Recent Projects
Africa
On December 18, 2007, Napoleon Dzombe and Steve Lund plant the first "Seeds of Hope" tree in Malawi.
Malawi Seeds of Hope
Twenty-five cents from the sale of every Epoch Baobab Body Butter is donated to the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation for the Malawi Seeds of Hope project. These funds will be used to purchase and plant a variety of important and useful trees for the people of Malawi, including baobab trees and fruit trees. Malawi has one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world and there is an urgent need to restore and protect this precious natural resource.
The planting of trees as a renewable resource will benefit the people of Malawi in many ways. In the short-term, new trees provide food and raw materials. Long-term benefits include storage, shade, and enriched soil. For example, baobab leaves are consumed as a vegetable and can be harvested just one year after planting a seedling. Within five years, the trees begin to bear fruit, which can also be eaten or sold. The bark of the tree can be harvested for use as a strong, durable fiber to make twine, rope, or other building materials. The bark grows back and can be re-harvested every two to five years.
The plaque recognizes Matsushita, Junichi and Yasuyo, who purchased the naming rights to the first "Seeds of Hope" tree as an auction item at the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation Gala in September 2007.
In the subtropical climate of Malawi, the oxygen and water condensation released to the atmosphere by trees is critical for rain to protect the people and the land from drought and famine. Additionally, the tree's roots systems help prevent soil degradation and erosion, while the trees themselves provide shade and protection to people and animals alike.
The Seeds of Hope project is consistent with the help the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation has already shown to the people of Malawi to create sustainable food production and prevent devastating famines. Through this reforestation program we can help renew a valuable resource, as well as beautify, preserve, and improve the environment.
The Nu Skin Force For Good Foundation's Build A Village Project
The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation recently celebrated the dedication of the Mtalimanja Village. Named by the local people of Malawi, Mtalimanja means "long hands that give." The village is one of the latest projects supported by the foundation and its generous donors.
The foundation's "Build a Village Project" is focused on helping the people of Malawi, Africa — one of the poorest countries in the world where the majority of the people are farmers and live on less than one dollar a day. Even more significant is the fact that one in three people in Malawi is threatened by hunger.
The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation, in partnership with local non-profit organizations and civic groups, initiated the project in 2006 with two goals. The first was to build an actual village. The second objective was to make the village a "living classroom" where 40-50 farmers and their families would come to be educated and trained in numerous disciplines including fish farming, drip irrigation, sustainable farming, forest conservation and tree farming.
According to Sandie Tillotson, member of the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation's executive committee, "What is so significant about this program is that it's not about giving handouts — it's about giving people knowledge, skills and hope. It's a real opportunity to become self-reliant and help others to do the same."
The first residents are scheduled to arrive in the village in early September and live there for about two years. Once they have learned and mastered their new farming skills, they will return to their respective villages where they will teach these new principles to others in their home village.
International Volunteers in Urology (Ghana)
The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation in December 2006 to International Volunteers in Urology to purchase equipment and supplies that will be used for a pediatric trip to Ghana. These teams treat the urological diseases and deformities suffered by children in underprivileged regions.
Malawi Project (Malawi)
In December 2006, the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation donated funds to the Malawi Project to purchase school supplies for 5,500 orphans attending both public and private schools in Malawi.
Ouelessebougou Utah Alliance (Mali)
The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation to the Ouelessebougou Utah Alliance in December 2006 to purchase three drinking wells in Mali, Africa.
Zambia Scholarship Fund (Zambia)
In December 2006, the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation donated funds to the Zambia Scholarship Fund to provide high school and college scholarships and books to youth in Zambia.
Asia
China Hope Schools (China)
In December 2006, the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation to construct a fifth Nu Hope Primary School in China. This particular school will be part of a project initiated by China's Minister of Commerce, Mr. Bo Xilai, to identify and support ten poverty elimination projects for the region of Guang'an County.
Right to Play (Indonesia, Thailand)
The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation in December 2006 to the Right to Play organization to purchase sports equipment for underprivileged children in Thailand and Indonesia.
Europe
TOUCH (Ukraine)
In December 2006, the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation to the TOUCH project to expand the outdoor playground area at the Chaslivtsi orphanage in the Ukraine. Equipment purchased includes basketball and volleyball courts and the expansion of the rehabilitation center.
North America
American Indian Services (United States)
The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation to American Indian Services in December 2006 to purchase Christmas toys for Native American children living in economically depressed conditions in sixty different Native American communities and small tribes in Utah and Arizona.
Direct Selling Association Toy Drive (United States)
In December 2006, the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation to the DSA to support its industry-wide Christmas toy drive for underprivileged children.
Inner-City Scholarship Fund (United States)
In December 2006, the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation to the Inner-City Scholarship Fund to provide education scholarships for children to attend inner-city parochial schools for primary and secondary education.
One Heart Foundation (United States)
The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation to the One Heart Foundation to purchase books for schools throughout Utah.
South America
Charity Anywhere (Mexico)
In December 2006, the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation to Charity Anywhere to purchase paint and other supplies for an outreach mission to Mexico.
Enterprise Mentors (Peru)
The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation to Enterprise Mentors in December 2006 to provide micro-enterprise loans to benefit small business owners and their families in Peru.
Maria Helena Pauline Assistance House (Brazil)
In December 2006, the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation donated funds to the Maria Helena Pauline Assistance House to be used to enlarge the organization's facilities.
Valeria Foundation (Mexico)
The Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation donated funds in December 2006 to the Valeria Foundation to expand a facility that serves children with neurological disabilities.
V.O.S.H. (Guatemala)
In December 2006, the Nu Skin Force for Good Foundation made a donation to V.O.S.H. to provide general anesthesia for 100 children receiving eye surgeries in Guatemala in 2007.