HPPJSPA Charities 2007-08
HPPJSPA Charities 2007-08
PA CHARITIES – 2007-8 YEAR
Here is the list of organisations which have been selected as our designated charities for 2007-8.
1. BLISS www.bliss.org.uk -£3343
2. GRANDMA’S -£3343
3. HELPING HANDS (UDAVUM KARANGAL) www.udavumkarangal.org -£3343
4. HOPE FOR CHILDREN www.hope-for-children.org - £3343
5. KENYAN ORPHANS PROJECT www.kenyanorphanproject.org - £3343
6. KIDS FOR KIDS www.kidsforkids.org.uk - - £4149*
7. HARINGTON SCHEME - £500
SS
Bliss is the UK charity which supports the care of newborn babies who require special care, and their families. It does this through:
- Providing helplines and internet accessible support for parents whose newborn babies are unwell or have been unwell;
- Working with special care baby units to establish parent support groups;
- Funding vital equipment and posts that the NHS cannot fully fund;
- Providing extensive and valued parent information;
- Raising awareness and political lobbying to ensure the voice of these babies and their parents is heard, especially regarding funding (intensive care for babies costs as much as for a child or adult but is only funded at half the cost); and
- Funding research to improve outcomes for babies and the experience of families.
Many Highgate families have accessed specialist services for newborn babies and no doubt would attest to their importance. These services must be of high quality and to provide the level of support parents need. Bliss helps ensure this happens, and Highgate families would wish to recognise the support they or their friends received.
The PA would be able, if Bliss is chosen, to state how funds should be spent, with perhaps particular emphasis on our local hospitals. These hospitals could come and report back to the children, staff and PA regarding how funds have been invested. Bliss staff would also visit and make presentations to the school, perhaps with one of their celebrity supporters (Gabby and Gavin Logan came to UCLH last year!).
Dr Jane Hawdon
Mother of Miranda, Rory and Harvey Dodd
Consultant neonatologist, University College London Hospitals
Clinical lead, North Central London Perinatal Network
GRANDMA’S
Grandma’s is a Christian voluntary organization which aims to provide a vital, practical response to a growing number of children and families affected by HIV and AIDS, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality or lifestyle. Currently, there is an estimated 63,500 people living with HIV in the UK, and about 4,300 who are under the age of 19.
In the UK, the organisation currently works with approximately 250 families. New referrals are received regularly from hospitals, clinics, social workers, other HIV organisations and families themselves. The primary support that we offer to families is practical home-based childcare. Volunteers are introduced to a family and visit them regularly every week or fortnight for 3 hours. Through the relationship that is built up between the volunteer and the family, families are supported through issues of isolation, stigma and fear of not being able to cope with ongoing needs within the family unit. These visits provide a much-needed rest for parents/carers, as well as support, friendship, fun and safety for the children.
We run a group outings programme, which caters for children aged 4-18 years, who are invited on one outing per school holiday. In addition, part of Grandma’s service includes a support program for youth ages 12-18 who know about the HIV diagnosis in the family. This includes one-to-one relational support and age-appropriate group activities. In the New Year, we will open a home to our families to provide respite care and expand on the service we already offer. Further information about this is available on request.
Grandma’s has been working in Calcutta since 1996. The work has mainly been in the TB Hospital in Calcutta and in 2 brothel areas. The main aspect of the work has been the building up of a Kids Club in the largest brothel in Calcutta called Sonagachi. We have recently purchased a property in this brothel area, in order to set up a school for the children. We will also use the property as a Night Shelter – somewhere safe for the children when the mums are working at night and also set up some ‘behind the scenes’ hospice care. By providing education, skills training and a passage of safety for the women and children, we hope that they will be set free from the lifestyle they are forced into as their only means of survival. Girls as young as 11 are being sold into the sex-trade and for many, they have no choice, freedom or opportunity of a better existence. Grandma’s vision is to bring hope into this place of darkness. In Tenali, the Grandma’s team have a primary healthcare outreach to the poorest of the poor, the untouchables, known as Dalits. They take medicine out to these communities and plant churches. In 2002, Grandma’s was able to build a school for about 70 local tribal children, who previously had no access to education. Hope House is a respite care centre and home for the dying opened in 2005. It is a safe place where our community of people with HIV infection can come and be taken care of when sick and are cared for with compassion up until their death.
Grandma's does not fundraise, but relies on the generosity of its supporters who wish to contribute financially to the running of the organisation and to the needs of the families. This goes into many aspects of the work including:
- Funding the work in the UK, allowing us to support families in severe financial need, often assisting with medical, housing, food, legal and social services.
- Allows the group outings and youth events to take place every holiday and half term for the children, who otherwise would have very little opportunity of a treat or fun expedition.
- Each worker receives both initial and ongoing training and support.
- Funding the overseas projects in Tenali and Calcutta.
- Property in Sonagachi (Calcutta): converted into a school, safe house, skills training centre;
- Property in London: providing respite care and day-care facilities.
Jacquee Ferré
HELPING HANDS (UDAVUM KARANGAL)
Udavum Karangal, established in 1983, is a registered non-governmental, non-religious and non-profit social service organisation in Chennai, India. Its objective is to help the unfortunate in distress, caring primarily for abandoned babies and children. Since 1983, more than 8,000 children, have made Udavum Karangal their home.
Currently, just under 1000 children reside in the orphanage while an additional 2000 local children are provided with free schooling. On several occasions I have personally visited and worked at the orphanage together with Jan-Olav (4F), and I have been very impressed. While the facilities and surroundings are basic, the children receive love and care in a safe and nurturing environment. Many of them return in adulthood to help out with daily tasks, to keep in touch and to give something back. The founder of the charity, Pappa Vidyaakar, is also an impressive figure. He lives to serve others and is the most self-less person I have ever met. He grew up on the streets of India and himself received a helping hand in gratitude from a businessman he helped after a traffic accident. The businessman sponsored Pappa Vidyaakar's education in the fields of social services and law. After his studies he happened upon an abandoned child whom he took in. One grew to many, and to what is now a large charitable organisation.
I would like to nominate this charity as it upholds a strong belief in the rights of the child and the right to education for children. I believe there is a great advantage of having a direct link with the charity through a child attending Highgate School who is able to give a first hand account of what it is like to visit the facility and work there.
Marlena Hellebo
HOPE FOR CHILDREN
http://www.hope-for-children.org/
Our Mission: To improve the quality of life and advance the rights of children. To bring about change for good on behalf of children and families, and encourage them to participate in processes which enhance their equality, self-reliance and long term sustainable development. Wherever possible to provide practical support which allows children to grow up within their own families and communities.
Aims and Objectives: Hope for Children (HOPE) was officially registered as a Charity in 1994 to coincide with the International Year of the Family. It is a non-sectarian, non-political and non-profit making organisation. HOPE is accountable through its constitution to its members and an Executive Committee of Trustees.
HOPE's aims and objectives are to assist children, who suffer through being handicapped, orphaned, poor and exploited, in particular those living in developing countries. This is achieved through providing, promoting and advancing children’s rights to basic necessities, including education and health care, aimed at sustaining their long term development.
Two reports out of ten global projects as an illustration of the good work Hope does.
GHANA: HOPE programmes have spread to almost all parts of the country, which include the provision of teaching and learning materials, school uniforms, recreational materials, income generation activities, wheel chairs, artificial limbs, payment of hospital fees, maternal care and drugs through local partner agencies. We have also directly supported needy children and flood victims.
Activities keep on widening as we were invited by partner organizations at workshops to talk on HOPE's policies in appreciation of the support rendered to them. Some topics at the workshops included, children's rights, violence against women, benefits of partnership between communities, schools and development agents, forced and early marriages, anti-human trafficking campaigns, educational campaigns especially for girls, HIV/AIDS sensitisation, environmental protection and sanitation, and counseling sessions for youth.
The immense support of HOPE towards child education and the empowerment of women to take their lives into their own hands, has put us at the top of developing partners in Ghana, and has brought many requests for support, of which 88 have been granted.
ZAMBIA: HOPE has improved the well being of many orphans and vulnerable children and has helped build their self confidence.
HOPE is currently helping orphanage centres to improve the lives of vulnerable children. In previous years HOPE only worked with the orphanage centres through providing recurrent funding. Last year we facilitated the building of a classroom block at St. Francis in Ndolaa, a kitchen block and dormitories at the Anglican Children and St. Lawrence Project, a classroom block and a wall fence at the Garden Community School in Lusaka.
HOPE is paying some teachers at St. Lawrence Orphanage Centre and is sponsoring the school-going-children who are in different grades at Northmead Basic School, Chilanga Basic School and Parkland High School. One is now at the University of Zambia. In Ndolawe help to feed the street children when need arises.
Achievements: Classrooms have been built in some centres where most of the children are being educated.
Phillip Smith
THE KENYAN ORPHAN PROJECT
The Kenyan Orphan Project (KOP) is a small registered charity, founded by Daniel Magnus, who was head boy at Highgate and whose younger brother Ben, is currently in Cholmeley. KOP is run by three full-time UK doctors, including Dan, who give up most of their limited free-time to try to directly improve the health and lives of orphans and children of HIV/AIDS infected parents in Kisumu, Kenya’s third largest city. In this area every third child is an orphan, placing an unbearable load on the fabric of the local society. Earlier this year, as you may recall, Daniel and Beccy Leslie were able to come into the Junior School. I understand our children were fascinated about lives so different from their own and about the difference that the money raised by Highgate is making. I believe that it is very meaningful for the children to be able to see how their and our efforts actually make a difference and how, with their help, someone from their own background and community has been able to make this happen.
For example, Wilfred, a 9-year-old orphan, who was penniless, hungry, sleeping on the streets and running from beatings from the police and other children, has been a direct beneficiary of Highgate School charity. The street children centre, which we have helped to fund, fed and clothed him, ensured he could go to school and, almost best of all, was able to work with community and social workers to return Wilfred to his village, where he now lives with his auntie. Wilfred’s case is by no means isolated, but this good and caring work requires continuing support. Presently, the children are forced to go back onto the streets at night, so KOP are looking towards the establishment of a shelter where the children will be able to sleep in safety and warmth. This project will cost around £80,000.
Another project that KOP is beginning to raise funds for is for a dilapidated primary school in Alendu – a nearby village. The classrooms are unsafe, the children are hungry and over half are orphans. KOP believes that maintaining education is a priority in the struggle against poverty and disease. First, eight new classrooms need to be built, then KOP will look at orphan support, provision of meals, uniforms and textbooks as well as potential teacher exchange and education programmes. This will initially cost around £25,000. KOP’s projects encompass efforts to provide education, vocational training, social and welfare support, healthcare, and income-generating activities. It aims not only to provide conventional aid to the needy, especially children, but also the means and facilities for HIV/AIDS victims to live with their affliction, maintain family commitments and responsibilities, hopefully to be there for longer with their children.
KOP has no dedicated fund-raisers or even administrative staff and all the money goes into the projects that it runs. Highgate parents, through their incredible generosity, have contributed to many of KOP’s projects and so I hope you will all have had the opportunity to see Daniel’s heartfelt letter of thanks (on the PA website at http://www.hppjspa.org.uk/KOP%20letter.pdf. I am, of course, aware of and sensitive to the fact that there are many charities that merit our support but I strongly believe that we should continue to support KOP, given its ongoing Highgate associations and its ability to focus on disadvantaged children of comparable age, whose progress our children can monitor over time.
Lesley Magnus
KIDS FOR KIDS
Kids for Kids is an international charity, established in 2001 to help children and their communities in the Darfur region of Sudan.
Their aim is to improve the lives of women and children by supporting poor villages with sustainable aid. As their name suggests, they provide goats and donkeys for transporting water, milk, and income from breeding. Transporting water in this arid region takes many hours every day, and is the work of women and children. By providing goats and donkeys, and the veterinary care to support them, Kids for Kids enables many children to go to school for the first time. By providing milk, goats can provide vital protein and vitamins to supplement the meagre diet that sustains people in times of drought and famine.
Kids for Kids also provides other forms of support to the community. By providing midwives and healthcare, they reduce maternal mortality and, crucially, the number of orphaned children left behind. They also provide care that ensures babies can survive the many easily treatable diseases that threaten the very young in this region. They provide funding for hand water pumps, and plant banks to promote reforestation and environmental restoration. Their community training of villagers ensures the longer-term success of their projects and to date they have adopted 22 villages, providing much-needed help to more that 100,000 people in this desperately poor and troubled region.
Debbie Murray
Helen Danson