Past Volunteer Board Chair, Dr. Mark Wise

Message from Past Chair,
Dr. Mark Wise

Dear Supporters of Canadian Feed The Children,

For the past three years, it has been my privilege to serve as Chairman of the Board of Canadian Feed The Children. During that time, I have been very fortunate to have worked with and met so many wonderful and talented people. My fellow volunteer board
members give freely of their time and expertise and charitable dollars, and without their efforts, we would not be able to make the impact that we have.

Our staff in Toronto is extremely passionate about our cause, that is, to lessen the impact of poverty on children. From Jim Dahl, our executive director, and including those involved in fundraising, our programs in Canada and abroad, our communications and our donor support team, everyone strives to make us an efficient and accountable charity.

I have had the good fortune to visit Uganda, Ghana, Ethiopia and Bolivia in the past few
years. The last two were with groups of donors and together with them, I was able to
learn so much more about the work we do. Our country reps, all of whom I have met, are
a talented and experienced group who understand the problems their respective peoples
face. In conjunction with our local partners, they ensure that we are meeting the needs of
the children and their communities, while at the same time making certain that your
charitable dollars are well spent and accounted for.

During these visits, I have drunk from the wells, observed in the classrooms, watched the
children eat their lunch, sat amongst the HIV-infected children in the clinic, met the
mothers who are now earning an income and sending their kids to schools, and joked
with the street kids who are now living in a secure and positive environment.
I have learned that many in Canada, especially those in the Aboriginal communities, live
in conditions that are no better and in some ways worse, than those in lesser developed
countries.

A great thrill has been to be able to meet so many of our supporters from all across the
country. They run the gamut from an 8-year-old boy who raised $28 from his friends to
middle aged men who climbed Kilimanjaro and cycled much of Canada, to an entire
school that built a well in Haiti, to the Ottawa doctor who builds a new classroom every
year, and to many of our regular child sponsors and Everyday Heroes. The work we
support would not be possible without your help.

Everyone is affected by our current financial crisis, and it may be more difficult for many
of us to give, or to give as much. Unfortunately, the needs of those we strive to help do
not go away during such times, and in many cases, they are even worse off than before.
So I certainly appreciate your continued support during these times, and ensure you that
your contributions are being put to good use.

I’ve mentioned everybody except the kids, and meeting them has been the greatest thrill.
Contrary to the sad faces you may see on TV, these kids are smiling, playing, enthusiastic
and learning. That is, to put things in perspective, if they can survive the challenges of
malnutrition, poor health care, losing their parents to HIV/AIDS, poor sanitation and
hygiene, and much more. I have thrown Frisbees together, peered into their school books,
visited their homes, discussed issues with the parents, been entertained, and walked handin-
hand.

So once again, thank you all for your generous and continued support. It does make a
difference to the children and their families. I guarantee that.

Mark Wise MD, DTM&H
Past Chair, Canadian Feed The Children
Toronto, Ontario