700 individuals signed in the signature campaign and joined the pinning of the yellow ribbon to the ‘commitment tree’
Children, youth and adults from 142 barangays and 50 public schools in Quezon City participated
‘I L.I.K.E (I Live, Inform, Educate: Karapatan para sa Kabataan)’ brand launching
Fun Run activity led by the Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Quezon City
Puppet show, spot slogan and painting contest, forum on positive discipline, alternative-interactive session on UN CRC were held
Building public awareness on issues related to children and families and to assist and empower the marginalized children
1,500 participants joined the social education activities, photo exhibits, and child rights concert
Representatives from the Local Government Unit of Rodriguez Rizal (LGU) and the Municipal Social Welfare Development office (MSWDO) etc. participated
Community Development Committees (CDC), Child Rights Council (CRC) and Local Government Unit Officials from GN Philippines’s 8 CDP areas participated
Challenged the participants to protect and promote the rights of children
Child rights concert, forum, signature campaign, photo exhibition, signature wall and commitment paper were prepared
History of Child Rights Campaign
2009 20112010 2012
08 Issue No.68 PARTNERSHIP 09
The Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)1 community convened at the World Bank in Washington, D.C. for a two-
day conference titled “Uniting to Combat NTDs: Translating
the London Declaration into Action” from November
17th to 18th. The objective was to provide a forum where
all stakeholders in the fight against NTDs can together
identify the priorities, discuss the challenges and suggest
strategies towards achieving the targets of the World Health
Organization (WHO) and thereby, control and eliminate at
least ten NTDs by 2020. The meeting aimed at leveraging
on the London Declaration, which announced publicly that
drug and money donations will be used to engage all global
stakeholders: the leading pharmaceutical companies, global
health partners, and all donors including non-governmental
organizations.
Good Neighbors International was invited to participate
alongside all endemic countries and international partners,
and to commit and take part with our invaluable skills,
experiences, and contributions. Since 2005, Good Neighbors
Tanzania (GN Tanzania) has been successfully implementing
the NTD program by providing the treatments, removing risk
factors, ensuring access to clean water and basic sanitation,
and thus improving living conditions, health education, and
creating stronger health systems.
NTD Control Program in Tanzania began in 2008, supported
by the air solitary ticket fund with the Korean NTD expert
groups and the National Institute for Medical Research team
in Tanzania. The control program is based in Mwanza district,
where NTDs are a devastating burden and prevalence due
to the surrounding Lake Victoria, particularly through soil-
transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis2. The operation of NTD Clinic allows implementation of primary
medical care of NTDs, health education and promotion, safe
water projects and capacity building programs.
1 Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) are a group of bacterial and parasitic
diseases that infect one in six people around the world, most of whom live
on less than $1.25 per day. NTD control is linked to successful outcomes in
nearly every global health and development issue. These diseases prevent
children from growing and learning and they reduce adults’ economic
productivity and ability to care for their families. Without NTD control,
many families and communities become trapped in a cycle of disease and p
overty. [Global Network: NTDS –THE FACTS]
2 STH and Schistosomiasis : Neglected Tropical Diseases
Soil-Transmitted helminthiasis(STH) commonly known as intestinal worms
are the most common infections worldwide affecting the most deprived
communities. Eggs ingested through contaminated vegetables or water,
or directly by children placing soil in mouth. Larval forms for the parasites,
released by freshwater snails penetrate the skin of individuals during their
contact of water.
Toward Health and Sustainability
SPOTLIGHTS ON
Children standing in line waiting for the distribution of tablets The first clinic and lab facility in the world focused solely on NTDs opened on 2011
Written by_Yunsuk Ko & Cyril Michael Managing Director & NTD Clinic Doctor, GN Tanzania
Toward Health and Sustainability
>>
>>
10 Issue No.68 PARTNERSHIP 11
Primary Medical Care Health Education
Capacity Building WASH : Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
NTDs can be easily treated and controlled with only 50 cents for one child per year
Ms.Koku (NTD Clinic senior nurse) visits Kitangiri A primary
school to distribute Praziquantel and Albendazole. At first,
several children refused to take the medical treatment. “But
now, children know what Good Neighbors do and for whom
and why,” she says. Through the NTD Clinic, GN Tanzania
provides medical care services and distributes necessary
treatments for school children easily infected by NTDs.
To be healthy and to learn to be healthyGN Tanzania has put in full effort in providing health
education by means of using various methods and materials.
Our purpose has been to reduce contamination of soil and
water by promoting the use of latrines and hygienic behavior.
More than 5,260 people attended the health education
programs and over 30% of the total populations have
watched the short-movie concerning NTDs.
Capacity building to empower the health system for sustainable development
Once every year, GN Tanzania invites clinical officers,
laboratory technicians, government officials, and health
teachers to empower their competence by facilitating the
capacity building program. By operating the program, GN
Tanzania focuses on the importance of raising and reinforcing
the professionals in the community.
Improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene can protect people from NTDs
In Mwanza, Lake Victoria is the key water source but also
the main cause of schistosomiasis. The poorest people living
along the lake use this dirty water for daily activities. When
NTDs treatment is combined with WASH program, a program
that educates on how to secure the safe water, use of good
hygiene behaviors such as proper toilet use, the infection
rate is significantly reduced. In addition, 27 wells have been
built as a result of comprehensive approach to NTDs control
program.
Story of Josiana Gervas
Josiana Gervas was brought to the NTD clinic by her aunt. At first sight, she looked very pale and small, and her palms were as pale as a white paper. Living in a slum house near Lake Victoria shore in Sengerema district, Mwanza, Josiana was brought up by a single mother in a family of 8 siblings. Although she had complained of constant fatigue and abdominal pains for more than five years, Josiana’s mother had no idea of the intensity of her daughter’s disease and neither of possible existing cures. Therefore, when Josiana and her mother heard about the NTD Clinic from a close relative, they found hope and felt optimistic.
After several medical check-ups, they found that Josiana’s lung functions were normal, although she had rapid heartbeats with signs of heart failure. She also had an enlarged spleen about 8cm without ascites or lower limb swelling. Laboratory stool examination revealed a mixed worm infestation of hookworms and intestinal schistosomiasis. She was also found to be very anemic with hemoglobin level of 3.5g/dl. As a result, Josiana was simply treated with albendazole and praziquantel and iron tablets.Two months after the treatment, Josiana improved remarkably with no trace of fatigue and paleness. The stool examination revealed neither hookworm nor schistosomiasis. Hemoglobin level was at 8.5 g/dl. Now, Josiana visits the NTD clinic frequently for just a routine medical check-up.
Before treatment After treatment
My palms are no longer pale and I am now
healthy enough to start my study. I aspire
to attend the vocational training course in
Mwanza city.Josiana Gervas
12 Issue No.68 PARTNERSHIP 13
SERIES
Mongolia has continental subarctic climate and vast territory
with Ulaanbaatar, the capital city, at the center. After the end of
socialism and support from the Soviet Union, Mongolia suffered
from nationwide economic difficulties and experienced further
hardships in the late 1990s and 2000s due to natural disasters
caused by intense cold.
Ulaanbaatar is a city planned for 400,000 residents but now there
are more then one million living in. Due to the overpopulation,
serious social problems such as urban poverty, unemployment,
steep inflation of living costs occurred. On the outskirts of the city,
the nomadic people live in the Gers and use flaming coal, which
they can get most easily, as main resource to heat their stoves
during winter. The Gers are structurally not adequate to preserve
the heat of the stoves and the stoves too can easily release heat
through the stove pipes. For this reason, people have to spend
burdensome amount of money for an inefficient heating of their
household. The average monthly income of more than 150,000
families living in the Ger district during winter season is about $160
but they have to spend about $100 for buying heating materials
every month.
Most people use flaming coal and firewood for heating but
destitute poor people use used-tire or plastic for more than
7 months in winter which emitting an enormous amount of toxic
gas and smoke. According to the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), Ulaanbaatar is one of the world's worst
polluted city with critically high presence of suspended particulate
matter (SPM). To solve the double problem of heating cost
and air pollution, Good Neighbors Mongolia (GN Mongolia)
developed the G-Saver1, a heat accumulator which can increase thermal efficiency and reduce heating cost and gas emission,
using appropriate technology based on local people's needs.
After distributing G-Saver to the poor people in the Ger district, in
2010, GN Mongolia established a social enterprise named ‘Good
Sharing’ to develop technique in the area and to sell G-Saver
in a more reasonable price. Furthermore, it created jobs and
provide additional income to the local community. Good Sharing
is located in Songinokhairkhan district, a suburb area outside of
the city and 10 residents from poor families are working for the
factory.
Appropriate Technology:
Warming up the Community
In 2011, GN Mongolia distributed 4,000 G-Savers and implemented a survey targeting 1,000 families. It
turned out the heating expenses of the families using G-Saver decreased to an average of $42 per month,
and the amount of coal used also decreased to an average of 270kg per month. It both saved heating
expenses in poor families by applying the principle of heat storage and retained the possibility of improving
environmental performance. On the basis of this outcome, the Mongolian Government bought 1,500
G-Savers from Good Sharing and distributed them to disfavored families around Ulaanbaatar. Based on this
achievement, in 2013, GN Mongolia will cooperate with KOICA for a project on distribution and R&D for
sustainable development and sustainable technology.
Written by_ Taewon Seo Country Director, GN Mongolia
1 G-saver, a heat accumulator that helps saving fuel expenses, especially for low-
income families living in Gers in Mongolia through not only reserving heating
source but reducing smoke indoors by putting the G-saver on an existing stove
between the body and stovepipes.
Buggie, a manager of Good Sharing, was a housewife who had always been worried about
the livelihood of her family. Until 2 years ago, she made a living by stock farming, but she
had to move to the city because all the animals died due to the extreme cold wave. Buggie
was physically challenged and so she was not able to have a stable job in an unfamiliar city
environment. One day, a civil servant introduced her to Good Sharing and she started working.
She was not able to work as fast as other employees due to her physical handicap, but she
gave her best and worked steadily and faithfully. Good Sharing not only provided technical
skill training but also gave diverse educational opportunities including computer skills and self-
esteem classes. Buggie who didn't know how to use a USB key is now the production manager
editing documents using computer and giving presentation with her powerpoints. As a manager,
she is putting her full effort to expand the activities of Good Sharing, and she is living with the
confidence and sense of responsibility in helping people in poverty.
Started working at Good Sharing in 2009
>> Working as a manager now, in 2012
‘Good Sharing ’ changed
my life
CASE STORY 1
>>
>>
14 Issue No.68 PARTNERSHIP 15
Monkbataar, a child in Takhilt Community Development Project (CDP) located
in Chingeltei , lives in a Ger with 7 family members. Bataar's mother was the only
person who earned money, and his older sister gave birth to a child making the
family even poorer. In winter, they had to buy bag of coal every day to keep the
house warm, but if that was not possible, they gathered some paper or a piece of
wood from the street and had to sleep with painful hunger.
As a sponsored child of Good Neighbors, Bataar received G-Saver on November
2011 and his family has been using it ever since. Before using G-Saver, 4 bags of
coal and wood were needed to heat the house but now, 2 bags are enough to keep
the family warm. Bataar said he is very glad because his family can spend money on
buying food and clothes instead of buying coal and also his mother doesn't have to
wake up at midnight to make fire anymore. Although winter in Mongolia is harsh
and cold, Bataar heads to school with no worries.
Bataar's family no longer suffer from cold and money
Distribution of 'G-saver' Community people working at ‘Good Sharing’
‘G-Saver ’helped our
family!
GN Mongolia is planning various projects with local people to expand the social enterprnership of Good
Sharing for sustainable community development. To achieve such goal, GN Mongolia will first expand
Good Sharing’s R&D function to improve the current function of G-Saver. Through the support of Korea
International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), GN Mongolia is planning to distribute 2,000 G-savers to the
people living in the Ger district in Ulaanbaatar. Monitoring the proper use of G-Saver, hiring and educating
Good Neighbors’ sponsored families will also be continued. With the community people, GN Mongolia will
build up a service network so that people in Ulaanbaatar can use G-Saver conveniently. Moreover, through
this service network consisting of local community members GN Mongolia will form cooperatives in order
to develop various projects needed for local residents.
CASE STORY 2
>>
>>
>>
16 Issue No.68 PARTNERSHIP 17
GNI Tell us about the Water for Life project. How did it start and what is
the purpose of this project?
Joseph Kim Our Water for Life project started in 2010 and the primary goal was
to provide clean water to children in need. Chad is the fifth largest country in
Africa, and its land-locked geography makes water extremely scarce for villages.
Families have to spend all day walking miles to collect water, but the water is
often very dirty and leads to a number of diseases, including Malaria. By starting
this project, we’re able to build clean water wells for villagers so they don’t have
to walk far, and especially so children can attend school instead of spending the
day collecting water.
GNI Could you share some details on the positive results of this project?
Joseph Kim Since we started this project, we’ve built a total of 147 wells: 137 in
Chad, 5 in Malawi, and 5 in the Dominican Republic. As a result, over 150,000
people have access to clean drinking water now and more children than ever
are attending school. We also support schools, health clinics, and libraries in
those countries.
Water for Life: Building Water Wells Full of Hope
MINI INTERVIEW Good Neighbors USA (GN USA)’s Marketing Director, Joseph Kim, talks to us about the GN USA’s Water For Life project, which builds clean water wells for communities in need. To date, the organization has built 147 wells in Chad, Malawi, and the Dominican Republic, with plans to build 69 new wells in Chad in 2013.
GNI Was there any special reason that GN USA selected Chad and Malawi?
Joseph Kim We were initially struck by the need in Chad because two-thirds of
the country is desert, with no water supply and drainage system. The death toll
among children and infants is extremely high because they are getting sick from
the dirty water they drink.
We also learned that children in those countries walk for five hours or more to
find water. Once we understood the need, we knew we had to go in and do
what we could to provide these communities with clean water.
GNI What are the future plans and additional projects of GN USA?
Joseph Kim Our future plan is to build 69 more wells in Chad. We also plan
to expand in the Sahara Desert region of northern Chad. Next year, we will
start constructing elementary schools next to the water wells so families are
encouraged to settle down near schools and enroll their children in class.
INTERVIEW
Joseph Kim
- Good Neighbors USA Marketing Director - In charge of public fundraising
projects, including 'Water for Life'
Boon Ja Yoo
- President of Somang Society- Donated 69 clean water wells in Africa
We believe every single person should have access to clean, safe drinking water. Without it, serious health issues arise,
especially in villages in Africa. When children collect water from muddy or polluted puddles, they are exposed to cholera,
malaria, and other diseases. And when they must travel long distances for water, attending school becomes a low priority. GN
USA's Water for Life project builds clean water wells near schools for local communities. One well serves a village of 4,000 for
up to 21 years. We successfully built 137 clean water wells in Chad, an achievement that earned us a nomination for the stay
Classy Non-Profit of the Year Award.
Water for Life Project
GNI Why did your organization decide to support so many new wells?
Boon Ja Yoo I saw a TV program that featured Good Neighbors, where the
famous actor, the late Yong-Ha Park went to Chad, Africa to help build wells.
Through that program, and seeing the difference clean water made in those
communities, I felt convicted that building wells really does save lives.
GNI You went to Chad and saw the wells being built firsthand. What
was that experience like for you?
Boon Ja Yoo It was a very valuable trip for me because I truly saw hope
and happiness in the people who were drinking from the well, especially the
children whose eyes lit up when they drank fresh water for the first time.
GNI What are some other humanitarian goals you’d like to achieve?
Boon Ja Yoo I would love to provide an education for more children and
help build elementary schools in that region. I’m especially thankful for all
the people who joined me on this trip. After this experience, I hope our
organization, the Somang Society can do even more to help those in need.
18 Issue No.68 PARTNERSHIP 19
WFP’s New Leadership and
Stronger Partnership
The de lega t ion o f Good Ne ighbor s
International was invited to the 2012 UN
World Food Programme (WFP) Annual
Partnership Consultation held at the WFP
headquarters in Rome, Italy, on the 29th and
30th of October 2012. WFP is the largest
humanitarian international organization
addressing the issue of hunger and food
security in more than 73 countries across the
world. WFP works in close relation with civil
society from food delivery for emergency
relief, to sustainable solutions for protracted
food crisis. Since its participation to the WFP
NGO Consultation in 2010, GNI has emerged
as a core partner of WFP through the Food
for New Village (FFNV) projects in Nepal and
WE, THE WORLD
Written by_ SEONG Ha Eun Representative, GN International Geneva Office
Rwanda, as well as food distribution operation in
Chad.
With the nomination of Ms.Ertharin Cousin as
the new Executive Director of the WFP on April
2012, the organization has taken new stances
and initiatives to strengthen its partnership with
civil society organizations from an operative
relation in programme implementation into
a strategic cooperation for decision making.
Such change in attitude received a positive
reaction from humanitarian NGOs and the
October consultation was actively attended by
the CEOs of more than 20 leading civil society
stakeholders such as Oxfam Great Britain, Save
the Children, Doctors without Borders (MSF),
Concern, International Committee of Red Cross
(ICRC), ADRA, the Norwegian Refugee Council
and World Vision. In comparison to the previous
meetings, NGO partners took a leading role in
the consultation by choosing the subjects to
be discussed, preparing the background paper
for the discussions, and providing key policy
suggestions for the Strategic Plan 2014-2017
to be adopted by the WFP Executive Board,
composed of governmental representatives from
36 countries, on early 2013.
Four main issues were discussed during the
two day event, in order to improve the quality
and impact of the humanitarian operations
conducted through WFP-NGO partnership.
First , participants shared the modalities to
strengthen the innovative tools to increase food
security for vulnerable populations in unstable
and weak markets such as the voucher system
and local purchase of relief food (purchase
for progress programme, P4P). Second, NGOs
discussed the need of risk-sharing among WFP,
INGOs, local NGOs and affected populations
for programmatic threats arising inside and
outside of the partnerships during relief and
development operations. Third, panelists argued
the importance of shifting from a simplistic
efficiency criteria of ‘more food to more people
in shorter time with less money’ into a long-term
cost-effectiveness criteria aiming sustainable
impact to targeted groups. Finally, stakeholders
analyzed the strength and weaknesses of
partners in disaster preparedness and suggested
concrete policy measures to improve current
emergency relief leadership of WFP.
World Food Programme
Annual Partnership Consultation:
A Case of Building up True Partnership
GN Nepal finalized its partnership agreement with WFP Nepal on
December 15, 2011
GN Rwanda contracted partnership with WFP on January 30, 2012 >>
>>
20 Issue No.68 PARTNERSHIP 21
Lessons for GNI: Building True Partnership on All Levels
While the discussions in Rome were exclusively linked to the work of WFP, the change in the
partnership between the UN entity and civil society organization gives us an inspiring lesson: the
need for all GNI staff to bear a strategic long-term vision for their work with an understanding for
humanitarian policy for a true ownership and partnership.
Based on its 20 years of experience in humanitarian relief and development, the role of GNI as
humanitarian actor has expanded from programme-implementer to policy-advisor. GNI is currently
providing strategic advice for humanitarian activities and policies to governmental authorities, peer
NGOs, private companies, academic institutions as well as multi-stakeholder organizations. GNI
network is also a rich source of motivation and mentoring for volunteers and especially youth that
want to contribute to the global eradication of poverty and hunger.
Such inspirational role, in addition to GNI’s traditional work through development programmes
and advocacy activities, is a key factor in building true partnership with stakeholders in all level
of society. The gradual expansion of social leadership on the domestic level has brought up our
visibility also on the international level. Exclusive international cooperative venues such as WFP
Partnership Consultation represents the role of GNI not only as an implementing partner of UN
agencies but also as a contributor to international humanitarian policy. It is an imperative for all GNI
members to take the initiative not only to implement their program in an efficient and transparent
manner in each CDP, country office and regional office, but also nurture a leadership providing
strategic perception and long-term vision from sponsored children to community leaders, country
staff, international staff and the whole leadership of GNI. Because only an organization that has the
culture and structure of policy-oriented thinking and voluntary participation to decision making on
all parts of its work will be able to gain the status of true partner even on the global level.
Emergency Relief in Response to EarthquakeOn November 7th, an earthquake of 7.4 magnitudes struck off the
pacific coast of Guatemala. San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Sololá, Quiché,
Retalhuleu and Totonicapán provinces were mostly damaged. A total of
1.2 million people were affected and 52 people died, as reported. Due
to the destruction of infrastructure, restoration of households and supply
of drinking water was urgently needed. After the outbreak of earthquake,
Good Neighbors Guatemala (GN Guatemala) dispatched the first
emergency relief team on November 8th, to support the restoration of
the damaged areas and the victims.
GN Guatemala has been continuously monitoring the damage in the
Solola Santa Maria Community Development Project (CDP) and planning
to support the most urgently required goods. In cooperation with the
National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction of Guatemala (CONRED)
and Emergency Operations (EOC), GN Guatemala has been working
promptly and professionally for the emergency relief. Food distribution
was done twice for 730 families in San Antonio township of San Marcos,
while medical support and emergency relief kit (food, sanitation item and
blanket) was provided to 1,000 families during 14th to 23rd of November.
Furthermore, Good Neighbors International (GNI) raised $50,000 fund
from KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) for emergency
relief.
Holds Head Office Opening CeremonyOn October 2nd, Good Neighbors Central African Republic (GN Central
African Republic) held an opening ceremony of the head office at the
capital city, Bangui. Many participants including GN Chad country director
Geun Sun Park, Honorary consul Sang Tae Seo and 50 community
representatives graced the occasion.
The opening ceremony began with a presentation by the newly appointed
activist of GN Central African Republic Ahrha Cho on the existing
community development projects and was followed by the greetings
of NGO directors. To enhance the understanding of our organizational
projects, an introductory video clip of Good Neighbors was also shown to
all visitors.
The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It
borders Chad in the north, Sudan in the northeast, South Sudan in the
east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Congo in the south,
and Cameroon in the west. Despite its significant mineral resources and
its arable land, the Central African Republic remains one of the poorest
countries in the world and among the ten poorest countries in Africa.
According to the UN Human Development Index, the Central African
Republic is 0.343, which gives the country a rank of 179 out of 187
countries with data. Alongside 9 other African field offices, GN Central
African Republic will give its full effort for the fundamental changes in the
social environment by community development projects, and thereby,
empower each family and local community to become self-reliant.
GNI NEWS
Guatemala
Central African Republic
(From the left) SEONG Ha Eun, Representative of GN International Geneva Office, Ertharin Cousin, New Executive Director of
WFP, Kyunghoo Rho, Managing Director of GN Nepal
>>
22 Issue No.68 PARTNERSHIP 23
Conducts Child Rights CampaignOn August 19th, Good Neighbors Vietnam (GN Vietnam) held a
child rights campaign at the Hoa Binh Culture Youth Center. More
than 350 people participated in the event, including Hoa Binh Youth
Union, students from 11 schools in the district. Teachers and parents
engaged in various programs such as a play, quiz and exhibition.
Students who joined the campaign performed a play on child rights
and also learned how to defend oneself in certain abusive situations.
Due to a high number of parents working outside the home for a
living, children living in Hoa Binh district are particularly exposed
to danger and suffer from improper care. Through this campaign,
participants were educated on the importance of child rights and
wished more activities could be provided in the future.
Vietnam
Supports 3,048 Children with Dry Milk PacketsFrom July to August, Good Neighbors Sri Lanka (GN Sri Lanka)
distributed 1kg of dry milk powder to each of 3,048 children: 1,258
children in Embilipitiya district, 1,455 children in Matara district and
335 children on Trincomalee district. These children received the milk
powder for nutrition supplement. Mr. Lakshman Yapa Abewardena,
the Honorary Deputy Minister for Economic Development, NGO
coordinators of respective districts monitored the distribution
process. The distribution was held in 14 schools in Matara district,
6 schools in Embilipitiya district and 2 schools in Trincomalee district
in July. Community participation for the distribution event was high as
this was the first activity of GN Sri Lanka after resuming the operation.
While remaining in close collaboration with the staff, community
leaders also played an active role in the distribution.
Sri Lanka
Holds Handover Ceremony On September 24th, Good Neighbors Lao PDR (GN Lao PDR) held a
handover ceremony at the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOE).
GN Lao PDR donated non-food items (NFIs) including mosquito
nets, clothes, and shoes worth $249,771 to 16,000 poor and
vulnerable children and their families living in Xaysomboun and Hom
district. At this ceremony, GN Lao PDR’s managing director Sung
Won Moon, made a speech. Looking forward to the cooperative
collaboration with the MOE, GN Lao PDR will continue to deliver
two projects successfully: 1. Provide a community-based education
project across seven districts 2. Supply more NFIs to most needy
people. Thus, GN Lao PDR will provide the early childhood care,
stronger education system, and NFIs to improve the quality of life in
6 of the nation’s 45 poorest districts.
Opens Community Center On September 21st, Good Neighbors Philippines (GN Philippines)
opened a community center, at the Southville Community
Development Project (CDP), located in the San Isidro district. Good
Neighbors vice president, In Hee Kim, GN Philippines country
director Hyung Gu Ahn, the corporate sponsors and community
representatives were all present at the opening ceremony. The
daycare center children performed a thank-you celebration. The new
community center is composed of two daycare center classrooms,
a vocational training center and a health center. Through the
community center, GN Philippines will now be able to provide health
hygiene education, vocational training programs and child caring
services to about 350 community people daily.
Lao PDR Philippines
Chile
Conducts Athletic CompetitionOn October 27th, Good Neighbors Chile (GN Chile) held an athletic
competition with the Pudahuel school students. The competition
aimed to enhance health awareness and to raise such interests,
particularly in the poor children. Pudahuel school students are
mostly from single-parent families and high portion of mentally
disabled children are present in the school. For those isolated
children, GN Chile has put in a great effort on improving the school
facilities, education on mental counseling, and conducting athletic
competition. GN Chile will provide continuous effort to improve the
mental and physical health of local children and thereby better their
world.
Opens Capacity Building Training ProgramOn November 11th, Good Neighbors Paraguay (GN Paraguay)
offered Capacity Building Training Program to 50 executives of
PAINAC (Integral Care Program for Children and Adolescents of the
Street). Through the training program, experts from each field were
able to share their insights by focusing on the personalities of street
children and adolescents, systematizing their unique experiences, and
zoning in the proper techniques of education tailored to the specific
needs of these children. Moreover, the training provided a reference
point for understanding the position of vulnerable children and how
to seek practical solutions for a variety of problematic situations via
psychodrama. GN Paraguay is supporting the projects of Ñemity
Rehabilitation Center and Transitory Protection Center (CTP) as a part
of PAINAC.
Paraguay
Establishes Paris Congo 2 CooperativeOn September 13th, Good Neighbors Chad (GN Chad) held
an establishment ceremony for the Paris Congo 2 Community
Development Project (CDP) located in N’djamena, the capital of
Chad. More than150 people were present and members from Paris
Congo 2 Cooperative, Community Development Committee (CDC)
and many other community people took part in the event. The Paris
Congo 2 Cooperative is composed of only women and is the second
official cooperative in Chad based on the cooperation between GN
Chad and the local community. Initially divided into six groups, each
group is asked to create a certain amount of profit after 13 months.
Then members must repay $100 which is contributed back into the
community development fund.
Holds Opening Ceremony for the First Community CenterOn November 16th, Good Neighbors Dominican Republic (GN
Dominican Republic) held the opening ceremony for the first
community center, Centro Comunitario de Desarrollo Integral Los
Guandules. CDP members, sponsored children, volunteers and local
staffs joined this monumental event. A tape-cutting ceremony was
followed by a welcoming speech by the managing director of GN
Dominican Republic, Hyang Cho. After the speech, the sponsored
children performed by singing and recitation, expressing how
thankful and happy they are to have their own safe place to spend
time after school. GN Dominican Republic will continue to empower
the community people and to provide professional welfare services
