PFP Receives Inaugural “Make A Difference Award” From Philanthropic Educational Toy Company Learning is an Art

NORFOLK, VA (08/22/2008)(readMedia)-- Physicians for Peace has been awarded the inaugural "Make A Difference Award" by Learning is an Art. The award recognizes charitable organizations for their "dedication to creating sustainable change in the lives of individuals in need."

Learning is an Art is an innovative educational toy marketer, based in Metuchen, NJ, that sells its toys and games through independent direct sellers nationwide, and uses 100 % of its profits to support highly-rated charitable causes. In 2007, $50,000 of their donations went to Physicians for Peace, to support medical education and clinical care in Eritrea. They have also sponsored Physicians for Peace on the Make The Difference Network (www.mtdn.com), a new social networking site that provides a vehicle through which charities can raise additional funds.

"We believe deeply in the work of Physicians for Peace," said Jennifer Fong, President and co-founder of Learning is an Art. "Their work, to empower people to help themselves, makes a real difference in the world, which is the reason we selected them as this year's recipient of the "Make a Difference Award."

The work of Physicians for Peace in Eritrea is carried out through the Partnership for Eritrea, a joint initiative of Physicians for Peace, The George Washington University Medical Center and the Eritrean Ministry of Health. The partnership is focused on expanding medical education and care in the war-torn country, where only 5 practicing pediatricians serve a population of 5 million.

Residency programs in pediatrics and surgery at the Orotta School of Medicine in Asmara are being taught by both permanent and visiting volunteer medical faculty recruited by Physicians for Peace. The goal is to produce both new pediatric faculty for the residency programs, as well as practicing pediatricians and surgeons for the capital and provinces.

"We are thankful for the generosity of Learning is an Art," said Physicians for Peace President and CEO Brig. Gen. Ron Sconyers (USAF, Ret.). "They set a benchmark for corporate social responsibility by which all others should be measured. The funds they have donated will directly affect delivery of healthcare in Eritrea, and their support of and partnership with Physicians for Peace is an example of how public-private partnerships can effect real change in the developing world."

Learning is an Art, founded in 2006, was the 2008 recipient of the Direct Selling Association's "Vision for Tomorrow Award," honoring direct selling companies whose community service efforts have substantially improved the quality of life for their communities. The award specifically recognized Learning is an Art for its 2007 program, "Learning is an Art Charitable Work - Creating Sustainable Change."

ABOUT PHYSICIANS FOR PEACE

Physicians for Peace is an international private voluntary organization that mobilizes healthcare educators to assist developing nations with unmet medical needs and scarce resources. Through effective, hands-on medical education and training, clinical care and donated medical supplies, Physicians for Peace creates long-term, sustainable, replicable, and evidence-based projects to help partner nations build medical capability and capacity to help themselves. Volunteers for the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization have conducted medical missions in more than 50 countries. More information is available at www.physiciansforpeace.org.