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What's Going On
MAY
Mon 6th - Bank Holiday
Fri 17th - Women Inspiring Women Awards
(Please vote for our CEO Val Huxley see article below)
JUNE
Thu 13th - BaP Seminar Networking Breakfast
with Mr Neil Denny
Mon 17th - Trustee meeting
JULY
Tue 9th & 10th - Better 4 Business event
SEPTEMBER
Mon 16th - Trustee meeting
TBC BaP networking Seminar
NOVEMBER
TBC - Awareness Trip
Mon 18th - BaP networking seminar with Dr Sally Vanson
Fri 30th - Sparkling Ball
CHECK BACK NEXT MONTH FOR UPDATES
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Change a child's life
This is 11 year old Fernando from Romania.
Fernando and his family live in very difficult conditions; he, his parents and his 4 brothers all live in just one room in the Dallas area of Lasi with no electricity or sanitation.
Could help support this very special boy for less than 74p per day?
If you would like more information or to sponsor Fernando contact us or have a look at our website .
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FULL TIME CARE NEEDED
Whilst in Romania last month Bill and Val made a specific trip to visit Florenta, the lady who had a stroke during the harsh winter months at the beginning of 2012.
Although able to stand, with support, Florenta needs constant care which is something she is not able to get living under a railway bridge in a cold, damp, makeshift concrete room.
We would like to give Florenta the chance to live out her remaining years with some dignity - with caring staff who can attend to her needs. In order to do this we need to find sponsor(s) who can commit long term to supporting her.
With her small pension and one of our visitors, we need to find just another £60.00 per month. This doesn't have to be an individual giver, it can be 12 people each giving £5.00 per month.
Please consider giving Florenta back some dignity in her life.
If you are able to give to this cause, then please do contact us immediately so that we can set the wheels in motion.
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WE THINK VAL DESERVES IT, DO YOU?
We at PaP are absolutely thrilled that Val Huxley has been shortlisted for a Women Inspiring Women Award - Women in the Community section . We hope that you are too and will show this by voting for her before midday on 16th May.
Whatever the outcome it will be great exposure for the charity in the Wiltshire region, but we hope that Val wins!
CLICK HERE and follow the links. to cast your vote.
The winners are to be announced at the Awards Ceremony & Dinner on Friday 17th May.
Thank you so much for your support.
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CHILD SPONSORSHIP UPDATE
   
In the last month 4 children have had their lives changed thanks to generous individuals who have chosen to sponsor them. Thanks to these people Joseph in Haiti, Sony in Nepal and Madalina and Andrei in Romania will have access to the basics in life, food, an education and access to good medical care.
Thank you to all our sponsors who give all the children in this scheme so much love, hope and support, you really are changing lives!
If you would be interested in sponsoring a child then please take a look at our website or email us.
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BUSINESS OF THE MONTH
What motivates you?
People and all their facets! I'm very lucky in that my sector is travel and tourism and as such when I travel on business we are invariably hosted in beautiful hotels, given wonderful food and drink and shown the best that a destination has to offer. But for me, the highlight is getting to know the people - in markets, bars, on the street, on buses - wherever. So I always take some time out to explore and converse with the locals as you never know what cultural, gastronomic, musical or natural gems will be revealed along the way!
In my personal life it's family - not just my kids, but cousins, in-laws, my ex - the lot! We're close and make a big effort to get together several times a year for good times that invariably include barbecues, laughter and lots of wine! Oh, and the annual BaP Ball of course!
Who do you admire in the world of business and why?
The newsreader, George Alagiah! He may not be "business" in the conventional sense, but is a wonderful communicator who exudes empathy, personal integrity and an international perspective on life. When I met him he made an observation that struck a chord: "Economic empowerment at grass roots level in whatever country enables freedom and a voice to people and businesses!" Says it all really...
Another would be a chap called Jacques Attali, a visionary who set up the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development. The bank was established to assist the transition in Eastern Europe from a communist environment to an open market economy. He did it, bringing together the governments and economic institutions of Eastern and Western Europe to build a bank that offered both development and merchant banking. Having worked there for several years it was an incredible experience.
What is your business Philosophy?
Simple: giving your business a voice
What would be your advice to anyone wondering if their business could benefit from joining Business against Poverty?
Do it - then work it! Don't pay your membership then sit back and wonder why you haven't got anything out of it. You reap what you sow - attend the events, get to know the other members and you'll see the return.
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Jerry Walsingham, Silver BaP member has given us an offer not to be missed.
To the first 5 businesses who join our Business against Poverty community, you will receive 2 months free membership to The Entrepreneur Circle. The value of these two free months is £138.00. Jerry is the Bath and West Wiltshire business Advisor and would welcome you to join either of the groups he holds in Bath and Melksham
If you are interested in joining Business against Poverty and taking up this offer then please contact us.
This offer is available only during the months of May - July
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HAVE YOU HEARD?
Save The Date -
Our Sparkling Ball is set for 30th November
LIMITED OFFER: £700.00 per table if booked & paid before 30th June
Bailbrook House Hotel, hosts of our infamous Black & White Ball are under currently undergoing a £10million transformation making them the latest 5* luxury destination in Bath. However we are delighted to say that what hasn't changed is their desire to support us in our annual event.
This year, therefore, we have decided to undergo our own transformation and are excited to announce the date of our SPARKLING BALL.
Sat 30 November
Bailbrooke House Hotel
SPARKLING BALL
£ 75.00 per person
£750.00 per table.
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This month Val is in Romania doing what she does best - organising the logistics for this year's front-line programmes - so it falls to me to introduce this month's newsletter.
As the new Director of Business Against Poverty this year our objectives are twofold: to enhance member benefits and increase the membership. We have already hit the ground running with an excellent leadership seminar run by William Montgomery and we will shortly be starting on a new Business Against Poverty web portal bringing a range of business tools and resources for members.
Your ideas and feedback for what you want from your membership are vital to the success of this year's development cycle so please use the contact link to let us know your thoughts.
Meanwhile, please take a moment to catch up with how we're using your generous donations to enhance the lives of those much less fortunate than ourselves...
Chris May
Volunteer Director of
Business against Poverty
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Developing Strategy
Over a number of years we have been working in Romania where we have developed an excellent team support structure and gained the trust of the families who receive our help.
We have made significant capital investment in developing Dobrovat House, and the medical clinic. We'e built up the food programme and grown child sponsorship, as well as built Sanctuary Homes for people to take pride and ownership. With this solid foundation laid we are now developing our long term goals in breaking the cycle of poverty by introducing work and behavioural change.
To this end we intend to purchase land in the Negresti area of Romania to build and equip an agricultural farm for the community. This investment will create work opportunities and provide the opportunity for learning new skills.
We are excited to have identified a number of farmers to work with in this next phase and look forward to sharing more as the programme develops.
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PaP and SCAPE
Many of you will be familiar with Jon Williams as he has been working with the charity for many years in the extremely successful area of education projects.
In order for us to keep moving forward and developing, as well as to ensure that we are making the best use of available resources, we have entered into a new partnership with the School Charity Action projects Europe (SCAPE) founded by Jon.
The underlying theme of our partnership is one of mutuality. We will be working together using the unique resources of each organisation to deliver innovative education projects and create funding channels.
The specific aims identified by SCAPE are:
To support the development of a comprehensive, innovative and structured plan which will achieve increased independence for the poorest in society.
To develop and support, projects that excite students, integrate well into the above objective and which provide educational and spiritual value to all concerned.
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Awareness Trip April 2013
Once again the trip was sold out with 10 people travelling to Romania with PaP.
We had a diverse range of people working in travel, agriculture, fitness, teaching, photography and puppetry all of whom went out with an open mind about what they would experience.
Here you can read a few of their comments about the trip:
Was good to see all the different projects. The range of differing needs was really interesting. I was surprised that despite their poverty they had a cheerful manner and kept their houses so clean inside. Much pride. Shocked at the families only having one meal per day, lack of job opportunities and a fuller understanding of the local community and how they are affected in the winter.
Claire Stringer of Goosebury Bush
Before going to Romania I was told me that it would be life changing but I had no idea how! This experience has changed my life forever. I love you all!
Mike Johnson of Johnsons PTS
Being able to meet Valentine of Way of Joy was a great privilege, a gentle man reflecting the love of Jesus to the poor people of Romania. The works of the Way of Joy alongside People against Poverty are helping people in ways that our society take for granted - obtaining a birth certificate just so that the children can attend school or see a doctor - stuff like this is unthinkable in our country.
Janet Lee - JJ Puppets
Firstly a big thank you to all the team for a fun trip which was wonderfully well organised by Val and Bill and a great experience. I especially enjoyed the warm reception from all our Romanian hosts and would hope that I can get back there with Judy my wife in the not too distant future.
Tim Roberts - Agriculturist
If you would like to catch a glimpse of some of the photographs taken by Clementine Wilson who joined us on this trip then please click here
If you are interested in joining us in our November trip, please email us and we will provide you with more details as and when they become available.
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Future project work in Romania
Whilst on the Awareness Trip to Romania Bill and Val had a chance to accelerate future project development including the back-to-work programmes, farm and micro agriculture projects and a number of programmes addressing the education of the people of whom we help.
One of the areas that has captured many of PaP, including Bill and Val, emotionally is sex trafficking. Prior to going to Romania the pair attended the Voice of Justice Sex Trafficking Conference in Oxford. One of the most shocking revelations of this conference was the extent to which this practice is at almost epidemic levels in our own inner cities. This means that just down the road in Bath, Trowbridge and Swindon there will be girls, from as young as 13, who have been sold into a life of slavery and sexual exploitation.
Eastern Europe is the main source of these victims. Poor living conditions and a lack of education feature highly in the root cause of this evil industry. As a result addressing housing needs and education (social and sexual) are high priorities. Our objective is to make an impact at the root of the problem rather than deal with the consequences in the UK.
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Platinum Sponsor
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April saw supporter Jonathan undertake his epic adventure cycling from London to Paris all to raise money for us.
The 300+ mile, 4 day journey passed through beautiful French and English countryside via Calais, Abbeville, Beauvais and of course iconic Paris.
Jonathan said "of the 114 cyclists I was the second youngest as we set off from Crystal Palace. For the next two and half days we rode through rural France arriving in Central Paris around lunchtime. It was superbly organised, everything was provided and luggage transported. Hotels were arranged, drink stops organised. we just had to ride our bikes, eat and sleep! I would encourage anyone thinking of doing an event like for People against Poverty to take the plunge."
Would you be interested in partaking in an
 overseas adventure for us? If your dream is trekking in Peru, a cycling challenge like this or even watching the sun rise from Mt Kilimanjaro - we can help make it happen!
Even better with a minimum sponsorship raised your trip will be FREE. Contact us for more information.
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Last month we updated you on Surya and his family who lost their house in a landslide.
We are delighted to say that the house has been completely finished structurally and the object to get a roof over their heads for the rainy season has been completed. The the family are now back in there which is a huge weight off their minds! Sadly though there was not enough money to plaster the walls or to buy any beds or bedding
Thank you so much to everyone that has donated so far. If you would like to contribute to the finishing of Suryas house you can call us on 01225 718920 for a debit/credit payment or online
We guarantee that 100% of funds raised Surya's Home will be directed to the cause.
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CONGRATULATIONS
We would like to congratulate our Silver Business against Poverty members Steve Davies and Matt Goodall of Office Evolution for winning not just one, but two Awards last Friday.
They were awarded Wiltshire Business of the Year (small business category) and (Service to the Community category)
The service to the community award was presented by the BBC and People against Poverty was part of the award as one of the charities that they supply.
If you want to know why they won these awards, then try them out. Visit their website here
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Watch this space for details of our next awareness trip taking place in:
November 2013
Reserve a space by emailing us of your interest
5 places have already been reserved. Don't miss out.
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Watch this video and see how you can raise funds for the charity in a simple and fun way.
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People against Poverty
Grangeside Business Centre, 129 Devizes Road, Hilperton,
Wilts, BA14 7SZ
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