Projects from the past Jul 7, 2006 - $1,500.00 Before Peace Corps left the country in 2002 our latest projects were: (1) School Library Project - Satama Sokoro Junior High School The Junior High School of Satama Sokoro, Côte d’Ivoire is interested in expanding their existing library in order to give all students equal access to classroom materials regardless of their family’s financial situation, but also to attract more students to come to the school. They have already obtained a trained librarian and a large room which houses a small collection of french literature and grammer books. By supplementing the library’s collection with several copies of each class’s workbooks and textbooks, students who aren’t able to afford their own copies will be able to use them both during and after class. By paying a small fee in the beginning of the school year, damaged books can be replaced and new editions can be bought to expand and upgrade the collection. In addition, it is hoped that this resource will motivate parents to continue their child’s education, regardless of financial difficulties. FOCI contributed 69% of the total project funds totalling $964. The local community contributed the remaining 31%. Project proposal and budget last project update August 8, 2002 (2) NPCA Coalition - Advocacy The National Peace Corps Association Board and representatives of NPCA affiliate groups have endorsed a pair of companion bills introduced into Congress by Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Congressmen and their colleagues. In doing so, the NPCA joins with the Coalition for a Peace Corps Charter for the 21st Century, headed by Roger Landrum and Dave Hibbard. The legislation calls for: (1) Careful expansion of PCV numbers from 7,000 to 15,000 over five years with the funding to accomplish this, beginning with an increase from $275 to $320 million in FY 2003; (2) Increased involvement of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers in Peace Corps programming, particularly in the opening or reopening of country programs and in the Islamic world; (3) Creating a $10 million-a-year Innovation Fund for grants to RPCVs to undertake "second generation" projects that carry out the goals of the Peace Corps in new ways, at home and abroad; and (4) Reaffirming the independence of the Peace Corps from intelligence gathering or interference from other federal agencies. Senate Bill 2667 and House Bill 4979 were introduced into Congress in June. Together they are the most visionary legislation related to the Peace Corps since the original Peace Corps Act 41 years ago. But they will not become law without bipartisan support in Congress. To get this done, the Coalition has to become stronger and broader and coordinate its efforts to the best effect. Thus the Coalition is creating, with the NPCA, an Office of RPCV Mobilization with a staff whose sole task is to see that these bills are passed by Congress and signed into law by President Bush. The Coalition proposes to organize and incorporate a new nonprofit, in cooperation with the NPCA, to effectively compete for a share of the $10 million RPCV Innovation Fund that would be authorized by this legislation--for grant-making to projects proposed by Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. The Friends of Cote d'Ivoire has donated $100 to the National Peace Corps Association to support these advocacy efforts. This project last updated August, 5, 2002 (3) Groumania Agouti Project The Groumania Agouti Project will create a self-sustaining, income-generating agouti husbandry facility at the E.P.P. Groumania Primary School. The project’s primary goal is to provide a reliable source of funds for the school. In addition to providing funds, the project will educate the community’s children in agouti husbandry, an expanding and lucrative practice in the Cote d’Ivoire. This project was funded out of the Kevin Leveille Memorial Fund in the amount of $419. Project proposal and budget This project information last updated April 22, 2002