Conduit of Hope » News

Conduit of Hope featured in Portland State newsletter

Erik — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 01:53:22 +0000

A story on Conduit of Hope students was recently published in the Portland State University newsletter. The story begins on page 2.

The article’s author, Judy Reed, is the director of the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) at PSU where our Conduit students enroll. She traveled to Argentina in August for a language conference and while in Buenos Aires, she visited our community partner, La Lecheria, in Barrio San Pablo. Judy wanted to check on our Conduit alumni and to understand better the incredible hurdles our students have to overcome. She published the article about her experience in the IELP’s most recent newsletter. It is striking in its graphic description of the reality our students are challenging through their courageous efforts to pursue higher education. We are very grateful for the support of Mrs. Reed and the rest of the IELP!

2008 Friendraiser — Thank you!

Erik — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:10:59 +0000

Thank you to our friends and supporters who came to hear Mayra and Cintia share their stories at the 2008 Friendraiser at Life of Riley tavern. Our students had been balancing speech practice with their midterms and were very happy to have been able to share with our guests a little of their experience. In case you were unable to join us, you can read their speeches here. Special thanks to Life of Riley tavern for allowing us to use their space and organizing some great beer and wine tastings to quench our thirst on a hot summer day.

You’re invited to our 2008 Friendraiser!

Erik — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:36:45 +0000

Please join us on July 26th from 3-5PM at Life of Riley tavern (NW 10th and Everett in the Pearl District) as we celebrate our Summer 2008 students. Mayra and Cintia are looking forward to sharing with you how Conduit of Hope has affected them and also to express their heartfelt “Gracias” for your support. Appetizers will be passed and we’ll be hosting some beer and wine tasting through local distributors. We hope you can join us! We’re looking to make some new Conduit friends and reconnect with some old ones. (Please consider a voluntary donation of $20 at the door to help us cover our event costs.)

our growing family…

matt — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 07:51:17 +0000

Hearty welcome to Vanesa Rodriguez Ruiz of Spain (far left). Vanesa is interning with Conduit of Hope for six weeks in partnership with Andeo. In addition to experiencing our fair city of Portland, Vanesa has been working with the students in English, has been building her computer skills, and working on development efforts. Evan Ponder (second from right) has also been working with our students since they arrived. While helping the students with their English and cultural exposure, Evan is preparing for Conduit’s first reverse exchange: sending a US-based student to Argentina. We could not be more pleased with the our support family or students. Conduit thanks you.

Hello India

matt — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:33:33 +0000

The nature of Conduit of Hope lends itself to the discussion of global issues such as social justice, making inroads into underserved communities, and partnership across national and cultural boundaries. This evening was even more special due to Paul Raja Rao of BIRDS, India joining us for good food and good conversation. Our Conduit team joined Paul in India back in January ‘08 and tonight was our chance to partially return the hosting favor. Conduit and BIRDS is continuing to vet its joint mission honing the goals for an exchange worthy of both organizations.

Welcome Spring ‘08 Students

matt — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:58:26 +0000

Help us to welcome to Mayra and Cintia to Portland, Oregon next week. On May 28th, our students arrive to begin their adventure: a three month stay for Mayra and a year stay for Cintia. While Cintia has been to Portland once before, this will be Mayra’s first time to Portland and her first time to the United States.

During our first few days, we acclimate to Portland through exploring downtown, visiting PSU, getting familiar with TriMet and then escaping to the Menucha in the gorge to process our day and prepare for the next. Then Saturday, our students go home with their host families to begin the cultural exchange, the learning, and the teaching that represents Conduit of Hope.

BIRDS away…

matt — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:44:01 +0000

Thanks to St. Mark Presbyterian for hosting our presentation on April 22nd. We talked about our time with BIRDS (http://www.birds-india.com/), about all of the projects going on (water resources, power engineering, ‘one laptop per child’ machines’, health, widows’ program, English teachers, upcoming newsletter, and more!), and possible future student exchange. Paul Raja Rao and his team are an incredible group continuing to bring hope, expansion, and sustainability to areas within their influence. The BIRDS campus provides a perfect launch point for exploring the rest of rural south-eastern India with its varying languages and religions, peoples and culture.

If you’re interested in copies of the DVD presentation or news about traveling to BIRDS, email us at birds@conduitofhope.org

April 22nd BIRDS slideshow

matt — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:29:42 +0000

The India team will be together again Tuesday, April 22nd at St. Mark Presbyterian in Portland, Oregon @ 7pm. After a wonder visit with the BIRDS organization, the Conduit of Hope Team India along with supporters from Portland community will be presenting a slideshow and talk about our experience in India and at BIRDS. We’d love to see you there.

Team India Full-Steam Ahead

matt — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:24:53 +0000

Conduit of Hope’s partnership with BIRDS (www.birdsorg.net) has just moved from idea to action. Pictured on right is the Conduit of Hope team at the India-based BIRDS facility in the state of Andra Pradesh. From right: Executive Director of BIRDS V. Paul Raja Rao, Paul’s wife Latha, Erin Connelly of the National College of Natural Medicine (NCNM), Nancy Winter of Intel, Hillary Walters of MallarysTravels, and Conduit of Hope’s Matt Webster. The team is collecting data, working with Paul and his staff, and Conduit’s supporters in the states to create a program enabling BIRDS’ community health workers to receive medical training in Portland, Oregon. In addition to being the second country Conduit of Hope has targeted with its unique mission, this is the first time village-based medical workers have been brought from their home country to Portland for training. We are excited about the opportunity to host BIRDS’ community health workers, the upcoming cultural sharing between our two groups, and the ability to positively impact BIRDS with Conduit of Hope’s mission.

Hope Crosses Borders

Erik — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 05:38:27 +0000

Hope – the dream and desire for improvement – spans languages, cultures and borders. In 2008, adopting the character of hope itself, Conduit of Hope plans to cross new borders as well. Currently connected in Argentina through La Lecheria, Conduit of Hope is forging an additional channel in the country of India via BIRDS. Bharti Integrated Rural Development Society (BIRDS) is an organization dedicated to supporting and enabling the poor in the rural area of Andhra Pradesh, India, where subsistence and sustainability of life are threatened.

BIRDS began in 1991 by founder and continuing director Paul Raja Rao, a man with great vision and seemingly inexhaustible hope even when immersed in dire circumstances. The initial aim of BIRDS propelled by ambition and faith sought to transform the lives of the impoverished and disadvantaged people in this region of a country divided by castes and discrimination. Equipping the people of the community with skills, supplies, and a knowledge of human rights would empower them with the autonomy needed not only to survive but ideally to thrive.

(more…)