The forgotten children of Burma How your support is giving children a childhood
Inside
• Rebuilding lives in Sierra Leone, by actress Sarah Alexander • Our tax justice campaign highlights
Autumn 2013 • The childhood issue • www.actionaid.org.uk
Turn to page 10 to read about ActionAid’s special appeal to stop the suffering of Burma’s forgotten children. To donate go to: www.actionaid.org.uk/ wayout
Htar Htar, 5, collecting dirty water in Phayar Lay Su Village, Myanmar. Photo: William Davies/ActionAid
CONTENTS 3
DEAR SUPPORTER
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NEWS SHORTS
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REBUILDING LIVES IN SIERRA LEONE
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OUR TAX JUSTICE CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS
10 THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN OF BURMA 14 YOUR WILL MADE EASY 15 MESSAGES FROM YOU 16 DO MORE TO END POVERTY 18 GIFTS IN ACTION
DEAR SUPPORTER This issue has a special focus on childhood. As a father of three teenagers, I know how important, yet fleeting, our formative years can be. Childhood forms the foundation of our lives. It’s a time when we can absorb huge amounts of information, when we are naturally curious and strongly influenced by the environment we grow up in. Please read ‘The forgotten children of Burma’ on page 10 and find out how our focus on early years education is helping children as young as four discover their childhood. With your help, our special appeal will give thousands more boys and girls in Burma (Myanmar) the chance to be children. Don’t miss the moving piece by actress and ActionAid supporter Sarah Alexander, who travelled to Sierra Leone in August. Her diary on page six shows the extraordinary courage and determination of people who have survived horrific conflict, yet played a crucial role in rebuilding their communities. I hope you’ll look back with pride at the difference you’ve made by making this transformative work possible.
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01460 238 000 supporter.care@actionaid.org COVER IMAGE ActionAid volunteer Phyu Phyu Win, 24, helping six-year-old Pyae Soe Aung with his learning in Ma Gyi Cho village. Photo: Christopher Davy/ActionAid.
ActionAid is a registered charity, number 274467. Design: www.thomasmatthews.com Print: Brightsource
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Our feature on page eight highlights why tax matters to children’s futures and to thousands of our supporters around the world. Finally, it seems a little early to be talking about Christmas but if, like me, you hate the stress of shopping, you might want to consider our Gifts in Action for a loved one. Thank you so much for your continued support. Richard Miller Executive Director 3
JUNE APPEAL: THANK YOU A huge thank you to everyone who donated to our global hunger appeal in June. More than three million children die from hunger every year. But thanks to your support, we are working with the poorest families, from providing emergency food when disasters strike, to establishing seed banks for long-term food security. You can be sure your donation is helping those most in need.
MALALA DAY: 12 JULY 2013 Dundo Victoria, 60, celebrating the peanut harvest in Kituti village, Uganda. Photo: Jake Lyell/Shoot the Earth/ActionAid
NEWS SHORTS
This summer, education campaigners Millie and Sam took part in the first ever UN Youth Takeover in New York. Joining Malala Yousafzai, the inspirational schoolgirl shot by the Taliban, they spoke up for every child’s right to an education. Meanwhile, school children from across the UK gathered at the Houses of Parliament to show their support. Find out more: www.sendmyfriend.org/malaladay
Malala Yousafzai, addressing young people at the United Nations, 12 July 2013. Photo: AP/Mary Altaffer
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CAMPAIGNING IN YOUR COMMUNITY This September, ActionAid Community Campaigner, Will Davis, travelled to Brussels ahead of a crucial European Parliament vote on biofuels. Will explained, “I’m lobbying my MEPs to let them know I don’t agree with biofuels. Biofuels increase land grabs and cause hunger in developing countries.”
Join Will and others taking action as part of our Community Campaigner network. Email natasha.adams@actionaid.org or call 0203 122 0683 today
Will Davis outside the European Parliament. Photo: ActionAid
A STEP FORWARD ON BIOFUELS This summer, ActionAid supporters sent nearly 50,000 messages to MEPs, demanding they limit food burnt as fuel in a key vote in September. Although we didn’t quite get the 5% limit on food based biofuels we fought for (with a cap of 6% voted through), most importantly MEPs did acknowledge the role of biofuels in causing hunger and climate change. Read more at www.actionaid.org.uk/MEPvote
The K’Quinich community in Guatemala calling for ‘Food not Fuel’. Photo: Daniele Volpe/ActionAid
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REBUILDING LIVES IN SIERRA LEONE Sarah Alexander, actress and mum of Sam, six and Phoebe, three, visited Sierra Leone to find out how child sponsorship is supporting communities torn apart by civil war.
Nurses Aminta Thoronka (left), and Mary Angela, with Sarah outside the local birth home. Photo: Greg Funnell/ActionAid
Monday We head out to rural Bo where we visit the sponsored Blamawo community. Arriving at the health centre, I meet head nurse, Mary. Despite the basic conditions she has a wonderful sense of humour, which comes in handy when dealing with 15 communities at once! She only has one pair of forceps and sometimes delivers two babies at one time.
“Growing up my step-father sponsored a little boy in Sierra Leone and I vividly remember him receiving letters. When ActionAid invited me to see their work I was immediately on board.” Sarah Alexander with Iye Mammy, 25, her new-born baby, and nurse Mary Angela. Photo: Greg Funnell/ActionAid
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Before ActionAid built the centre here, women often died during labour as the nearest hospital is five miles away on foot. Having gone through labour twice, I can’t imagine giving birth without support in the middle of the bush, let alone without any drugs.
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Tuesday
Thursday
Today I meet Jane from the Mbundorbu community. She tells me how she escaped the worst atrocities of the war by hiding in the bush with her eight children. Despite their remarkable fight for survival, the family are still hungry today. I am moved to tears. I am struck by everyone’s amazing spirit. The war ended 11 years ago and I can’t believe that people who have gone through such traumatic events are still so up against it. It is extremely difficult seeing broken families. Every child I talk to tells me one of their parents is dead. Not all to the war, some to sickness, but this just highlights the urgent need for better healthcare for everyone.
It is my last day and I talk to 13-year-old Kadiatu, a remarkable girl who has benefited from sponsorship at the Kola Tree School. Her mother was shot dead during the conflict while she was a babe in arms. Fortunately, a passer-by picked her up and returned her to her grandmother. She loves maths and wants to be a nurse – she is so bright and switched on. I go and do some drawing in a classroom with the little ones – some the same age as my son. They simply love it and I can’t help thinking that children really are the future. Sarah sits with Jane, 50, in the ruins of her house destroyed in the war. Photo: Greg Funnell/ActionAid
Wednesday In Freetown, I meet Sahr who runs the Mayemie Training Centre for war-affected young people. It is funded by sponsorship and is for anyone who is orphaned or homeless and wants to learn a skill like welding, carpentry, baking or catering. Orphaned by the war himself, Sahr’s personality is stamped all over the place – he is inspirational.
Kadiatu, 13, and her brothers, from the Kola Tree Community, Sierra Leone. Photo: Greg Funnell/ActionAid
Friday Sahr Mbayo with four boys taking part in a carpentry workshop. Photo: Greg Funnell/ActionAid
Sierra Leone is recovering from a ten-year-civil war in which 500,000 people were killed and almost half the population were displaced. Over 2000 UK child sponsors are needed for children living in conflict-affected countries.
I met so many passionate, warm and dignified people in Sierra Leone; I really didn’t want to leave. Now back in the world of scripts and shows, I can’t stop thinking about those children and wishing I was back there with them.
Act now: www.actionaid.org.uk/child
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OUR TAX JUSTICE CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTS We’ve been campaigning for over five years to stop developing countries losing more to tax havens than they receive in aid. With your help we’ve hit the headlines and gained support from all major UK political parties. We’ve still got a long way to go, but can be really proud of what we’ve achieved together. Thank you for your incredible response so far.
2009: Tax havens promise At the G20 summit in April, tens of thousands of campaigners won a promise from world leaders to tackle tax havens. “We will…crack down on those tax havens that siphon money from developing countries.” Prime Minister Gordon Brown, March 2009
2011: Schtop tax dodging! We found evidence that beer giant SABMiller, owners of Grolsch and Peroni lagers, was dodging enough taxes to send 250,000 African children to school. Thousands of ActionAid supporters wrote to the company, asked awkward questions at their shareholder AGM and took part in events. As a direct result of our campaigning, lobbying and research, 21 African states agreed to a new informationsharing treaty, to help stop companies like SABMiller dodging their taxes.
Put People First March London, 28 March 2009. Photo: Kristian Buus/ActionAid
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Youth Activist Jo Woolf outside the London Office of SABMiller.
2012: Closing a new tax loophole While the government made strong statements about tackling tax dodgers, we got wind of a new tax loophole opening up at home that would drain money from poor countries. Together we put tax justice at the heart of the debate in parliament, through thousands of emails and letters to MPs, lobby meetings, media coverage and petition hand-ins. Although we didn’t get the changes we wanted, our campaign made the government recognise the importance of tax to poor countries. “…what ActionAid supporters do should not be underplayed. Your campaign cards, emails and phone calls to MPs resulted in what I hope to be a change in culture in the development of Government tax policy to take into account the effect on developing countries.” Stephen Williams – Liberal Democrat MP
Photo: Henry Nicholls/ActionAid
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2013: Enough Food for Everyone… 1. <PM ÅVIT outcome Over 200 organisations came together to demand an end to hunger and tax dodging. In June Danny Boyle joined a 45,000-strong crowd in Hyde Park calling for a G8 deal on tax. At the G8 summit in Northern Ireland tax justice was top of the agenda, with David Cameron promising the agreement made “has the potential to rewrite the rules on tax and transparency for the benefit of countries right across the world, including the poorest countries in the world.” We’ll be keeping up the pressure to make sure it does.
Zambian children campaign for tax justice. Photo: ActionAid
Our global tax campaign continues to grow From Bangladesh to Kenya, thousands of people have started to campaign for tax justice, sending messages about what tax pays for in their countries. With the campaign growing around the world, your continued support is crucial in making sure developing countries get the investment they need for vital services like hospitals and schools.
Jane’s story Jane is a volunteer teacher in Kenya where one million children are missing out on school. Although she teaches classes of up to 80 students on a full-time basis, there are not enough government funds to pay her. Developing countries lose three times more to tax havens than they receive in aid every year. In countries like Kenya, tax avoidance can mean unpaid teachers, overcrowded classrooms and poor healthcare for children. “It’s a disgrace that there is a huge need for teachers like myself, but no public funds to pay us,” Jane Irungu, volunteer teacher, Kenya. Jane teaching in the Kibera slum of Nairobi. Photo: Piers Benatar/Panos Pictures/ActionAid.
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REACHING CHILDREN THE WORLD FORGOT
Curious and keen to learn, these children from the isolated village of Thayet Pin Seik are enthusiastic about going to school. Read on to discover how ActionAid is reaching children the world forgot. Children from Thayet Pin Seik village, Myanmar. Photo: William Davies/ActionAid
WE CAN CHANGE THE FUTURE FOR CHILDREN LIKE HTAR HTAR Every child has rights, no matter who they are or where they live. But thousands of children in Burma (Myanmar) are denied even the right to a childhood. With your help, we have a unique opportunity to give many boys and girls in Myanmar the chance to be children. Shihab Uddin Ahamad, Myanmar Country Director Photo: Kate Stanworth/ActionAid
“Only half of all children finish primary school in Myanmar,” explains ActionAid’s Country Director, Shihab Uddin Ahamad.
“Children as young as five often have to work. They spend long days collecting firewood and water, or helping take care of younger siblings or livestock, such as pigs and goats.” In remote, rural areas like Myaing, the few schools that exist are extremely difficult to access from outlying villages. As one of the few charities working with Myanmar’s poorest communities, ActionAid understands how
to reach even the most isolated children. “We work with children when they are very young. Our local, early learning centres are for children aged from four to six. Here the children sing, play and learn; they have the chance to be children. When I ask them what they want to be when they grow up they say ‘hsayarmah’ (teacher). Right from this early age they get a taste for education.”
Six-year-old SuSu Hlaing drawing in morning class, Su Yet San village. Photo: Christopher Davy/ActionAid
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Most five-year-olds are fun-loving and curious but Htar Htar’s day doesn’t leave time for her to be a child. It is a day any adult would find exhausting…
Htar Htar washing dishes at her grandmother’s house in Phar Lay Su village, Myanmar. Htar Htar washing dishes at her grandmother’s house in Phar Lay Su village, Myanmar. Photo: William William Davies/ActionAid Davies/ActionAid Photo:
No life for a five-year-old Every day, Htar Htar spends hours collecting filthy water from the river. It is backbreaking work, and it is not her only job. With her parents working far from home and her grandmother forced to beg, Htar Htar spends her days alone doing the family’s chores. She cooks, cleans, washes dishes and collects firewood, spending only one precious hour with her grandmother before going to bed. • £20 could help three families access water from a village well. • £30 could help train teachers, so local children from 15 families can receive an education. • £50 could help six families grow crops, using seeds from a community grain bank.
Autumn 2013
For many years children in Myanmar have suffered in silence. As the doors to this isolated country finally open, we have a unique opportunity to support these forgotten children. Our special appeal will help bring education, clean water and local employment to 30 villages in Myaing. By giving a gift today, you are investing in generations of children to come.
Will you help children like Htar Htar find a way out? Please give to this special appeal today. Visit www.actionaid.org.uk/wayout or call 01460 23 8023 today. Thank you.
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YOUR WILL MADE EASY Many of us don’t want to think about making a will or are worried about the cost. But writing a will need not be time consuming or difficult. Will Aid is an easy way to make your will and to support ActionAid at the same time. This November, solicitors across the country will help thousands of people draw up their will, in return for a donation to a good cause. The money raised is shared between nine leading charities, including ActionAid. With a Will Aid solicitor, you will gain peace of mind and help transform the lives of others. The suggested donation is £90 for a single basic will or £135 for a pair of basic mirror wills.
Will Aid worked for us “It was over 15 years since my wife and I completed our previous wills and much had changed over that time. When we heard about Will Aid, we thought it would be a good opportunity to sort out our estate. The campaign gave us the extra push we needed. The solicitor was extremely pleasant and helpful, offering practical advice on aspects of the wills that we had not considered. I can only speak most highly of my experience with Will Aid. I have already recommended it to all my friends and family.” Mr & Mrs McWilliams, Lincolnshire
Get in touch on 0203 122 0512 or email us at willaid@actionaid.org and we will even make the appointment for you! You can also visit www.actionaid.org.uk/ willaid to find your local participating solicitor.
While writing or updating your will, you may wish to do what many others do, and choose to support a cause close to your heart. A gift left to ActionAid in this way could make an enormous difference to the people we work with all over the world.
Fourteen-year-old Rajmani is in class seven at Jyoti Lower Secondary School in Nepal. Rajmai’s back at school thanks to a supporter who left a gift in their will. Photo: Kishor K. Sharma/ActionAid
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If you have any questions about Will Aid or remembering ActionAid in your will, please contact Peter de Vena Franks on 0203 122 0512 or peter.devenafranks@actionaid.
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MESSAGES FROM YOU
A snapshot of the news and comments you’ve been sending by post, email, Facebook and Twitter.
Peter (email) “I have been a supporter of ActionAid for many years and admire the work that your charity does. However, on receiving the latest copy of Action magazine I wondered how much it costs to produce and send out this publication by post? Surely it would be much cheaper to use email and spend the money saved on more worthwhile causes?”
@carolynjoy N after a 12k run. Training for the #RPFHalfMarathon for @ActionAidUK Rhiannon – @eskimo_kisses I’m so excited to have received details of my sponsor child today, a beautiful 7-yr-old boy in the DRC. Thank you, @ActionAidUK!
Lauren Jones – @LaurenJ77 @ActionAidUK My girl reading about other 8 year olds less fortunate than her in your newsletter …thank you!
Autumn 2013
ActionAid UK “Hi Peter. Thanks for your email. Cost is something we are very conscious of so we recently reduced the size of the magazine, which now costs 23p per issue to print and post to our supporters. We also offer supporters the option of signing up for a digital copy. Find out more at: www.actionaid.org.uk/actiononline”
Get in touch Email us at: supporter.services@actionaid. org or find us at: www.facebook.com/ actionaiduk or www.twitter.com/actionaiduk
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SEE THE WORLD MAKE A DIFFERENCE Mission Malawi 2014 20–28 September 2014 Take on the ultimate challenge of conquering south central Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Mulanje and kayaking across Lake Malawi. This exhilarating trek and kayak experience will give you a unique insight into one of Africa’s most beautiful countries and enable you to visit the life-changing projects your fundraising supports. Every penny you raise will support people living with HIV and AIDs in Malawi.
Mount Moulanje in Malawi. Photo: Colin Carmichael Photography
Discover Vietnam 24 October– 2 November 2014 Register now for our Vietnam first hand experience and help bring education to children in Vinh Long Province. By taking part in this unique challenge you will help build a much needed classroom for a village school whilst learning new skills and discovering the stunning Mekong River Delta.
For more details call: 01460 238 047, email: experiences@ actionaid.org or visit: www.actionaid. org.uk/experiences
No experience is necessary: just enthusiasm and the desire to make a difference! Leila Wallis meets local children during a Nepal first hand experience. Photo: Kari Collins/ActionAid
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WILL YOUR SCHOOL LIVE LIKE LESOTHO? This fun, flexible fundraising resource for primary schools allows children to immerse themselves in the culture of Lesotho, whilst raising money to help the communities that theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re learning about. Download our free resources at www.actionaid.org.uk/LiveLikeLesotho
Ramotili, 12, standing on his family farm in Lesotho. Photo: Eva-Lotta Jansson/ActionAid
Sing for ActionAid this Christmas December 2013 If you are part of a choir, or simply enjoy a Christmas sing-song, then you can make a huge difference this December.
Call My Wine Bluff Spring 2014 Tickets are now available for our annual fundraising gala event Call My Wine Bluff. Join us for an exclusive evening of fine wine and top class celebrity entertainment.
Join the festive fun, email events@actionaid.org Contact jo.murch@actionaid.org or visit www.actionaid.org.uk/winebluff
Virgin Money London Marathon Sunday 13 April 2014 Register now to be part of Team ActionAid in the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s biggest marathon. You will receive fantastic fundraising support, training tips and the biggest cheers on race day. If you have already secured a place through the public ballot, we would love to hear from you. Contact run@actionaid.org or visit www.actionaid.org.uk/ running Adam Elkin, Virgin Money London Marathon. Photo: ActionAid
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GIFTS THAT CHANGE LIVES
Choose a life-changing gift for your loved ones this Christmas, knowing you are making a real difference to some of the world’s poorest people. Surprise your brother with a chicken, give your friend a rice field or watch as your mum unwraps a brand new classroom!
How does it all work? Well, it couldn’t be simpler:
1.
2.
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Choose a gift for a friend, colleague or loved one. We have gifts to suit all tastes and personalities!
Add your personal message to one of our specially designed cards.
Your loved one receives their gift card and your donation is sent to those who need it most.
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE All of our gifts represent long-term projects where we are working closely with communities in many ways. Arranged by category and price, Gifts in Action really do provide something for everyone. • Optional FREE deliveries • E-Cards • Personalised messaging • International shipping No queuing. No stress. Your Christmas shopping made simple. 18
Venilia Philippe, 14, on her way to ActionAid funded Loncy Community School, Haiti. Photo: ActionAid
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Chicken out Is your bestie an animal lover? Why not buy them a chicken and help a family produce food?
Bookworm Buying a child school books for a whole year is the perfect gift for a book lover.
“When I opened the present it was such a surprise that I\ ÅZ[\ 1 _I[ Y]Q\M overwhelmed! I’m lucky. I don’t really need anything, so it was great to have a present which actually helps others. I like to think my little goats are running around, playing together in the hot sun.” Dilys Murch
Tune in Gadget geeks will love the gift of a radio enabling isolated communities to hear vital broadcasts over the airwaves.
Order your Gifts in Action today by completing the enclosed form, calling 0800 085 8550, or visiting giftsinaction.org.uk.
Christmas cards on sale now! Order your Christmas cards from ActionAid and help us support children, families and communities in the world’s poorest countries. We have a variety of designs to suit all tastes. Cards cost £3.99 for a pack of ten. Buy your cards today! You can place your order by visiting www.actionaid.org.uk/cards or by calling us on 01460 238 047.
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to write your Will
Every November, thousands thousands of people people not only gain Will in in this thisway, way,they theyalso also peace of mind by writing their will
Visit: www.actionaid.org.uk/willaid
help raise millions of pounds for nine of the UK’s best loved charities, including ActionAid. How to make a Will Aid appointment And this year it's even easier for ActionAid supporters - if you give us a call or email us at willaid@actionaid.org.uk we'll even make the appointment for you! Alternatively, go to www.actionaid.org.uk/willaid and use the solicitor look up to find your local participating solicitor.
Call: 0203 122 0512
Email: willaid@actionaid.org
ALL MONEY RAISED BY WILL AID SUPPORTS THE WORK OF:
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