 |
|
|
|
|
Oh What a Night!
Val and Bill Huxley (centre) with staff, volunteer and supporters
An anonymous benefactor, our first birthday, and continued success with the Entrepreneur competition all meant that even the torrential rain of Friday 13th could not dampen the party spirit as we celebrated a year to remember. A year ago things were bleak, the recession was hitting hard, but we were committed to moving forward and rebranding was an essential part of this. I won't' pretend the last year has been easy however our commitment to the very poorest in society meant we couldn't just walk away when things got tough. Clearly it wasn't just myself, Bill and the trustees that felt this way as we have not only survived, we have continued to meet our commitments and we were able to complete Dobrovat House. We are continuously humbled by the generosity of you, our supporters, and we would particularly like to thank our anonymous donor. We would like to think they were there to share the celebrations with us as it was a fantastic night. Roll on another year!
Val Huxley
CEO
|
|
|
|
|
Olympic Feat!
Congratulations to Jazmine Hemmings, Isabelle Compton and Annelli Seddon who all completed their sky dive over the weekend of 27th July. These brave souls have raised over £350 for the charity and are still collecting. If we could nominate Olympic winners they would definitely be worthy of Gold!
Annelli Seddon
Jaz Hemmings and Isabelle Compton
|
|
|
|
|
Do you recognise this boy?
You probably do! This is Boston and a few months ago we told you how having lost his whole family to Aids he was now living with distant relatives.
Despite being HIV positive Boston has a a bright future, or he will do if someone out there helps us. He is already in our child sponsorship programme and this has been the difference between life and death. The only chance that Boston has to change his life is through a good education. This can be achieved by sending him to boarding school for £50 a month. However much you can afford to contribute please do help, with enough donors we can give Boston the best possible chance going forward.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Member of the Month
60 Second Chat
Jules Ashford's business is Triangle Design
What motivates you?
To make a positive difference
Who do you admire in the world of business and why?
James Caan - I don't know him personally but from what I've read he builds businesses around people; he is a visionary but most importantly he gives so much back to those that had never had the opportunity and are in need.
What is your business philosophy?
Our business philosophy is to win for our clients. They provide the brief and we provide the solution - to deliver above expectation and make our clients look great!
Why is corporate social responsibility important to your business?
We as a team are very fortunate to be in the position we are in - including working and living where we do. We believe it is our responsibility to give something back - to be honest it is an honour and very humbling. To be able to do that as a team or company creates another focus away from usual work and reinforces the team.
What would your advice be to anyone wondering if their business can benefit from joining Business against Poverty?
If your company is looking at a CSR policy or how to bring it to reality BaP ticks all the boxes for a meaningful and effective solution. It is not only a vehicle for giving funds to those in need - it also creates opportunity for networking with like minded business people and numerous possibilities for company wide interaction through fund raising opportunities. Become a proud member today!
If you would like to learn more about Triangle Design click here |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
laying Fair! 
I watched the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics on t.v. Perhaps you did the same! I felt for all the athletes in their national groups as they processed in front of the impressive crowds, in some cases moved to tears. Although the larger countries had brought larger teams, everyone there was on an equal footing: all the competitors are given equal opportunity to compete in the games. There has been much talk about safety at the games, but just as important is fairness and impartiality. The winners will be the people who show the greatest skill, not those who have bribed the judges or come from the richest countries: it's a "level playing field".
It's not like that for many people in the countries where we in People against Poverty provide support. For example some people are not able to access education, find it difficult to get a good job, and then struggle to feed themselves and their dependents. The spiral of poverty can be exacerbated by corruption and extortionate interest rates when people do need to borrow money, perhaps to develop a business.
What I admire about People against poverty, and thank you for sharing in that support, is the determination to provide support in a way that doesn't just give temporary relief but helps to break the cycle of poverty so a "level playing field" in life becomes a more widespread experience.
Richard Hovey Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
Summer Camp at Dobrovat
Since getting back from Romania on Saturday night I have felt so inspired by the two weeks I spent at the camp; I can't tell you how much I Ioved looking after the children having fun.
All the leaders have shared their thoughts and best moments of the camp. I think everyone agreed staying over in the house really made it a special year both for the children and the leaders.
We all shared the same joy seeing the children tucked up in their own clean beds, and this year the parents made a special effort in looking after the children in preparation for the camp; they all arrived in their best clean clothes.
The campfire in the evening was the highlight, as we shared prayers, bible stories and songs. I remember Bill describing it as something primeval - collecting firewood from the forest together and sitting in a circle around the flames beneath the stars...particularly when we took up our spears and began roasting our marshmallows!
So, from me, a huge congratulations to everyone for working for so long to create Dobrovat. It is the most beautiful place.
Coco Hammond Volunteer
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Black and White Ball
It may be August and the sun may be shining...well almost...but tickets for the Black and White Ball are already selling fast. Tickets are £55 per person, or £550 for a table of 10. However if you reserve your table before August 31st the table of 10 will reduce to £500!
If you haven't been to this event before it is not to be missed! Held in the fabulous setting of Bailbrook House Hotel it takes place on November 24th and combines dinner and dancing with glamour and glitz.
|
|
First Homes of 2012
Congratulations to the St Laurence School team for going for Gold and delivering the first House of the year!
Happy new residents
Picking up the baton next week is Prior Park School, of Bath, putting up the second home of 2012. News that the wood was to be delivered was met with tears of joy from the family, reminding us all just how life changing this work is.
Costel and his family wait for their new home
|
Advertising Donation Platinum sponsors ITS recently took out 12 months of advertising with two Wiltshire publications, and generously donated August's space in the Swindon Advertiser to us! The Swindon Advertiser has an approximate circulation of 8,000 and our banner space is on the front page. This was an opportunity far too good to be missed and in collaboration with Triangle Design a really fantastic campaign was designed. Many thanks to ITS for their generosity! |
|
|
