Cross Cultural Journeys Foundation

Cross Cultural Journeys established a 501.c3 public foundation in 1997 to promote global awareness and foster sustainable development in the countries where Cross Cultural Journeys travels.

The need is so great, and it takes so little to make a difference in the lives of the many friends we have made over the years in the countries we visit. We now offer fewer journeys and are putting increased energy into the work of the Cross Cultural Journeys Foundation. Joined by an excellent volunteer Board of Directors, numerous donors and volunteers, we continue working to promote self sustainable livelihoods through grants, micro lending, education and health projects, particularly in Ethiopia.

For ten years, 100% of all contributions have gone directly to programs in country.

Quest for Global Healing Conferences

CCJF gave numerous scholarships and worked collaboratively with numerous Foundations who gave scholarships for the 2004 and 2006 Quest For Global Healing conference, which was co-sponsored by Cross Cultural Journeys Foundaton. Grants were received from the Ford Foundation, The Fetzer Institute, and the John E. Fetzer Foundation, the Sister Fund, Rudolph Steiner Foundation and the Seva Foundation.

Grass Roots Empowerment Program
For the past five years the foundation has given grants and assistance to grass roots projects (described on this page) and groups of women in a number of countries in Africa and Asia, including:

• A grant to support a grammar school for Masai children in Kenya to learn in their own language

• A grant to eight women in Ethiopia to finish the construction of a tea house restaurant to support themselves and their families

• An embroidery co-op for young women to earn funds for their education and teach younger girls

• Local crafts are purchased in an on-going program from subsistence level craftswomen and brought to the U.S. for sale; the proceeds are used to purchase more crafts.

Days of Community Service

In 2003 we piloted Days of Community Service, an opportunity for our travelers to donate a day of service in a village or community that we visit.

ETHIOPIA:
Lalibella – In 1996 the foundation provided a small grant to fund the roof of a Tea House being built by a nine-woman co-op. The women were destitute widows or had been abandoned by their husbands. Each year travelers from Cross Cultural Journeys visit the now highly successful Queen of Sheba Tea House. The co-op of women are now saving to start a grocery store.

Lalibella – A grant was given to a 17 year-old woman to sponsor her tuition and living expenses while she attended a six-month tailoring training in Addis Ababa. Upon her return to Lalibella she established a tailor shop and taught 8 other young women in Lalibella tailoring skills. Their most recent grant was given for rent to open a store front shop.

Bahir Dar - A grant was made to an embroidery co-op of 8 upper level school age girls. They learn the traditional art of embroidery as done on their native dress and are able to earn school tuition through sales.

Elowaha – A grant was made to fund the start up of a small restaurant where a number of local members of the community are employed. The proprietor has applied for a grant for a new refrigerator so that she can serve cold beverages to her patrons.

TANZANIA
A grant was given to a Maasai woman who was starting a school for rural Maasai children to learn in their own language. The school is now self supporting.

KENYA
A grant was made for a program to help build wells in villages where women traditionally have walked ten miles for daily water.

TIBET
On-going support for children at a Tibetan orphanage which teaches the children the traditional craft of paper making.

Numerous scholarships have been given to young people in a number of countries to study at school, learn a trade, or study English.