Hello all my dearest friends!
I want to do a little bit of a fund-raising plug to you all for an upcoming Peace Corps event here in Benin.
One of the main ways (and pretty much the quickest and simplest way) that we as volunteers get funding for our projects in country is through a pool of money called the GAD fund. There is a volunteer run committee that oversees the dispersal of the grants, and they also manage our scholarship fund for girls. Here is a little blurb about what GAD is.
“GAD-Benin (Gender and Development) was created by Peace Corps Volunteers to encourage and empower Beninese girls and women through the education of women, men, and children. GAD-Benin works with members of the Beninese community to develop sustainable programs that motivate, educate and inspire Beninese girls and women to actualize their full potential, thereby developing the capacity of their communities and country. Further, to educate and involve men to inspire equality on all levels of society.”
This year, I'm going to be using money from the GAD grants to paint maps in my elementary school, pay for art supplies and guest speakers for my girls' club, plan a day long health camp for all the girl's clubs in our region, and help start up a community garden in Penessoulou. It is the most accessible and reliable source of money for us, and is integral to most volunteers' projects.
Each year in Benin there is a charity dinner and auction, set up by volunteers and attended by volunteers to raise money for this fund. People auction off their talents, like coming to your house to paint a mural, or sometimes people just bring back things from America. There is a talent show, a date auction, and we donate all sorts of fun things out of pocket that are all auctioned off to benefit our GAD fund.
My post mate Heather and I will be auctioning off a two-day getaway that we're going to plan, cook for and host at our workstation in Natitangou. It'll be a delicious dinner, followed by an all expense paid trip for four lucky winners to the nearby waterfalls. We're really excited about planning it, and looking forward to seeing how much we can raise!
Now that I've attempted to give you the Cliff Notes version of the program (I'm sorry if this is confusing!), this is where you come in. GAD is an official part of Peace Corps. And Peace Corps, as a government agency, is not legally allowed to fundraise. In years past, volunteers have perfected a loophole. Money “donated” from America to in-country volunteers, which is then spent at GAD dinner, goes straight to GAD grants without being directly linked to Peace Corps. If you are interested in getting involved with Peace Corps Benin, and helping fund our awesome projects here, this is the way to do it!!
The GAD dinner this year will be the last weekend in April. If you would like to donate and help us out, you can send your delightful checks to my house in California, or send it to me direct through Paypal. My mom will be rounding up the check donations at the beginning of April, and putting them into my American bank account, which I can access at ATMs over here. I will then lavishly spend all the money at our auction, making it possible for more Peace Corps magic.
I realize that this is probably really confusing, and sounds a little like a Nigerian scam. So please email me your questions (that I will try to reply to within two or three weeks!). And please know in advance, we all appreciate your support over here, monetary or otherwise. I am thinking of you all and sending my love.
Yours,
xoxo
Shelly
Send checks to:
Shelly Mussett c/o GAD
6292 Tracel Dr.
San Jose, CA 95129
or paypal it to:
mussett333@gmail.com
I want to do a little bit of a fund-raising plug to you all for an upcoming Peace Corps event here in Benin.
One of the main ways (and pretty much the quickest and simplest way) that we as volunteers get funding for our projects in country is through a pool of money called the GAD fund. There is a volunteer run committee that oversees the dispersal of the grants, and they also manage our scholarship fund for girls. Here is a little blurb about what GAD is.
“GAD-Benin (Gender and Development) was created by Peace Corps Volunteers to encourage and empower Beninese girls and women through the education of women, men, and children. GAD-Benin works with members of the Beninese community to develop sustainable programs that motivate, educate and inspire Beninese girls and women to actualize their full potential, thereby developing the capacity of their communities and country. Further, to educate and involve men to inspire equality on all levels of society.”
This year, I'm going to be using money from the GAD grants to paint maps in my elementary school, pay for art supplies and guest speakers for my girls' club, plan a day long health camp for all the girl's clubs in our region, and help start up a community garden in Penessoulou. It is the most accessible and reliable source of money for us, and is integral to most volunteers' projects.
Each year in Benin there is a charity dinner and auction, set up by volunteers and attended by volunteers to raise money for this fund. People auction off their talents, like coming to your house to paint a mural, or sometimes people just bring back things from America. There is a talent show, a date auction, and we donate all sorts of fun things out of pocket that are all auctioned off to benefit our GAD fund.
My post mate Heather and I will be auctioning off a two-day getaway that we're going to plan, cook for and host at our workstation in Natitangou. It'll be a delicious dinner, followed by an all expense paid trip for four lucky winners to the nearby waterfalls. We're really excited about planning it, and looking forward to seeing how much we can raise!
Now that I've attempted to give you the Cliff Notes version of the program (I'm sorry if this is confusing!), this is where you come in. GAD is an official part of Peace Corps. And Peace Corps, as a government agency, is not legally allowed to fundraise. In years past, volunteers have perfected a loophole. Money “donated” from America to in-country volunteers, which is then spent at GAD dinner, goes straight to GAD grants without being directly linked to Peace Corps. If you are interested in getting involved with Peace Corps Benin, and helping fund our awesome projects here, this is the way to do it!!
The GAD dinner this year will be the last weekend in April. If you would like to donate and help us out, you can send your delightful checks to my house in California, or send it to me direct through Paypal. My mom will be rounding up the check donations at the beginning of April, and putting them into my American bank account, which I can access at ATMs over here. I will then lavishly spend all the money at our auction, making it possible for more Peace Corps magic.
I realize that this is probably really confusing, and sounds a little like a Nigerian scam. So please email me your questions (that I will try to reply to within two or three weeks!). And please know in advance, we all appreciate your support over here, monetary or otherwise. I am thinking of you all and sending my love.
Yours,
xoxo
Shelly
Send checks to:
Shelly Mussett c/o GAD
6292 Tracel Dr.
San Jose, CA 95129
or paypal it to:
mussett333@gmail.com
