Much like our travelers, the Muskoka Communities are spread around the world. It would be impossible for us to manage the broad reach of this network, and ensure the high level of quality and integrity that we demand, if it were not for our amazing local partners. These non-profit organizations are passionate about the communities they operate it, and they have the best interests of those communities deeply ingrained in their missions. We are incredibly grateful for the efforts the below organizations have made to invite the Muskoka Foundation's travelers into their communities and participate in the great work they're doing.
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Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots
Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots vision is to lessen poverty through education by removing the physical barriers that hinder children from receiving it. Whether the barriers are medical, physical, emotional, mental, or otherwise, they seek to help their children help themselves. Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots is a United States non-profit organization as well as a Mexican non-profit organization under the name: Centro de Esperanza Infantil A.C. Their Mexican non-profit status allow them to work with Mexican governmental agencies and the Mexican people to seek support for their cause. This funding, supporting, and knowledge of the Mexican system aids them immeasurably in their struggle to help the children in Oaxaca. http://www.oaxacastreetchildrengrassroots.org |
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Kuunika Foundation, Malawi
This agency located in Chirimba, Blayntre, Southern Malawi aspires to leadership in sustainable impact on children's rights and welfare with full community involvement. They aim to achieve this through an integrated approach including nutrition, public and formal education, family health, HIV/AIDS, gender equality and economic empowerment. Their programs range from health, education, gardening, agriculture, education (formal and extended, social and emotional). The Kuunika Foundation offers programs in entrepreneurial skills, agricultural assistance, continuing education for teachers and IT skills for staff. http://www.kuunika-foundation-malawi.org/ |
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Songhees Nation - Victoria, BC
The Songhees First Nation band on Vancouver Island in BC are one of the longest standing communities in North America, still living on their traditional lands. Just a short ferry ride from Vancouver, Victoria is an incredibly picturesque city with close access to the rain forests and marine life that Vancouver Island has to offer. We have already run a photography workshop with the Songhees youth, with incredible support from the entire Songhees Community. http://www.songheesnation.com/html/chiefs.htm |
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Whistling Thorn Camp, Tanzania
Whistling Thorn Camp located in the north eastern part of Tanzania (Arusha) works with Maasai families living on the edge of Tarangire National Park. They deal with education, healthcare, IT skills, photography workshops, gardening, entrepreneurial skills, sports and games, assistance in the construction of buildings. http://whistlingthorncamp.com |
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Ethiopian Children's Fund, Ethiopia
Based in Alaltu, northeast of Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian Children's Fund is a school working with orphaned and vulnerable children of Alaltu. Their goals are to provide hope for the future of these children through education, nutrition and primary health care. http://www.ethiopianchildrensfund.org |
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El Rancho Faro Orphanage, Ensenada, Mexico
El Rancho Faro Orphanage is home to 40 girls. Located just outside of the city of Ensenada in Baja California (Mexico), the surrounding area is breathtakingly beautiful and is known for it's vineyards and wineries. El Rancho Faro is run by two couples that share all responsibilities involved in creating a real home environment for the girls. The girls range in age, but the majority of them are 11 years old and older. Many of them go to school nearby, others cannot attend because they don't have the required paperwork. |
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Buen Pastor, Guanajuato, Mexico
Buen Pastor runs a number of programs including a shelter for women and their children and foster care for girls. http://buenpastor.weebly.com/ |
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Para Los Ninos, Youth Center, Los Angeles
Para Los Niños, a nonprofit agency that provides childcare, schooling and other services to at-risk children and their families. http://www.paralosninos.org/ |
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Navajo Reservation, Chinle, Arizona, USA
Surrounded by vivid red rock landscape, Chinle, Arizona and the Canyon de Chelly is the heart of Navajo country. We've had volunteers teaching photography skills to the young people from the Navajo Community with fantastic results. The images of Canyon de Chelly, the surrounding desert and the local native community are stunning. |
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EDELAC, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala
The Escuela de la Calle (EDELAC), or Street School, is a Guatemalan indigenous organization dedicated to improving the lives of dedicated to improving the lives of destitute children in the southwestern highland city of Quetzaltenango, known locally as Xela. Formed in October 1993 by three Guatemalan social workers and an American teacher, EDELAC now works with children in three categories: street children, former street children who now live with foster families, and children at risk of becoming homeless. http://www.streetschool.net/edelac.htm |
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Sí a la Vida, Managua, Nicaragua
Sí a la Vida, rescues homeless kids in Nicaragua and helps them move from the world of the streets to a world of respect -- respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment. http://www.asalv.org/ |
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Casa Esperanza, Panama
Casa Esperanza is one of Panama's most important NGO's when it comes to fighting against child labor in Panama. In urban areas like Panama City they work to keep kids off the street and in rural areas like Boquete they give parents alternatives so they do not need to take their children to the farms where the parents work. They provide children and teens with academic support, primary healthcare, nutrition, personal and social development, sports, culture and recreational activities. http://www.casaesperanza.org.pa |
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Fundación Construyendo Sueños, Bogota, Colombia
This foundation's mission is to strengthen families and communities and encourage/provide fundamental and continuing education to youth and young adults. They work with entire families by providing youth an opportunity to receive and education, provide adults with continuing education and skills training as well as through workshop and support in bettering the dynamic of families. |
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Tio Lino's Art Center, Rio de Janiero, Brazil
TIo LIno's is a safe haven, art studio and community gathering place for the children that live in Rociena, the city's largest favela. Children can come to Tio Lino's and feel safe as they "trade a gun for a paintbrush". |
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The Lonely Road Foundation, Limpopo, South Africa
By empowering a grassroots, community-based response to critical issues, Lonely Road aims to bring life, hope and opportunity to orphaned and vulnerable children in rural areas of South Africa. The Foundation strives to gather resources and explore sustainable methods to actively support the growing number of child-headed households. http://www.thelonelyroad.org/ |
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Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots, Oaxaca, Mexico
Oaxaca Streetchildren Grassroots vision is to lessen poverty through education by removing the physical barriers that hinder children from receiving it. Whether the barriers are medical, physical, emotional, mental, or otherwise, they seek to help their children help themselves. |
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Casa Hogar, Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
The boys come from many different backgrounds and circumstances but their needs for security, shelter, food, education, a value system and a loving home environment are the same as any child growing up in the 21st century. The Caso Hogar orphanage has been in operation for three years and currently has 28 boys living there. Those boys are from 7 to 15 years old. http://casahogarcabo.com/index.htm |
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Inuvik Youth Center, Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada
The Inuvik Youth Centre Society is a registered charitable organization that provides programs and services to youth in Inuvik, NT. Their aim is to help the youth gain the confidence, skills and awareness necessary to effectively address the social issues and challenges they are facing, while encouraging them to become active, contributing members of the community. They do this by providing a drop-in space and programmed events which supply them with the opportunities and encouragement necessary to develop and realize their individual strengths and capacities. http://www.inuvikyouthcentre.org/ |
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Pincher Creek, Napi Friendship Centre, Alberta, Canada
The Napi Friendship Centre is part of a provincial, charitable organization that represents and provides support to 20 urban Aboriginal Friendship Centres located in Alberta. The mission of the Centres is to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people in urban areas by supporting self-determined activities that encourage: the development of human and community resources; the improvement of socio-economic and physical conditions; better understanding and relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal citizens; and the enhancement of Aboriginal culture among Aboriginal people and the communities they reside in. http://www.anfca.com/pinchercreek.html |
