International Support Fund

Mark J. Tonner International Support Fund

This fund was created to support projects for Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) from the San Diego area who are currently serving overseas. In recent years, the fund has evolved to support projects of any PCV currently serving, with a special preference for San Diego affiliated PCVs. The projects are identified through direct contact with the PCV or through Peace Corps Partnerships.

The typical project is for $250 to $500 (rarely more than $700) and either enables a community to implement a micro-enterprise, helping many, or it supports needed educational, environmental or health related projects. We have discovered that by funding small projects we are able to make a big impact in local communities. We review submitted proposals and grant small dollar funding to PCVs who we feel have a valuable project for their community, but do not have adequate funding in-country.

Since 1988, over 140 grants have been made.

Project: School Library
Zambia
Volunteer: Michael Lambert
$1,000 in July 2023

The goal of this project is to create a library that will give students a place to read and a space for teachers to store their books. Following the completion of the library the Volunteer will host a workshop where the teachers will learn how to organize and maintain the library. During the workshop teachers will learn how to use the books to create new lesson plans as well as exchange ideas with each other and the Volunteer.

Project: Motor Activity Training Program
Mongolia
Volunteer: Sean McLaughlin, New Jersey.
$500 in October 2019

The goal of this project is to implement a specific program, Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), which will give the chance for up to 100+ athletes with Profound Multiple Learning Disabilities to participate in sports and physical activities that they normally would not be able to take part in. This program will be hosted and organized alongside Special Olympics Mongolia, who will host training events countrywide to teach parents and coaches how to help, train, and interact with the special needs individuals and to organize these trainings on their own.

Project: Water at Girls Secondary School
Tanzania

Volunteer: Veronica Tischer, California
$500 in October 2019

This project will provide four new water faucets for the benefit of more than 700 students, teachers and staff members living on the campus.

Project: Middle School Latrine Project
Senegal
Volunteer: Jeremy Nicot-Cartsonis
July 2019
In honor of Karen Lindquist

Project: Patisserie Expansion
Morocco
Volunteer: Megan Kmetz
July 2019
In honor of Karen Lindquist

Project: Latrines for All (School Latrine Project)
Lesotho
Volunteer: Elizabeth Behre
$1,000 on December 10, 2018
In memory of Hank Davenport

Project: Biodiversity Research and Education for Girls
Mozambique
Volunteer: Audria Sarmiento
$500 on May 19, 2018

Project: Girls' Hostel
Malawi

$1,000 in March 2018

Project: Women's Couscous Business
Morocco
$410 in December 2017

Project: Small Animal (Akrante or Grasscutter) Rearing Project
Ghana
$307 in December 2017

Project: Aqua Culture Small Business Enterprise
Togo
$230 in December 2017

Project: Sports Resources for School for the Deaf
Ghana
$52 in December 2017

Project: Latrine Project
Belize
$500 in May 2017
Volunteer: Chau L

Project: PMTCT Centre & Maternity Ward

Zambia
$500 in Dec 2016
Volunteer: Mike Nguyen

Project: Eco Stoves
Panama
$500 in April 2016
Volunteer: Sam Waldman (San Diego Native)

Project: Camp GLOW
Armenia
$232.20 in April 2016
Volunteer: Katy Berry

Project: Camp Build (Boys United in Leadership and Development)
Cambodia
$500 in March 2016
Volunteer: Jewel Pereyra

Project: Teacher training workshop for local English Teachers
Madagascar
$500 in December 2015

Project: School Latrine
Lesotho
$3000 in November 2015
Volunteer: Catie Wheat

ISF Grant made in memory of Gregg Pancoast
Latrine Project in Lesotho

In November 2015, the SDPCA Board approved a $3,000 International Support Fund (ISF) grant for a latrine project at a primary school in Lesotho. The Lepholisa Primary School has 170 students in grades 1 - 7 and the simple latrines have blown over in windstorms. They definitely need better latrines. The Peace Corps Volunteer, Catie Wheat, grew up in San Diego and applied for funding through the Peace Corps Partnership. The total cost of the project was $5,300.

In March 2017, SDPCA member Karen Lindquist visit Lesotho (where she served one of her two Peace Corps assignments). She met Catie and toured the school. The latrines were almost done. She also brought a plaque in memory of Gregg Pancoast.

Improved Ovens project in Nicaragua
SDPCA contributed $299.62 in December 2014.

The project, coordinated by PCV Mariel Stotts, will help replace 12 inefficient wood-fueled ovens currently in use by women entrepreneurs with an improved and more efficient design. The women selected to benefit from this project must fulfill these requirements:
1. Must have a business selling their own handmade baked goods
2. Must attend all educational sessions provided
3. Must contribute 25% of the cost of the oven
4. Must construct their improved oven.

Click here to read an update from Mariel.

History While RPCV Chris Tonner was serving on the SDPCA board, her brother Mark returned from his own Peace Corps tour in Thailand. Based in San Diego, he was back only briefly before being lost at sea while monitoring dolphin protection procedures. The nature of the circumstances were troubling, and to demonstrate our respect for his service and early passing, the International Support Fund (ISF) was renamed the Mark J. Tonner ISF.