Finding Freedom Through Friendship Inc

PROVIDING RESOURCES FOR THE HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN ENDEMIC DEPRIVATION

WIDOW PROGRAMFFF AIDS DESTITUTE WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO INSPIRE, EMPLOY AND SUSTAIN THE FAMILY'S SOCIO-ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT BY INSTILLING INDEPENDENCE AND SECURITY AT THE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL LEVEL SO THE INDIVIDUAL CAN LEAD A PRODUCTIVE LIFE. THE PROGRAM IMPACTED 81 INDIVIDUALS DURING 2023 AS FOLLOWS - CONSTRUCTED 1 NEW HOME, PURCHASED 1 PARCEL OF LAND, RENOVATED 1 HOME, AND PAID FOR 1 RENTAL; ASSETS AND UTILITIES (APPLIANCES, FURNISHINGS AND OTHER CONVENIENCES) - VARIOUS HOMES RECEIVED 16 APPLIANCES AND FURNITURE ITEMS (SUCH AS REFRIGERATORS, GAS OVENS, WASHING MACHINES, WATER HEATERS, BEDS AND BEDDING, TABLES, COUCHES, WARDROBES AND CHAIRS), AND ASSISTED WITH THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES TO LAUNCH 16 BUSINESSES.

MICROFINANCE PROGRAM - PROGRAM OFFERS LOANS BELOW MARKET RATES TO INDIVIDUALS TYPICALLY DENIED CAPITAL BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS. LOANS ARE USED TO START OR EXPAND BUSINESSES IN AREAS SERVED. NEW PROGRAM STARTED IN EL KHOSOUS, EGYPT WITH INITIAL CAPITAL OF $4,000. TOTAL BUSINESSES FUNDED IN 2023 WAS 639.COMMUNITY HEALTH - PROVIDES FREE HEALTHCARE SCREENINGS (MEDICAL AND VISION), PRESCRIPTIONS, PREVENTIVE CARE EDUCATION AND DISEASE VACCINATION. EPIDEMIC RELIEF INCLUDES FOOD, MEDICINE, TENTS, SOLAR LIGHTS AND WATER FILTERS. DURING 2023, 19 PHARMACIES FILLED PRESCRIPTIONS AT CONTRACTED FULL OR PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENTS AND 1,000 HYGIENIC KITS WERE DISTRIBUTED. PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM WERE 21 DOCTORS, 8 SECURITY STAFF, 20 MEDICAL STAFF AND 45 VOLUNTEERS. INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SERVICES FROM THE PROGRAM INCLUDED 179 CHILDREN, 442 MEN AND 1,371 WOMEN.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTTWO NEW DEVELOPMENT CENTERS IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO AND IN CAIRO, EGYPT WERE LAUNCHED DURING 2023 IN ADDITION TO THE CONTINUING SUPPORT OF THE KARMA WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT CENTER (KWDC). THE DEVLEOPMENT CENTERS EMPOWER FEMALES TO ACQUIRE A VOCATION IN SEWING, BAKING, HAIR STYLING AND COSMETICS. THE GOAL IS TO IMPROVE WOMEN'S SOCIAL-ECONOMIC POSITION, ENDORSE SOCIAL EQUALITY, PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY, AND DEVELOP LEADERSHIP AND COMMUNITIES. THE CENTERS ALSO OFFER TUTORING, DRAWING, BALLET AND CRAFTS FOR YOUTHS. DURING 2023, 324 INDIVIDUALS WERE IMPACTED BY THESE SERVICES. THERE WERE 33 CLASSES IN 31 CITIES RESULTING IN THE CREATION OF 226 BUSINESSES.

TUTORING AND EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCEPROVIDED TUTORING TO LOW-INCOME CHILDREN AGES 7 - 14 (6 GRADES: 3 PRIMARY AND 3 PREPARATORY) IN LANGUAGES, MATHEMATICS, SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES. THE GOAL IS FOR THE STUDENTS TO PASS THE COUNTRY'S ANNUAL NATIONAL EXAM. THE PROGRAM IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT EMPLOYS SOCIAL WORKERS TO WORK WITH STUDENTS AND PARENTS TO ADDRESS PSYCHOLOGICAL, PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, AND SOCIAL MATTERS. IN PARALELL, MOTHERS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO LEARN A SKILL TO OPEN OR EXPAND A BUSINESS TO EARN AN INCOME.IN 2023, A TOTAL OF 137 INDIVIDUALS WERE IMPACTED INCLUDING 69 STUDENTS, 9 SOCIAL WORKERS, 7 TEACHERS, 2 MANAGERS, 4 ADMINISTRATORS AND 46 MOTHERS. FIELD TRIPS AND SUMMER SCHOOL SESSIONS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM AND BONUSES ARE DISTRIBUTED TO SOCIAL WORKERS AND ADMINISTRATORS AT THE END OF THE YEAR. CLOTHING AND GIFTS ARE DISTRIBUTED DURING SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS CHRISTMAS, EASTER AND GRADUATIONS.IN ADDITION, FFF PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS FOR COLLEGE AND PRIVATE SCHOOLING AS WELL AS TECHNICAL EDUCATION. DURING 2023, 38 INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE.