September 28, 2011

Anna Lalor Burdick Foundation awards grant to VSI-Ethiopia

(ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA) - Today the trustees of the Anna Lalor Burdick Foundation awarded VSI a $25,000 grant in support of a focused information, education and communication campaign on prevention of unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion in Tigray, Ethiopia. The project was one of four selected for award and VSI was the sole international organization to receive funding. The grant will support an awareness initiative that promotes access to family planning and new medication abortion services for rural women at an expanded number of health outlets in two districts. This work builds upon the Comprehensive Abortion Care pilot completed in the Spring of 2011 that garnered strong support in a region grappling with high maternal mortality due to complications of abortion.

Upon announcement of the award, VSI President and CEO Melodie Holden shared, “We are so grateful to the Lalor Foundation for their support of this worthwhile work for the women in Ethiopia.  We are celebrating today.”

The project aligns with the Anna Lalor Burdick Foundation’s mission, emphasizing access to information and education on reproductive health, especially amongst young women. This grant is also unusual in the Foundation’s giving history as it predominantly funds domestic initiatives. VSI-Ethiopia will commence work under this grant promptly in the new year.

Read more about VSI's work in Ethiopia.