MISSION

The Sapphire Foundation was established to promote the oneness of the population, including all living creatures, with the planet on which they live.

Our goal

To Protect and Conserve our Natural Resources including Land and Energy by participating in the ownership and use of those resources, as well as the proliferation of Knowledge and Understanding of their impact on the world and its inhabitants.

Our scope

The Foundation selects and acquires lands to preserve the properties’ natural character and purpose. Thereafter, the Foundation will protect the lands in a manner consistent with the goals of the Foundation. The Foundation also participates in the research and development of alternative fuel sources, as well as promoting its goals through arts and education.

today

The Foundation is currently establishing working relationships with communities, schools, and civic organizations in the areas of the preservation, education, and the arts. The Foundation is also developing an operational plan for an alternative fuels program that will include design and analysis of sources of non fossil fuel energy.

CONSERVATION

The Sapphire Foundation is dedicated to preserving land in its natural state, while also providing young people with the opportunity to study and value nature.

Bassam Out-camp is the first property set aside by the Sapphire Foundation to meet these goals. In January of 2005, the Foundation found land that could be preserved in its natural state and provide an excellent environment for study of nature.

The Sapphire Foundation teamed up with Echo Bonaire and NOBO Bonaire to create DoNature Tags. These tags are made from locally recycled plastic and come with facts about the Yellow-Shouldered Amazon Parrot. The parrots, also called Loras, are native to Bonaire and Venezuela and face challenges from poaching and habitat loss. The tags were made to help provide information to locals and visitors, with the hope of further restoring this bird in its natural habitat.

The Foundation also worked with local seamstress, Sybille Heinen, to create a new Lora Mascot for Echo. This mascot will further interest in the Loras and the conservation of their environment.

ENERGY

Sapphire Foundation has always been open to innovative ideas for energy production. Some of these ideas include the use of solar energy to help sustain the farming and automotive industries.

The Principia College Solar Car team has been competing on a global level with their fresh insight and uninhibited creativity. The Sapphire Foundation is proud to sponsor various parts of the electrical system of the car. The car participated in the 2006 World Solar Rally in Taiwan and finished in 7th place on the first day. The computer controlled battery charging interface was designed and built by the team at Principia College. It out performs the systems that are commercially available.

EDUCATION

THe Meridian school of grenada

Striving to prepare their students for successful adulthood, the Meridian School of Grenada had a limited supply of educational literary material.  The Sapphire Foundation coordinated with school representatives in order to donate and establish an orderly and more complete school library.  The Meridian School now lives on as the Peak Institute of Grenada, continuing in their dedication to support well-rounded students and contributing members of today's society. 

ekukhanyisweni primary school

The Sapphire Foundation partnered with Elon University to expand its ongoing relationship with Ekukhanyisweni Primary School. The Foundation provided a collection management system and equipment to accurately catalog the books in their library. They also trained students on knowledge of the system so they could pass that knowledge along to staff at the school. When students from Elon traveled to South Africa, they brought the equipment, cataloged the existing books and trained staff on maintaining the catalog.

Farragut high school

The English and Math programs at Farragut High School were lacking resources to educate their students with current technology. The Sapphire Foundation donated the computers and electronic whiteboards to make educating easier. The team worked with teacher Anna Arapakos to ensure that the supplies were used to their best potential. This allowed a more comprehensive classroom experience where students and teachers could communicate and educate on a more advanced level.

Biblioteka publiko boneiru

On the small island of Bonaire, supplies are not always readily available. The Sapphire Foundation worked together with Bonaire’s Public Library to obtain new books and materials. The materials are used in educational activities for children, both during the school year and during breaks.

casa guatemala

Located in Rio Dulce, Guatemala, Casa Guatemala is a school for the local communities. Some students stay at the school in dorms and others come from nearby villages. Access to new books is difficult in these areas, but the children still have a love of reading. The Sapphire Foundation donated new books to help encourage and support this interest in books and learning.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Sapphire Scholarship

The Sapphire Scholarship is awarded to an Elon University undergraduate student with financial need. This scholarship is provided for the duration of the student’s undergraduate studies at Elon. Students are require to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to encourage focus on education.

CONTACT US

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