Wondering where your donations are going when you donate to Tifie? Here’s where we assigned donations this month.
One time $100 Donation (Education) This donor was interested in helping students in our programs, so we assigned it specifically to the girls home in Cost Rica that we support. Girls who are rescued out of tracking recover and relearn how to be children in this safe home. They receive an education, life skills and therapy. Many girls who were graduating from school didn’t have the money to pay for the school fees. This donation was almost the exact amount of the fees, and came at the perfect time to help them in their next steps in their future.
$10/month (Education – Roots) This regular donation goes to Roots Charter High to the “Next Steps Fund” we’ve setup with them. This pays for anything that the students need to pursue their next steps in education or career. The fund has paid for concurrent enrollment fees at the local Community College, closed toe shoes for new jobs, and food handler’s permits.
One Time $250 (Where Need is Most) We have several kids who attend our after-school center in Dominican Republic who don’t have birth certificates. We have an attorney translate their birth certificates from Haitian Creole to Spanish, then the kids can get into public school. Without it – they can’t go to school. The cost is around $65 each. We’ll apply these donations to several of these students.
$5000 Scholarship (Education/Shelter) We recently had a local SLC company who wanted to support our initiatives in high schools in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In past years, they have donated scholarship to seniors to help pay for their first year of college. We found out that these students were spending over 4 hours a day driving to and from their families home to get to college, and were struggling in their studies because of it. (And if any of you have driven in Kinshasa, you know that it’s not for the faint of heart, and certainly not a situation where reading or writing can be done while driving). We were able to secure housing and food for students near campus with this generous donation.
If you are interested in supporting any of our initiatives, please donate online and choose the project you are most interested in. Or you can always choose “Where Need is Most” and we’ll put it toward a pressing need.
“We survive on the hope and trust we find in the humanity we find in communities.” -Dr Tim Dye
We received this quote from one of our partners in Puerto Rico, and it hit us deep in our core. Truly, because of connections we experience with amazing people when we’re in the midst of disaster relief, we do have hope that goodness is real and it will get better. This goodness is something that trickles down and reminds us of the simple fact– humanity is a collection of individuals in all places trying help one another.
Because of the man who receives power and lights, and shares it to his neighbors.
Because of the nurse who is making house calls, to make sure that her diabetic patient has the refrigerated insulin she needs in the amount specifically prescribed for him..
Because of the volunteers who show up to help because the need is so great and their hearts are so raw.
Because of the unknown donors who are moved to donate because there are helpers every where.
We are grateful to be responding with helpers around the world, doing what we can to provide shelters that are contributing to life-saving efforts.
Light Up Puerto Rico Power Volunteers Arrive in Puerto Rico
We were approached by a few passionate people here in Utah with ties to Puerto Rico, desperate to provide power, light and shelter to their friends and family. Light Up Puerto Rico has raised over $280,000 to send solar power and Barebones shelters in the last two weeks.
The first set of volunteers arrived over the past few weeks. Brothers Danny and Bryan Perkison, sat next to a woman coming from Ohio on the plane ride over. Lauri Chavez, from Puerto Rico, was on her way to be with her mom– who is on bed rest in a medical center with no power.
“When we told her that we had solar flash lights, she was so excited to be able to take them to her mom and other family members who are living in the dark.” (pic on Tifie Insta)
Delivery of Medical Supplies and Medical Shelters with Direct Relief
In our amazing partnership with Direct Relief, Barebones sent 15 shelters to the Caribbean after Hurricane Irma. Shelters are being used in Dominica, Tortola, and Antigua as mobile clinics, and have been so helpful that the teams on the ground have requested more. More shelters are on their way to Puerto Rico with the Direct Relief team. Our durable medical tents are delivered alongside of life-saving medication, first aid, and water purification systems.
In the wake of Puerto Rico’s power crisis, diabetes treatment and refrigeration of insulin has been an ongoing emergency, with diabetics going without insulin or dialysis treatment. Some patients are stranded at home, without transportation because of fuel shortage or impassable roads. Direct Relief and its medical partners have been delivering specific medication and individual treatment plans to homebound residents. No longer isolated by fear and unknown, these amazing volunteers are bringing community and home into their homes.
7 Medical Shelters Deployed for Community Medical Clinic in Rural Puerto Rico
We were approached by Dr. Timothy Dye and his in-country partners, who are responsible for seven community health center throughout Puerto Rico. They are surrounded by many organizations and dedicated public servants who want to bring health and wholeness to the people of Puerto Rico. Since the Hurricane, there are no more operational community health centers, but the health needs of the rural communities are daunting. “Everything is needed” he says, about the centers. “We survive on hope and trust in the humanity we find in communities.”
We’re at our best in disasters, when our first and visceral response is to help. So take heart, goodness abounds, and hope in the form of light, power and shelter is on its way.
Light Up Puerto Rico urgently requests donations to send solar power and shelters to hurricane victims. Local support in Puerto Rico is already in place to effectively distribute the items to those with the greatest need.
SALT LAKE CITY, OCTOBER 6一The power crisis in Puerto Rico has left 95 percent of its inhabitants without power, but Utah aid groups are responding with immediate and sustainable solutions. The Light Up Puerto Rico effort brings power and shelter to those desperately in need. Interested individuals can make donations at www.tifie.org/donate, with 100 percent of funds going directly to the project.
Living without power affects all aspects of life— from stalled refrigeration and air conditioning in the island’s humid climate to an increased reliance on sunlight, which decreases daily productivity. Public safety has become a greater concern as the risk of crime increases. The extended loss of power has likewise proven deadly for those with medical conditions.
Goal Zero’s solar-powered generators can power refrigerators and medical equipment.
Light Up Puerto Rico’s mission is to provide solar-generators, solar-lights and durable shelters to Puerto Rico as fast as possible. Less than a week after the hurricane hit, Light Up Puerto partnered with another nonprofit, Tifie Humanitarian to put their project in motion.
Tifie is a perfect match for executing their plan— serving as a connection to purchase items at cost and offering expertise and experience with disaster relief. Tifie has provided power and shelter to families in the Philippines, Nepal, Fiji, and Syria, where shelters served as temporary housing as well as medical and birthing tents.
Safe Shelter in Fiji, 2014. Tifie has worked with organizations in the past, providing power and shelter to individuals, families, and medical personnel in Fiji, Nepal, Syria, Mexico, Philippines and the U.S.
“Our method has proven to be timely and effective. The solar power systems can power refrigerators, phones, medical equipment, and the shelters are designed to last for years,” said Robert Workman, founder of Tifie Humanitarian. “We’ve found that, through providing these basic needs, individuals and families are enabled and empowered to rebuild their lives.”
Robert Workman (Tifie), Cari Lu and Jorge Alvarado (Light Up Puerto Rico founders)
Light Up Puerto Rico was founded three days after Hurricane Maria made impact by Jorge and Cari Lu Alvardo, natives of Puerto Rico. Their home in Bayamon, a neighborhood of San Juan, has become the central command post.
Their leadership experience and relationships in Puerto Rico enable effective and organized distribution of the product. Their team of local volunteers will oversee distribution of products on the ground and educating recipients on using the solar-powered system— a critical key to success.
The best way to help at this time is by making a donation and sharing the Light Up Puerto Rico effort with others. All donations made to Tifie Humanitarian are tax deductible. Donations can be made through the following ways:
Check made out to Tifie Humanitarian and sent to 1215 E Wilmington Ave, Suite 140 SLC Utah 84106
Wire transfers can be made by contacting Halen Seevink at [email protected] or calling 801-792-4772
Vivint Smart Home’s support with shipping logistics has enabled the first round of solar-powered systems and shelters (around $700k retail value) to be delivered and disbursed by October 19th
A number of solar-powered products and shelters have been purchased and will arrive in Puerto Rico by October 17th thanks to donations from individuals, product and shipping logistics from Vivint Smart Home and product New Star Solar. Local businesses like Beaches Tanning Center, Spherion Staffing and Oozle Media have donated time and money to the effort.
Light Up Puerto Rico is led by Jorge and Cari Lu Alvarado, natives of Puerto Rico. For over 20 years Jorge was an executive for Franklin Covey and served in civic and church leadership responsibilities in Puerto Rico. The devastation in Puerto Rico is intensely personal to the Alvarados and the other founding members of Light Up Puerto Rico.
Tifie Humanitarian (5013c3 Status, EIN: 20-8360616) was founded in 2007 by Robert Workman and is based in Salt Lake City. Their mission is to enable people to meet their own basic needs through power, shelter, food, water and education. Tifie has an endowment fund that pays for all operating expenses so 100 percent of all donations go directly to its projects. www.tifie.org. Contact Halen Seevinck at [email protected] or at 801-792-4772.
Have you ever had that feeling that your life was marked with a purpose? One moment to another, all linking to a greater good? That’s the life story of Kofi Johnson and one of the reasons Tifie wanted to support him and his dream of giving back to the school he grew up in, in Accra Ghana. Kofi is from Alpine Utah, adopted from the Peace and Love orphanage when he was 15, twelve years ago.
Kofi knows what life is like for the students at the school, and understands firsthand how this place can make all the difference for children who have nowhere else to go. His own mother passed away when he was just six and he survived on his own before finding his way to this school.
“Growing up, I was always put in a leadership role in my orphanage. I was one of the older kids and that comes with a lot of responsibilities. Of the 66 kids in my orphanage, 15 kids (including myself) were adopted. This helped me understand that I was adopted for a reason and it wasn’t a mistake,” Kofi says.
For the past three years, Kofi returns to Ghana to put on sports camp, remodel the orphanage and support the needs of the Graceful Grace school. This year, Kofi raised over $26,000 from friends and family for the 300 students at the school. All of that money was spent in Ghana to remodel each classroom, provide new desks, chairs and bookshelves, install hand washing stations, updated cooking area, and a new playground.
Healthy Habits & Flexible Goals in Humanitarian Trips
Kofi spent time in each classroom, reminding them of the blessing of their new facilities and the importance of caring for their school. This reminds us of Nana Prah’s commitment to cleanliness in Assin Kushea, just a few hours away. Two great Ghanian minds who think alike!
“I believe that having a clean environment is very important to human society and to children. With the money from our donors, we were able to help students and teachers organize each room with cupboards and garbage cans to promote a tidy environment.”
Kofi Johnson
While he was there, Kofi spoke with teachers and students about the importance of respecting themselves and their surroundings. From reminders of hand washing during Covid-times, to having nurses talk to each classrooms about health concerns, to personal development and self-esteem, Kofi is instilling the values of paying attention to the mundane minutia of daily thoughts and habits that end up creating the world we live in every day.
As often with these international humanitarian trips, the plan and the actual work look different than expected. Kofi had a great plan for how he wanted to help and how he saw that taking place. But of course, once arriving, the reality of the situation is often different, especially after a year away and a year of quarantine during Covid.
The roofs were in far more disrepair and he had to budget more money to fix each roof before they could rebuild the desks. He had set aside money to upgrade the kitchen facilities but the cooks were adamant about continuing to cook over their open fires and keep things as they were. Kofi honored their request and was able to deep-clean their kitchen area and adjusted the work plan to what they wanted. Flexibility and cooperation is key for a successful project.
Students came back into session before Kofi returned to Utah. They were excited to see new painted murals, a fun new playground, and new desks. Teachers and students sent a big ‘thank you’ to the donors through videos on instagram and in a signed letter from the school officials.
Extreme Home Makeover – Kofi’s Edition
It seems that whenever we have an open heart to help others, the opportunity will present itself. One day in the market, Kofi saw Esther Nartey and her family living in a run-down shed.
They had laborers and money for the supplies, and decided to surprise the family with a new home. They built a simple 10×8 structure with windows and a secure door in just a few days. Some might look at the structure and think it’s hardly an upgrade since it’s still a one-room living situation. However, based on the environment, Kofi and Esther wanted to be careful to fix the concerns that she had with her current structure (no locking doors, no window for ventilation, cracks in the patched walls that creepy crawlies could get into) without compromising her safety and visibility in the area to theft and unwanted attention. She was grateful to Kofi and his friends for quickly helping out her and her family.
Sustainability and Community Involvement
Kofi wanted this trip to be as sustainable as possible and one of his commitments was to invest into Ghanaian workers to fulfill the projects at the school. In the course of the four weeks that he was there, he hired 8 carpenters, 6 painters, 2 plumbers, 12 cleaners, 3 cooks, 2 electricians, 2 welders and 3 masons to complete the work at the school. Supporting local craftsman and businesses is essential to sustainable humanitarian work.
The importance of having local community support in any project is key to its long-term success, as well as the emotional stability it provides students to know that their community wants them to succeed. Kofi values the importance of the local community supporting their own youth — through sports, leadership opportunity, scholarships and awareness. In 2020, he was able to put on soccer and basketball clinics in the community and do a community-wide clean up of a local basketball court.
