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Global Help Foundation (GHF) is a Naples based non-profit organization dedicated to providing support and development for education, health and conservation issues worldwide.

Current projects include an education pilot program, volunteer eco-tour packages, building a school, providing economic wind power to a Co-op community, and completing construction on an endangered species captive breeding and release center on preserved land in Nicaragua. Through local partnerships in Nicaragua, GHF was able to obtain funds for 20 MIT Media Lab One Laptop per Child XO (OLPC XO) computers to be used in an educational pilot project for school children.

The innovative laptops will be used in a pilot to develop software that will teach the children the importance of conservation starting at the community level. The program will additionally impart critical thinking and computer skills, a general understanding of technology with a focus on its relationship to the environment and society. GHF recently demonstrated the OLPC XO computers to education directors and students in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. The pilot’s implementation with these children has global applications and the goals are to continue this work throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America.

GHF has entered into a formal agreement with Stones and Waves Veterinary Clinic, located at Piedras y Olas resort in San Juan del Sur. Dr. James Dinsmore, Director of Veterinary Services, and his staff provide no-fee animal healthcare for local residents. GHF’s goal is to work with the clinic on establishing an education-based endangered species captive breeding and release center for the benefit of people and wildlife. Many local animals, such as Howler Monkeys and Iguanas, are endangered by poachers. The poaching trade is funded by many Americans and Europeans who desire these wild animals for domestic pets.

Dr. Jim is currently rehabilitating 2 Howler Monkeys who were orphaned due to the poaching trade. While both monkeys were very sick when first brought to the clinic, they have been nursed back to health. A Naples based business, Four Footed Friends Pet Boutique, generously donated toys to these poor monkeys and has helped in their rehabilitation. Plans are to release the monkeys back into their natural habitat in a wildlife conservation area. One monkey is scheduled for release in September 2008. This release will be the first ever documented release of a Howler Monkey in Nicaraguan history!

GHF is committed to raising the quality of life on this planet for the less fortunate, both humans and animals. We irrefutably believe that all species should have the opportunity to develop naturally in their own ecological environment and that all humans should have access to health care and quality education.

Currently, GHF board member Efrain Diaz is in the Dominican Republic establishing English language training programs through the US Embassy, State Department and Dominican Ministry of Education, helping schools create programs tailored to their specific educational and environmental needs and promoting OLPCs in impoverished remote areas of the country to allow the less fortunate a chance at a quality education.

Through these efforts, we hope to encourage people in these countries to improve their educational systems, stay in their countries and make a decent living while at the same time changing the way in which they perceive their environment, flora and fauna. For more information on GHF go to www.globalhelpfoundation.org.