IRFF :: International Relief Friendship Foundation

Highlights
Emergency Disaster Appeal for Cyclone Victims

IRFF is partnering with, ABITSU , a Burmese NGO to help the victims of Cyclone Negris in Myanmar. By working with Burmese and Thai relief workers, this joint effort guarantees that all disaster assistance will go directly to the victims in the affected areas without having to go through governmental or military forces. Relief stations have already been set up in four key regions (Rangoon, Pegu Township, Kandawglay Township and Hlaing Tharyar Township) and ten supply trucks have been donated so far to transport all relief goods. The relief effort is based in the Thai/Burma border region of Mae Sot with all disaster supplies driven directly to the relief stations by Burmese citizens. The ground relief effort will be organized and carried out exclusively by ABITSU and its local networks. Details…

TO HELPLESS BURMESE PEOPLE

Universal Primary Education:
Supporting Success

In many developing countries around the globe, a primary education is not free and is far from guaranteed. In 2006, IRFF initiated the Supporting Success Scholarship Fund in Zambia to provide scholarships to deserving and needy students who would be otherwise unable to attend school. Now, we are bringing Supporting Success to Bangladesh and other countries.
Details >>

Economic Empowerment: Holistic Microfinance Program - Afghanistan
	IRFF-Afghanistan has recently started an Holistic Microfinance Program, bringing economic opportunity to the women of this war-ravaged country. Beginning with an initial group of 20 women, the program will expand to improve the lives of many more. Details>> ..

International Friendship and Service:
Discover True Friendship Service Tour: Zambia.
Building the Culture of Heart, Peace and Service Africa Edition: Zambia – July – August 8, 2008-05-09

You will change lives; may be most of all your own. Join us!
Now, more than ever, is the time that we must create understanding and friendships with our brothers and sisters of other countries and cultures. Work with us to build relationships with our neighbors in Peru and Zambia. Bring your skills and talents to their communities and learn how to implement a plan for sustainable development in a community that desperately needs the resources that we often take for granted. Come and share our blessings and bridge the divides of ignorance and misunderstand that separate us. Details >>

International Experiential Learning Program:
	To accommodate the desire of young men and women to serve for extended periods of time in developing countries, IRFF created the International Experiential Learning Program, matching volunteers with agencies and organizations that need assistance. In August, the first volunteers, from Europe, traveled to Zambia to begin their work. *Details>>*

Health Services: Oral Hygiene Campaign - Peru
	To address the lack of oral care and dentists in the villages of Peru, IRFF began a campaign of oral health in 2006. In three campaigns, 219 children and adolescents received dental treatment, education in oral hygiene, and free tooth brushes. By also educating their parents, IRFF ensured that the knowledge would be passed on to other siblings, extending the reach of the program. *Details>>.*

Disaster Relief Service:
	California Wildfires Responding to the disastrous November fires in California, IRFF recruited volunteers and partnered with Christian Disaster Response and the local Community Emergency Response Team to provide badly needed supplies and goods, as well as manpower for cleanup to the community of Potrero, CA. *Details>>*

United Nations Partnership: Working with the UN toward the UN Millennium Development Goals
	Week of Spirituality, Values and Global Concern “Unless there is a spiritual renaissance, the world will know no peace.” Dag Hammarskjold, UN Secretary General, 1953-1961.With these words from the former Secretary General as a guide, the first annual Week of Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns was launched in October as part of the United Nations’ 62nd anniversary. *Details>>*

Sharing the Blessing: Joined Project of IRFF and TMDO: Unified Martial Arts Valley
	“Creating Bridges Among the Youth of our Community” -2007 National & Global Youth Service Day in Kingston, New York- On April 21, 2007, the Sharing the Blessing ministry organized the 3rd annual National & Global Youth Service Day project in Kingston, New York. More than 100 people attended, with a predominance of youth between the ages of 16 and 26. *Details>>*

Hibiki Music Ministry:
“To Become a Bridge for Relationship: Helping and Being Helped.”

Hibiki Music Ministry launched at Ndola of Zambia from July, 2006. I met a children choir team at Mackenzie Community School, which has been built and supported by IRFF, when I joined IRFF Discover True Friend Service Project 2006. I began my ministry. My unforgettable experience with the children made me drive to support them with naming “Mackenzie Little Angels.” We have been sharing new hope and dream together until now. “Hibiki” will continue to support capable young musicians, who want to live for the sake of others through music activities, by connecting with world wide network of IRFF. Details>>