Creating Ripples of Change in a Sea of Hope

If Education, All Things Are Possible.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

Nelson Mandela

We believe that the only way to escape poverty is through education. You can contribute to IFED’s success and know that less than 10% of your donation is used for administration and over 90% of your donation is used to purchase the necessary educational resources, training and tools to support the project.

With over 60 educational and training projects we are changing lives and creating better opportunities for individuals and communities in 21 countries around the globe. .

Projects by Zone.

Africa

We have identified numerous educational and training opportunities throughout this desperately poor continent, and are identify partner organizations with educational, training and environmental objectives. We started our first successful and exciting project in Morocco in 2015, and have since expanded to 8 countries, providing resources for impoverished families in rural villages to enable their children to have the required student supplies and pay the small fees to attend government schools.

Asia

There are extremely low English proficiency rankings in many of the ASEAN countries, despite the mandate for English as the working language. Opportunities for students are enhanced in the 12 countries and 40 projects where we have provided bilingual and English textbooks, training manuals, teaching materials and library resources.

Caribbean

Island countries rely primarily on fishing and tourism for their survival, both of which are being threatened by climate change as weather systems are destroying both. Countries already suffering from extreme poverty and natural disasters are desperate for educational and vocational training for survival and opportunities.

Central America

Deforestation is a common problem in many countries in this region, as real estate development has expanded. Violence and drug wars also create an unstable environment that is dangerous for tourism, foreign investment and sadly, living. We are sponsoring individual students who need access to technology to continue their learning and remote classrooms where basic resources are needed. Hopefully, with education, opportunities outside of their battered regions will be possible.

Europe

Bilingual education in parts of Eastern Europe is not an option for many disadvantaged communities. Communication is becoming more critical as the global economy presents new opportunities and the tourism industry is developed. The public library in Croatia that worked with us to develop an English language center is making this possible for the community.

North America

We have 15 projects in the United States of America that provide education and resources for impoverished communities, victims of abuse and disadvantaged youth in economically depressed communities. Our technology project in computer literacy was designed to teach communication skills for improved quality of life through family connection. In Mexico, we have placed bilingual educational resources for K through 12 for students to learn communication skills for access to opportunities.

Oceania

Only through literacy and bilingual education can we prepare students to interact in a global economy, which is critical for island countries that rely on tourism as the primary economy. Families with limited access to education walk vast distances twice a week to deliver their children to the school, where they sleep on the floor and are provided sustenance diets during the school week.

South America

Since our first educational project in 2000, we furnished school supplies to libraries and schools in the Amazon jungle in Peru and resources to support projects in Chile and Paraguay. Our projects include literacy, bilingual education, chess programs, computer technology training and environmental & conservation education. Vastly improved literacy and education in Peru, has enabled us to partner with a local organization to bring agricultural training, provide tools, trees and resources which are economically enriching families. The aim of our conservation programs is to foster awareness and develop environmental sensitivity through youth stewardship programs.

You Can Cast a Pebble of Change Upon a Sea of Hope and Help Create a Ripple That Makes a Positive Global Impact.

Projects by Zone.

Africa

Lack of access…

Nomadic families constantly on the move struggle with basic needs and minimize education.

Go To Africa

Asia

Children at risk…

AIDS orphans, impoverished families and lack of educational resources is typical in poor communities.

Go To Asia

Caribbean

Climate Disasters…

Families are impacted by natural disasters which destroy much of the infrastructure and economic opportunities.

Go To Caribbean

Central America

Deforestation and climate change…

Combined with violence and instability, creates hazards in much of this region.

Go To Central America

Europe

Economic limitations…

Lack of English literacy in a global economy creates a severe disadvantage in many developing areas.

Go To Europe

North America

Limited resources…

Living in a developed country does not guarantee equal access to resources outside metropolitan areas.

Go To North America

Oceania

Tourism economies…

Countries relying on commercial tourism are critically in need of English and bilingual resources.

Go To Oceania

South America

Conservation Challenges…

Destruction of fragile habitats for farming and ranching are environmental challenges.

Go To South America

List of Board Members & Representatives

Patricia Sullivan – President & Founder

With an Accounting background and positions as a CFO and Controller for several corporations, Pat has prepared throughout her career to lead IFED projects responsibly and manage the fiduciary responsibility. Her financial due diligence experience with mergers and acquisitions enables her to identify projects and partner NGOs, analyzing their financial and operating strengths and determining the needed resources and supplies that IFED can provide that will help them to successfully advance their objectives and missions.

Nadeen Green – Director of Education

Nadeen has worked for many years as Senior Counsel with United Advertising Publications, Inc. and is known through her teaching and writing of articles and blogs as Fair Housing Lady for the multifamily housing industry. When not keeping abreast of the important civil rights issues in housing, Nadeen works with international students through the Atlanta Ministry of International Students. She is the author of several children’s books, including the IFED-published Let There Be Dragons which is a bilingual story with an environmental message. Nadeen has served for many years as Director of Education with IFED and has traveled to a number of countries to both support the IFED efforts and to share her book and its message.

Gary Sullivan

Following 7 years as U.S. Navy officer, Gary is a Medical device professional with over 20 years of sales and leadership experience in various healthcare sectors. He enjoys the outdoors, working with children of all ages, and travel to destinations near his New England home and globally. He has joined IFED on trips including Peru and Zanzibar, as well as supporting fundraising efforts and spreading awareness with his ultra distance running efforts.

Ned Cone – Editor in Chief & Treasurer

Ned retired in 2014 after a career in logistics. His retirement has provided the opportunity to expand his involvement with several organizations that relate to issues and topics that are of importance to him (such as food rescue on behalf of those with food insecurity and working with international college students to provide them with a better understanding of Americans and day-to-day American life). Ned has been a supporter of IFED from its inception, having recognized the need in many diverse locations around the globe for assistance with education to those children underserved and deserving. He is a long time Board member currently serving as IFED’s Treasurer.

Sherwin Kaplan – Global Project Advisor

Sherwin is a retired attorney who spent most of his professional career in Washington DC specializing in employee benefits law with the Department of Labor and in private practice. Prior to government service, he was a civil rights worker in Mississippi, Alabama and Chicago and spent several years as an attorney working with legal services for the poor programs. He was also a Peace Corps volunteer in Peru for two years. Throughout his adult life he has been a serious amateur photographer and a lover of travel, both of which have been put to good use as he now travels around the world with his wife, Patricia Sullivan, in support of IFED projects.

Kate Saracene

Kate is an attorney in New York City who focuses on employment and employee benefits law. A graduate of Cornell University and Yale Law School, she is a sought-after speaker and author, and has been quoted and published in dozens of national and regional publications. Prior to law school, she had a career in human resources at Xerox Corporation. A mother of two children, Kate is also a certified yoga instructor. Kate has been an avid traveler and IFED volunteer since 2015, and has participated in IFED projects in Paraguay and Bali, Indonesia.

Rodrigo Tobar de la Fuente – Director of Graphic Design and Webmaster

Our environmental program was given “wings” when Rodrigo partnered with Nadeen Green, the author of our wonderful bilingual children’s environmental story – Let There Be Dragons – by envisioning and bringing our dragons to life through his colorful illustrations. Rodrigo has dedicated countless volunteer hours to creating a presence for IFED through our website and to documenting and coordinating our projects in Peru and Chile with our partner organizations.

Our Board Members and Representatives Generously Donate Their Time and Resources to Make a Difference.

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