AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE IN OUR HISTORY

We are very excited to announce this important milestone in the history of our organization, FTC Canada has changed its name to Speroway.

What does Speroway mean? Our unique name combines Spero, the Latin word for “hope”, with way, representing the path we follow. Pronounced spare-o-way, it represents a hopeful way forward, both for our organization and the people we assist.

In many ways, it represents FTC Canada coming into its own as a relief and development agency. In the five years since we began with our first food drop in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, we have become a leading contributor to meeting the needs of hungry children and their families in many countries with the help of caring Canadians. We hope that our new name and logo will bring greater visibility to our organization and strengthen our ability to communicate with our supporters so that our efforts to pass on their love and compassion for those in need can continue to grow.

Foremost in our decision to change our name was a desire to assert ourselves as an independent Canadian organization with its own projects and unique ways of serving those in need. The name “FTC Canada,” which came about through a distant affiliation with Feed the Children International, has caused some confusion over the years. As Speroway, we will continue to partner with Feed The Children and other international aid agencies on select projects, as well as pursue our own unique overseas projects.

We are also excited to unveil our dynamic new logo. A globe encompassed by a gentle wing. It represents the caring embrace of God, who makes all things possible and inspires us to bring hope to children both at home and around the world. Our new tagline “Delivering hope to needy children”, affirms our promise to serve those around the world.

Changing the name of FTC Canada also gives us “wings” to explore new ways of providing support. Food distribution will continue to be at the core of our efforts. But we’re increasingly excited by new opportunities to provide medical and dental care, education, housing and other essentials that will enable us to make a more lasting impact on hungry children and their families.

Thank you for being part of FTC Canada’s success in delivering hope! As we embark on our next phase of growth, as Speroway, we hope we can count on your continued support and encouragement.

Please visit the new website and blog by clicking HERE.

NEW FTC CANADA BLOG

Please direct your attention and your browser to our NEW news & blog location at http://ftccanadacorporate.blogspot.com/.

This site combines news and information from all programs and initiatives in one place. You can also find the blog by visiting our new website at www.ftccanada.ca. The new website will feature up to date information on our work in Canada and around the world.

Camp is over for another year

Mish Adventures 2009 came to a close on Thursday, July 30th with a community BBQ in the 10 Houses part of the reserve. Thanks to Diana and Robbie Bottle, we ended camp with a celebration of a meal with our good friends. It was wonderful to have Chief Connie join us along with many of the kids from 10 Houses that we spent time with for 3 weeks.

We learned a lot this year “flexibility” was the biggest lesson. Weather, school bus troubles and sickness caused us to learn to be ready for anything and to find a way to run the program with the kids regardless of the circumstances. We also learned, that as much as you can plan with a certain result in mind, things can change so much that if you just "go with the flow", the result can be so much better than you expected.

We will miss our friends in Mish - the greatest reward this summer – deeper friendships! Our lives have been changed because of the friendships developed with campers, parents and others in Mish. We are so thankful we had this opportunity.

Thanks to a great staff team – you are a ‘Dream Team’! Thanks to those behind the scenes who gave generously in so many ways. You made this a summer where lives were changed and seeds of hope were planted.

"Broken Walls" come to MISHKEEGOGAMANG

“Broken Walls” arrived with a big truckload of equipment ready to be introduced to our friends in Mish. We welcomed them with a community BBQ and introduced them to everyone present.

Jonathan Maracle and Bill Pagaran led seminars at the Peg Youth Conference from July 20-23rd. Kris Delorenzi, another member of the group, joined them as they performed twice for the community. It was wonderful to have Barry, Luane and Joelle Greene also join us for the three days. Their regalia and dance was a magnificent example of the beauty of the native culture that is missing in so many communities.

The most exciting part for us occurred when the concert ended and members of the community joined the boys on the pow wow drum for a time of drumming and singing. It was wonderful to sit and listen to their hearts as they expressed joy to their Creator.

Sky Hedricks from Eagles Cry in Thunder Bay also joined the team. It was very moving to hear the story of his life’s journey. It was inspiring to the whole Mish camp staff team to watch Sky make the kids feel special.

Day 2 Report

Thursday, July 16, 2009

As predicted the weather today was very rainy and unseasonably cold so we were not able to operate the camp program. This is simply because we don’t have access to indoor facilities as planned.

We occupied the time planning some events for the Youth Conference next week. This included cleaning the home that our guest music group, Broken Walls will be using next week and we baked several loaves of bread for us and members of the community.

Broken Walls is a band led by Jonathan Maracle, a Mohawk from Tyendinaga Territory in Ontario. The band performs a fusion of aboriginal and contemporary styles of music (http://www.brokenwalls.com/).

We are hopeful the weather will clear up tomorrow so that we can get back to spending time the community children. If it rains again tomorrow, we will run a program for the children on both Saturday and Sunday to make up for the lost days during the week. Right now it is promising to be a genuine summer weekend - complete with sun!

Camp has Begun

Tuesday, July 14

We have arrived in a Mishkeegogamang community busily preparing for an election. Unfortunately this planned event has led to some unplanned disruptions and a lack of access to facilities on the reserve.

In an effort to adapt, in the first week of camp we divided our team in two and sent them out to the larger wide-open areas on either end of the reserve to operate camp near the children’s homes.

Our school bus has not been available, but we hope it will be ready for next week so we can resume regular activities at the school. The school has not been available, as planned either.

The weather has been great and we’ve had about 15-22 kids in each camp area. We have opted to run sports, games, crafts and, under the circumstances, everything has gone remarkably well. Unfortunately, because we have no indoor facilities, we will not be able to operate camp if it rains. Tonight there is a storm developing that is predicted to last for 36 hours once it starts. We can only hope the forecast is incorrect.

Many of the children remember us from last year and are definitely excited that we have returned this summer. It’s great to build these relationships as children get older.

We drove 24 hours to Mish, encountered a few challenges when we arrived but what a privilege it is to able to give these children some ‘fun in the sun’ for a few hours each day!

Camp Staff Training

Muskoka Woods located in Rosseau, ON generously hosted the FTC Canada staff team during their own camp training session at the end of June.

This was the first time the Mish staff were together in the same location. We spent time getting to know each other and learning how to function as a team. We also enjoyed perfect weather, great food, wonderful facilities, and a chance to make new friends.

Considerable energy was invested in learning about the history of our First Nations. There was a focus on issues that they are currently dealing with and time spent learning specifically about the community of Mishkeegogamang; our ultimate destination in July.

Our time together in Muskoka unified us quickly and we are confident an excellent team has been put together for this summer’s camp in Mish. The team developed the following mission statement to help keep us focused as we serve together at Mish:

2009 summer Camp Mission statement:

To be enthusiastic role models while developing trusting and selfless relationships that teach the campers that anything is possible!