Field Notes GB Autumn Winter Issue 3

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GB EDITION

FIELD NOTES THE BIANNUAL NEWSLETTER FROM FIELDS OF LIFE www.FieldsofLife.org

AUTUMN / WINTER 2014 ISSUE 3

E F I L F O GIVE A GIFTCHRISTMAS TIME AT INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

CHANGING LIVES TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES BUILDING HOPE

SPECIAL INVITATION SAHARA WARRIORS WELLGOOD PARENTA TRUST A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP I AM GIRL A NIGHT OF CELEBRITIES AND AFRICAN DANCE FROM EAST KENT TO UGANDA WITH LOVE HEARING HOPE

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GIVE A GIFT OF LIFE AT CHRISTMAS TIME

As 2014 draws to a close, I look back and give heartfelt thanks for the phenomenal support we’ve received in our first year here in GB. We’ve been fortunate to be involved in some truly remarkable activities; the commissioning of two nursery schools, twelve fresh water wells, we’ve driven from Maidstone to Monaco and walked across the Sahara. In this our 3rd edition of Field Notes these inspirational stories of regeneration and renewal will unfold.

Before the year draws to a close we have the festivities of Christmas to look forward to and the new version of the iconic Band Aid song ‘Feed the World’, which has been re-released to help combat the EBOLA crisis that has gripped West Africa. In the words of Sir Bob Geldof, ‘Do they know it’s Christmas time again?’… a lyric that was penned 30 years ago on behalf of those trapped in poverty across Africa, and one that is still just as poignant today. Do they? For the many people in post-conflict East Africa that we seek to support, nothing much changes at Christmas time. The back breaking daily grind and struggle for those living in extreme poverty, who are just simply trying to survive remains. With your help we are working hard to make a difference and I am delighted to invite you to join with us this Christmas time, in supporting them with a Gift of Life. Our online gift shop at www.fieldsoflife.org offers a wonderful array of alternative gifts. Together we can continue to make a huge difference and share in the true spirit of Christmas.

I would like to say thank you to everyone who is already playing a part in our life transforming work. I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Yours faithfully,

Debbie Cameron Head of Development and Fundraising GB

A RATHER SPECIAL INVITATION How would you like to join us for a long weekend in Africa? Join with us along with a small group of like-minded professionals on a trip of a lifetime to Uganda on a whistle-stop tour of amazing development projects in The Pearl of Africa. Please contact us for further details.

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SAHARA

WARRIORS On 2nd October a group of ten intrepid explorers set off to undertake an arduous nine day expedition to trek across the Sahara desert.

The aim of this tremendous challenge was to raise money through the Well Good Campaign - an initiative started by Family Business Place - to raise awareness towards the drilling of wells in East Africa. The lack of water during the long trek across the world’s largest subtropical hot desert particularly resonated with our mission to improve water supplies. Anita Brightley-Hodges, MD of FBP commented: “One of the vitally important aspects of the work at Fields of Life in post conflict East Africa is to create sustainable fresh water wells for remote communities. Wherever they work, sustainability is at the heart of their projects, helping others to help themselves. Those of us who undertook the trek across the Sahara were living from well to well - only able to carry enough water at the start of each day to get us through to the next well in the evening – so it will really showcased to our team of trekkers how crucial the wells FOL drill in Africa are.”

FOL GB is delighted to announce that the blisters, sweat and tears experienced by the trekkers were by no means in vain. The trip raised a phenomenal total in excess of £24,000. Special thanks go to the ten Sahara Warriors: Anita and Olympia Brightley-Hodges, Amalia Brightley-Gillott, Nick Gillott, Angela Firmin, Karen Stead, Chris Godfrey, Hayley Clements, Sheri Downer and Debbie Cameron, and not forgetting Jim Young from Adventurous Ewe who led the expedition.

WELLGOOD

The WellGood Campaign is growing from strength to strength, working in partnership with FOL GB to bring fresh water to communities in East Africa who desperately need it. The campaign encourages businesses to sponsor a drinking well for just £3,600. This year we’ve been supported by some truly wonderful organisations: Bennett Opies Ltd, Family Business Place, Medway Bridge Marina, Boodles, James Caan Foundation, Shepherd Construction and Component Force.

Medway Bridge Marina hosted a series of fundraising events to raise money for their well. Sam Dallas commented on why they got behind the campaign: “Not only will you be helping a great cause, it's also a great chance to have fun with your team and a brilliant PR story for your business.”

Anita and Steve from Family Business Place took a trip out to visit their well earlier this year. It’s simple to get involved, just start fundraising and you too can make a huge difference to the lives of others.

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PARENTA TRUST Well what an incredible year the team at Parenta Trust have experienced! At the start of the year their first nursery school was built in Luwero which serves 150 children with a quality pre-school education.

A team from Parenta Trust travelled out to open the school earlier this year and spent the day decorating the classrooms with the children and enjoyed an afternoon with the families in the community that the school will be serving. Commenting on the trip, Parenta Trust founder, Allan Presland said: “A relatively small sacrifice for us will have an astounding impact on pre-school aged children. Not only will they be taught important academic subjects, but they’ll learn things that will make them healthier and safer throughout their lives. I’m proud of our achievement and we are already planning our next nursery schools in East Africa!”

This year’s Rally from Maidstone to Monaco raised a staggering £23,000 and saw the commissioning of the Parenta Groups’ second nursery school. This time the nursery school will be built at Opilitok and the build is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the new school term next year. Parenta Trust Chairman, Andrew Cooper commented: “We are truly astounded with the support we’ve received and the friendships we’ve made during this journey, and we are only just starting out. There are so many more pre-schools needed across the continent and the children all need sponsorship to get their education. £17 per month gives a child a quality education, a school uniform, text books and 2 meals a day – plus a real chance in life. Please talk to us if you’d like to become involved.” A team from Parenta Trust will be making the journey out to open the brand new Opilitok Nursery School in early March. A few places are available if you would like to join us.

A crazy team from Parenta customer services took on a challenge of epic proportions: they ran, rowed and cycled 240 miles. This is the distance from Maidstone to Paris! The team was made up of Luke Francis, Emma Reeves, Tommy Dellar, Amy Johnson and Richelle Sparks. The money they raised will help build nursery schools in deprived areas of Eastern Africa.

The trustees were delighted to be joined by 120 friends and supporters for their inaugural Charity Ball on the 8th November at the Village Hotel in Maidstone. The night was a great success with a wedding gift from Mr & Mrs Aggarwal, silent auction, charity auction hosted by Clive Emson, charity raffle and live entertainment from Total Recall. The night was full of fun and laughter and with a little help from our friends we raised in excess of £8,000 and are well on our way to funding our third nursery school.

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, A GOOD NIGHT S SLEEP When Marie Kershaw of Parenta Ltd. learnt that around 75% of the 627,000 deaths caused by malaria every year in Uganda were children under the age of 5 years old, she was inspired into action. In conjunction with the opening of Parenta Trust’s first nursery school at Good Shepherd, Marie set about raising enough money to buy every single child at the new nursery school a mosquito net to protect them.

Following a successful quiz night at Lordswood Leisure Centre in Medway, this was made possible.

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CHERISH A GIRL CHANGE HER WORLD Fields of Life strongly believes in the power of education to change the world. The opportunity for a quality education creates the possibility of unlocking so much potential in the children and young people in East Africa who are trapped in extreme poverty.

The statistics are frightening.

• 71% of girls drop out before completing Primary 7 in Uganda.

• Only 1 in 5 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa make it to secondary school.

• 85% do not complete secondary education.

Imagine the reality for millions of adolescent girls with no voice in Sub-Saharan Africa: • Menstruation is stigmatised with a lack of proper education and hygiene management causing girls to drop out of school; • Many regard menstruation as taboo and unclean while many girls consider it to be a disease; • Girls are often at risk of attack when walking to and from school or while collecting water; • Girls are forced to marry early and face associated dangers of childbirth, rape, abortion, sexual abuse and gender violence; • Girls become more vulnerable to extreme poverty, social exclusion and suffer from low self-esteem.

Fields of Life believe these girls are entitled to dignity and a future and have the potential to be the change agents within their families, communities and nations.

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The greatest return comes from investing in girls and women. When they are educated they drive development within their families, communities and nations.

OUR OBJECTIVES

General ban Ki-Moon (UN Secretary: 2012)

• To increase access for adolescent girls to adequate sanitation facilities and hygiene products to manage their menstrual cycles in a safe and healthy environment.

By educating the girl child she will:

• To educate, build capacity and raise awareness amongst teachers, students and community members (including men and boys) on menstruation and to tackle the prevalence of gender related violence and abuse.

•Be less likely to be a victim of genital mutilation;

• To continue to provide access to clean water in communities in order to specifically reduce the incident of attack that occurs when women and young girls have to walk long distances to fetch drinking water.

•Be less likely to be a victim of gender and domestic violence;

•Be 3 times less likely to become HIV+; •Have fewer, healthier children

•Be less likely to be forced into early marriage; •Be less likely to become pregnant and have a child while still a child herself;

•Be more likely to earn a higher income.

The I AM GIRL project will be launched in GB early next year. We are looking for ambassadors to help deliver a host of awareness and fundraising initiatives, so please do contact us if you are interested in getting involved. We would love to hear your ideas and all help no matter how much time you have to spare will be most gratefully received. Together we can help effect positive change in the lives of the girl child. g Join us in our commitment to ensure girls are empowered to complete their education and to grow into strong, healthy young women and that in time their children will have the same opportunities.

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GIFTS THAT KEEP ON

GIVING!

Why not help an African community this Christmas by purchasing a Gift of Life for your family, friends and loved ones?

HEN (£3)

PENCIL CASE (£4)

BIBLE (£5)

MOSQUITO NET (£5)

GARDEN TOOLS (£5)

FRUIT TREES / VEG SEEDS

(£15)

SOLAR LAMP (£15)

MATTRESS 4x3ft (£21)

PIG (£30)

BICYCLE (£48)

SEWING MACHINE (£60)

MILKING GOAT (£95)

Choose from one of our life changing vouchers.

View all our Gifts of Life by visiting www.fieldsoflife.org

GIVE A GIFT, CHANGE A LIFE. 8

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ORDER FORM Thank you for helping others to help themselves Thank you for purchasing from our Gifts of Life catalogue, and joining us to help other to help themselves. Every gift purchased by you will go directly to a community in Central East Africa.

Please write your contact details in capitals below and select your gift order overleaf.

You can also purchase your gift online at www.fieldsoflife.org.

Title

Miss / Mrs / Ms / Mr / Rev / Dr / other (please circle)

Name: Address: City/town: County: Postcode: Tel (home): Tel (mobile): Email: Please allow up to seven working days for your Gifts of Life card to be sent to you.

For Christmas orders, please ensure that your form is with us before 16th December if you want Gift Cards sent. Cheques should be made payable to Fields of Life and forwarded to: NORTHERN IRELAND (HEAD OFFICE) FIELDS OF LIFE 25 Carn Road Craigavon, Co. Armagh N. Ireland BT63 5WG Telephone: +44 (0)28 3839 0395 Email: info@fieldsoflife.org

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QUANTITY

GIFTS

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TOTAL PRICE

GIFT CARD

GROUPED GIFT CARD

NO CARD

(PLEASE TICK)

(PLEASE TICK)

(PLEASE TICK)

A Hen (£3 each) A Pencil Case (£4 each) A Bible (£5 each) A Mosquito Net (£5 each) Garden Tools (£5 each) Fruit Trees / Veg seeds pack (£15 each) A Solar Lamp (£15 each) A Mattress 4x3 (£21 each) A Pig (£30 each) A Bicycle (£48 each) A Sewing Machine (£60 each) A Milking Goat (£95 each) Total Amount £ Prices are accurate at time of print but subject to change due to exchange rate variation.

Group all my items on one card (please tick)

VOUCHERS

QUANTITY

£5

£15

£25

£50

£ other

Water Textbooks Playgrounds Total Amount

GIFT AID DONATIONS I want Fields of Life to treat all donations that I have made in the past (up to 4 years), and all future donations that I make from the date of this declaration as Gift Aid donations. I am a UK taxpayer, and pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax each tax year that is at least equal to the amount of tax that Fields of Life will reclaim on my donations for that year. Charity Number UK: XR 18278.

Tick

Signature(s)

Date

GIFT CARDS FIELDS OF LIFE PROVIDE GIFT CARDS FOR EACH ITEM. You can choose to keep the Gift Card, or you may wish to give the card to family and/or friends. However, if you do not need cards, please state this by ticking the relevant box. You also have the option of receiving individual or grouped cards: INDIVIDUAL CARDS: You will receive individual cards for each purchase; for example, if you buy five (5) hens, you will receive five (5) cards.

GROUPED CARD: This groups the items onto one card; for example, if you buy five (5) hens you will receive one card.

Are you in a rush? Fields of Life now provide online Gift Cards!

If you wish avail of this service please visit www.fieldsoflife.org

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A NIGHT OF CELEBRITIES AND AFRICAN DANCE Marilyn Monroe and Prince Harry (ok look-a-likes), joined the team at EcoSan’s along with a host of Kent businesses, for a black tie dinner dance in the summer. The night was the inspiration of Sonja Wood, MD of EcoSans, who felt a particular synergy with FOL’s work to provide clean, accessible water in East Africa.

Hosted by Business Bunker Radio’s MD Paul Andrews and BBC South East’s Kaddy Lee-Preston at the Ashford International Hotel, the evening raised £3,600 - enough to build a community its own fresh water well.

Commenting on the evening, Sonja Wood said: “We were delighted to show our support for the incredible work that FOL undertake in East Africa and I would like to give thanks to all of our customers and employees who supported us on the night. This was the first event that we have hosted and we look forward to starting work on our next one!”

FROM EAST KENT TO UGANDA WITH LOVE

HEARING HOPE

While a student at East Kent College, Harry Coleman took part in a trip with FOL to help renovate a school in the slums of Kampala. Since graduating college, Harry joined the staff team at Morgan Jones Recruitment in Broadstairs. His life changing African experience is still close to his heart today, commenting: “This was the most rewarding two weeks of my life and fundraising for Uganda will always be a passion of mine. When Jonathan, the MD of Morgan Jones asked me to head up our charity work for the year as part of my apprenticeship, I naturally chose Fields of Life.” The staff team took part in various activities ranging from creating a recipe book to a cake bake, with their activities culminating in a Charity Dinner Dance and a total of £1,200 was donated.

FOL GB is delighted to be working in partnership with Charlotte and Daniel John, the inspiration behind the Hearing Hope project. During the summer the John family have undertaken a number of fundraising campaigns including boot-fairs, a quiz night and through our youngest ambassador Alfie, Welli Wednesday. Together they are raising funds to sink a well in Northern Uganda. Their journey so far has received a great following of family and friends in the Herne Bay area, and includes a Boot Bank which collects pre-loved football kits and equipment that will early next year be making its way out to our schools across East Africa.

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OUR MISSION

CONTACT US

Fields of Life is committed to sharing the Christian faith by collaborating with local communities and churches in East Africa to bring about positive change through the provision of quality education, clean water, health promotion and other community based projects.

GREAT BRITAIN FIELDS OF LIFE GB 1090b Galley Drive, Kent Science Park, Sittingbourne Kent, England ME9 8AG Telephone: +44 (0)1795 474262 Email: infogb@fieldsoflife.org

THANK YOU FROM YOUR SPONSORED CHILD We want to take this opportunity to thank all our child sponsor’s, children’s lives are being hugely impacted and changed for the better. Our team remains committed to assisting the poorest and most vulnerable children in East Africa and with your help you are making this possible!

With Christmas just around the corner, we are organising with the teachers of the school your child attends, for all the children to receive a Christmas meal and party.

We wish all our supporters a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com

Charity Number UK: XR 18278 ROI: CHY 13573

www.FIELDSofLIFE.org

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