Shipment of Aid Items

Macedonian Mission for Humanity and the Steamboat Kiwanis Club loaded and shipped a 40-foot container of aid items aimed for Macedonia. Included in the container are 120 computers for schools; several thousand books for libraries promoting English training; hundreds of bags stuffed with clothing; skis for the Red Cross kids program and ski patrol; assorted sports equipment; and many more items. Thanks to the generosity of the Steamboat community and a grant from the Kiwanis International Foundation, this project has been possible.

A special thanks to the members of the Steamboat Kiwanis Club, Tim Miles and Dave Holloway for their help in acquiring unwanted middle school and high school computers, donated storage from Central Park Warehouses, loading help from Steamboat Home Consignment, Kiwanis and Coldwell Banker, and the generous donation of funds and merchandise from the Steamboat Springs community. It’s a great project that will be of considerable value to those within Macedonia.

Computers for Libraries & Schools

Hundreds of used computers and reading materials have been assembled with the help of the Steamboat Springs Rotary Club for shipment to Macedonia for distribution to local schools and libraries in the region. About 175 of the computers were obtained from the Steamboat Springs School system – units replaced with new machines under a special grant. Others were collected from other Rotary clubs in Colorado and from private donors.

Funding for the project was provided through a grant from the Steamboat Springs Rotary Club. Additional matching funds were sought through other foundations. There are 12 schools that received the computers. These schools had fewer than 10 computers despite the fact that high speed internet service is readily available in the country because of a project funded through USAID grants.

Coats for Children

Many students living in Steamboat Springs wouldn’t give coats and boots a second thought. But for many students living in Macedonia, coats and boots are luxury items.

Steamboat Springs resident Vesna Palmer, who is from Macedonia, asked the local Kiwanis Club to donate money to a nonprofit Macedonian group to purchase 40 coats and 10 pairs of boots for several minority Turkish female students.

“Buying a coat is a six-month salary for most families,” Palmer said Wednesday. “The whole region is very poor. I know the need there and there is a tremendous need there.” Palmer moved from Macedonia more than 20 years ago. She said winters in Macedonia, a landlocked country on the Balkan peninsula in southeastern Europe, are very similar to Steamboat Springs.

The girls who received the coats live in three remote villages in Eastern Macedonia. The coats allow the girls to attend education classes provided through a nonprofit organization called INFOBUS - a mobile education service designed to reach disadvantaged communities.

“Without the coats and boots, the girls were walking three or four miles to get to the classes,” she said. “In Muslim communities, girls are less exposed to education. They often don’t go. It is very difficult for them.”

The Macedonian Coats 4 Education Project is the first international project the Steamboat Kiwanis Club has undertaken. Steamboat Springs Rotary Club also has sent computers, books and donated clothing to Macedonia.

Palmer said she is eager to send more items to Macedonia, but shipping costs can be prohibitive. That’s why the Kiwanis Club chose to send money to Macedonia to purchase coats.

Building a Future Today

The Macedonian Mission for Humanity (MMH) will join UMD and Splash of Hope in the execution of the Building a Future, Today project.

The project aims to foster a positive development for children and youth in Macedonia based upon the principles that all 180,000 primary school students in Macedonia deserve:

• A safe environment that encourages personal growth
• Hygienic supplies necessary for healthy development
• Freedom and resources to utilize and apply individual talents, ingenuity, and resourcefulness
• A strong sense of personal dignity and self worth based on strong Macedonian traditions and cultural values
• Access to world-class education in order to prepare for the growing demands of a global economy

Upcoming plans of the project are to:

• Provide educational supplies on an ongoing basis to schools and foster homes in need
• Provide clothing, shoes, and other necessities to orphans throughout the country
• Foster a partnership with USAID ’s Primary Education Project in Macedonia to improve the quality of primary education by developing extracurricular academic activities for children
• Establish a scholarship program for Macedonian youth to help them pursue higher education

Raising Funds for Animalia

There are hundreds of hungry, lonely, and sick dogs roaming the streets of Ohrid, Macedonia. A small organization called Animalia has sheltered, fed, healed, and found homes for as many animals as possible. However, this organization depends solely on private contributions and two hard-working volunteers.

Recital to Fund Medical Supplies

MMH sponsored a recital featuring local soprano Keri Rusthoi and Macedonian pianist Kalina Mrmevska. This recital was part of the ongoing Macedonia/ Colorado cultural exchange program.

Ms.Rusthoi was a selected artist performing at three major summer festivals within Macedonia: Ohrid Summer Festival, Skopje Summer Festival, and BitolaFest. Now an exciting professional talent, Keri Rusthoi studied with the eminent Jean Kraft of the Metropolitan Opera. She received her operatic training from the Manhattan School of music, earned a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of New Mexico, and completed undergraduate study in Music at Colorado College.

Kalina Mrmevska has extensive international experience. She received her undergraduate degree in Macedonia; her graduate degree was awarded at the Hochschule für Musik und Theater in Hamburg, Germany. She finished her artistic Diploma at the University of Denver. Ms. Mrmevska is recipient of the Jeff Bradley Award from the University of Denver. Afterwards she was accepted as a full award recipient from the Doctoral program in Piano Performance of State University of New York at Stony Brook.

During intermission, the audience enjoyed the photography exhibit “Love Macedonia” presented by Macedonian-American photographer Zoya Naskova. Refreshments were served. Admission was free, but a $10 donation was suggested. All proceeds from this event went to fund shipping cost for medical supplies headed for children’s hospitals in Macedonia.

International Night

The stand organized by the Macedonian Mission for Humanity was one of the most visited on the international night in Steamboat Springs. Over 300 visitors saw the movies One Day in Macedonia and Ohrid Lake, and they got more familiar with the beauty that Macedonia has to offer.

Visitors showed special interest in the projects for cultural and educational exchange between Macedonia and Colorado, which began with the gallery of the Macedonian-Canadian artist Michael Close.