Charities Focus 2008

Following the charitable giving article, I’ve been persuaded by a colleague to write a follow-up article about humanitarian efforts.

The instability in both Africa’s political and social systems has thwarted many of even the most determined social workers. The fact that even my colleague’s director in Africa is unable to return to the school she helps because of violence near the boarder. He also works with a largely unknown organization helping in Central America, which I’ll ask about more and report back. The overall project he was undertaking was to send textbooks and medical supplies to the largely overcrowded schools in Africa. They build everything from the buildings themselves, to the clothes they wear. And the enrollment in their schools has skyrocketed. He also plans to ship 6 computers they require to setup a computer lab. I’ll report back when I get some of the footage and photos he took while on his travels there.

Other highlights of charity work in the news follow:

Gulf for Good is sponsoring the fourth annual charity trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the world’s highest freestanding mountain. The location is Tanzania Africa, and the date is July 3rd and 11th. The event will raise money for disadvantaged children in both Tanzania and Kenya. Rated as a “Difficult to demanding” fitness level, the trek is for the seasoned climber. More information on their other events visit gulf4good.org.

An 8 year old girl helped raise $1,600 to purchase toys, blankets, clothes, diapers, and fuel cards for the poor in her area by selling handcrafted necklaces during December. The article can be found here.

“R.S.V.P. to HELP” is a fundraiser by celebrities Jon Bon Jovi and Kenneth Cole. This fundraiser will benefit the various organizations helping the homeless. The current success of fundraiser sings to the tune of $1 million. The partnership began in 2006 with a collaboration of an outwear collection. The apparel can be purchased from any Saks Fifth Avenue store, and the processed go to charity. More information can be found at rsvptohelp.org.

A United Kingdom couple working with the charity SOS Children’s Villages is trekking across 24 African countries raising funds orphaned children. The trek largely paid for by the couple begins February 18, and will last eight months in the wild countryside including Congo, Kenya and Rwanda. The couple’s progress during their fundraiser can be followed on their website innocentsabroad.net.

Work a Miracle campaign is an educational program to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS from mothers to their unborn children. The author Mrs. Coltham writes poetry about the subject to raise money for various charities including East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices, Children’s Society, and the Salvation Army. Currently in its fourth collection of poetry, she has raised over 2,000 GBP, equivalent to $3,942.42 USD.
Her current novel, titled Aunty Relda’s Journey takes a look at issues that children face. To purchase a copy and contribute to the charity visit her website.

As I mentioned, I’ll try to gather and post some of the media from his travels, and post a follow up.