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For Immediate Release Media Contact: Greg Forney Phone: 602-284-7032 |
Food for the Hungry and the City of Phoenix celebrate partnership milestone with Indonesian city: Meulaboh mayor is special guest of honor
December 6, 2005
Food for the Hungry and the City of Phoenix welcome the “camat” (mayor) of Meulaboh as the special guest of honor at the first anniversary celebration of Rising to Help, a 10-year community development partnership between the City of Phoenix and the City of Meulaboh. The Indonesian mayor will speak about the rebuilding efforts that are underway in Meulaboh through the Rising to Help partnership.
| The City of Phoenix, in a unique partnership with Food for the Hungry, adopted the City of Meulaboh following the devastating tsunami that swept across Asia on Dec. 26, 2004. More than 40,000 of Meulaboh’s 120,000 residents died in what has become one of the deadliest disasters in modern history. Since the formation of the partnership, numerous assessment teams have gone to Meulaboh to assess the rebuilding work going on, as well as to provide trauma counseling and ESL training. In addition, a team of civil engineers was sent to help city officials overcome obstacles during the rebuilding process. |
 Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten meets the “camat” (mayor) of Meulaboh, Indonesia, during an assessment trip |
The Rising to Help project has five strategic components:
- Through cash for work, Meulaboh residents are being hired to clean and rebuild their community.
- To secure the livelihood of the residents, cash and tool grants are provided to help small business owners reopen their businesses.
- Programs such as cash for work, distribution of seeds and tools, and livestock restocking are in place to boost agriculture production.
- Through developing English programs, the quality of education, especially among women and children, is being improved.
- Food for the Hungry is working with women’s organizations sanctioned by the local government to train women to contribute to a healthy home environment.
Highlights of the celebration include a video presentation outlining the work in Meulaboh and an inspirational talk from Phoenix City Councilwoman Peggy Bilsten.
The luncheon will be held at the Bentley Projects in Phoenix. For tickets and more information, call Megan or Trisha at 602-955-0080.