U.S. donations needed to build homes for homeless in South Asia; Tripura Foundation to partner with prize-winning Philippine nonprofit

Events linked to Guru Purnima, Indian holiday for thanking teachers

SILVER SPRING, MD – After the stars and stripes are folded and the fireworks die down, another celebration breaks out across the country. The Oakmont, PA-based Tripura Foundation ( http://www.tripurafoundation.org ), is holding events nationwide July 5-8 to raise funds for homes for the poor of Bagong Silong, the largest slum in the Philippine capital city of Manila. This area houses some 1 million residents, who lack indoor plumbing and basic amenities.

This month’s fundraisers are tied to a holiday from India’s spiritual heritage. July 6 marks Guru Purnima, (the full moon day of the Guru), a traditional observance to honor, thank spiritual teachers, masters, saints, and sages. Over 30 Global Guru Purnima events will be held around the world.

Benefits to raise funds for the new homes will take place in 12 U.S. cities, ranging from Anaheim, CA, to Ann Arbor, MI to the Washington, D.C. area (Silver Spring, MD). The full schedule follows:

• Anaheim, CA, Date: Monday, July 6, 2009 TIME: 7:00p.m.
• Ann Arbor, MI, Monday, July 6, 2009 TIME: 6:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.
• Fallbrook, CA, Monday, July 6, 2009 TIME: TBD
• Romeoville, IL, Sunday, July 5th, 2009 TIME: 3:30p.m.
• San Ysidro, CA, Monday, July 6, 2009 TIME: TBD
• San Diego, CA, Monday, July 6, 2009 TIME: TBD
• San Francisco, CA, Monday, July 6, 2009 TIME: 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.,
• Santa Monica, CA, Monday, July 6, 2009 TIME: 7:00p.m. - 10:00p.m.
• Naples, FL, Monday, July 6, 7:00pm
• Silver Spring, MD, Wednesday, July 8, 2009 TIME: 7:00p.m. (DC Metro area)
• St. Clair Shores, MI: Monday, July 6, 2009 TIME: 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.
• Waltham, MA Wednesday, July 8, 2009 TIME: 7:00p.m. - 9:00p.m.
• Washington, DC Metro area (DC/MD/VA) : Silver Spring, MD, Wednesday, July 8, 2009 TIME: 7:00p.m.

Each new home for the Manila poor costs $2000. Built of brightly painted cinder blocks, the houses include a kitchen space, a backyard for hanging laundry, and importantly, in a sanitation-poor slum, a toilet. They are part of HoPE Village, a larger project to transform poor areas of the Philippines.

The Tripura Foundation has pledged $50,000 for 25 houses and is urging American supporters to match its donation in order to raise $50,000 for 25 more homes.

A Filipino group, Gawad Kalinga, will partner with Tripura on the ground to secure land, architects and engineers and builders, and volunteers, including poor residents who may be beneficiaries, to construct the new dwellings. Gawad Kalinga and its founder, Tony Meloto, won the Ramon Magsaysay Award, comparable to the Nobel Peace Prize in the West. The group has garnered support from more than 400 corporations. Gawad Kalinga has also teamed up with governors and mayors throughout the Philippines.

Founded in 1989, the Tripura Foundation ( http://www.tripurafoundation.org ) takes as its challenge reducing poverty through remedying hunger, educating destitute youth, and empowering women and girls, largely in India. This 501(c)3 nonprofit organization also conducts targeted programs in the Philippines, Canada, Mexico and the United States. In addition to Gawad Kalinga, Tripura’s partner groups include the Indian Council for Child Welfare, the Rotary Club of Madras, the Blue Cross of Madras and the Guild of Service Home for Handicapped Children. ###

Contact Information

Mary M. Ford

Public Services

Tripura Foundation

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