This year the R.R. Smith Board of Directors approved over $44,000 to the following 23 organizations. All of the R.R, Smith fees collected were spent in funding these projects to support educational endeavours in BC and abroad
- Kakamega, Kenya (ACCES): To provide post-secondary scholarships for students who perform well in secondary school but cannot afford to attend post-secondary institutions.
- B.C. Heritage Fairs: To provide supplies for Cultural Enrichment Activities and for the Provincial Heritage Fair.
- Surrey B.C. Bright Beginnings Foundation: To provide bursaries (tuition, student fees and educational materials) to Surrey students who have the potential to further their education after high school but do not possess the financial means to do so.
- Oaxaca, Mexico. Canadian Friends of Oaxaca: To support two university students for two semesters beginning in September 2024. This and monthly stipends will assist the students to remain in university and to receive added support from the staff of the Oaxacan Learning Centre.
- Kenya/Tanzania. Canadian Harambee Education Society (CHES): To provide girls with school supplies including exercise books, pens, pencils, protractors, calculators, dictionaries, rulers and erasers.
- Afghanistan. Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan: To provide 6 tablets, one computer, 8 power banks and eleven monthly data packages to empower individual Afghan women and girls and organizations that serve them to pursue education remotely.
- India. Children’s Care International: to support the schools in the slums of Ekalvya and Chittibabu in India. These are transition schools upgrading or introducing children to educational opportunities, preparing them to enter regular schools.
- Co-Development Canada: Co-Dev and Cuban educators have worked together since 1977(SNTECD) providing basic materials for students and the educational community.
- Guatemala Compassion Fruit Society-SOMOS: To run a large sustainable garden providing nutrition for students as well as for the community. Students are taught reading/life skills and trades.
- Belize. Days for Girls. Port Moody Chapter: To provide washable menstrual kits made by volunteers for girls in poor countries to allow them better attendance at school.
- Dhaka, Bangladesh. Families for Children: To fund games, books and other educational materials for children many of whom require special care in Bangladesh.
- Tanzania. For the Love of Africa: To fund teaching materials such as charts, books, puzzles, and also sports equipment such as soccer balls, badminton and cricket for 73 youth, 51 of whom are in special care.
- Tanzania. Innovative Communities Org Foundation: To support appropriate textbooks for all grade levels at pre and primary schools. Since 2008, 22 initiatives have been funded in 22 countries.
- Kenya. Kenya Educational Endowment (KEEF). To support tuition and book fees for exceptional Kenyan students in Kakamega County.
- Uganda. Niteo Africa supports literacy skills. To provide five mobile storage units each holding 150 books which will rotate among five schools which do not have libraries.
- Kenya. One Girl Can Society: to support a young woman completing her 5th year of medical school at the University of Nairobi.
- Surrey, B.C. Pacific Community Resources Society – host agency for Foundry Surrey. Their mission is to provide a safe and inclusive place for young people(12 -24) to find flexible support for their needs. One computer will help them access workshops and programs including mental health care, substance use and employment skills.
- Ethiopia. Real Humanitarian: To provide funds for one year for 26 Ethiopian girls to stay in school.
- Northern India. Step International: To purchase materials for libraries in two schools. These schools service approximately 310 students from K – grade 8.
- Sierra Leone. The Victoria-Taiama Partnership: To provide funds for two young women to complete a two year program in tailoring and for ten to complete a one year business program. The partnership is currently run by a group of retired educators in Victoria.
- Tanzania. Tumaini Fund Canada: To improve the lives of AIDS/HIV orphans in the province of Kagera. This grant will go towards supplying 300 students notebooks (‘Daftari’) which are required in order for them to attend school.
- Uganda. Umoja Operation Compassion Society: To provide financial support to grade 7 students who would otherwise drop out of school before they could complete their secondary education. In addition it will aid in acquiring a staff computer for needed on-line teaching resources to support this effort.
- Qualicum area B.C. Wonderful World of Books: To promote literacy by purchasing books for early learning. The books are delivered monthly by volunteers.
