Our first visit to Nepal was eye opening and enabled us to see first hand the poverty and logistical challenges that face the team there.  

After long discussions with Krishna as to what was needed and how we could better help them, the decision was taken to concentrate on the children in Kathmandu and Pokhara areas. Using the successful model that has worked so well at the Way of Joy in Romania a new Starlight Centre will be opening soon.  

The Starlight Centre will be a place where children can come for a community meal each week.  They can interact with other children and families working on their education, social skills and most importantly have time to play.

We are very excited for Krishna and Sita in Nepal and believe 2013 is going to be the start of good things for them.

This year we were able to provide 6 people with full birth certificates.  To those of us who take for granted that bit of paper tucked away in a file somewhere this may not seem very significant.

Without a birth certificate in Romania you cannot go to school, you cannot access healthcare, you have no social place, you are part of a hidden underclass.

A child cannot be registered if their parents are not.  This lack of paperwork can go back generations and take months to resolve.  We are currently working with two young brothers. Although aged 10 and 11 they have never been to school because they don't have their certificates.  

After 3 years of hard work and determination  the hospital where they were born has been found.  2013 could be the year these boys lives change when they finally get access to state education!

This year you provided 14,300 hot meals to children!

It's not too late!  You can still get your Christmas Cards, just contact Jenny for details

The Sanctuary Homes project has continued to be an outstanding success in 2012 with 3 new homes being built, by St Lawrence, Stonar and Prior Park Schools. 

 

With other institutions joining us we have 4 more planned for next year.  We are also beginning to think of other projects that could use the same approach.  

There is no getting away from the fact that this Christmas there are still families living in extreme conditions, but the fact that there are 3 more with a roof over their heads is a real blessing.

It only seems like yesterday I was writing a similar introduction to this and yet another year has passed. Many people will remember this year as an Olympic year, when the UK came together and achieved so much for such a small island.  I too will remember 2012 for great achievements but there was not a mascot or flag in sight!  I want to share with you some facts and figures to which you have all contributed whether by sponsorship, donations or just reading our newsletter.  

Before I do that we would like to say thank you.  Thank you for your continued support to our cause.  Thank you to those who ran for us, sang for us, jumped out of planes for us, those who came to Romania to see for themselves, the pupils who built Sanctuary Homes, the artists, the businesses, the individuals, those of you who are always there with us, and those of you who have only just joined us.  Without you there would be no People in People against Poverty!

At this time of year it also seems timely to give thanks to the One on whom the charity's core values are based.  Without our faith we would not have the strength to keep going in the face of what at times seems like overwhelming poverty and I know our project leaders and many supporters feel the same way too. 

From all of us here at People against Poverty HQ in our humble office in Hilperton, from the project workers, the volunteers, the families and children, from Africa, Haiti, India, Malawi, Nepal and Romania we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed and happy New Year.  

 Val Huxley CEO

St Joseph's Creche has grown this year to 30 children, many left by their mothers who simply can't cope. Gertrude and her team support the children with food, clothing and the start of an education.  Through donations and you, our child sponsors, we have been able to support 24 of these children.  We have high hopes that 2013 will see more individuals joining our sponsorship scheme as the number mothers turning to the Gertrude for help is on the increase.

One great example of practical help you have contributed to is the chicken coup, the ability to raise their own food is invaluable and exactly what this little community want, to be self sufficient!

Three young brothers from Haiti will be sharing a memorable Christmas this year with their new family. Working with an American organization who are able to find suitable adoptive parents Gertrude and the team have found a couple who feel blessed to be taking all three brothers, when a lot of people feel only ready for one child.  What a fantastic Christmas gift!

You continue to support children in six countries; Romania, Nepal, Haiti, India, Tanzania and Malawi.  However with the economic crisis beginning to bite some of our loyal supporters had to make tough choices and cease their child sponsorship.  We know how hard a decision that was for them and thank them for all their fantastic support.

What has been amazing is that despite the decrease in donors we are still able to support over 200 children.  We are hopeful that 2013 will bring new sponsors to the scheme and if you were wondering whether it really is worth it jus take a look at the face of Wilberson above.  Please consider changing a life today, email Jenny for more information.

In the summer of 2012 the UK was partying hard due to the Jubilee and Olympics.  Over in Romania a very special celebration was also taking place, the official opening of Dobrovat House!

Despite a bank balance to suggest the opposite the team here in the UK had faith that Dobrovat would be finished this year.  A generous anonymous donation proved they were right to believe and after years of hard work the centre opened in full.  

To the outside eye Dobrovat is a pile of bricks and mortar but to the community it is so much more.  It is a place of safety, sanctuary and inspiration.  Each summer over 150 children will experience a holiday, hot food, running water, their own bed.  It may not sound like much but each and every one of you who contributed to this project is responsible for creating memories that will last a life time and maybe change a life.  

The Black & White Ball was yet another night to remember.  Guests generosity meant that over £12,000 was raised, something for us to celebrate on these dark nights.  For ITS it was also memorable as they were revealed as the BaP Member of the Year 2012.  

When asked about the award Bill Huxley said "We talk about partnership and community a lot, it's at the heart of what we do.  For the judges ITS as a company embodied all of this and more.  Their support of us in 2012 has been outstanding and it has all been done in the spirit of community.  We look forward to working with them and all our BaP partners in 2013."