Monday, September 28, 2009

Clear Path Mourns Loss of Jay Hathaway

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Jay Hathaway, left, with son and CPI Co-Founder James Hathaway, right


The following is from a letter to the Manchester Journal.

The moment happened less than two weeks ago. I was Skyping our webmaster, James Hathaway Jr., co-founder of Clear Path International and a very close friend now for more than a decade, when his father, Jay, walked in the room to say hello.

I could see him on the webcam as he briefly sat down in James' seat and asked me how things were going at our organization and with my family. We chatted for a while and, as usual, I didn't get much of a chance to ask about him.

That was Jay. Others always came first. And if it hadn't been for Jay's unconditional selflessness, our organization, which now helps thousands of landmine accident survivors around the world may never have fledged and soared that way it has with programs for mine victims in five countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Jay "James" Hathaway, 61, who suddenly passed away from a massive heart attack this weekend, was an exceptional man, always supportive, always full of encouragement. After we founded Clear Path on Bainbridge Island and James, Jay's son, and his former wife Martha, moved to Dorset to set up an office for us in Vermont, Jay and, his wife Terri, were of monumental support to our two co-founders.

Things were not easy then. It was shortly after 9/11. The recession hit and philanthropic giving was down for international causes like ours. But never mind that. Jay and Terry took James and Martha under their wings and helped nurture our humanitarian dreams with sage advice, introductions, outreach and special events planning such as the two Judy Collins benefit concerts at the Dorset Playhouse that many in your community will recall. Terri even made several trips to Vietnam to help organize our office there. And on the countless trips James and Martha took overseas to help us grow, Jay and Terri were there to look after the couple's boys, Ryder and Colvin.

From Bainbridge Island, where many Clear Path colleagues and supporters live, we mourn Jay's loss with all of you near the Hathaways' home. Dorset, Manchester, Vermont and the world have lost a great living soul. We will miss him more than words can say. On Wednesday, we will be there with you in spirit, Jay's indefatigable spirit.

Imbert Matthee
Executive Director
Clear Path International





Monday, September 7, 2009

Landmine Surivivor Farmers' Co-op in Cambodia Doubles in Size

SEAM VILLAGE, Battambang Province - Life was a struggle for Ream Luong before he joined the farmer's cooperative set up by Clear Path International and its partner in one of Cambodia's most heavily mined regions. This spring, the partners doubled the co-op to 150 households from 75, expanding an enterprise that's helping many landmine accident survivors succeed as rice farmers.

Ream Loun

Ream Luong, Photo by Pat Roe, Clear Path International


Disabled by a landmine accident when he was 23 and now going on 50, the father of three whose wife died of a sudden illness was deep in debt to loan sharks. Every year, he had to borrow to invest in his crop and, because he couldn't store his rice, he had to sell it at harvest time when prices are rock bottom.

The co-op, aimed at providing a socio-economic support structure for landmine-disabled farmers and disadvantaged members of their communities, has turned that around for the below-the-knee amputee from Paum Takeav Village not far from the Thai border.

Thanks to low-interest spring-time micro loans, agricultural training, better crop seed and a chance to store his rice at the partners' rice mill, Ream is now virtually debt-free except for what he owes the project. He and his three children are now among the 750 direct and indirect beneficiaries of the farmers' co-op, which issued $30,000 in $200 loans to the members at an interest rate of 2 percent per month and provides many other services to the households.

Many members of the farmers' cooperative have independently organized their own rice banks. The members each contribute a portion of paddy rice to the bank at the harvest time. One member is elected to chair the rice bank and is responsible for tracking contributions, withdrawals and loan repayments. As the year progresses, if a member needs rice due to an emergency or unforeseen situation, they may borrow from the bank. The loan recipient will then repay the loan in rice with interest, thereby increasing the total amount in reserve.

While CPI does not officially organize or manage these rice banking systems, this sort of community self-reliance is encouraged and discussed in community workshops. Additionally, CPI offers free storage in the warehouse for members who wish to join such a program. Currently, there are 38 members who have established a rice bank, and there is 3,050 kilograms of rice in the bank.