Construction Begins on Canadian-funded Hospital in Afghanistan

OTTAWA, ONTARIO–(Marketwired – April 21, 2013) – On Thursday, April 18, a foundation-laying ceremony was held for the new Bamyan Provincial Hospital in Afghanistan. This hospital is an important component of Canada’s efforts to improve maternal, newborn and child health in Afghanistan.

“We are pleased that we have reached this milestone and look forward to seeing the new hospital up and running, providing the best possible quality care for mothers and children of Bamyan Province,” said the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of International Cooperation. “Canada is proud to be delivering on our largest initiative for Afghanistan under the Muskoka Initiative on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.”

The ceremony marked the beginning of the next stage of this project, implemented through the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC). The project also includes the establishment of a maternal, newborn and child health centre in the new hospital, support to a centre of excellence on maternal and child health in Badakhshan Province, the training of midwives and nurses, a community nutrition program, and health promotion activities.

Press Release: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/
Project Page: http://www.acdi-cida.gc.ca/cidaweb/cpo.nsf
Photograph: http://mfatimages.smugmug.com/CompleteLibrary/

Malika Daya: World Partnership Walk! | Youth Are Awesome

by Malika Daya: Have you ever thought of those people in developing countries who are barely surviving in poverty? Have you ever thought that it would be possible to survive on $4.00 a week, without clean water, or shelter over your head, while starving? I don’t think so because here in Canada we are fortunate to have comfort and luxury. But that does not mean we shouldn’t do anything to help those who need it and that is why every year I decide to take part in the World Partnership Walk.

via World Partnership Walk! | Youth Are Awesome.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada | A Pinch of Philanthropy

Many organizations that I have researched are not necessarily looking at the long term impact of their involvement in other countries. The idea that we ‘swoop in’ and implement change can cause issues long term so I think it’s fantastic that the Aga Khan Foundation seeks implementable options that the local communities can continue independently.

via Aga Khan Foundation Canada | A Pinch of Philanthropy.

Carleton to Partner with Aga Khan Foundation of Canada for Seminar on International Microfinance

By Kristy Strauss - Many of the world’s poor do not have access to a debit card, a pension plan, or a mortgage – in addition to other financial services offered to customers in the developed world.

The Aga Khan Foundation of Canada (AKFC), in partnership with Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) and the MasterCard Foundation, will hold its next seminar on April 30 to discuss this issue as part of a series of seminars.

via Carleton to Partner with Aga Khan Foundation of Canada for Seminar on International Microfinance – Carleton Newsroom.

Sultan Jessa: Funds for Global Poverty – Cornwall Seaway News

It has now become the largest and most successful event of its kind in Canada. Of course, I am referring to the World Partnership Walk held every year in Canada to fight global poverty. The charity walks are now held in 10 different cities in the country from Ottawa to Vancouver.

Started almost three decades ago, these walks have raised a mammoth $75-million for international development programs and initiatives. Last year, this event raised $7-million and attracted more than 40,000 participants from all walks of life. The expectation is this year’s event will surpass monies raised last year. The walk, sponsored by Aga Khan Foundation Canada, will be held in London, Montreal and Ottawa June 2.

In Toronto, Vancouver, Victoria and Regina, the event will be held May 26. Calgary, Edmonton and Kitchener-Waterloo will hold the event June 9.

via SULTAN JESSA: Funds for Global Poverty – Local columnists – Cornwall Seaway News.

Takeaways from the Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s Seminar on Innovative Financing for Development

By Becky Slater Rossi – A few weeks back, I was fortunate to attend a fantastic event in Ottawa at the beautiful Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, a secular facility that offers a centre for building relationships, disseminating knowledge and information, and reflecting on humanitarian issues. Attended by over 120 participants both online and offline, the evening represented the official launch of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s (AKFC) seminar series on Innovative Financing for Development.

Hosted in partnership with Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA), the series is designed to explore different strategies for financing development that complement (more on this below!) traditional donor-based initiatives.

via Takeaways from the Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s Seminar on Innovative Financing for Development | Blog | Social Finance.

Aga Khan Foundation Canada hosting Workshop to Launch the New Microfinance Handbook – Carleton Centre for Community Innovation

Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) – in partnership with Carleton University’s School of Public Policy and Administration and The MasterCard Foundation – is delighted to invite you to the next event in the AKFC Seminars on Innovative Financing for Development.

via Aga Khan Foundation Canada hosting Workshop to Launch the New Microfinance Handbook – Carleton Centre for Community Innovation.

Related: World Bank’s The New Microfinance Handbook
New Microfinance Handbook addresses the need to broaden microfinance’s reach

Aga Khan Foundation’s Partnership Golf Dallas 2013

http://vimeopro.com/hakimsonsfilms/partnership-golf-2013/video/63779904

Bridge linking Tajikistan and Afghanistan due in May

The Ministry of Transport on Friday announced about completion of construction of the bridge across the Pyanzh river, which will link the country with Afghanistan.

The bridge will connect Nihol village, Shurobod district (250 km to the south-east of Dushanbe) and Hohon village in Afghanistan.

The length of the bridge is 182 meters. Bridge construction cost $3.57 million. It carrying capacity will be 30 tons.

Construction of the bridge started in late October 2011. The project was implemented by Aga Khan Foundation with financial support of the German Government.

via http://en.ca-news.org/news:522799.
Related: http://www.akdn.org/Content/1091
http://ismailimail.wordpress.com/tag/india-taj-afgh-2011/

WORLD PARTNERSHIP WALK TEAM | Change Canada Consultants

In December 2007 I was in New Delhi for the International National Trusts Organization conference.  This conference was attended by over 400 people from around the world and among them was one from Afghanistan, Abdul, who was an employee of the Aga Khan Heritage Trust.  Abdul presented a very interesting and inspiring paper on the value of ‘place’ in a war torn country.  He spoke of two projects sponsored by his organization in the city of Kabul, in particular about the rebuilding of a city park where on a weekend around 3,000 people gather to enjoy the green space and the peace.  His talk was fascinating and inspiring.

In Victoria we have a special attachment to Afghanistan because so many of our brave Canadian Forces members have seen active duty there.

via WORLD PARTNERSHIP WALK TEAM | Change Canada Consultants.

Carving a Future in Cairo’s Darb al-Ahmar

By Caroline Lai, Program Assistant with Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A.

I returned to Cairo in mid-February to visit the USAID-funded Head Start! for Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment program where I met with a diverse range of people involved in the program. When I previously visited in November, I spent most of my time working with the program staff to develop our work plan for next year. During my most recent visit, I was able to see in action the activities we had discussed and spend a considerable amount of time interacting with the beneficiaries we promised we would reach.

Despite challenges, Head Start! remains a fascinating and beneficial program.

via Carving a Future in Cairo’s Darb al-Ahmar | PartnershipsInAction.

World Partnership Walk 2012 – Photo Booth

Flash Mob – World Partnership Walk Toronto

The Toronto World Partnership Walk team is planning a FLASH MOB dance to raise awareness about International Development and the amazing Walk itself!

ALL YOU NEED TO DO

• Learn the dance routine – no dance experience necessary.
• Attend 2 short rehearsals
• Come out and have fun for the final performance on April 21st

https://www.facebook.com/events/333611113428191/
http://wx.toronto.ca/festevents.nsf

Aga Khan Foundation’s Golfer tournament to raise monies to end global poverty in Dallas

DALLAS – On Monday April 8, over 100 golfers will take a swing at ending global poverty in the seventh annual Dallas Partnership Golf tournament at the Gleneagles Country Club in Plano, Texas. The Dallas Partnership Golf tournament is an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds that reduce poverty, hunger, illiteracy and poor health in Africa and Asia.

Dallas’s 2012 golf tournament raised $200,000 and is expected to raise more this year. One hundred percent of all donations and net proceeds from the tournament go directly to projects supported by the AKF USA; not a cent is spent on administration.

via Golfer tournament to raise monies to end global poverty in Dallas on April 8 | North Dallas Gazette.

Also watch: Partnership Golf 60 Second – Hakim Sons Films Dallas

Khalil Shariff: Rotarians for Peace Symposium

Aga Khan Foundation’s Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP) prints a tourist map of Gorno-Badakhshan

DUSHANBE, April 3, 2013, Asia-Plus  – A color and illustrated map of the Gorno Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO) in English has been printed.  The map is an essential tool to promote development of ecotourism in this high mountain area.

The map has been compiled and printed by the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF)’s Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP) in cooperation with the State Unitary Enterprise (SUE) Cartographic Factory under the State Committee for Land Management and Geodesy of Tajikistan, AKF Afghanistan, the Pamirs Eco-Cultural Tourism Association (PECTA), the FOCUS Program and the Khoushkor Design Company.

via MSDSP prints a tourist map of Gorno-Badakhshan | Tajikistan News-NA «Asia-Plus».

World Partnership Walk – Vancouver 2012 – Teams

Educating Children in Kenyan Slums, through Aga Khan Foundation’s Education for Marginalized Children in Kenya (EMACK) Project

Highlights of the outcomes of the Whole School Approach an intervention by Aga Khan Foundation, EMACK project. The intervention has improved learning outcomes in Kibera, one of the largest “slums” in Africa!

Related:
http://www.partnershipsinaction.org/content/education-children-kenya

International savings groups NGOs aim for 50 million members by 2020 — Oxfam America

Last week, international relief and development organization Oxfam America, along with the Aga Khan Foundation, CARE, Catholic Relief Services, CGAP, Freedom from Hunger, Plan International, the SEEP Network and USAID launched “50 by 2020,” an initiative seeking to expand savings groups to 50 million members globally by 2020.  The announcement was made at a 2-day conference sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and The MasterCard Foundation in Arlington, VA held March 4-5, 2013.

via International savings groups NGOs aim for 50 million members by 2020 — Oxfam America.

World Bank’s The New Microfinance Handbook

By Joanna Ledgerwood. Currently head of Access to Finance for the Aga Khan Foundation in Geneva. This handbook addresses the need for increased financial inclusion by examining the financial market system, beginning with client needs.

Foreward by Tom Kessinger General Manager Aga Khan Foundation and Reeta Roy President and CEO The MasterCard Foundation.

https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/12272/9780821389270.pdf

Related: New Microfinance Handbook addresses the need to broaden microfinance’s reach