For A Good Cause
Pakistan flood appeal
Monsoon rains have wreaked devastation over much of Pakistan, destroying over 900,000 homes. With the rains set to continue, those affected by the floods need help now.
Even in the best of times, Pakistan is a county in turmoil. Now, with more than 17 million people affected by the country’s worst floods in 80 years, giving just a little can help a lot. With the rains set to continue for another three weeks, 800,000 people are cut off from emergency assistance and the shortage of food and fresh water is taking its toll on those who are battling to survive.
To donate to one of the aid agencies responding to the Pakistan Monsoon Flooding, click YOURLifeChoices links below:
Australian Red Cross
Unicef
UN Refugees
World Vision
Medecins Sans Frontiers
Fighting dementia
With 245,400 Australians currently living with dementia, and the number expected to rise to 1.3 million in 2050, finding a cure for the disease is a priority.
Alzheimer’s Australia offers support to those suffering from dementia, their families and their carers. With the number of cases diagnosed each week expected to rise to 7,400 by 2050, the time to research and find a cure is now. However, this cannot be achieved without funding and every dollar raised brings a cure one step closer.
Whether you can give a little or a lot, why not donate now, it may be an investment in your future.
Generosity rewarded
The end of the financial year is a good time to make a charitable donation. This year, why not consider doing your bit to help the environment and reduce your tax bill.
2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity, the perfect time to act to safe our eco-system which is under threat from human destruction. Sea turtles, platypus and even the Great Barrier Reef are at danger of being wiped out and it’s up to each and every Australian to do what they can to stop this devastation.
As well as undertaking to make the changes to our lifestyles that can help, such as using less water and switching to low-pollution fuels, donating to the Australian Conservation Foundation will ensure environmental issues are considered in the lead up to the Federal Election.
To make a donation or find out how you can help, click YOURLifeChoices simple short cut.
National Doorknock Appeal
Winter is a difficult time for those who struggle to feed, cloth and house themselves and their families. The Salvation Army opens its doors to over one million Australians each year and raises much of the necessary funding through its National Doorknock Appeal.
Last weekend, over 100,000 volunteers knocked on doors and carried out collections for much needed funds for the Red Shield Appeal. Despite the huge number of people willing to give up their own time, it simply wasn’t possible to reach everyone. The national fundraising target for the Red Shield Appeal is $75 million and every cent counts. So, if you didn’t see a volunteer last weekend or didn’t have any change on you, why not donate now?
Free support
As the days get darker and colder, many Australians retreat indoors, seldom seeing or having any contact with those around them. For older or frail people, this loss of contact can be a break in the lifeline they need.
Telecross is a service run by Red Cross volunteers which helps the elderly and housebound retain their independence. By simply making one phone call a day, at a prearranged time, the Telecross volunteers can check if a person is OK or is in need of emergency assistance. If no answer to the phone call is received, then emergency procedures are put into place.
The service is open to anyone needs the added reassurance that someone is available to help in the case of emergency, whether they are elderly, disabled, mentally ill or recuperating from an illness and trying to maintain their independence.
Anyone can refer themselves or can be referred by a friend, family member, care giver or health professional. To find out more information about Telecross or to become a volunteer, click YOURLifeChoices simple short cut.
If you know of an elderly neighbour in your area, take the time to check they’re OK, especially if you see deliveries piling up on the doorstep. Pop in for a cuppa or see if anything’s needed when you’re off to the shops. It could be the start of a rich and rewarding friendship.
Give Vinnie a hand
St Vincent de Paul Society (or Vinnie’s as its more commonly known) receives 5,000 calls for help each day, from people who have lost their home, are lonely or have no-one else to turn to. This Christmas, why not lend a hand?
Christmas sees the pressure increase for those who have little or nothing. Parents can’t feed their families, the homeless have nowhere to sleep and those living alone have no one to which to talk.
If you have time on your hands this Christmas, can donate food, clothing, household goods or money, then get in touch with your local Vinnie’s centre or visit Vinnies.org.au.
The gift of giving
The best gifts are those which are given, not received. Thanks to Oxfam Unwrapped, giving gifts can be truly altruistic.
Rather than give something which gets thrown to the back of the cupboard, why not give a gift that keeps on giving? For example:
· $20 buys a duck
· $78 buys a goat couple and
· $98 buys water for a school
Your generosity won’t go unnoticed. The person on whose behalf you are giving the gift, will receive a thank you card and you’ll both get that nice warm feeling that you’ve truly done a good deed.
Find out more about how you can help those less fortunate. Visit Oxfam Unwrapped.
Ward grandparents
Sadly, when children go into hospital, they do not always have someone who is there for them and can help them through the trauma of being ill.
The Ward Grandparent Program aims to link children with volunteers who have the time and energy to comfort, interact and make a child’s stay in hospital as fun as it can be. Ward Grandparents are matched to one child for the duration of their stay and do not get involved in direct medical or nursing care.
Each Ward Grandparent has to undergo an interview, screening process and a training program before they can begin their worthwhile work with children. The program was initiated by the Australian Association for Child Health (AWCH) in 1986 and has grown since then.
If you have the time to spare and think you can help young children in hospital, contact your local hospital or visit the AWCH.
Body bequesting
YOURLifeChoices subscriber, James, is passionate about conservation and is interested in donating his body for scientific research when his time is up but how does he go about doing it?
Q. Hi All, I have a query that you may be able to help with: Is it still possible to will one’s corpse to some medical or educational centre, to be used for medical research and/or education?
As a conservationist I have long believed in recycling and deplore the fact that so much space is taken up with cemeteries. I also think it would be a bit of a giggle to think that my skeleton could end up on display in some anatomical centre.
I currently reside in Brisbane. Do you have any suggestion with whom I could correspond regarding this matter?
Regards, James
A. Hi James,
It certainly is possible to donate anything you want when you pass away! There are a number of different ways to donate your whole body, organs, tissues etc! I have found a really interesting article on the subject written by the ABC which outlines the process perfectly. While the links involved at the end of the article for the University of Queensland did not work, I typed the program’s name into Google and have found the University of Queensland link here.
Homeless Australia
There are many things people take for granted and having a roof over our heads is one of them. Sadly, for almost 100,000 Australians each night, a safe, warm place to sleep is just a dream.
One quarter of all homeless people are women with young children, one third are under 25 years old and the remainder are those who once lived next door, or found themselves falling on hard times through no fault of their own. One of the easiest ways to deal with homelessness is to ignore it but that won’t make the problem go away.
Throughout August and September, stay at any Vibe hotel and donate just $2 and 100% of all money raised will go towards funding emergency accommodation. Not planning a trip? Then why not donate directly.
Blaze Aid
The flames are gone, but the devastation remains for many survivors of the Victorian bush fires. Fences are important to country life and volunteers are needed to help those in need.
Are you thinking of volunteering with Blaze Aid? It would be great to have your help here - we’re really in need of more volunteers at the moment and the work of our volunteers is really appreciated by the survivors we’re assisting. Age and lack of experience are no barrier. Many of our volunteers have no previous fencing experience, but are willing to give it a go and learn on the job, and we’ve had people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities helping make a difference.
Volunteers assemble at Kev’s wool shed each morning around 7.30am to find out where they’ll be working that day.
Find out more about Blaze Aid.
Mary Tyler Moore
Much loved co-star of the Dick Van Dyke show (those who were around in the 60s will remember) and American sweetheart, Mary Tyler Moore is now a key figure in the fight against diabetes. Moore is the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International and a sufferer of type 1 diabetes herself.
Diabetes Australia
Each year Diabetes Australia promotes National Diabetes Week to raise awareness about diabetes in Australia. For 2010, Diabetes Week will be held from 11-17 July however, the work of Diabetes Australia goes on all year round.
Diabetes Australia is the collective voice for all diabetes sufferers, their families and carers. Working in partnership with health professionals and educators, researchers and healthcare providers to minimise the impact of diabetes.
It provides information and assistance to over 900,000 Australians diagnosed with diabetes and lobbies for better standards of care and improved early detection strategies.
A large part of the funding for this vital work is raised through donations and the sale of products. You can find out more about the work of Diabetes Australia, how they can help you or donate by visiting Diabetes Australia.
Living libraries
Everyone loves a story or a good book but when language difficulties or reading ability becomes a barrier, the art of storytelling need not be lost.
Living Libraries Australia aims to bring communities together through the power of the written and spoken word. Being the immigrant nation that is Australia, a vast number of people do not read or speak English and rely on others to translate for them.
Living Libraries also opens up the world of books to those otherwise unable to read, either through limited literacy skills or a visual impairment.
To find your nearest Living Library or to find out about setting up one in your community, visit Living Libraries Australia.
Red Nose Day
Dedicated to improving infant mortality during pregnancy, childbirth and infancy, SIDS and Kids receive less than 1% funding from Government. Making people laugh helps raise funds.
Held annually on the last Friday in June since 1988, 26 June 2009 is Red Nose Day. SIDS and Kids offers a bereavement counseling service to families that have lost a child during pregnancy, through childbirth or in infancy 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
With Government funding minimal, the concept of Red Nose Day has helped raise vital funds over the last 21 years. Money is earned by simply buying a fun Red Nose product, holding an event or donating online. The money raised has gone to educate health care professionals and families about the risk of Infant Cot Death and how it can be prevented. This has helped reduce the number of deaths from attributed to cot death from 479 in 1988 to 71 in 2007.
For details of how to prevent cot death, or to donate money to the Red Nose Appeal, visit Red Nose Day 2009.
No matter what footy code you support, Friday 24 April is Footy Jumper Friday
Band together as team and help raise money for the amazing work of beyondblue: the national depression initiative.
Depression is a disease that is suffered by people from all walks of life and is not instantly recognisable, with many people suffering in silence. beyondblue works towards raising awareness of the disease, educating people of the telltale signs that someone is suffering and offers support to sufferers and their families. Why not either create your own fundraising group, or join someone else’s?
And if footy of any code is not your thing but you still want to support the work of beyondblue, you can always make a single donation directly.
Get that Warm and Fuzzy feeling inside!
Warm Fuzzy, an initiative by the Australian Red Cross is a way to do three things – donate online in a number of ways for as little as $10, send a gift to someone you care for and help vulnerable in Australia and around the world.
When you donate, especially online, it is great to be able to choose what you are giving the money for, while receiving something in return, and with Australian Red Crosses Warm Fuzzy Gifts, you get just that! You start by choosing a Warm Fuzzy gift, and then you get to choose an eCard to send to a friend personalised and then pay online!
A smart gift, send one today!
Big-hearted AboutSeniors subscribers
Having previously visited Baan King Kaew orphanage AboutSeniors subcribers Bruce and Carla were so touched when they saw on featured on AboutSeniors, they dug deep and sent some much welcome money.
Philip Engleberts, a friend of AboutSeniors, accepted the money on behalf of Baan King Kaew orphanage and is keen to express his gratitude and share his wonderful experience visiting the orphanage.
Dear Bruce and Carla,
Thanks so much (a very belated thank you) for the wonderful donation you made for Baan King Kaew orphanage at Christmas time. The money is very much appreciated.
I went back to Chiang Mai in January, my 11th visit, and with the funds I had with me, we bought two hot water systems for the baby room and eight bicycles for the two – three year olds.
Needless to say they loved it! Hope you like the photo of the group of two year olds potty training!
Best regards from Sydney
Philip
If you have been touched by these gorgeous children and would like to help the orphanage, we would be happy to put you in touch with Philip. Just drop us an email at
Time, money and essential aid
Australian Red Cross
Red Cross is always there for people in need, providing relief in times of crisis and care for the most vulnerable in Australia and around the world.
In times of conflict or natural disaster Red Cross volunteers are committed to putting their humanitarian values to work, offering practical assistance and support at any time of the day or night - no questions asked.
With more than 100 million volunteers worldwide and 60,000 members and volunteers in Australia, they can reach people and places like nobody else.
Whether you want to donate to help the Flood victims in Queensland or the Bushfire victims in Victoria, The Red Cross is an important part of the Australian Community and cannot operate without your help.
To find out more about donating, click here
St Vincent de Paul Society
Vinnies works at the forefront of society, providing practical assistance to people in need. Vinnies has mounted an appeal to provide assistance to help the many families who have lost their homes, family members, friends and livelihoods in the Victorian bushfires. They will be driving an effort to assist the long-term recovery of the communities affected by this tragedy and to help them to rebuild their homes and eventually their lives.
Vinnies are asking for your assistance in donating basic living materials at their stores, such as toilet paper, toothpaste, as well as clothes. If you don’t have anything to give, cash donations are also appreciated.
To find out more about donating, click here
Volunteer for CFA
As with most organisations, the CFA rely on volunteers to enable them to make a valuable contribution to the community. CFA welcomes people with different skills to meet a wide variety of community needs.
As well as the obvious fire fighting roles that are vital in responding to a range of incidents, including fire fighting, road accidents, industrial rescues, flood relief and chemical spills, there are also non-fire fighting roles. These roles include leaders for juniors programs, media and public relations, fundraising activities, community events, administration support in incident control centres
To register your interest in becoming a CFA Volunteer, visit http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au or call 1800 232 636.
Million dollar bike ride
Ever thought about cycling from Sydney to Melbourne? No? Not surprising. However, that’s just what 24 dedicated cyclists will be doing to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy Australia. AboutSeniors has donated – will you?
Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disease which results in degeneration of muscle which can lead to poor balance, walking difficulty, resperatory difficulty, curvature of the spine, and many more ailments as well as a reduced life expectancy.
Spurred on by the suffering of little James Thomson, friends of his parents, Sharyn and Julian, have gotten together to ride the 1200kms along the coastal road from Sydney to Melbourne, on 5 March 2009. Although they have trained in preparation for this mammoth task, these are no professional athletes who will be riding for ten days. They are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters who have been touched by the Thompsons’ plight. Sharyn has written a poem which perfectly describes the joy and pain, hurt and love she feels for her litle boy.
Each rider has set themselves a huge sponsorship target of $40,000, so every little helps. If they suceed they will raise a million dollars for the National Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre. As a genetic disease, you may not know if you carry the defective gene, and while gestational testing is avaiable for those at risk, there is much work needed to source a cure. Sharyn, Jullian James and their family are an inspiration and if you need another reason to donate, read
Sharyn’s poem to her son.
To donate to this heroic effort and deserving cause, visit Challenge MD.
Waste not, want not
Many can remember back to a time communities got stuck in to help each other and if someone had something, then everyone got a share.
Maribyrnong City Council aims to bring residents together and give people that sense of community again, with once a month meets in Footscray to swap excess fruit and vegetables. Developed by Western Community Action Group in partnership with Council and Grasslands, the program will also educate people to live a more sustainable and healthy lifestyle, making the most of the area’s rich resources.
Although Maribyrnong is not local to most people, the idea is an interesting and resourceful one that can be adapted across the country. Contact your local community group, council or produce organisation and see if there is any interest from other parties. Sometimes it just takes one person to get the ball rolling.
For more information on the project in Maribyrnong, contact Council’s Maribyrnong Fruit and Veg For All Project Coordinator, Lucy Marshall by email , or by calling 03 9688 0169.
Gift of sanitary
We take for granted turning on our tap and getting fresh drinking water or flushing the loo with clean water but for many countries, this is a luxury.
Before you rush out to buy Aunty Sue a book she’ll never read or Cousin Tom a sweater he’ll never wear, think about giving the gift that gives back. Oxfam have a host of gifts that will make life easier, safer and healthier for those living in true hardship.
You can give a toilet, a water bucket, safe refuge and literacy classes and these gifts will bring relief and hope to villages, not just individuals. Oxfam work with communities and organisation throughout the world to give not only emergency relief to disaster areas but to help provide a sustained programme of improvement and growth to those who need it most.
For more information on giving a real gift this Christmas, visit Oxfam Unwrapped
Kicking back
Melbourne is host to many famous events, but this week it is host to something truly special – the Sixth Homeless World Cup. Yes, 56 nations are competing in this international soccer tournament which would warm even the hardest of hearts.
To participate players must be homeless and members of one of the teams. The tournament is supported by the Australian Socceroos, and Captain Lucas Neil thinks this is “not just a tournament, but an opportunity for people to change their lives”.
Yesterday was kickoff, and the 500 athletes will participate until the final game on Saturday December 7. Australia went down to Austria in the first game, but there are plenty more to enjoy. If you live in or near Melbourne you can attend games played on street soccer pitches (16mx20m) at Birrarung Marr or Federation Square Stadium with big screens catching all the action. And if you are an out-of-towner you can still participate by becoming a fan online, buying a T-shirt or making a donation.
http://www.homelessworldcup.org/
Livestrong
Diagnosed at 25 years of age with testicular cancer, champion cyclist Lance Armstrong started the toughest challenge of his life. Surving his battle gave Lance the need to help others with their cancer struggle.
As a young healthy male, Lance ignored the warning signs and, at the time of diagnosis, the cancer had spread to his abdomen, lungs and brain, the outlook was not entirely positive. Undergoing two surgeries and follow-up treatment gave Lance plenty of time to contemplate his future and how he could use his experience and status as a public figure to benefit other cancer sufferers and their carers.
On finishing his treatment in December 1996, Lance founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation to raise awareness of the dangers of ignoring the warning signs of cancer, how to live healthy and prevent cancer where possible and provide information and support to sufferers and their carers.
Although based in the US, the Lance Armstrong Foundation provides plenty of useful information to sufferers, their carers and those wishing to know more about the disease and its various manifestations.
For more information, visit the
Lance Armstrong Foundation.
Meals-on-Wheels
With over 4,500,000 meals delivered each year, Meals-on-wheels is more than just a meal delivery service. It maybe the recipient’s only link to the outside world and their only chance of a hot, nutritional meal.
Most meals-on-wheels services receive their funding from Home and Community Care (HACC) programme but rely on volunteers to cook and deliver the meals to those who need them. Volunteers should have the time to chat, make the recipient feel at ease and be able to notice any changes in the clients’ wellbeing or home life.
As many meals-on-wheels services are community based, there is no Government Department, nor is national or state charity, the organisation perfectly placed to respond to the cultural and dietary needs of its clients. The service provided by these organisations cannot be undervalued, they take over the role that many families are unable to fulfill and for many are the difference between independent living and the need to go into care.
If you have some spare time that you would be will to give up to support the needy in your community, contact your local meals-on-wheels organisation.
Charity begins at home
Having a safe, warm, roof over our heads each night is something many of us take for granted, but for some Australian families, this is an unachievable luxury.
Since 1976,
Habitat for Humanity has helped families all over the world build their own homes. By providing interest-free mortgages to low income families, who agree to undertake 500 hours of labour and volunteer support, more than 77 homes have been built throughout Australia. When loan repayments are made, these are then passed on to another low income family, ensuring the maximum benefit is derived from the money within the organisation.
In the twelve months to 30 June 2007,
Habitat for Humanity has helped approximately 41,000 families around the world provide better homes for themselves. Families also gain skills in the building trades and receive financial training, making them a valuable asset to their community and as volunteers for Habitat. Every 12 minutes a family somewhere in the world has a new home thanks to the support of Habitat, their own hard work, volunteers and donations.
You can help by volunteering your time, making a donation – either financial or building materials, or maybe even head overseas for one of the global projects. For more information on the work done, how you can help, or how you can be considered for one of the projects, visit
Habitat for Humanity.
All in the genes
As parents, we pass on our genes, good and bad, to our children. For 50 years the Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) has dedicated its research to eradicating genetic disease in children.
At a public meeting at Sydney Town Hall in June 1958, paediatrician Sir Lorimer Dods motivated the crown to vote to establish the Children’s Medical Research Foundation CMRF), as it was known until it’s change to CMRI in 1992. As television emerged, CMRF hosted one of the first national telethons, with the first cash donation coming from three 13 year-old schoolboys, who turned up at ATN 7 studios to give 5 shillings of their pocket money.
With medical researchers of the past saving us from diptheria, tetanus and polio, the research carried out over the last 50 years by CMRI is indeed something to be thankful for. It pioneering work in respiratory distress of newborn and premature babies has dramitically improved the survival rate of newborn babies. Since the change of emphasis in the 1980’s to cellular research, researchers at CMRI have discovered the composition of an enzyme which most cancers rely on to grow. It’s work in fighting cancer continues with the development of anti-cancer treatments and diagnostic tools.
Australian mothers and babies continue to benefit from the CMRI’s pioneering work into foetal alcohol syndrome in the early 1980s. CMRI scientists lobbied the government on the dangers of drinking when pregnant and also worked to improve drug and alcohol support programs for pregnant women.
CMRI is now one of the world’s leading research facilities, dedicated to understanding children’s diseases. This not-for-profit organisation is funded by competitive grants and Jeans for Genes day, and is an Australian organisation worthy of your support.
Gift of life
What’s the best gift you can truly give anyone? How about an organ donation? As of 3rd January 2008, there were 1875 people waiting for a donor organ.
In 2007, 626 people received transplanted organs from just 198 donors, that’s less than 2006. A lack of understanding of what’s involved, as well as families being unaware of whether their loved one would want to donate organs once they’ve died are contributing factors to this low number. 17th-24th February 2008 is Organ Donor Awareness Week, the perfect time to discuss with family and friends what their wishes are in regards to organ donation and to let yours be known also.
Registering as an organ donor is simple, you can do it at any Medicare outlet or by contacting the
Australian Organ Donor Register
To find out more information, you can contact
Australians Donate or contact one of the organisations in your state detailed below.
NSW: NSW/ACT Organ Donation Service – Ph: 02 9229 4003
ACT: ACT Organ and Tissue Donation Service – Ph: 02 6244 3071
VIC/TAS:
Vic/Tas Organ Donation Service
QLD:
Queenslanders Donate
SA: South Australian Organ Donation Agency – Ph: 08 8207 7117
NT:
LifeNet NT
WA:
Donate West
It’s not cheap to feed a cow – one hay-only fed cow costs a minimum of $1200 a year. You can now help struggling dairy farmers through becoming a sponsor.
The money will help farmers feed their hungry stock, with an emphasis on feeding their breeding stock. For your caring gesture, you’ll receive a photo and identification details of the cow; an invitation to visit the farm to meet the farmer and, of course, the cow. It’s important to remember there are people doing it tough right on our doorstep and sponsoring a cow for $100 a month and is a great way to know your help is going directly to those that need it.
Loving James
Living out your days in a nursing home happens to some, but it is an unexpected and tragic situation when the resident is aged just 20. This happened to James Macready-Bryan as a result of a night out to celebrate his birthday.
An unfortunate remark, a blow to the head and acquired brain deficiency was the result of this tragic accident. James is now severely brain-injured and a resident of the Gardenview House facility in Melbourne. His parents have established the Macready-Bryan foundation to raise awareness of the more than 6000 young people living in nursing homes, for want of a more appropriate facility. The foundation has already raised $100,000 and is seeking government assistance to build a home for young people with brain injuries.
Find out more about the foundation here
Vision Australia
Imagine not being able to pour milk or make the bed. Around 292,000 Australians are blind or have little vision – from two-year-olds to 95-year-olds. Vision Australia supports people who are fully or partially blind, ensuring that they are able to participate in every part of life.
As the population ages, vision problems, such as Age-related muscular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma are on the increase. Vision Australia supports those who may need to find new, more appropriate work or to adapt the home and re-learn basic skills.
They also offer an extensive Braille library, as well as bursaries to tertiary students so they can buy adaptive technology such as screen reading computer software. Or they can come into the home with technology such as a gadget which tells you when a cup is full, or a CCTV reading device which allows people to read their bills or send letters. To find out more about Vision Australia or to donate, click here
African Children’s Choir
Aged seven through to 11, many of the children in the African Children’s Choir won’t get the chance to see their parents live a long life – they have lost one or both parents through the devastation of war, famine and disease. Their young voices sing out on behalf of Africa’s 12 million AIDS orphans.
In spite of their pain, these children sing for hope – and to entertain. The choir aims to raise awareness of the needs of children in Africa, and to raise funds for the development and support of its relief and development programs.
Once choir members have completed a concert tour, they return to their homelands with the support, care and education necessary for bettering their lives and that of their brothers and sisters. They are Africa’s future. For more information, to donate or to purchase a CD, click here
Light in East Timor
The ATA, International Projects Group (IPG) is a group of skilled volunteers who give their time and expertise to provide solar power to remote health clinics and community buildings in East Timor. Solar power systems have significant advantage in remote communities. They have no running costs and require little maintenance.
In 2007, the IPG is continuing its work in installing and training in East Timor with over a dozen projects currently planned. Initiatives include basic lighting for a whole village, system upgrades for an orphanage and installations in a number of community facilities and health clinics.
“The installation of electric lighting will enable midwives to use the clinics for delivering babies at night. This will help to reduce the infant mortality rate (which is believed to be the second highest in the world). Health department statistics for Liquica district show that in Maubara subdistrict, the infant mortality rate was a high 9.22% last year (ie. almost one in ten babies died!). Having better access to clinics in Liquica, with power available for operating at night, will help to reduce the infant and maternal mortality rates.”
Joaquim Araujo dos Santos, (ID 3832), Logistics Administrator, Department of Health, Liquica Hospital, East Timor.
Rural Lighting – a recognised need
East Timor is one of the poorest countries in the region, with the World Bank estimating that over 40% of the population live below the poverty line. This harsh statistic is highlighted when the sun goes down. In rural areas, people prepare and eat their meals using candles or polluting kerosene lamps, the less fortunate simply have the dark.
The ATA believes that the provision of sustainable technologies such as solar powered lighting and micro hydro for electricity can lead to significant development benefits. For example, lighting is a primary determinant of quality of life, and providing lighting at night can assist the operation of medical clinics, especially night clinics, improving operating conditions. A single bulb can allow children to study thereby improving their educational status.
Your support can make a difference
The ATA consistently receives more requests for assistance than it can afford to fund. That’s where they need you to help sponsor a project. For 2007, the ATA is planning over a dozen projects, including lighting and power for hospitals, health clinics and community centers using solar, wind and hydro power. Many of these projects are unfunded, the following gives you an idea of what your donation can achieve:
$100 Basic lighting for a household through the Village Lighting Scheme
$1000 Basic solar power for a community building
$2000 Complete lighting for a health clinic
$4000 Complete lighting for a health clinic and sufficient power to run a vaccine fridge and other medical equipment
$10,000 Complete basic lighting for a village through the Village Lighting Scheme
Click here for a PDF to pledge your donation now
International Projects Group
The ‘International Projects Group’ of the Alternative Technology Association (ATA/IPG) consists of volunteer students and professionals formed with the aim to “alleviate poverty and empower communities through access to appropriate technologies including solar powered lighting”. In partnership with communities, the group trains locals in the installation, use and upkeep of Renewable Energy (RE) systems.
The group has completed the installation of over 40 solar lighting, refrigeration and power systems in remote areas of East Timor. The systems have been installed in health clinics and other community and public buildings where no regular power supplies were available. Technical skills and industry contacts ensure the best systems are developed for each location with special attention paid to developing low maintenance systems. The installation teams include electrical engineers, certified installers and Australian and local volunteers.
The ATA has been operating for 25 years and is a registered charity. An information sheet on the ATA and the International Project group is attached. For more information on the group including a report on last years activities and an article from ReNew magazine, visit the website by clicking here
Adopt a senior pet
Thinking about getting a pet but concerned they might be too much to handle? The RSPCA have launched a ‘Four legged seniors’ programme, encouraging people to recognise the values – and savings – of having an older pet.
Many people don’t have the time or inclination to train a lively puppy or kitten. An older pet doesn’t make the same demands and can now also be a cheaper option. The current price for an adult cat is $85, but a senior cat (over 7 years) can now be taken home for $55. A senior dog is $125, as against $180. And for those living in Melbourne, the RSPCA is offering 25% off the price of clinical services for the life of the animal.
A senior pet is usually house trained, more socialised and easier to handle than younger animals. Not only are they great company, a senior pet is often so very grateful to have a home, they are more than willing to adapt to your house rules! For more information on finding a new faithful friend, click here
Maureen’s reminder
Maureen reminds us of a way to help the disabled: save your ringtabs from drink cans.
I was wondering if your readers were aware that they could help provide wheelchairs for disabled people by saving their ringtabs from drink cans. I learnt this when I met a carer of disabled persons and have set up a container at work for the collection of ringtabs. Apparently, the tabs are recycled into wheelchair parts.
If anyone knows where to deposit them after they’ve been collected, please let us know at
Heroes to a Nation
There is one thing you can do to help the current bushfire crisis: recognise the courage and generosity of our volunteer firefighters with a donation.
Though these heroes give so much without expectation of remuneration, they deserve our financial support. In the current crisis, volunteers are being mentally and physically stretched to the limit. So stretch yourself and open your wallet to assist these marvellous men and women do what they so bravely do. You just might need them one day. Visit your state or local country fire authorities website.
Go there
Saving Waste
Those born in a thriftier era will be used to the concept of re-using waste. Our grandparents darned socks, patched elbows and renovated old coats into new jackets. Later generations tend to throw it all away. So this issue we suggest you have a rethink about items lying unused in your cupboards – and if you don’t want to re-use them, then recycle them using the fabulous Planet Ark “recycling near you” websearch facility find out more
Don’t dump it, recycle it! This is the Planet Ark and Sensis ‘Recycling Near You’ website. You can search for local recycling information either by Council AREA or PRODUCT. Go to the Recycling near you website and enter your postcode, suburb or council name in one of the forms below to find where you can recycle in your local area. Most local councils and shires list really helpful and comprehensive tips on how to be a very good citizen!
Who is Jackgreen?
Jackgreen is a 100% Australian owned renewable energy retailer, endorsed by Planet Ark, which offers consumers a way to reduce their impact on the environment by off-setting greenhouse gas emissions from their household energy use. The good news is that this does not cost more!
How does this work?
Jackgreen guarantees that for every kilowatt hour of energy used by their customers, an off-setting kilowatt hour of renewable energy is generated from sources such as low-impact hydro and wind. This guarantee is independently audited annually to ensure a sufficient quantity of renewable energy has been generated on behalf of our customers.
The company passes on the benefits of their low-cost operations to their customers, allowing them to offer renewable energy products *at the same price as government-determined default energy tariffs.
The offer is:
- 100% renewable energy
- No Contract
- GreenPower Government accredited
- No extra Cost*
As well as seeing themselves as experts in retailing renewable energy, their bigger ambition is to educate the community and drive incremental change for the next generation.
Why not try it, you have nothing to lose and the environment has everything to gain!
Go there or phone 1300 46 5225
Jackgreen is 100% Australian owned company, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and is licensed by the New South Wales, Victorian and South Australian Governments to retail energy (QLD license pending).
Charity Begins At Home
Perhaps you have a cause of your own, or one close to your family or friends, which deserves recognition and support. The Philanthropy Australia website has general information on how to start your own non-for-profit or charitable organisation.
The website stresses the importance of gaining legal advice and, with over 230,000 organisations competing for funds, it would be wise to ascertain whether your charity is perhaps a bit too similar to others. Nevertheless, the Philanthropy Australia site has some good information for beginner philanthropists as well as links which offer further information.
Go there
Great Grannies
In Africa, fourteen million children have been orphaned by AIDS and are now being raised by their grandparents. In 2002, a group of twelve women from Wakefield, USA, heard their stories and decided to help. Today there are 30 Wakefield Grannies groups across Canada and the US.
The Wakefield Grannies help to provide financial assistance to the African grandmothers, or ‘GoGos' as the South Africans call them. Their ‘grandmother to grandmother' campaign throws fundraising events such as concerts, play-readings and quilt sales. But it's not all about money. Each woman has an individual grannie to whom she writes letters, and the recipients have expressed how much it means to them to know that there is someone across the oceans who cares.
The spontaneous generosity of the Wakefield Grannies is an inspiration to us all. To find out more or get involved.
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Kids Quality Of Life
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, he or she misses out on so much. Simple pleasures such as family outings are not possible. Through Camp Quality, Gry Thompson is raising funds to provide about 100 children living with the disease with the chance to visit Dreamworld and Sea World in Queensland, along with their carers. A worthier charity would be hard to find.
For these kids, a five-day holiday is a dream come true. Funds are needed for airfares, coach transfers, accommodation, entry fees and meals, amongst other expenses. A quick whip around friends or family could help to make a real difference to these sick kids. Camp Quality never relies on door-to-door or telemarketing to fundraise, so if you donate you won't go on a list and get called evey night at dinner time.
To donate, send a cheque to Fiona Setchell, Area Manager, Camp Quality Ltd, 41 O'Connell Street, North Melbourne, Vic 3051, call (03) 9329 6566.
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