The World Rehabilitation Fund Opens the NASDAQ Market
On January 10th,2003 the World Rehabilitation Fund opened the NASDAQ Market in New York's Times Square.  The event was hosted by NASDAQ's Senior Vice President, Bob Power who welcomed WRF's President, Heather Burns Knierim.  Heather had the opportunity to say a few words on behalf of WRF and was then joined by the rest of the staff, as well as Mr. George Benjamin, WRF's Vice Chairman to count down to the opening of the NASDAQ Market.

The American Jewish World Service Partners with WRF in Sierra Leone
WRF recently received a grant from The American Jewish World Service (AJWS).
With funding support from the AJWS, WRF’s Project to Provide Support to Physically and Emotionally Abused Women in Sierra Leone, a community-based rehabilitation project, is approaching the microenterprise development phase and 270 women, who have completed their vocational training, are now prepared to receive microenterprise grants in the form of a Business Kit—a grant consisting of financial resources and materials necessary to establish small businesses based on knowledge and skills gained through WRF’s vocational training programs.

WRF’s innovative work in Sierra Leone has been recognized not only by the people of Sierra Leone and various key Ministries, but also by the President of Sierra Leone.   On September 20, 2002, H.E. President Alhiji Ahmed Tejan Kabbah hosted WRF in a closed meeting, where he expressed his gratitude to WRF for our service to Sierra Leone’s vulnerable, war-affected population and provided crucial guidance for the expansion of WRF’s rehabilitation project to underserved regions.

Carrying on the Spirit of Hope
On Tuesday October 22nd, 2002 the World Rehabilitation Fund hosted its annual Spirit of Hope Dinner at the St. Regis Hotel in New York City. This year we honored Mrs. Marguerite H. Purnell who was a close associate of Dr. Howard Rusk. She received the Dr. Howard A. Rusk Humanitarian Award for her commitment to improving the lives of others. The Spirit of Hope Award was presented to Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman, who has spent 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and has been a leading advocate concerning human rights, world hunger, landmine victims, drug reform, national security, and had been the primary spokesperson in the House for foreign policy.

The event continued WRF’s long tradition of reflecting on our achievements of the past year, but more importantly, looking forward to all of the work that remains to be accomplished.

For more information on donating to the World Rehabilitation Fund, please call Roberta Welz at (212)725-7875 or email rwelz@worldrehabfund.org.

WRF Receives Grant to Work in Dominican Republic
The World Rehabilitation Fund recently received a grant from Baxter International Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Baxter International Inc.. We are working in partnership with Asociacion Dominicana de Rehabilitacion (ADR). The project was launched at a ceremony in the Dominican Republic on March 1, 2002. read the press release

Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan Training Programs
Arthur Forman, WRF’s Prosthic and Orthotic specialist departed March 8, 2002 for a 6-week mission to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to train local technicians, in partnership with Pragma in the fabrication of appropriate monolithic prosthetic technology. He also enhanced the technicians’ skills in orthoses.