[Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series highlighting how NGOs are using funds they receive from Ford Fund’s COVID-19 Match Challenge.]
During the coronavirus pandemic, nongovernmental organizations around the world have been addressing the acute needs of their communities with help from Ford employees and their families.
As of mid-May, employees have raised more than $212,000 through Ford Fund’s COVID-19 Donation Match Challenge. Ford Fund and Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman Bill Ford are matching up to $500,000 in donations to support projects focused on hunger, shelter and medical needs.
Administered by GlobalGiving, Ford’s global disaster relief and grant partner, the donation match is benefitting nearly 40 projects in 20 countries that have both a significant level of emergency needs and a substantial presence of Ford employees. Below are stories of three NGO partners and how they are using funds received through the challenge. To donate or view a complete list of NGO partners, click here.
South Africa: Waqful Waqifin “Gift of the Givers”
In South Africa, the Waqful Waqifin Foundation is passing out food and cleaning supplies to low-income residents and setting up portable triage and testing sites for COVID-19. They call their work “Gift of the Givers.”
Gift of the Givers Foundation was founded in 1992 and is the largest disaster relief organization of African origin on the African continent. It provides emergency life-saving relief to those suffering from natural and man-made disasters.
Since the COVID-19 emergency was declared in March, Gift of the Givers has served 120 hospitals and clinics in South Africa. Some 2,700 patients have been tested at triage stations and 30,000 food parcels have been delivered to vulnerable families.
Brazil: Obras Sociais Irma Dulce
In Brazil, Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce is giving food and hygiene packages to women living on the streets and supplying personal protective equipment to healthcare professionals.
Obras Sociais Irmã Dulce is a philanthropic institution that houses one of the largest free healthcare complexes in Brazil. It performs nearly 3.5 million outpatient procedures annually in Bahia. Patients suffer from acute conditions and diseases including cancer, craniofacial deformities, mental illness, substance abuse, disabilities, homelessness and at-risk environments.
Founded in 1959, the organization provides services in 21 centers across Brazil assisting low-income populations in areas of health, education and welfare.
Mexico: Fondo Unido
In Mexico, Fondo Unido is delivering food boxes and household supplies to low-income families and providing COVID-19 education to home caregivers.
Fondo Unido has been serving the country since 1955. Ford of Mexico has been working in partnership with Fondo Unido since 2016.
Additional relief efforts under the partnership include the manufacturing and distribution of 100,000 face shields for healthcare workers throughout Mexico and Central America and the delivery of nearly four tons of food in one week using a fleet of Ford vehicles.