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Worldwide Service Projects
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$75 million -- and counting -- against IDD
The Kiwanis family is poised to accomplish what is being described as "one of the most significant health-related accomplishments in history." Kiwanis has fulfilled—and is proceeding beyond—its promise to the world's children to raise $75 million for the virtual elimination of iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), the world's leading preventable cause of mental retardation.
This past September, the Kiwanis International Foundation (KIF) recorded a pledge that pushed the campaign's total to the $75 million mark. By the end of the month, the Worldwide Service Project had more than $76 million in cash and pledges.
In 1994, Kiwanis International made its promise to the world's children: to raise $75 million to virtually eliminate the world's most prevalent, preventable cause of mental retardation, iodine deficiency disorders (IDD). The successful completion of this mission will rank as one of mankind's greatest health-related achievements. More than 1.5 billion children and adults will be saved from disorders that include stillbirths, cretinism, and goiter, as well as diminished academic performance and productivity. (For the current status of the overall Worldwide Service Project, visit the WSP Progress page.)
A celebration of the accomplishment scheduled for this past September 22 in New York City was postponed due to the tragic events of September 11. "A Salute to Kiwanis," hosted by the United States Fund for UNICEF, is rescheduled for Friday, June 21, just prior to the 87th Annual Kiwanis International Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana.
"You (the Kiwanis family) have given millions of young people hope for the future and the chance to lead more productive lives," says US Fund for UNICEF President Charles J. Lyons. "For these children, their families, and communities—and for all of us—your achievement has far-reaching consequences." Through the Worldwide Service Project, the Kiwanis family increased the production and availability of iodized household salt. Prior to the 1990s, less than 20 percent of the world's population had access to iodized salt. Now, 70 percent of humankind can obtain the healthful seasoning.
The other 30 percent of the world's population still is at risk of IDD, and work remains before every child is free from iodine deficiency. Therefore, Kiwanis clubs in affected nations continue to provide direct support to universal salt iodization campaigns.
"Kiwanians can be justifiably proud of our accomplishments to date," says Immediate Past International President Bo Shafer. "We changed the world for generations to come." "We have a sense of fulfillment," agrees David Miller, Worldwide Service Project Committee chairman. "We celebrate a 'graduation,' but it will be a lifelong learning process."
