IFHE-United States Development Fund

The Development Fund in the United States is just one of eight such IFHE Development Funds. Other funds are managed in Canada, Japan, Korea, Ireland, U.K. Norway and South Africa. By keeping the monies and management of funds within national or regional organizations, the intent of donors is protected. Monies from the various funds are pooled to support IFHE grants. However, individual funds also support projects within their own jurisdiction.

Fund Fund-Raising

Currently, disbursements from the pooled resources of the various funds are made in the form of grants each four years at respective IFHE Congresses. Home Economist or Institutions in developing countries are awarded grants whose proposals are reviewed and chosen by an independent review committee of IFHE members. Instructions on how to apply for IFHE Development Fund support are available on the IFHE website in the members' only section.

The first project funded by the IFHE Development Fund was in 2004, titled “Banana Artistry”. This project was funded to the St. Lucia Home Economics Association. The primary audience was Primary School Leavers. Norma Maynard and Rita Dyer, served as project directors at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, St. Lucia. This was an income generating concept for young men and women in the Caribbean.

Four additional projects were funded during the 100th anniversary and 21st World Congress of IFHE in Lucerne, Switzerland in 2008.

1. Support went to the Father DeClan Collins School for refugees in South Africa. This school was founded by an Irish priest who was subsequently killed in South Africa. His work continues to be supported by his family and the Irish Home Economics Association.
2. Dago Dala Hera, an NGO in Kenya was granted funds to provide school benches for Aids orphans, and to teach their instructors nutrition so that better nutritional education and health practices could be provided.
3. A school garden project was funded for St. Thomas to plant school gardens in two elementary schools; Gladys Abraham Elementary School and the Jane E. Tuitt Elementary School. The children do the work, learn gardening skills, and plant /eat new foods. Dr. Caryl Johnson (NM) coordinates that project through the Cooperative Extension Service of the Virgin Islands.
4. The fourth project, also in Kenya, provides funds used to build a kiln to make pottery stove liners that conserve fuel, reduce pollution and can be raised off the ground. These more efficient stoves are critical to help impoverished families.