Altrusa International is a global volunteer service organization whose purpose is to promote better communities through service by an international network of people with diverse backgrounds and experiences. In the spirit of altruism - to give selflessly - Altrusans share human and financial resources in their local communities, support NGOs through foundation grants, and provide humanitarian relief through multiple avenues.
Below is a map of projects supported by Altrusans through locals clubs or foundation grants.
United States
Haiti
Ireland
Ghana
Sudan
India
New Zealand
United States
Safe Haven is an HIV/AIDS education & outreach organization dedicated to creating
global awareness and compassion for children and young adults living with HIV /
AIDS. Through the Altrusa International Foundation, Altrusans continue support the
organization in providing a memorable and loving experience for children and teens
living with HIV/AIDS in Arden, North Carolina.
Haiti
Altrusa Clubs implement various projects in Haiti, such as Altrusa International
of Portales’ Project Heart, aimed at sending food, baby formula and medicine to
Haiti; and the Prosthetic Limb Project sponsored by the Altrusa International Clubs
of Starke and St. Augustine, which provides prosthetic limbs for Haitians who are
amputees as a result of the earthquake.
Ireland
Altrusa International of Cork operates an adult literacy program, entitled the Altrusa
Literacy Scheme.
Ghana
Altrusans provide support to the Ghana Health and Education Initiative through the
Altrusa International Foundation. Funding supports World AIDS Day community education
activities and the Girls Empowerment program.
Sudan
Many women are attacked, raped, and murdered when they leave the safety of refugee
camps in Darfur to gather wood for cooking. Most of the wood in area close to the
camps has been used up; therefore, women have to venture miles away from the camps,
making them vulnerable to attacks. In keeping with the UN anti-violence campaign,
many Altrusa clubs continue to purchase solar cooking stoves for the refugee camps.
India
The Altrusa Club of Madras organizes dental camps every month with support from
the Kottivakkam Dental Clinic.
New Zealand
Altrusans from around the world sent donations of money and supplies in the wake
of the earthquakes in Christchurch.
United Nations Committee
Since 1946, Altrusa has held observer status at the UN, and in 1978, our UN membership was upgraded to the level of an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) in consultative status with ECOSOC (the Economic and Social Council). In this capacity, we join together with other NGOs, forming a community of NGOs called CONGO (Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations), empowered to attend and participate in UN briefings and conferences related solely to global economic and social concerns.
In each biennium, the International Board appoints representatives to attend and monitor United Nations meetings and briefings. Altrusa’s representatives attend weekly briefings conducted by DPI/NGO (the UN Department of Public Information for NGOs). In addition, they can and do serve on the many NGO committees formed to further the improvement of the human condition, worldwide.
Altrusa International, Inc. is firmly committed to the ‘Say NO…UNiTE to End Violence Campaign Against Women.’] According to Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, “My ‘Unite to End Violence against Women’ campaign sparked a global movement to address this pandemic. The social mobilization platform “Say NO- UNiTE’ carries this movement forward by raising awareness and striving to inspire people to work for a world free of violence against women and girls.
Together, we can reach this goal, which will benefit individuals and societies, creating a better future for all.”
In addition, various Altrusa Clubs have purchased anti-mosquito bed nets to halt the spread of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa. And in keeping with the anti-violence campaign, many clubs are purchasing solar cooking stoves for the refugee camps in Darfur.
Some Projects From Around The World
Thailand
The Ashburton, South Island, New Zealand Altrusa club has been supporting Burmese migrants in Thailand since 2008, when it first helped with finance for drugs for a mobile medical clinic. The contact was established when a New Zealand woman spoke to the club about her work in Thailand with migrants. More recently she has been working with the Burmese Migrant Workers Education Committee and the club has been supporting its work by paying the rental on land for one of the schools.
Together with financial support, Altrusa members collected toys, picture books, and clothing and have knitted over 80 beanies for babies, as well as making baby wraps. Currently, the Burmese Migrant Workers Education Committee is educating approximately 10,000 children in northern Thailand and within Burma in more than 50 schools. As well, it oversees 12 boarding houses.
Altrusa International of Ashburton is delighted to have received a grant of 1000 US from the Altrusa International Foundation to help this project. The money will be used to help complete a new building for a school catering for Burmese migrant children. We are so pleased to be able to help make these children’s lives a little better through this Foundation grant!
Kenya
A ceremony at the Dayspring School for the dedication of the Umoja
sports field. There was also a friendly game of soccer between US and
Kenya - they won in Penalty Kicks.