Estonian American Fund for Economic Education, Inc.

Estonian American Fund for Economic Education, Inc. was founded in 1990 to use the opening provided by perestroika to broaden contacts and start addressing needs in Estonia the very existence of which had been denied by the Soviets during 50 years of occupation. At the time U.S. policy favored perestroika and the democratization of the "evil empire" while promoting the territorial integrity of the Soviet Union. Thus the early emphasis was on economics, which was a "politically correct" approach. Our bylaws are broad so as to permit a range of activities, including general relief. Our first project started in April 1990 when we shipped the first batch of scientific literature and textbooks to Tartu University and the Tallinn Technical University. The Fund works on a project basis. Anyone with a workable idea, plus personal commitment of effort and resources is welcome. We seek to leverage cash donations by obtaining gifts in kind, such as medicines, apparatus, nursing supplies, and up-to-date scientific literature. We look for innovative ideas that ideally yield results beyond immediate alleviation of hardshiwe provided computed tomography scanners and X-ray cabinets and other diagnostic equipment. We brought technicians for training in the U.S. who subsequently reassembled the equipment in Estonia. Based on the skills learned in the U.S., a Medical Equipment Training Center was organized under the aegis of Tartu University that offers training in the repair and maintenance of medical high technology.A consortium of 170 long-term health care facilities-- such as orphanages, infants' homes, and nursing homes-- was organized by the Fund to make possible an effective distribution system of sorely needed medicines and supplies. In addition to providing relief, this project is an exercise that builds cooperation and trust.The Fund was instrumental in developing a foundation in Estonia that helps finance the activities of Boy and Girl Scouts. Seed capital was provided by donations in the U.S.