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June 14, 2000

OAS-AFFILIATED PROJECTS LAND eBAY GRANTS

Two projects run by the Trust for the Americas� Net Corps Americas were recently named grant recipients by the eBay Foundation, one of the world's largest online auctioneers. The Information Centers for Working Youth in Quito and Guayaquil and Information Technology for People with Disabilities in Central America were given $53,150 and $42,000 respectively.

Secretary General Cesar Gaviria of the Organization of American States welcomed the grants, noting that the eBay Foundation gift was an indication of goals that can be achieved to improve the global community through cooperation involving the OAS, non-profit organizations, corporations, and foundations.

In making the donations, eBay Foundation Manager Karin Stahl praised Net Corps Americas for providing "an innovative means to bridge the Digital Divide. The organization uses the skills and strengths of several non-profits to work together to help communities." 

            Information Centers for Working Youth in Quito and Guayaquil is a component of �Construyendo Nuestro Futuro� (Building our Future), which has a working relationship with the OAS' Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD).  Designed to cater to youth living in high-risk areas of Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador, the project involves Net Corps Americas assisting and training educators and youth in information technology and Internet skills.

            Through the other eBay grant recipient, Information Technology for People with Disabilities in Central America, Net Corps Americas will select a regional association of organizations engaged in disability issues in Central American.

            Net Corps Americas works to bridge the digital divide, through volunteers across the Americas and is an initiative of The Trust for the Americas, which was established in 1997 to create public-private partnerships for the Organization of American States and to implement the mandates of the Summits of the Americas.

              Further information can be obtained from the following websites: www.trustfortheamericas.org;                                              www.netcorpsamericas.org; or www.leadamericas.org.

Contact:          Susan Benson

Executive Director

Trust for the Americas

E-mail: [email protected]

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