Press Release
While most Kiwanis Clubs designate their funds and service to their local areas, there have been two major “International Projects.”
The first was in the 1990s with the “Iodine Deficiency Disorder,” which involved installing processing plants to add a small amount of iodine to the salt in many countries.
This created a massive reduction in goiters and cretinism (a form of mental retardation).
The cost of the IDD program was 10 cents per person treated and the program was extended to 103 nations, with a total cost of $100 million.
The expense of each life affected was 10 cents.
In 2010, a new program was started called the “Eliminate Program,” which aimed to prevent maternal/neonatal tetanus.
Kiwanis worked again with UNICEF because this organization is represented in 190 countries around the world.
The goal this time was $110 million.
The problem has been eliminated in 30 countries but still is needed in 29 more areas.
To date, 29 million mothers have been treated.
The deaths dropped from 58,000 in 2010 to 24,000 in 2015–meaning a saving of 66 lives per day.
For a cost of $38, there are 21 lives saved.
The program is ongoing, and there still is a need in Central Africa, India, and some other areas.
The Kiwanis Club of Fort Frances became a “Model Club” by donating $10,700 over a five-year period.
This, in turn, helped the Western Canada District Kiwanis to become one of the leaders in donated funds.
