We know that organizations and individuals looking to make social investments are limited by both time and resources. Glasswing strives to understand the strengths and interests of those looking to donate their money, materials and time and match them with projects that make a lasting difference.
One of our most important criteria for social investment is the mobilization of non-monetary resources. We are determined to involve people from all sectors of society in initiatives, to encourage social integration and reduce fatalism in Central America. The idea is to not only add value to your investment, but to serve as a catalyst. One important way to achieve this is volunteerism, often with donor and recipient working side by side.
Glasswing identifies innovative projects and alliances that emphasize the active participation of the community, and builds on them through strategic cross-sector partnerships that mobilize financial, in-kind, and human resources.
Glasswing continuously evaluates its portfolio of projects to ensure that corporate, philanthropic, and individual resources are addressing needs and are coupled with the power of personal involvement. We believe this approach can best address some of the most difficult challenges in the region, while promoting social integration.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. -Nelson Mandela Through our volunteers in education program, Glasswing teaches and attends to the needs of more than a thousand students in the public school system in San Salvador, La Libertad and San Miguel. We count on a team of volunteers who invest time every week to support the schools, through teaching English, computers, sport and art, among other topics. We also design campaigns to increase students awareness on topics including financial literacy, health & hygiene and road safety.
Glasswing provides consulting services in education and its volunteer program is also focusing on professional volunteers to provide training to administrative staff in the schools in many disciplines, including accounting and administration. At the begining of 2008 Glasswing completed a consultancy for the Superate program, a program that involves businesses such as Hilasal, ADOC, and Funación Uno and focuses on computer, English and values training. Glasswing always looks to add value by using technical specialists through volunteering; we are in the process of developing a pilot project to strengthen school administrations, involving local businesses and national and international specialists in education and administration.
Goal: Mobilize private sector resources to strengthen and complement the work of health facilities in the area of primary care and health promotion, bringing health services closer to the community.
Action: We are working with the Ortiz Barriere Company to establish a health post at the "Finca Las Mercedes", Cerro El Tigre, in the Municipality of Santiago de Maria, Usulután. This initiative will have a significant impact on the health of the area's population, especially in the area of maternal-child health physical and mental health. This effort has been co-funded by the Ortiz Barriere Company and USAID, has received donations from Welch-Allyn and FUSAL, and includes partnerships with the National Hospital of Santiago de Maria, and AmeriCares, Hemisferios, among other private entities.
Goal: Mobilize resources from the private sector - including businesses and contributions from Salvadoran communities in the U.S. - to promote the health of women and children in public health facilities.
Action: In this program, we work together with University Research Corporation (URC) and health facilities in La Paz, San Miguel, Chalatenango, and Usulután, as well as several private sector partners and NGOs to provide: (a) basic equipment and supplies, (b) technical training and (c) human resource specialists in pediatrics and gynecology.
Goal: Strengthen the capacity to respond to emergencies.
Action: We are working with San Rafael Hospital and Rosales Hospital to train their doctors and nurses in emergency medicine, implementing exchanges with Norwalk Hospital and professors from Yale University in the U.S. In Phase II of this program, we will also prepare trainers within the transit police and first responders to strengthen the pre-hospital care in El Salvador.
Glasswing International leads a Road Safety Program, which promotes strategic partnerships between government institutions, private sector and civil society organizations, to address many of the challenges affecting those using El Salvador's roads, both pedestrians and drivers. Road Safety is one of the biggest health challenges facing the country today. With diverse partners forming a strong team, which includes support from Chevron and their extensive experience with their Arrive Alive Program, we expect to have a major impact in cutting down on these unfortunate statistics.
These efforts seek to create solutions through education, advocacy, communication and enforcement that address the root causes of road traffic incidents. Glasswing is also involving many experts as volunteers, as well as training volunteers to enter the public school system to educate youth on Road Safety issues.
Our hope is to involve many other business like Chevron that understand the magnitude of this challenge facing El Salvador. For more information, visit http://seguridadvial.sv.googlepages.com