Recipients
Explore the list of 2024 recipients below for more information about their work.
Afretech
Afretech is a small, effective organization that has been working in the Developing World since 1992 and a registered Canadian and US charity since January 2000. Our goal is to help people help themselves. We provide schools with libraries, computers, technology training, and even build schools where there is a great need.
African Canadian Education Society
The African Canadian Continuing Education Society (ACCES) is a registered charity that has provided scholarships to underprivileged Post Secondary students in Kenya since 1993. Most of our scholars join the ACCES Alumni Association (AAA) to support new students and some of our scholars have come back to work as staff in our Kakamega Kenya office where they run the office and award scholarships.
“Thank you so much for this wonderful news. The ongoing support from the R R Smith Memorial Foundation is very much appreciated. I am happy to share with you that I will be going to Kenya in June to spend a week in Kakamega. It is my first time there and Kevin (our part time executive director) and I will be meeting with our Kenyan partners in the Kakamega region, as well as Nairobi. We will also meet with the executive of the ACCES Scholars’ Foundation, a new alumni association that has been founded to support the work of ACCES. There is more good news. We will be visiting office space that an ACCES alumni, who now works for Unicef in Afghanistan, owns. He will be giving ACCES free use of this space. It will be wonderful to see the difference that ACCES makes in person and the ripple effect of the scholarships. Thanks again.”
Sharon Cohen (ACCES Kenya)
Blue Act Marine Society-Sunshine Coast
Together, we can create meaningful change for the health of our ocean. Join us in embracing simple personal actions that can help transform your daily tasks to minimize your environmental footprint and embrace a ‘zero-waste’ lifestyle.
Bright Beginnings Foundation
We believe that everyone deserves to live a poverty-free life. We level the playing field so that Surrey high-school graduates, regardless of family income, have an equal opportunity to attend a post-secondary institution and obtain a career. BBF is working to eliminate generational poverty in families by providing tuition, student fees and educational materials, such as textbooks or tools of the trade. Together, we help some of Surrey’s most vulnerable young adults see a bright future.
Canadian Friends of Oaxaca Inc. (CANFRO)
CANFRO is a not-for-profit volunteer organization incorporated in the Province of Ontario and registered as a charity with Canada Revenue Agency. We fund and implement a variety of projects in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca. CANFRO remains neutral toward all political and religious organizations.
Download Project Update“Wonderful News! We look forward to reporting on the progress of the student supported by this wonderful funding opportunity. Thanks and muchas gracias!”
Sandra Thomson
Canadian Harambee Education Society
Giving girls the chance to educate themselves.
Children’s Care International
For over 20 years, Children’s Care International has been fighting against children exploitation around the world.
View Thank You LetterCompassion Fruit Society – Literacy
We’re a passionate and diverse group of people who want to make a difference.
What brings us together is our belief that giving children and their families quality education programming, healthy food, and a community of support — to build hope for the future — is one of the most powerful ways to spark meaningful, lasting change for families in developing countries.
Meet some of the people whose amazing contributions keep Project Somos moving forward.
Hello Barb and the RRSMith committee.
I just wanted to send you a quick email update with some pictures of all of our new English books in the bookcase. It’s hard to get a nice photo as the kids normally pull them out as soon as they get in the classroom in the morning! We have 108 new books, and 14 sets of new flashcards – you can see them in a box at the bottom of one of the photos attached.
Our English teacher, Phomolo Tshaka took her time to research and choose the books and flashcards herself, making sure they were the best options to fit into her curriculum, for the right age of the kids and adults she works with. Originally from South Africa, Phomolo Tshaka has spent the past decade in Guatemala, bringing her expertise in education and nutrition to NGOs across Latin America, including Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil. A passionate educator and advocate for healthy living, farm life suits her lifestyle well. Beyond the classroom, Phomolo’s love for animals shines through. A certified dog trainer, she previously worked at a dog shelter.
The new bookshelf has bought a new life to the English classroom, adding more interesting things for the kids to pick up and explore. Phomolo is a fantastic teacher and the kids are slowly incorporating English into their day to day life, outside of just practising in the classroom.
Thanks again Barb, my next update will be about the new computers!
Sarah de Lemus
Executive Director
Project Somos Guatemala
Days for Girls Canada
Days for Girls Canada Society is a registered Canadian not for profit and is a Country Affiliate with Days for Girls International. Volunteers across Canada mobilize to increase access to menstrual products and vital health information for women and girls around the world.
Families for Children
Families for Children (FFC) is a non profit, non-sectarian organization that exists to fulfill the needs of children and young adults with physical and/or mental disabilities. By providing housing, education, special medical care and vocational training, FFC helps these individuals to reach their full potential and live with dignity in a loving environment.
For the Love of Africa
We are a not-for-profit humanitarian network that began in 2004, in Victoria, B.C., Canada. We volunteer our time, expertise and efforts, ensuring that 100% of donations goes directly to the causes we support.
We welcome people from around the world to join us in our work, bringing hope by supporting education and health, by empowering women and girls, and by encouraging sustainability in Africa.
Innovative Communities
We focus on the alleviation of poverty and the advancement of education. But more than that, it is an ongoing exercise in working collaboratively, innovatively, and transparently, in everything that we do, so that we can provide the maximum benefit to those we serve.
https://www.innovativecommunities.org/
“So many thank you’s from the whole community. They are thrilled to have this additional support to be able to purchase additional text books! Please anticipate some information in the coming months to share the impact these funds will have at school!! Ashe – ashe naleng!”
Colleen Hanley
Into All The World
Into All The World began in 1981 when several pastors and lay people met in Kitchener, Ontario to begin a mission enabling society: to enable individuals and churches to fulfill the call of God on their life in the area of missions.
“Thank you so much for this wonderful news! We appreciate your support at this time. There has been an increase in requests for children to attend the school – but we have been short on supplies. This news comes at a wonderful time! We will let you know how the funds are used – and the impact they have. Blessings!”
Andrea Bothwell (IATW)
Love Guatemala (Comm. to Every Nation)
CTEN is a servant organization which helps missionaries fulfill the unique vision God has given them. Through administrative support we provide accountability and help the missionary get to the field. Through pastoral care we help them remain effective and healthy while there.
https://www.cten.org/guatemala
“You have no idea the timing of this donation. Thank you so very much. Blessings!”
Judy Bergen (Love Guatemala Canada)
Niteo Africa Society
Niteo Africa is a Kelowna based registered charity dedicated to furthering child and family literacy through local and global partnerships. It is together that we are able to impact literacy equity in our global village.
“Thank you for this great news to begin my day! I leave for Uganda on May 6th and I look forward to sharing updates with you on how the supplies will impact the Gulu Reading Club program. Thank you to you and your board for taking the time to go through all the applications – you are making a difference!”
Antonia De Boer
One Girl Can
One Girl Can gives some of the world’s most vulnerable, high-potential girls a chance to rise above extreme poverty and gender inequality. Through education, training, and mentoring, girls are empowered to achieve their goals, earn a meaningful living, and build better lives — for themselves, their families, and their communities.
“Thank you very much for your response and decision to continue to support One Girl Can and help fund a university girl’s tuition.”
Martina Ivsak (Executive Director)
Real Humanitarian
Helping at-risk youth around the world reach their highest potential and break the cycle of poverty.
Read Our Annual Report Read Our Field ReportRight to Learn Afghanistan
We exist to make the right to education a reality for Afghan women and girls.
View Thank You LetterPlanting Seeds
For over 20 years, Planting Seeds International has created a progressive, self-sustaining organization that improves access to quality education to develop healthy children, families, and communities across Guatemala.
Spinoza Literacy
The Spinoza Foundation is a Non-profit organization operating in Uganda with a passion about the capability and strength of Ugandan (and African) communities. Using a multi-dimensional approach, The Spinoza Foundation believes that human, social, political, and economic development is feasible. Through the Uganda Goat Livelihood project, the Foundation hopes to provide sustainable assistance to families of vulnerable children and youth in Uganda through entrepreneurship and agriculture.
Tumaini Fund Canada
“Tumaini” is Swahili for hope and the Tumaini Fund is bringing support and hope for a better future to AIDS orphans widows and poor families in the Dioceses of Kagera, Lweru, Biharamulo and Kibondo, in the north-west region of Tanzania.
Umoja Operation Compassion Society
We are a newcomer settlement and charitable organization formed in 2002 to work with recent immigrants and refugees of all cultural backgrounds living in Surrey, BC.
“Thank you so much for this opportunity and the donation. This amount will go a long way in improving the academic life of the Kids at the rwentutu community school in Uganda. We appreciate your support over the years.”
Dr. Amos Kambere
Victoria-Taiaima Partnership Society
Our purpose is to work together to improve the well-being of the people of Taiama and surrounding areas in Sierra Leone through education and health services, focusing on women and children.
Hello Barb and the RRSMith committee.
Thank you so much for your ongoing support of our project! I have attached some photos of the sewing program that you are supporting through your $2,000 grant. The 2022-23 group of students will graduate in May, and have completed several projects, including baby clothes, dresses and robes, school uniforms and personal kits consisting of a draw string bag containing menstrual pads, underwear and a washcloth.
With gratitude,
Maureen Mark
Victoria-Taiama Partnership
Image include: game tunics for sports activities, personal kits and uniform skirts for the 40 girls who receive supplies as part of our Secondary School Girls Program, and some of the 40 recipients of the tunics, uniform skirts and personal kits made by the sewing program students.
Wonderful World of Books
95 year old Qualicum Beach resident, Eva Hilborn, created The Wonderful World of Books because she believes that reading with children builds lifelong language skills and a love for learning. Studies have shown that children who have a home library growing up have greater chances of success in adulthood. Eva believes that the 24 books they will receive through her foundation will set them up to succeed in life.
https://thewonderfulworldofbooks.com/
“This grant for Wonderful World of Books is greatly appreciated. We have just expanded to include babies to 4 year olds in our delivery.”
Cathy Van Herwaarden
