The David and Lucile Packard Foundation will give more than $13 million to fund "innovative ways" of bringing voluntary family planning education to young people in developing nations.
The grants -- part of the Packard Foundation's five-year, $375 million international family planning effort -- will focus on educating teenagers and young adults in Ethiopia, India, Mexico, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
One of the lead grantees is Family Health International (FHI) which will use its share of the $13 million to educate Boy Scouts and Girl Guides in India about reproductive health. The Scouts and Guides who earn their "Healthy Adolescent Project" merit badges will in turn educate other young people about reproduction and family planning.
The Foundation for Adolescent Development (FAD), another grantee, will use funds to expand its existing teen health counseling center in the Philippines.
Other grants will go to organizations in Ethiopia, Mexico, Pakistan and U.S.-based groups.
The Los Altos, Calif.-based Packard Foundation has assets of $13 billion. It will make grants of about $500 million this year, primarily for arts, children, families, and communities, conservation, population and science programs.
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