Forests without Borders (FwB) grew out of a desire by Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) members to use their skills and knowledge to help people reduce poverty, restore ecosystems or increase people’s understanding of sustainable development of forest resources. Members have indicated that the CIF/IFC should consider a more organized system of enabling members to contribute to development projects that would match the interests of members and the resources of our organization. This desire by our members to help others is consistent with the CIF/IFC`s core value of altruism and mission to advance stewardship, provide leadership and increase awareness of forests.
Forest without Borders is a charitable program operated by the Canadian Institute of Forestry. Forests without Borders works with existing non government organizations to deliver the skills, knowledge and tools that enable poverty stricken communities around the world to effectively meet their challenges and to realize the many benefits obtained from the forest. The scarcity of resources in these communities such as fuel, shelter and water results in a cascade of problems that undermines human security and health. Many of these problems can be effectively resolved through proper forestry. If you would like to contribute please contact John Pineau, Executive Director of the Canadian Institute of Forestry/Institut forestier du Canada.
Victoria Harbourside Rotary
Habourside was chartered on September 17, 1980 with 38 charter members. Six of those members are still very active in the club. All have served as Club president over the years. Our first President was Fred Barlett who went on to become District Governor in l987/1988 – the only Harbourside Rotarian to-date to have become a District Governor.
Some of the early projects included building a jungle gym at a women’s abuse shelter and providing funds and sweat equity in the Boys and Girls Club in Esquimalt. This contribution was later honoured when they changed their name to the “Harbourside Boys and Girls Club”. Harbourside started to participate in youth exchange within a year or two of being chartered and hosted incoming and supported outgoing exchanges for many years. There are currently about 91 members all of whom either live and/or work in downtown Victoria. Service priorities are set periodically through strategic planning sessions, the latest was in June 2008. The emphasis is on education/literacy, youth, health, poverty, international understanding and community enhancement.
MARIA van SLOUN
Maria comes to Canada from Germany and lives in Victoria with her husband Garry Brooks, the founder of African Community Project. She has been very compassionate about the environment and the less fortunate all her life and is a habitual volunteer. The support that Maria has given African Community project is immeasurable. Not only allowing Garry to spend half his life in Africa but her financial giving has sustained the project when the funding has been slim. (Editors note: Her support is much appreciated).
YOSHIDA and TEROKA YAMAMOTO
Yoshi and Terry are Japanese who live in Matsuyama City, Japan and also in Victoria, Canada. Their children have been educated in Canada and the whole family would like to become more connected to Canada. They are in the marine shipping business and their ships work all over the world. They are very good friends of Garry Brooks the founder of African Community Project and has generously supported the project for many years. Yoshi was a volunteer Marine Biologist in Syria when he was younger.
