The Equity in Developing Countries Group (EDC) of the International Law Society strives to help impoverished communities in developing countries improve their living conditions and surrounding environment through experiential projects and programs that also provide future VLS lawyers, policy makers, leaders, and community members with a gained understanding of ecological, economic, legal, psychological, and social issues confronting the developing world.
The purpose of the EDC is:
For the VLS community to positively impact impoverished communities and the environment in developing countries through volunteerism and projects, while respecting and working within cultural boundaries;
To work with and return to the same communities year after year, so that the projects best promote sustainable community planning and improve living conditions, without creating dependant relationships;
To cooperatively further the exploration and understanding of legal and policy solutions to alleviate poverty and improve the environment in developing countries;
To expose future international, environmental, natural resource, and human rights lawyers and policy makers to the challenges of alleviating poverty and improving the environment in developing countries, so their gained experience and knowledge can better address these challenges.
In the Spring of 2005, the Vermont Law School International Law Society (ILS) and Equity in Developing Countries Group (EDC) fundraised to build 2,500 liter ferro-cement water tanks in public schools in rural Petèn Guatemala in conjunction with Volunteer Petèn. Roughly 150 Vermont Law School students, faculty and community members supported the fundraiser during a week long tabling event with educational displaces highlighting the importance of access to potable water in developing countries.
In August of 2005, Vermont Law School Students Derek Campbell, Emma Pokon, Rachel Cotrino, and Jason Weiner volunteered with Volunteer Petèn, where they built a ferro-cement water tank at the Ixhuacut elementary school. The 2,500 liter water tanks that harvest rainwater from roofs, will help supply water to the schools during the dry season for meal preparation, drinking water, sanitary functions, and lavatories.
In 2006 the International Law Society (ILS) continued their work with the community of San Andreas, in Peten, Guatemala. Though a series of fundraisers which included belly dancing, knife throwing, a week long raffle, and a smoothie sale, ILS raised over $500 to build a stage in an elementary school for children to perform dances and theater for the community. Andrew Gange, Matthew Tjosvold, Emily Jackson, Christopher King, Rebecca Cavanaugh, Jess Cavanaugh, and Carey Aiossa traveled down to San Andreas and worked hard to complete the stage in time for a community festival.
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