Give to the New Project Goals
by Sarabeth Marcinko
Editor
The budget for the 2026 Project Goals has changed the recipients of two projects. Some goal amounts were adjusted up or down, and the total goal increased by $3,500 to $53,000. As you can see by the treasurer’s report on page 31, at the end of November we were at 80% of our 2025 goal. Eight projects were over 100% of the goal but five were below 50%. Two or three of these were projects for October and November, so hopefully, more funds came in before the end of the year.
There were changes in leadership at Belize Friends Center in 2025, and this is reflected by changes in recipients of two of our funds. Oscar and Miriam Mmbali have left Belize. When the USFWI Executive Committee (EC) was working on the 2026 budget, they thought FUM was hiring a new director for the Belize Friends Ministries to replace Oscar. So the Love Fund was designated for support of the new person. However, because of financial issues, FUM instituted a hiring freeze and stopped interviews for the position. The EC has decided that any funds raised for this goal will be used for the Belize Ministries.
Miriam was the recipient of the #1 Peace & Christian Social Concerns Project with a goal of $2,000 for her support last year. For 2026 this project was directed to support of the Belize Leadership Team that is in charge of the Belize Ministries in the interim between directors. At that time the EC did not know who the team members would be. As you may have read in the last The Advocate, right now the team members are Michael Sherman, FUM Coordinator for North American and Caribbean Ministries; Antoliana Budna, Belize Friends School Principal; and Stephen Whyte, Clerk of Belize Friends School Board. Only Antoliana is an employee of the Belize Ministries. Michael’s salary is paid through the Ministries Support or General Fund, which, as most of you know now, is the FUM fund that is financially struggling. Because of these changes in leadership that have occurred since the budget was finalized, the EC may consult with FUM to determine exactly in what way these project funds would be best used.
The goals for eight funds have been raised:
Ramallah Friends School Special Needs Children Programs; E-Learning at Friends Theological College in Kenya; Latino Friends Ministry; FUM Solidarity Fund; E Africa Friends Church Peace Teams; and Cuba Quaker Institute for Peace by $500 each.
Turkana/Samburu Shepherd Boys Education and Lugulu Hospital Adopt-a-Bed by $1,000 each.
Only the USFWI Triennial Program & Travel Subsidy goal was lowered (by $1,500), so the new goal is $3,500 higher than in 2025.
As has been said many times before, your Executive Committee takes the responsibility of creating the Project Goals Budget very seriously each fall. Much time is spent in discussion, prayer, and consideration of requests. They hope all of our members will find these projects worthy and work to support them.
You will be able to give to the new 2026 USFWI Project Goals Budget online. FUM has established a donation page for USFWI. This link for the 2026 projects will be posted on Facebook and our website.
2026 USFWI PROJECTS BUDGET
FOUR FUNDS: US$12,000
NEW--Love Fund: Belize-Friends Ministries US$3,000
The Love Fund, begun in 1914, raised needed funds for Esther Baird to return to missionary work in India. Through the Love Fund offerings she was able to continue for 24 more years, serving a total of 46 years. This year the Love Fund recipient was to be the replacement for Oscar Mmbali. However, because of the financial issues that FUM is experiencing, a hiring freeze went into effect. The Executive Committee has determined the Belize Ministries will receive the Love Fund monies this year.
Faith Fund: Kenya- Robert Wafula US$3,000
The Faith Fund, set up in 1925, made it possible for Alice I. Kennedy to return to the Jamaica work. Since her retirement the recipient of this fund has been chosen from the workers in Africa. This year’s recipient is Robert Wafula, Principal at Friends Theological College. Robert’s work has been fruitful with enrollments rising and satellite schools being established in several areas. Funds are especially needed for Robert’s support because visa problems have prevented him from returning to the US for fundraising.
Hope Fund: Ramallah- Rania Maayeh US$3,000
The Hope Fund was created in 1928 when another worker was needed in the home mission field in Monroe County, Tennessee. More recently, mission workers in Jamaica or Belize and pastors at the Samburu and Turkana Missions in Kenya have benefitted from this fund. Presently, the recipient is Rania Maayeh, the Head of School at the Ramallah Friends School since July 2021. Rania’s work has been more stressful and difficult in the past two years following the October 2023 attack by Hamas and the retaliation attacks in Gaza and the West Bank. Also, attacks by settlers are increasing in the area, and travel is made more difficult by the many mechanical gates that can be closed at any time.
Joy Fund: Kenya- Getry Agizah US$3,000
The Joy Fund commemorates Eliza Armstrong Cox’s joyous service to the Women’s Missionary Union (now USFWI) and was established in 1935. For many years it supported workers at the U.S. Native American centers. The recipient of this year’s Joy Fund is Getry Agizah, Programme Coordinator in FUM’s Africa Ministries Office (AMO). She oversees the Girl Child Education Programme and the Shepherd Boys Education Fund and manages FUM’s relationships with Turkana Friends Mission and Samburu Friends Mission. She is also continuing to coordinate the work of Friends Church Peace Team.
CHILDREN & YOUTH: US$10,000
#1 Kenya: Turkana/Samburu: Girls’ Secondary Education US$2,000
Many of the young girls in these places do not get to attend secondary school or even finish primary school. They are needed at home to help carry water and attend to other chores. This project is to help encourage as many girls as possible to stay in school by offering them scholarships for secondary education. It has been stated that if a girl gets an education, the whole village gets educated. Girls and young women share what they learn with their families and friends.
#2 Belize: School Feeding Program US$2,000
These funds are needed to provide a morning snack for the students at Belize Friends School. Often these students come without having had breakfast at home. Funds are also needed to provide lunch.
#3 Ramallah: Eli and Sybil Jones Scholarships (K-12) US$2,000
The Ramallah Friends Schools (RFS) have served the youth of Palestine and witnessed to Quaker values in the midst of conflict and adversity for more than a century. Today, more than 950 students from kindergarten through grade twelve receive an education in Arabic and English, preparing them for caring, creative lives and further study at leading colleges and universities around the world. Many of these Friends students will become constructive leaders of their community, both in Palestine and in the diaspora, whose life-long work and witness will reflect their Quaker education in love, honest endeavor, and service. The scholarship money is needed even more since the hostilities in the area prevent parents from traveling to work or even eliminate the jobs available. USFWI annually supports scholarships for students at RFS.
#4 Ramallah: Special Needs--Students at Friends Schools US$2,000
Ramallah Friends School (RFS) started the first, and continues to operate the only, inclusive education program in Palestine. This project will help RFS’s Learning Support (Special Educational Needs) Program continue to serve its approximately 100 students.
#5 Turkana/Samburu: Shepherd Boys Education Fund US$2,000
The leaders at the Turkana and Samburu missions have been concerned for some time about the educational opportunities for the young boys in their areas. The boys have traditionally become shepherds and cared for livestock to support their families. However, conditions that make that possible are changing, and the boys need to be able to go to school to find other occupations. Climate change is causing the pasture areas and water holes to dry up, and bandits make these areas dangerous. FUM has established a fund, much like the Girls Education Fund, to provide scholarships and mentoring for these shepherd boys.
UNITED THANK OFFERING: US$8,500
#1 Jamaica: Pastoral Care US$2,000
Our monies will help support pastors in the Jamaican Friends churches. For many years, pastors there received no salary at all for their pastoral work. Some of the funds are used to support income-producing projects and grants. There is also the possibility that some new younger pastors may come from Kenya and need support.
#2 Kenya- Turkana Ministry Staff and Pastors US$3,000
Often there is a lack of funding for these mission budgets. USFWI monies will help support the very important work being done by the pastors in this mission area.
#3 Kenya: Samburu Ministry Staff and Pastors US$2,000
Many times these mission budgets are not met and the pastors and other staff are not paid. USFWI monies will help support the work being done in this mission area.
#4 Kenya: FTC E-Learning US$1,500
With support from FUM donors, Friends Theological College has raced forward into online learning after the Coronavirus pandemic forced it to shut down in person classes. The college is continuing to upgrade the E-learning resources by: paying for new computers, increased internet usage charges, Moodle subscription, etc.; training faculty to use the technology to offer class content; and supporting students from urban and pastoral communities in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and other areas. This project will help to pay for these costs.
KEYS TO THE KINGDOM: US$6,000
#1 Latino Friends Ministry US$2,000
The many Friends in Spanish speaking countries have a need for materials specifically about their faith. Funds for this project will help to translate Quaker materials into Spanish and publish them.
#2 FUM Solidarity Fund US$1,500
This fund was established in 2020 to enable FUM to answer the immediate needs of vulnerable communities touched by FUM ministries that were experiencing the economic and physical impacts of this pandemic. Originally intended to be a short term goal, this fund is continuing to help meet emergency needs in Lugulu, Samburu, Belize, and other communities within the FUM family. This year funds may be needed to help Friends in Jamaica and Cuba recover from Hurricane Melissa.
#3 Triennial Program & Overseas Travel Assistance US$1,500
This is an on-going fund to assist USFW Yearly Meeting Presidents/Presiding Clerks with the cost of overseas travel expenses and to help with programming expenses for the triennial conferences. The goal was lowered this year since the triennial has been postponed.
#4 The Advocate Subsidy US$1,000
This is an essential tool for the subscription manager. These funds are used to offset the cost of overseas mailing, as well as to support the cost of ensuring that each of the USFW YM Presidents/Presiding Clerks receives an up-to-date copy of each issue.
CHRISTIAN SERVICE: US$9,000
#1 USA: Mesquakie Friends Center US$2,000
The oversight of this Native American center was transferred from ACFIA to Iowa Yearly Meeting several years ago. But it still needs our joint support for the important work that is impacting the lives of many children and youth. These funds will help support the director, Kyle Chyma, and programming activities at the center.
#2 USA: Kickapoo Friends Center US$2,000
The oversight of this Native American center was transferred from ACFIA to Mid-America Yearly Meeting several years ago. But it still needs our joint support for the important work that is impacting the lives of many children and youth. These funds will help support the directors, Brad and Christine Wood, and the children and youth programming activities at the center.
#3 Kenya: Lugulu Hospital Adopt-a-Bed US$3,000
The motto at Lugulu Hospital is, “We Treat, but Jesus Heals and Saves.” The Adopt-a-Bed program was begun when Dr. Bob and Hope Carter were serving there. Patients were not released from the hospital until their bill was paid. Although this is no longer the practice, this fund continues to help support the hospital and patients who cannot pay their fees. This is especially important since US AID payments and other support have been cut.
#4 Belize: Church Grocery Bags US$2,000
The church has developed a plan to help with food insecurity issues in their area. They pack and distribute grocery bags of food items to needy families every two weeks. Baby bags and hygiene items are also provided.
PEACE & CHRISTIAN SOCIAL CONCERNS: US$7,500
NEW--#1 Belize-Leadership Team Support US$2,000
These funds will go to help support the work of the people who are doing the work at the school, church and center for Belize ministries. One of these is Antoliana Budna, the principal of the school. She is part of the three person Leadership Team that is currently directing the work in Belize.
#2 East Africa: Friends Church Peace Team-support US$2,000
The peace witness of Friends in Kenya is having an impact on Kenyans. There are numerous requests for the Friends Church Peace Team to present trainings and workshops, trauma healing and reconciliation for local communities, religious and political leaders. This support will help provide salary and travel funds for staff.
#3 RSWR: Kenya Staff Support US$1,500
Right Sharing of World Resources provides staff for consultative services of micro-enterprise among the Quaker women (primarily USFW groups). The staff supports training, capacity building, and coordination of travel in East Africa by RSWR staff and volunteers. USFWI is partnering with RSWR to support this work.
#4 Cuba: Quaker Institute of Peace US$2,000
Cuban Friends have been working to provide practical training in peace building and conflict resolution from a Quaker perspective to equip Latin American Quakers & other with tools they need to reduce violence in their communities.
TOTAL: US$53,000
LOCAL & YEARLY MEETING PROJECTS US$ ????? & K.Sh ?????