Hello fellow Internet surfer and welcome to our home page. We're very glad that you made it this far . . . and we hope that you'll stick around long enough to get to know just a little bit more about the organization that some friends put together in 1991.

What is "Words for the World?"
Words for the World was founded by Portland, Oregon businessman Jerry Bounds in 1991 as a 
direct result of his travels to Fiji. During his travels, Mr. Bounds discovered that island school children had few text and library books, and those that were available were 35 to 40 years old. He also noted that although elementary medical services were available on the outer islands, medical equipment and supplies were in critically short supply.

Returning to the United States, he invited a small group of friends to his home to tell them of his South Pacific experiences. As a result of that social gathering, Words for the World was formed.  The mission of Words for the World is to promote literacy and good health for the 150 or so outer islands of Fiji. Words for the World is a non-profit, all volunteer organization which relies solely on donations and contributions of books, school and medical supplies, and clothing that it ships to those in need.

More than twenty five percent of Fiji's population is functionally illiterate and their health care is severely limited. Words for the World is working in that sector by helping to provide more modern and updated books, increase the quality and quantity of medical supplies, and assist the people in using those materials.
 Contribution Opportunities | Accomplishments |  Commentaries
Learn About Fiji:
Maps,  pictures and information 
at Rob Kay's: www.fijiguide.com
Picture Shows:
About Words for the World
(a non-profit organization)
Acknowledgments
(Corporate and individual sponsors)
 

 

What You can do to Help

    The current organizational goal is to set up libraries, kindergartens, and family learning centers to increase literacy in both schools and homes. It has been found that even when children are taught to read in their schools, there is little follow-up at home. There is also a need in remote villages for elementary medical supplies. Even the most basic supplies like disinfectants and bandages are not present or in very short supply. The organization hopes to continue to aid in the training of teachers and health care workers. Finally, Words for the World is planning on supplying hearing aids for some 220 hearing impaired students at Fiji's two deaf schools. 

What's Needed

BOOKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES

  • Texts and library books at the pre-school and elementary school levels
  • Manual typewriters and hand operated duplicators
  • Paper, pencils, crayons and art supplies
  • Teaching aids, especially science, mathematics and English
  • School bags (for carrying books and supplies) and notebooks

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

  • Hospital bed pans, scales, gowns, catheters and linens
  • Surgical equipment, including forceps, scissors, sutures and syringes
  • Stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, thermometers and flash lights
  • Bandages, gloves, dressings, plasters, urine test strips and medical bags
  • Medical books, including prenatal, stroke and general reference
  • Therapy equipment and books related to occupational and physical therapy
  • Patient education brochures, handouts, samples and charts

CLOTHING AND BEDDING

  • Clothing for adults, teens, children and infants
  • Sheets, pillows and pillow cases and blankets (especially baby blankets)

Accomplishments

Since its inception in 1991, this organization has expanded from an "idea" to an efficiently functioning Institution. To date, it has distributed the following:
  • 198,500 children's reading & textbooks
  • 22,100 pounds of medical equipment, books  and supplies
  • 14,900 pounds of school supplies
  • 29,600 items of new and used clothing
  • In addition, more than 100 practicing teachers have been trained in special methods to deal with the physically and developmentally handicapped children in their classrooms.
  • The organization has also sponsored several American physicians in setting up and operating “traveling clinics” in remote areas.
  • Aided in setting up and supplying over 90 kindergartens.
  • Established the occupational and physical therapy teaching department at the Fiji School of Medicine.
Commentaries
Here is what some of the people from Fiji and other parts of the world say about our work:
 “Your donations came at the right time when our school needed library books and school materials.”
 Mabula District School, Cicia, Fiji

 “Without your efforts there would be no library for the children.”
  Rainy Burns, Caye Caulker, Belize

 “After a disastrous cyclone destroyed our library, Words for the World supplied us with enough books to replenish our library which had been destroyed.”
  Naulu Baleilevuka, Headmaster, Waya, Fiji  (see pictures)

 “The much needed medical supplies and equipment your organization donated are greatly appreciated by all the people of Kadavu and the surrounding islands.”
 Kavala Bay Medical Center, Kadavu, Fiji
 

If you would like to help Words for the World reach these goals, please call or write.  Your help is needed and you CAN make a difference.

All Donations of Supplies and Money are Tax Deductible

Words for the World
9840 NW Murlea Dr.
Portland, Oregon 97229
USA

Phone: (503) 292-8613
Fax:     (503) 297-6241
e-mail:  words@aracnet.com

Send e-mail to: what's happening? 

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