Making a Difference 08-09

Thanks to the hard work of Group members the Fair Trade Group were able to choose a range of Unwrapped projects to support at the November meeting. The members decided on a H2O system, a Buffalo and two Bicycle ambulances. Please read below for details of these programs.

H2O harvesting - $500

To support drought-stricken areas of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, a gift of water harvesting that includes water tanks, curved guttering that neatly fits on round houses, and hippo barrels that can be filled with water and rolled to their destination, will help increase access to clean water in poor communities. The beneficiaries are 200 tribal families residing in the KwaNibela ward and with enough support, additional water tanks, guttering and barrels can reach many more.

How does this gift help?

This project provides clean, safe water for some of the poorest communities in South Africa, to help protect children from life-threatening dirty-water diseases. "The recipients of the units are people who have HIV and AIDS in their families, have no access to water, and who have little resources in the family. They are very poor people - we have seen many cases of absolute poverty." Operation Upgrade, Oxfam Australia Local Partner.

Buffalo - $495

Do you know a gentle giant? Then a buffalo is perfect for them. These lovely creatures are given to groups to start their own buffalo bank where we provide the poorest community members with a buffalo to help plough the land. Once the buffalo have bred, the baby buffalo are returned to the “buffalo bank” so that other members of the community are able to use them. A big winner for all involved.

How does this gift help?

A buffalo bank works by giving a poor family a buffalo to help them plough their fields and use for breeding, providing them with enough food and also preventing them from having to work twice as hard planting rice by hand. "Before we had the buffalo, we grew rice by hand. Now, we have rice for six or seven months of the year. Before we only had enough rice for two months." Chrim Veng, Cambodia.

Bicycle ambulance - $296

In Malawi, there are no flashing lights and sirens when these Bicycle Ambulances transport the sick, but that doesn’t make them any less effective. As a mode of transport, they’re effective, practical and with your help, cheap to get on the road! Help get behind these carers as they pedal their way to save the day.

How does this gift help?

A bicycle ambulance for the Blantyre District Health office will safely transport expectant mothers and chronically ill patients to the nearest health centre. "By making it possible for many people to access district health services earlier and more easily, [bicycle ambulances] contribute to improved quality of life both for those who need treatment and the volunteer carers who get them there." Bridgette Thorold, Southern Africa Program Coordinator, Oxfam Australia.