SHERBROOKE: An important fundraiser for the Fondation du Carrefour de solidarité internationale (CSI) of Sherbrooke was launched at a press conference held in February. Among those present were Onil Proulx, president-founder of Gestion Concertée des Ressources Humaines and chairman of the fundraising campaign and honorary committee formed by Bernard Landry - former Premier of Quebec, Marie-France Bélanger – DG of the Cégep de Sherbrooke, Louise Boisvert – President and editor of La Platform (daily newspaper), Jean Lacharité – 2nd Vice-President of the CSN and Robert Benoît – former Deputy of Orford.

For Bernard Landry, “it is with enthusiasm that I have agreed to support the Foundation du Carrefour de solidarité internationale (CSI). During a visit to Collique, Peru, I witnessed for myself the undeniable impact of this organization, in particular, situations involving women”.

The objective of this vast financial campaign is $600,000, over the next three years. Currently, 40% of that amount has already been reached. The office of the Foundation of the CSI can be found at 165 rue Moore, in Sherbrooke. Onil Proulx highlighted an assessment of the organization: “The CSI has been present in our area for more than 36 years. I decided to actively implicate myself in this major financial campaign because the CSI, very present as a regional organization, also radiates at an international level. It deserves to be known, recognized and supported by the Estrie community”.

The many projects on the table justify this fundraiser, such as the continued financial support of an educational program which is addressed toward young Townshippers especially and to promote, in the long run, the development of the movement in the fair city of Sherbrooke, with the invaluable and necessary collaboration of 17 socio-economic partners from la Ville de Sherbrooke. This will also affect international volunteer programs at educational institutions and universities in Sherbrooke, through agreements such as those currently in place with the Université de Sherbrooke and Cégep de Sherbrooke.The CSI also offers overseas experiences to young professionals.

This financing will also be beneficial for urgent files such as the project in Haiti designed to train more coffee producers and to follow them effectively through this training; that in Mali - to fight against malnutrition by introducing the moringa into the family food chain (a good source of protein, vitamins, oils, fatty acids, micro-macro mineral elements, phenolics and much more winning effects).

In the Dominican Republic, the CSI will be able to continue intensive trainings in schools and via student councils, to adequately resolve problems which relate to sexuality and the violence which often results. In Peru, the CSI wants to establish “services in defense of the rights of women and girls in the 5 secondary schools”, in order to sensitize the entire population to the violence toward women and to approach, consequently, the debate of equality between women and men.

The last word will come from Onil Proulx, who testifies to his pride in chairing this event: “This is why I invite you to support this major financial campaign, so that here like elsewhere, lives can be changed”.

Information: www.csisher.com/fondation or 819-566-8595

Photos courtesy of the CSI.