NEWSLETTER - March 2008
2007 has been an eventful year for the Fund. The year started sadly with the death of Fr Eddie O’Shea who was a long serving trustee of the fund and his support and wisdom is sadly missed. However we are really pleased to welcome three new Trustees: Sally Hounsham plus Alan and Nicky Lion who all bring new ideas, knowledge and experience to enable the Fund to keep growing and achieving its aims.
In addition to the Trustees the Fund is grateful for the support of Father Joe Brown as well as other volunteers who all bring their own unique ideas, help and experience to the Fund. We are also very grateful to Mark Howells-Mead and Tricia Howells who fund and maintain our website. Our thanks also go to all those who have helped over the past year with packing boxes and collecting goods for the containers we have sent to Liberia and Uganda.
Without the help of all of the Trustees and volunteers the Fund would not be able to achieve its aims and objectives which, in summary, is to provide aid to African children in need, for projects that offer self-sufficiency and are sustainable in the longer term. Through education the Fund strives to give children the opportunity to empower themselves for the future.
Project Updates for 2007
The list of projects that the Fund supports is growing thanks to your help and generosity. A full update of the projects can be found in an earlier News item dated January 2008. Please let us know if you would like us to send you a hard copy of the Annual Review. We thought you might like to know that in the past 12 months you have helped us to support the following projects:
Tappita Vocational Centre
Devereux Football Club
Containers of aid to Uganda and Liberia
Sister Carmen’s health centre in Buchanan
Technical Institute, Bomi Hills
Kilomeni school dining hall, Tanzania
Bursaries and Scholarships for Ghana
Liberia Scholarships
Matadi Youth Centre
Don Bosco Homes
In 2006 Fr Joe received an appeal for funds from Don Bosco Homes in Grand Bassa and Rivercess who are helping returning refugees. Unicef had been supporting this project which aims to disarm and re-home child soldiers but unfortunately they had to pull out. Don Bosco needed funds to keep their work going for another year so they could complete their exit strategy. Over 400 children and child soldiers were assisted last year and provided with training and reintegration. The budget for the year was US$37,000 and Fr Joe had $11,000 from other sources leaving a shortfall of US$26,000. It was agreed that this amount would be funded from Sean’s legacy.
Brewerville School
The Sean Devereux Memorial school in Brewerville founded by Amadu Sarnor is a great example of what can be achieved – during 2007 it was visited by the Duchess of York as well as visit by President Sirleaf’s son. The Fund has sent substantial amounts of money over the years to pay for construction work and equipment.
The basic levels of education the children receive has been extended to include peace and Human Rights Education. The past 14 years conflict in Liberia left suffering and displacement of children and young people, under horrific circumstances. Now that Liberia is enjoying peace and security, we have developed in our children, education for conflict prevention, peace and human rights as well as skills for constructive living.
In addition to the school the Fund has also supported the Farm by supplying a cassava grinder, seeds, tools etc. This is proving to be successful with the Farm selling surplus produce to supermarkets, local markets, hospitals and some local communities.
Projects for 2008
Truth and Reconciliation Project
Efforts aimed at ending the Liberian civil crisis allowed for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) which emerged as a result of consultative meetings of warring parties, political grouping and civil society. The goal of this commission is to seek justice and truth for all in the process of attaining peace for Liberia. This model was first used in South Africa and has since been used in other war torn countries such as Sierra Leone.
Don Bosco homes, as the flagship of Liberian children’s rights, protection and development work has been asked by the TRC to get involved and take control of the TRC child task force. Liberia’s civil war was largely fought by young people therefore their participation in the TRC hearings is vital. DBH believe that one sure way to save Liberia is to save its children. DBH have asked us to help them in the TRC process focusing on children for which they need US$20,000.
These funds will be used to:
Coordinate all child protection agencies working with the TRC
Make all child protection agencies create awareness in their operational areas on children participation in the TRC
Make sure TRC officers respect and implement the guidelines of children participation in the TRC process
Provide child protection training to TRC statement-takers and other officials
Provide training to child protection agencies on the TRC guidelines.
The war in Liberia ended in 2003 and disarmament ended in 2004. All former child combatants were collected, registered, disarmed, given ID numbers, and placed in ICC (interim care centres) before being re-unified with parents. Unicef and CPAs have identities and ID numbers (records) on the children who passed through this process. It is these people with whom we are dealing.
This was a difficult project for the Trustees to assimilate as it is a bit “outside the box” for us as we are more familiar with “bricks and mortar” type projects. But, in the words of one trustee:
“It is difficult to be able to define and quantify an educational process, albeit one involving the mental health and emotional well-being of children and their families. It is much easier to take this approach when concrete tasks are undertaken-such as buildings and buying library books. But in a way this is about faith in a project which could have far reaching consequences for the people of Liberia. Sean often had confidence in people and processes that other people didn’t and usually let everyone know about it.”
Brewerville School and Farm
Amadu has written to ask for help in fencing in the school compound, building a chicken house and help with finding basketball resources. We are hopeful that with your continued support this project will become a reality and that local people will be able to raise their own animals for food and trade.
FUNDRAISING
Spring Ball
A Spring Ball was held at Wellington College in April 2007 and was a huge success and made a profit of £25,025 If anybody would be willing to help with the 2009 Ball please let us know – we really could use your help! The date has been booked for 21st March 2009 again at the Wellington College.
Rome Marathon
One of our long term supporters, Jeremy Hopkins, will be running in this year’s Rome Marathon on 16th March. Jeremy has been training for this event since August (admittedly with a short alcohol-induced break over Christmas).
If anybody would like to sponsor Jeremy or send him a good luck message he has his own sponsorship website at: www.bmycharity.com/jhopkins. He will be donating his sponsorship money to the Fund.
Bisley concert
Once again the Chalky White Band (who played at the ball) gave their services for free last year so that Sally could organise a concert in Bisley Village Hall which raised £1,800. They have repeated their offer again this year and we are hoping to hold this event on 12th April 2008.
Golf day 2008
This will be held on 22nd August 2008 at East Berkshire Golf Club, Crowthorne
Bmycharity.com
We are now set up to collect donations on-line through the Bmcharity site: www.bmycharity.com/sdcf please have a look at the site and, if you are doing any sponsored charity events - or - wish to make a donation please use their services.
Once again, thank you to all of you who support and encourage us in our aim to help the children of Africa.
Best wishes
Maureen
