Global Partners was
founded in 1978 as a membership organization called World Runners International
Foundation. Its main objective was to focus attention on and generate support
for ending hunger and starvation in the world. Over fifteen years, World
Runners raised $6.5 million for organizations working to end hunger and
poverty. Its success was built on a network of personal relationships,
established by members from every state in the U.S. and over 50
countries. In 1989, World Runners became Global Partners and began to work
directly with East African community leaders in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda to
identify and implement projects in the areas of health, education, and water.
Global Partners value
the insight of community leaders about what is really needed and what will work
from an African point of view. Hence, they prefer to fund projects that have
long-term effects for social change. The problems of Africa are so great that
billions of dollars will not completely solve them – but, paradoxically,
hundreds of dollars, correctly applied, can make a big difference.
Besides on-the-ground
management, their staff goes to Africa regularly to inspect current projects
and interview new groups. Many donors have accompanied us on these trips to see,
first-hand, the progress of their projects and meet the people who are benefiting
from their support.
About V2V
Access to clean water and its management in East Africa are
essential for the development of healthy living and economic self-reliance.
At many schools in the Kabando Constituency (KC) of western
Kenya, access to clean water is a daily concern. Long treks for
water and the impact of water-borne disease often keep children from
school and parents from work in these rural villages.
Global Partners’ water projects bring clean water, sanitation
facilities, and hygiene education to primary and secondary schools that
currently have no access to clean water. In addition, community kiosks are
built to pipe water from the school into the community, so children’s
households also have access.
Water and its management are also key to the delicate art of
producing fine wine. Vineyards to Villages (V2V) is an expanding group of
vintners, growers and suppliers committed to breaking the cycle of poverty in
East Africa through the power of partnership. The Sonoma County wine industry
works with Global Partners to improve health and wellbeing one village at a
time through greater access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene
education.
Dave Stare, founder of
Dry Creek Vineyard and Global Partners’ Board President, created V2V for the
purpose of partnering with the wine industry to bring clean water to African
communities. In recognition of the need for clean, accessible water in remote
parts of Africa, tour participants and other donors hope to eventually sponsor
some of the most expansive privately funded water projects in Africa.
Participating wineries
include Christopher Creek Winery, De La Montanya Winery, Deux Amis Winery, Dom
Whitney Wines, Fritz Winery, Hawley Winery, Merriam Winery, Williamson Wines,
Wilson Winery, and Viszlay Vineyards. Dominic Foppoli, owner of Christopher
Creek Winery, was instrumental in the development of the tour and says it is a
unique opportunity for local small businesses to work together to make a
difference.
The winery owners
chose to fund water systems for schools in a very poor, dry area of Kenya. The
project, called KKC WASH, will provide clean, accessible water and hygiene
education for children at up to 20 schools in the Kasipul Kabando Constituency
(KKC). These wineries designated a “V2V Wine” in each of their tasting
rooms, and half of the sales price of V2V wines will go directly to their first
school, Apondo Primary School near Oyugis, Kenya.
For more information
on V2V and Global Partners, visit www.gpfd.org or contact Amy Holter at
aholter@gpfd.org or (707) 588-0550.
Daniel Casinova
Executive Director
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| Daniel with Massai Warriors |
Daniel has more than 15 years experience working with non-profit
community based organizations with extensive expertise in board and community
relations, fundraising, resource development, program and clinical services
management and planning, executive coaching and grant writing.
He has a very unusual background. He has extensively traveled
throughout the world and in very interesting ways. If you ever meet him ask him
about sinking a traditional Bangladeshi Sampan in the Indian Ocean. Daniel has
a love for languages, he speaks 4 languages and is currently learning to
speak Maasai. He is passionate about the movement of displaced peoples around
the globe and a lifetime advocate for social justice. He comes from a
philanthropic family and when speaking of his background and how he came to
not-for-profit work often says, “he is in the family business”.
John Viszlay
Viszlay Vineyards
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| John, left, and Dominic Fipoli of Christopher Creek Winery |
Viszlay Wines is a
family owned, boutique winery located in the Russian River Valley, making small
lot, estate wines from a 10 acre vineyard. The winery is home to twelve
varietals, including the only Prosecco grapes in Sonoma County. They practice
sustainable farming methods and embrace the traditional wine making styles that
produce soft, elegant and balanced wines.
Situated
on a gentle slope, the vineyard was planted in 1997 and drains to a rippling
creek leading to the Russian River. The soil has several distinct veins of
sandy loam, red dirt and a small stretch of limestone. These, along with a
slightly higher elevation than the valley, create a unique micro-climate for
growing terrific fruit - two Chardonnay varietals, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel,
Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot,
Alicante Bouschet and Prosecco!
As owner and
winemaker, John lives on-site and does all the wine making along with the day
to day operations at the winery. His son and partner, Tony, oversees finance
and marketing for the company. Together they focus on building the brand and
bringing a smile to the faces of those who drink their wine.
