The Majuro Minions group, which regularly sponsors volleyball clinics and competitions for children, will benefit from a new three-year funding agreement with the Australian Embassy in Majuro.
“We’ve been partnering with them through our Direct Aid Program for the last two years, and seen them do excellent work to empower children and teenagers, and target NCD’s through their volleyball programs,” said Kallan Phillips, the second secretary at the Australian Embassy in Majuro.
The Majuro Minions program also “encourages social engagement and leadership development,” he said.
Phillips acknowledged the application process for Australia’s Direct Aid Program can be time consuming for volunteer organizations.
When the embassy is working with new partners, the annual application process is necessary, he said. “But after the Minions delivered two years of excellent programs, and demonstrated a really high level of financial accountability, we were able to offer them a longer-term contract which includes increased funding, more flexibility and longer-term security,” he said.
The Minions are planning to use the renewed Australian funding to continue delivering their yearly programs, while expanding their organizational capacity.