CCJ Foundation

MOROCCO

Azetta Together - Preschool and Rug Co-op

¢ Funding Goal: 5 year commitment, any amount

Promoting and encouraging formal education for Morocco’s youth, predominantly young girls.  Cross Cultural Journeys funding supports teacher salaries, income for widows, divorcees and single mother artisans creating rugs for the co-op, and materials to create this empowering setting for continued learning across generations.

Country background:

Blended in ethnicity, Morocco’s cultural richness is unparalleled to any other African country.  From the indigenous Berbers, to the Arabs which conquered by 705, to the Spanish, Roman, and French rulers as well as Jewish exiles, Moroccan life is cloaked in the bounty of its ancient and modern history.  Lively markets, desert treks, hiking to remote waterfalls, and beach days are just some of the wonders Morocco has in store. You can surf on the coast, sip some mint tea in the medina, and explore the ruins scattered throughout its many cities.  Being known as one of the most tolerant of Arab nations, it is peaceful, politically stable and its locals are known for their warm hospitality. The exquisite architecture dotting Morocco’s map is filled with ancient history, and it’s waiting for you to answer the call to adventure.

Amidst its allure, one quarter of Morocco’s population remains illiterate and suffers from the lack of basic services like healthcare, clean water, and access to a quality education for children. Morocco heavily restricts basic human rights, such as freedom of speech, the right to assembly, and the right to criticize officials. And it continues to mistreat women and the LGBT community, adding to the widespread use of torture by police.

GUATEMALA

Taa'pi't

¢ Funding Goal: 10 year commitment, $5,000/year

This Intercultural Learning Center for Tz’utujil Mayan children is a unique, Mayan-founded non-profit in the highlands of Guatemala on Lake Atitlan, in San Pedro la Laguna.  Teaching computer literacy and eco-education of the local region and the essence of nutrition for students within the ages of 8 and 12 years old.  Weaving together ancient wisdom and contemporary technology to meet 21st century challenges to growing minds. 

Country background:

With a landscape ranging from active volcanoes and mountains, to gorgeous beaches and coastal towns, big cities and tiny villages, lush rainforests and ancient Mayan ruins, Guatemala’s physical diversity is stunning.  Similar to the size of the state of Ohio, Guatemala is known as the Mayan center of Central America because of the many historical sites.

CUBA

¢ Funding Goal: 10 year commitment, $750/year

NOTE: Because of the US embargo against the Cuban government, direct monetary donations into the country are not allowed, but funds are raised for CCJF to be able to purchase goods to bring to Cubans in need when we visit there.

• Basic Household Goods to support Cuban families -  basic items like soap, shampoo and cooking oil that are not readily available.
• Art Supplies to Muraleando - CCJ Foundation regularly brings paints, brushes, pencils, drawing pads, and other art supplies to Muraleando (mural-making), an amazing community folk-art project in one of Havana’s poor neighborhoods.
• Youth Soccer in Havana - Cubans value athletics highly, but equipment can be hard to come by on the island. Since 2015, CCJF has brought several shipments of soccer equipment -- balls, pumps, cleats, practice cones and vests, referee’s whistles, etc. -- for a youth soccer league based in Havana.
• Musical Instruments and Supplies - While it may seem like musical talent grows on trees in Cuba, musical equipment unfortunately does not. CCJF regularly brings musical supplies, like guitar strings, picks and saxophone reeds to give to Cuban musicians, and occasionally facilitates donations of instruments to Cuban music schools.
• Hurricane Relief - ONGOING. Medical supplies, basic household goods and clothing for residents of affected areas.

NEPAL

¢ Funding Goal: 5 year commitment, $5.000/year

Nepal FREED - Working with the NGO Nepal FREED in the building of three rural schools and libraries and hiring teachers in the Sherpa region of Nepal. These schools had to be re-built by Nepal FREED after the earthquake, with infrastructure to withstand future earthquakes.

Springdale School - Working with U.S. Springdale School team in the funding and construction of the building of a school in Bhaktapur, Nepal.

Springdale English Secondary Boarding School was founded in Bhaktapur in 2044 BS(1988 AD). The motto of this school is to impart efficient, qualitative and competent education to the pupils of Bhaktapur.  Construction of a new campus and ongoing education for secondary students remains the priority for supporting youth in this region of Nepal.

Country background:

Nepal is one of the most fascinating places to visit on earth. Home to majestic Mt. Everest, the birthplace of Lord Buddha and one of the few countries in the world never to have been colonized, this breathtaking country covers diverse landscapes from the Himalayan Mountains in the north to the flat expansive plains in the south.  Deep gorges, towering mountains, vibrant culture and charismatic people, Nepal is the ideal destination for adventurers and cultural seekers alike.

Even with such an inspiring backdrop, Nepal struggles with fundamental human rights, access to healthcare, poverty, young girl trafficking, illiteracy, poverty, hunger and other preventable social, economic and corruption-based challenges. Landlocked, lacking substantial resources for economic development and hampered by an inadequate transportation network, Nepal is one of the least developed nations in the world.

INDIA

Aruna Partnership:

¢ Funding Goal: 10 year commitment, any amount

Aruna is the root of the Sanskrit word for compassion and part of the name Arunachala — a Mountain in South India considered sacred since ancient times.  For more than 30 years, volunteers have worked in the Tiruvannamalai district of Tamil Nadu, South India, to honor the cultural heritage of this area by funding projects that uplift women, children and impoverished families.  Founded in the early 1980s, Dr. Hugo Maier and his wife were drawn to the region after following the teachings and inspiration of The Sage of Arunchala, Sri Ramana Maharshi.  Since the inception of the original Shanthimalai Trust by Dr. Maier, three partner organizations have flourished in its wake, all serving one vision and being managed by local leadership from the Indian community.

Country background:

One of the oldest civilizations in the world, India is a mosaic of multicultural experiences. With a rich heritage and myriad attractions, the country is among the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It covers an area of 32, 87,263 sq. km, extending from the snow-covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south. As the 7th largest country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked off as it is by mountains and the sea, which give the country a distinct geographical entity.

Despite its beauty, India still struggles immensely with illiteracy, basic sanitation, access to healthcare, poverty, pollution, women’s safety and corruption.

UKRAINE

Emergency support for Ukrainians returning back home

¢ Funding Goal: 5 year commitment, $5,000/year

In March of 2022, CCJF launched a campaign to support some of the four million refugees who have fled Ukraine during this hour of extreme peril and need. Donations are split three ways and sent to: Ukraine Now providing transport, and temporary housing for Ukrainian refugee crossing borders into Europe, World Central Kitchen providing food to Ukrainian refugees in Ukraine and elsewhere, and CORE, distributing emergency supplies to Ukrainian refugees in Poland. To learn more, visit CCJF's Ukraine campaign page here.

AFRICA

• An embroidery co-op for young women to earn funds for their education and teach their craft to younger girls so that they might become employed.
• Local crafts are purchased from subsistence level craftswomen and brought to the U.S. for sale; the proceeds are used to purchase more crafts to sell for them.
• Funding a rural community medical and medical education clinic in Northern Ethiopia staffed by a local health care nurse with basic medicines and a visit monthly from a doctor from Addis Ababa.
• A micro lending project overseen by local community elders with all repayment funds going back to the loan pool.
• A small grant to fund the roof of a Tea House being built by a nine-woman co-op. The women were destitute widows or had been abandoned by their husbands. Travelers from Cross Cultural Journeys visit the now highly successful Queen of Sheba Tea House. The co-op of women are now saving to start a grocery store.
• A grant was given to a 17 year-old woman to sponsor her tuition and living expenses while she attended a six-month tailoring training in Addis Ababa. Upon her return to Lalibela she established a tailor shop and taught 8 other young women tailoring skills. Their most recent grant was given for rent to open a store front shop.
• A grant was made to fund the start up of a small restaurant where a number of local members of the community are employed. The proprietor has applied for a grant for a new refrigerator so that she can serve cold beverages to her patrons.
• A grant was given to a Maasai woman who was starting a school for rural Maasai children to learn in their own language. The school is now self supporting.
• A grant was made for a program to help build wells in villages where women traditionally have walked ten miles for daily water.

ASIA

• Funding the building, libraries, and teachers for rural schools in the Sherpa region of Nepal with the NGO Nepal FREED.
• Ongoing support for children at a Tibetan orphanage which teaches the children the traditional craft of paper making.
• 10 year commitment for scholarships for young girls in India so they can complete their schooling.
• Funds for supplies for a community project in Mongolia to rebuild a monastery. Travelers provide a day of service.
• Provided books for rural schools in Mongolia.

LATIN AMERICA

• Cuba – Medicines; glasses for elderly; bilingual books for schools, maternity clinics and NGO’S; sports equipment for schools clothing
• Ecuador and Peru – fair trade craft projects