Charities for Hilary 2007

AllianceDARC

An estimated 2 million women have been raped or subjected to sexual violence in conflicts across the globe since 1990. AllianceDARC is a newly founded NGO which seeks to intensify the current effort by NGOs and Red Cross/Crescent in advocacy, assistance, protection and prevention of rape. It not only aims to coordinate current efforts through a global campaign, but to extend them through a strong field service orientation with the main objective of providing practical assistance for those suffering from abuse. Its four strategic objectives are:

  • Rebuild broken lives. Currently, little assistance for rape survivors. Alliance supports local partners in expansion of tailor made healthcare, psychosocial, and livelihood support.
  • Redress wrongs and bring personal safety Alliance helps to combat the culture of impunity in these contexts, through supporting local partners seeking legal action against rape and mobilising volunteers by 'protection-through-presence.'
  • Report reality Combatting prevailing attitudes, such as denial of the problem, through independent collection and dissemination of specific facts and figures relevant to specific contexts.
  • Reduce future sexual violence, especially through mobilising men. Currently limited involvement of men as leaders and advocates against sexual violence. Alliance aims to actively encourage mens involvement in campaigns, through community and media based programs with the eventual objective of a shift in current prevalent norms.

Ataxia-Telangiectasia Society

AT is a rare, neurodegenerative disease which affects many parts of the body and causes severe disability. A-T first shows itself in toddlers with a lack of balance, slurred speech and a susceptibility to infection. It may however be several years before the disease is actually diagnosed, particularly because it is very rare with less than 3 people affected per million.

The A-T society was set up in 1989 to help and support families affected by the disease, at the time of diagnosis and afterwards. The society improves the quality of life of those affected by, for example, providing support and information to them, and giving grants for equipment such as wheelchairs and computers. The society has a counsellor and family support worker to further help those affected. Other aims of the Society include to raise awareness, improve clinical management, and fund research into the disease.

Jubilee Action

Jubilee Action is a human rights charity dedicated to rescuing children at risk of abuse and exploitation worldwide. Their vision is to be instrumental in changing the lives of those who suffer unjustly. They aim not to duplicate work done by other organisations, but to find innovative ways of reaching out to children most at risk. They work in 18 countries worldwide. Examples of their projects are rescuing children from the brothels of Mumbai, giving them rehabilitation, accommodation and healthcare, and providing shelter for the night commuters of Northern Uganda – where children walk into town for miles every night to hide from a rebel army who kidnap them and force them to fight.

Oxford Poverty Action Trust

The Oxford Poverty Action Trust (OxPAT) was set up in 1996 by a committee including representatives of the City, University, Police, churches and concerned citizens to meet the challenge of visible poverty in the streets and invisible poverty in the hostels, bed and breakfast accommodation etc. Inspired by successful “Diverted Giving” schemes in Winchester and elsewhere, the aim was to establish an umbrella fund to receive donations from the public, including tourists, and to distribute them to the existing agencies working to alleviate poverty. One of its aims was to help reduce street begging by persuading the public not to give directly to beggars, and thus fuel dependency on alcohol or drugs; and to provide a means whereby their generosity could be channelled more productively.

ROOF

Project Baranovo is an educational project, started by the Russian Orphan Opportunity Fund, or ROOF, based at the Belskoye Ustye orphanage in the Pskovskaya Oblast’ area of Russia. It aims to give the resident children – who have difficulties ranging from mild learning difficulties to severe psychological issues – the opportunity of an education, which they have so far been denied. It gives these vulnerable young children the chance to learn, to express themselves and to develop skills which will help them to avoid permanent institutionalisation in future life. Project Baranovo provides basic primary education and developmental training for every child in the orphanage, children traditionally deemed "unteachable" by state authorities.