Report from Erin Edward, Member MKI Supervisory Council
There has been quite some excitement about MKI in the last two months much of this related to Harold’s visit in September. Here are several of the highlights:
1. Lynne Wilkie of Massachusetts has kindly agreed to take on the role of volunteer coordinator for MKI in the US based from the Futures’ office in Springfield, Massachusetts. Lynne will be working on MKI organizational, program and fund raising projects in the US and will be meeting with MKI staff in Holland
2. Harold and Peter has opened up collaboration with the following groups in the US:
a. Safe Blood is a Washington based NGO committed to improving the quality of the blood supply in Africa. They have pioneered the Club 25 model which is based on social clubs supporting health and wellness in young people who then become blood donors. MKI is considering a collaboration using this model in their Health Information Centers .
b. The VOSS Foundation is dedicated to improving water supply in Africa through purification and education programs and collaboration will be discussed.
3. Harold and Peter have received commitments from the following organizations to collaborate with MKI:
a. The Urban League of Springfield, Massachusetts has agreed to send staff to volunteer in MKI programs and will accept students at its summer camp programs. The Urban League is a leader in black civil rights and equal access issues in the United States.
b. The National Children Center, a well known leader in educational and health services to people with disabilities, has agreed to serve as a program host for MKI in country volunteers and also have its staff volunteer at MKI programs.
c. The Rotary Club of Amherst, Massachusetts has agreed to assist MKI in its work in Africa following a presentation from Harold. Katie Murphy who brought the “language of toys “program to Kalumbia had organized this meeting and will continue this relationship with other presentations.
d. Volckert and Elaine van Reesema, Gusta and Nikel van Reesema and Willem and Marijke Cordia families organized an evening with friends for Harold at their home in Rowayton, Connecticut. MKI has received donations with the promise of additional help in fund raising and in marketing of YOELL®.
e. Several groups and people have offered assistance to MKI in the expansion of YOELL® into the United States.
4. During the visit, Harold was able to complete an agreement with The American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. This is a small college that has focused on developing a student body integrated between black, white and Asian students with a majority non white population on an urban inner city campus. The agreement has the following elements:
a. The college has appointed Harold as its distinguished visiting professor of health, education and the humanities for its doctoral program.
b. The college has agreed to offer MKI scholarship programs for four undergraduates per year and two doctoral students from Southern Africa who will be in residence.
c. The college has agreed to create and develop a program of student and faculty exchange.
d. The college has agreed to award an honorary doctoral degree to Archbishop Desmond Tutu at a special ceremony in April, 2010.
e. The college and MKI have agreed to sponsor the Medical Knowledge Institute Archbishop Desmond Tutu lecture series at the American International College. This is meant to be an annual event dedicated to health, education and the humanities that will be inaugurated with Archbishop Tutu’s speech on April 19, 2010.
5. MKI is pleased to announce that the paperwork has been filed and awaiting approval for status as a US not for profit. MKI has secured a tax identification number, has opened up a bank account and will now be able to receive donations directly from both individuals and groups. MKI will also be able to contract with government and private funding sources that require such status.
6. Our group is currently pursuing the following activities in addition to the items already noted:
a. The development of a US based healthcare and medical faculty available to volunteer in MKI programs. This would include but not be limited to: pediatrics, maternal and family health, urology, gynecology and orthopedics.
b. The expansion of the YOELL® program
c. A collaboration and partnership with a US based family planning council with access to staff and programs supporting people with HIV/AIDS as well as other health issues.
d. A conversation with the Gates Foundation
e. The development of a cohort of US based volunteers
Picture: Harold Robles and Peter Bittel wit the President and CEO Philip Campbell of NCC (in between)
There has been quite some excitement about MKI in the last two months much of this related to Harold’s visit in September. Here are several of the highlights:
1. Lynne Wilkie of Massachusetts has kindly agreed to take on the role of volunteer coordinator for MKI in the US based from the Futures’ office in Springfield, Massachusetts. Lynne will be working on MKI organizational, program and fund raising projects in the US and will be meeting with MKI staff in Holland
2. Harold and Peter has opened up collaboration with the following groups in the US:
a. Safe Blood is a Washington based NGO committed to improving the quality of the blood supply in Africa. They have pioneered the Club 25 model which is based on social clubs supporting health and wellness in young people who then become blood donors. MKI is considering a collaboration using this model in their Health Information Centers .
b. The VOSS Foundation is dedicated to improving water supply in Africa through purification and education programs and collaboration will be discussed.
3. Harold and Peter have received commitments from the following organizations to collaborate with MKI:
a. The Urban League of Springfield, Massachusetts has agreed to send staff to volunteer in MKI programs and will accept students at its summer camp programs. The Urban League is a leader in black civil rights and equal access issues in the United States.
b. The National Children Center, a well known leader in educational and health services to people with disabilities, has agreed to serve as a program host for MKI in country volunteers and also have its staff volunteer at MKI programs.
c. The Rotary Club of Amherst, Massachusetts has agreed to assist MKI in its work in Africa following a presentation from Harold. Katie Murphy who brought the “language of toys “program to Kalumbia had organized this meeting and will continue this relationship with other presentations.
d. Volckert and Elaine van Reesema, Gusta and Nikel van Reesema and Willem and Marijke Cordia families organized an evening with friends for Harold at their home in Rowayton, Connecticut. MKI has received donations with the promise of additional help in fund raising and in marketing of YOELL®.
e. Several groups and people have offered assistance to MKI in the expansion of YOELL® into the United States.
4. During the visit, Harold was able to complete an agreement with The American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. This is a small college that has focused on developing a student body integrated between black, white and Asian students with a majority non white population on an urban inner city campus. The agreement has the following elements:
a. The college has appointed Harold as its distinguished visiting professor of health, education and the humanities for its doctoral program.
b. The college has agreed to offer MKI scholarship programs for four undergraduates per year and two doctoral students from Southern Africa who will be in residence.
c. The college has agreed to create and develop a program of student and faculty exchange.
d. The college has agreed to award an honorary doctoral degree to Archbishop Desmond Tutu at a special ceremony in April, 2010.
e. The college and MKI have agreed to sponsor the Medical Knowledge Institute Archbishop Desmond Tutu lecture series at the American International College. This is meant to be an annual event dedicated to health, education and the humanities that will be inaugurated with Archbishop Tutu’s speech on April 19, 2010.
5. MKI is pleased to announce that the paperwork has been filed and awaiting approval for status as a US not for profit. MKI has secured a tax identification number, has opened up a bank account and will now be able to receive donations directly from both individuals and groups. MKI will also be able to contract with government and private funding sources that require such status.
6. Our group is currently pursuing the following activities in addition to the items already noted:
a. The development of a US based healthcare and medical faculty available to volunteer in MKI programs. This would include but not be limited to: pediatrics, maternal and family health, urology, gynecology and orthopedics.
b. The expansion of the YOELL® program
c. A collaboration and partnership with a US based family planning council with access to staff and programs supporting people with HIV/AIDS as well as other health issues.
d. A conversation with the Gates Foundation
e. The development of a cohort of US based volunteers
Picture: Harold Robles and Peter Bittel wit the President and CEO Philip Campbell of NCC (in between)
