FMSI – Fondazione Marista per la Solidarietà Internazionale
Six new micro-projects have been approved during the meeting held on the 4th of November by the Evaluation Commission of FMSI. As already announced, this is the last batch of solidarity initiatives approved for financing by FMSI for 2013 within the framework of its Micro-projects Programme. Any request arriving from now on will be taken into consideration in 2014.The new micro-projects will serve to sustain:
– A second year of training for a group of students coming from the Nuba mountains, in South Sudan. The project will allow these talented and motivated students to continue attending the Solidarity Teacher Training College in Yambio, South Sudan. The project is promoted by Solidarity with South Sudan, a consortium of more than 200 religious congregations. Solidarity with South Sudan trains teachers, nurses and pastoral personnel in several locations throughout South Sudan. FMSI granted the same initiative in 2012.
– The provision of computers for the Marist High School of Bayonne in New York (USA). The school has launched the “One to One Technology Initiative”, a programme meant to put technology in the hands of every student providing each boy or girl with their own Chromebook device. Some of the students, though, need financial aid, their families’ income being below poverty levels. For those families who cannot afford to pay for the device, the cost will be covered by FMSI’s grant, while the programme becomes an equalizer between the haves and the have-nots.
– The partial refurbishment of the premises of the Marist primary school “Saint Charles” in Fianarantsoa, Madagascar. The school serves a population of 600 pupils in an area badly affected by unemployment, poverty, a poor education system and inadequate health assistance.
– The provision of equipment for St. Marcellin’s Secondary School in Zambia. The school is located in the outskirts of Kalulushi; it is surrounded by poor compounds where people are mostly marketers and copper mine workers. The Marist Brothers who run the school would like to offer practical subjects, so as to enable the pupils to join the hospitality industry or start their own business to earn a living, when they are out of school. FMSI’s grant will help the school set up a home economics department.
– Professional training workshops for young people from two marginalized neighbourhoods of Alcantarilla, Spain. The project is part of a wider programme that has been carried out for 4 years now by the Marist Brothers’ Community of Alcantarilla, in favour of the young people of the local gypsy community.
– Renewal of the dormitories of the Educational Unit “Santiago de Quilloma” in La Paz, Bolivia. The area is affected by extreme poverty and underdevelopment. Many children work as shepherds to support the family and their poor conditions discourage them from going to school. The dormitory was established in 2003 in order to provide children and young people in need with a safe environment while attending classes.