__________________________________________________________________www.pearlsofafrica.org
ONLINE CHARITY LAUNCHES WEB SITE TO GIVE
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES EQUAL ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY
Pearls of Africa to use Web site to help people with disabilities achieve a greater quality of life and show that disability is not inability.
SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA, November 1, 2002 – Pearls of Africa, a Web-based US 501(c)3 registered charity, today announced the launch of their Web site, www.pearlsofafrica.org, with the goal of helping people with disabilities in Uganda reintegrate into their communities and improve their quality of life through education, understanding and self-esteem.
Pearls of Africa's slogan is "Inform! Involve! Inspire!" and these priorities lie at the heart of the organization’s work. Through their services, support and programs, Pearls of Africa aims to provide peace and accessible living for all by fostering awareness and improving the status of people with disabilities in Africa.
"With the launch of the Web site, we will be able to provide greater supports and services for people with disabilities," said Laurie Moy, President of Pearls of Africa. "Our hope is that we can give opportunity and hope to those who might not otherwise have it, because we believe everyone deserves an opportunity."
Pearls of Africa is supported entirely by online volunteers: mothers, students and professionals, participating from home, school and work. They bring their strengths and skills together for the organization’s common goal. There are no on-site volunteers or paid staff and all of the proceeds the charity raises go directly to people with disabilities who need it most.
Pearlsofafrica.org, designed by online volunteers, supports information communications technology (ICT) in combination with Internet volunteering as a new way of affecting positive change in the 21st century. The interactive Web site aims to challenge and inform the visitor by engaging, and hopefully inspiring, browsers to contribute and participate in Pearls of Africa’s programs and services through donations of funds, resources, in-kind support and ideas.
"Pearls of Africa's goal is to give children and adults with disabilities and their families the means to build confidence and self esteem, and with that, the skills to achieve self-sufficiency and gain acceptance and integration into their communities," stated Moy. "We strive to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most and prove that disability does not mean inability."
-30-
About Pearls of Africa
Pearls of Africa, Inc. (www.pearlsofafrica.org) is an United States 501(c)3 registered nonprofit organization dedicated to helping men, women and children with disabilities. Through its over 20 volunteers from 6 countries on 4 continents, Pearls of Africa provides services and support for people living with all forms of disability and their families. It's sister organization, People with Disabilities Uganda (www.pwdu.org) is a national, nonprofit, peace and disability rights organization based in Kampala, Uganda. PWDU has over 150 volunteers from 33 countries on 6 continents.
Pearls of Africa supports programs including a skills building projects to help people with disabilities find acceptance in society, and a series of parent lectures and workshops that help parents learn how to care and support their special needs children. They helped establish and continue to outfit a resource library for children with disabilities and their families. And they are presently in the process of recording an international benefit CD with Grammy™ award winning producer César Napoli and reggae superstar Jimmy Cliff.
For more information, please contact
Laurie Moy, Executive Director, Pearls of Africa
(570) 815-1319 -- Lmoy@pearlsofafrica.org
1740 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, Pennsylvania - 18509