IFESH

Rev. Leon Sullivan founder of the Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC) in the 60's expanded the concept to international arenas. In 1981 he organized The International Foundation for Education and Self-Help. The concept was to provide trainin to the poor to encompas a strong emphasis on self-reliance and "encouraging indigenous mechanisms for resource and growth.

Rev. Sullivan was a trailblazer. He was the first Africian American appointed to the Board of Directors of a Fortune 500 Company. While on the Board of GM he lauched an international campaign to dismantle apartheid in South Africa.

Dr. Julie Sullivan, daughter of Rev Sullivan is CEO of IFESH. For 22 years she has employed the self-help model of her father and expanded efforts to strengthen private-public sector support of education projects in sub-saharan Africa. (I'll write about my concerns over this 'geographic' designation later)

Each year IFESH field a group of about 50 educators to implement literacy projects, pre- and inservice teacher training, curriculum development and evaluation.

For additional information on IFESH and its programs, go to: www.ifesh.org