Cyclone brings devastation to Myanmar's largest city and surrounding regions
 On the night of May 2nd and into the morning of May 3rd a horrifying cyclone, the worst storm in living memory, struck the city of Yangon, Myanmar (Burma) and surrounding regions with winds up to 120 m.p.h.
The extent of the devastation was not fully evident until the evening of May 5th when the ruling military junta reported that the death toll from tropical cyclone "Nargis" had climbed to more than 22,500 people, and a senior U.S. diplomat said it may exceed 100,000. Estimates are that 1 million are now homeless.
A state of emergency has been declared for much of the country following the 10-hour storm that destroyed entire villages.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has stated that he was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and the destruction suffered by the people of Myanmar" and promised to marshal international aid and assistance.
Rainbow World Fund is asking for your help to deliver vital resources to the beleaguered survivors of this terrible tragedy. Your funds will be used to deliver food, purified water, medicine and emergency shelter materials. If you can help, please donate today: http://www.rainbowfund.org/donate
Journey with RWF
Join RWF in Washington, DC
June 18-19, 2008
Make Your Voice Heard on Capitol Hill. Join Rainbow World Fund and CARE for a National Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC. The conference is a two-day annual event where RWF donors and supporters can take part in the fight against global poverty, HIV/AIDS and issues of humanitarian aid. Find out how can join here.
Join RWF in Guatemala
July 18 to July 27, 2008
Encounter new lands and peoples in a way that values them, deepens your spirituality, broadens your worldview and begins to heal the world. Walk with a legendary people, learn about Mayan spirituality and explore human rights issues with a people whose traditions span centuries of development. Experience ancient, colonial and modern influences that have molded a people of unique strength and deep faith. Help deliver medical and educational supplies – be forever changed. Meet with members of the LGBT community in Guatemala and support them in their struggle. This is our fourth annual trip to Guatemala. Learn more!
RWF in Mexico
El Autobús de la Esperanza (The Bus of Hope)
RWF's Rainbow Bus is heading to northern Mexico in the fall of 2008. This summer we are looking for individuals and organizations to partner with us to fill the bus with medicine, medical supplies, school supplies and toys to be delivered to the Hogar-Infantil Orphanage and medical clinic and HIV project in Tijuana that we support. We are looking for LGBT partners (service organizations, community centers, Sisters, church groups, etc.) in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Diego and points along the way to collect up to 5,000 pounds in each city. Email supplies@rainbowfund.org or go to rainbowfund.org/busofhope to learn more and get involved!
Send RWF Cameras and Tape Recorders
RWF is partnered with Consejo Maya Chilam B'alam de los K'iche's, a group of Mayan priests, shamans and leaders, to help document the history and spiritual practices of the Mayan people. The project will include photographing and recording the oral history of indigenous communities throughout the country. You can help. Please send new and used working digital cameras (3 megapixel+) and small cassette and digital tape recorders (memory cards and cassettes too). Mail equipment to RWF, 4111 18th St. #5, San Francisco, CA 94114, or email cameras@rainbowfund.org to learn more. |
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RWF News
 After the profound impact of World War II on the American economy and nearly every other aspect of American life, the United States Agricultural Department urged all Americans to grow "victory gardens" to produce fresh fruits and vegetables for their kitchens.
Many Americans answered the call and soon victory gardens were being planted in backyards and on rooftops across the nation. By 1943, over 20 million victory gardens had been planted, producing some eight million tons of food and nearly 50 percent of all fresh vegetables consumed in the U.S.
RWF is funding a project in Haiti that hopes to have similar results, helping families living in the poorest slums of Gonaives fight against poverty and malnutrition by establishing and nurturing kitchen vegetable gardens. Learn more
New Board Members
 Sister Jeannine Gramick, SL, Ph.D., is a reform-minded Roman Catholic nun, activist and co-founder of New Ways Ministry - helping LGBT Roman Catholics in the United States. She has a doctorate in Mathematics Education from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1971, Gramick began working with gays and lesbians. In 2000, Gramick and New Ways co-founder Father Robert Nugent were ordered by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (under Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI) to cease ministering to gays and lesbians due to the Church’s teaching that same-sex relationships are sinful. While Nugent formally acquiesced to the decision by resigning from New Ways, Gramick respectfully set aside the order altogether. Gramick is the author of several books on LGBT Catholic issues. The documentary In Good Conscience details her journey of activism, the Vatican’s attempt to silence her and her decision to disregard that attempt.
 Karen Kai, J.D. joins RWF Board of Directors as an independent research and writing consultant and a community activist who has served on many California non-profit boards and on national Asian American civil and human rights non-profit boards. She is a former Chairperson of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission and served as co-chair of its LGBT Advisory Board. Kai first started working with RWF in 2006 during the A Wish for the World campaign. We welcome her expertise and creativity.
RWF's newest water project is in Honduras Click here to learn more
RWF's Efficiency
Of every one dollar RWF received in 2005, 98.5 cents went to programs that serve those most in need.
See what we accomplished in 2006
AIDS in Africa
RWF's newest partnership is with Africare working in the areas of HIV/AIDS. Our partnership focuses on saving the next generation of young Africans. Click here to learn more
To donate by check or credit card, click on Donate Today. Specify "AIDS" when asked where you would like your donation to go. It's easy to make a donation to a specific cause: See how.
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Landmine Eradication in Cambodia RWF is working to clear minefields in Cambodia by partnering with ADOPT-A-MINEFIELD® (UNA). Click here to learn more.
Update: Honduran Water Project RWF reached its funding goal of $19,000! RWF is partnered with WaterPartners International and is working on increasing access to safe drinking water in communities in Central America.
Find out more about this important project
Help the Children of Guatemala
We are continuing to raise money to help hundreds of Guatemala's poorest children. The funds will be used to help an orphanage, a school, a medical clinic and an AIDS service project. Donate Today - specify "Guatemala."
Hunger in Haiti
RWF is partnered with CARE to fund maternal and child health care programs in Haiti's Northwest Department. Click here to learn more.
Hunger in America
RWF is committed to help end hunger in the USA. We are partnered with America's Second Harvest (ASH), the nation's food bank network in this goal. Click here to learn more.
Update: Hurricane Katrina Aid
RWF has raised nearly $400,000 to help survivors. Thank you for your donations and continued support.
To donate by check or credit card, click on Donate Today. Specify "Katrina" when asked where you would like your donation to go. |
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Our Compassion in Action - LGBT People Responding to World Need