 Learning is an Art biz to raise $100G for Eritrea 4/6/2007 By Gina Vergel, Staff Writer METUCHEN — The owners of a borough business are lending the African country of Eritrea a helping hand. Jennifer Fong, business director and co-founder of educational toy vendor Learning is an Art, has set out to raise $100,000 in profits to be donated to Physicians for Peace. The donations, Fong said, will go a long way to help the Washington-based charity organization, George Washington University Medical Center and the Eritrean government build a medical residency to train local pediatricians and other desperately needed medical specialists. "The country only has four pediatricians and four obstetricians," Fong said. "We as a company donate our profits all of the time," Fong said, adding that past charities have included Doctors Without Borders, the International Rescue Committee and Save the Children. But when Fong and her husband, who is the co-owner of Learning is an Art, heard about the struggle Eritrea faces on a daily basis, she said the couple felt compelled to do something. "Learning is an Art's clients are people with kids in their lives — we love children," Fong said. According to information provided by Cliff Bryant, a Physicians for Peace spokesman, Eritrea is in the process of rebuilding after nearly three decades struggling for its independence. Most physicians fled for safety, Bryant said. In a country of nearly 4.8 million citizens, the World Health Organization estimates there to be only three physicians to every 100,000 people — equivalent to roughly 340 physicians serving the entire population of New York City. To help solve the medical crisis, Physicians for Peace, the George Washington University Medical Center and the country's government are working to rebuild the medical knowledge base and infrastructure in the country by implementing a graduate medical education program at the Orotta Hospital and School of Medicine in Asmara, Eritrea. The five-year initiative will cost $3.25 million. Fong is hoping her $100,000 fund raising effort will work. Clients, and others, can help since Learning is an Art is not only for parents who want to buy for their children, but for those wishing to start a home-based business. "Anyone can host one of our parties or go to www.learningisanart.com and purchase our outstanding educational products," Fong said. "Either way, they are making a significant difference in Africa." For more information on Learning is an Art, call (732) 632-9766 or visit: www.learningisanart.com. |
