Charity

Charitable giving is the act of giving money, goods or time to the unfortunate, either directly or by means of a charitable trust or other worthy cause. Charitable giving as a religious act or duty is referred to as almsgiving or alms. The name stems from the most obvious expression of the virtue of charity is giving the objects of it the means they need to survive. The poor, particularly widows and orphans, and the sick and disabled, are generally regarded as the proper objects of charity. Some groups regard charity as being properly directed toward other members of their group. Although giving to those nearly connected to oneself is sometimes called charityas in the saying "Charity begins at home" -- normally charity denotes giving to those not related, with filial piety and like terms for supporting one's family and friends. Indeed, treating those related to the giver as if they were strangers in need of charity has led to the figure of speech "as cold as charity" -- providing for one's relatives as if they were strangers, without affection. Most forms of charity are concerned with providing food, water, clothing, and shelter, and tending the ill, but other actions may be performed as charity: visiting the imprisoned or the homebound, dowries for poor women, ransoming captives, educating orphans. Donations to causes that benefit the unfortunate indirectly, such as donations to fund cancer research, are also charity. The recipient of charity may offer to pray for the benefactor; indeed, in medieval Europe, it was customary to feast the poor at the funeral in return for their prayers for the deceased. Institutions may commemorate benefactors by displaying their names, up to naming buildings or even the institution itself after the benefactors. If the recipient makes material return of more than a token value, the transaction is normally not called charity. Originally charity entailed the benefactor directly giving the goods to the receiver. This practice is still continued by some individuals, for example, CNN Hero Sal Dimiceli, and service organizations, such as the Jaycees, who seek out the needy. People who can not support themselves and lack the means of support sometimes become beggars, directly soliciting aid from strangers encountered in public. Institutions evolved to carry out the labor of assisting the poor, and these institutions, called charities, provide the bulk of charitable giving today, in terms of monetary value. These include orphanages, food banks, religious orders dedicated to care of the poor, hospitals, organizations that visit the homebound and imprisoned, and many others. Such institutions allow those whose time or inclination does not lend themselves to directly care for the poor to enable others to do so, both by providing money for the work and supporting them while they do the work. Institutions can also attempt to more effectively sort out the actually needy from those who fraudulently claim charity. Early Christians particularly recommended the care of the unfortunate to the charge of the local bishop. Today some charities have modernized, and allow people to donate online, through websites such as Xperedon or Just Giving.

There have been examinations of who gives more to charity. One study conducted in the United States found that as a percentage of income, charitable giving increased as income decreased. The poorest fifth of Americans, for example, gave away 4.3% of their income, while the wealthiest fifth gave away 2.1%. In absolute terms, this was an average of $453 on an average income of $10,531, compared to $3,326 on an income of $158,388.[3]

Volunteering For A Charity Organisation

Many people volunteer to work with charity organisations. It is a chance to help your chosen charity by the giving of your time and skills, and also getting something back in return. If you want to help a charity, and you dont have much money to give in the way of donations to your chosen charity, why not consider volunteering? Depending on what charity you choose to volunteer for will depend on exactly what you will do. So, if you are considering becoming a volunteer within the charity there are some basic factors that you should consider. The first thing to think about is what you can offer the charity. Look at what skills you possess and how they could be of benefit to the charity group. For instance, if you are especially good at administration then your administration skills could be of great benefit to the charity, and this is where you should offer your services. Its no good volunteering with a charity as a counsellor if you have no qualifications or experience in that department. Think about what you can do well and offer to do it for the charity. Another thing to bear in mind when volunteering for a charity is what you like to do. Volunteering in a charity is not just about what you are good at; charity work is also about what your passion is. For instance, if you enjoy art, but havent had the chance to work at it as much as you would like, then combining this with charity work in a volunteering capacity could be a good idea. Another factor when volunteering for a charity is to decide how much time you have to donate. Think about how many hours each day you could give to volunteering to a charity. You may only be able to visit the charity in the evenings or on weekends, but you need to be aware of how much time you can give to the charity before you volunteer. That way you will understand beforehand exactly what is involved in the charity work and how much you can expect to be working. Volunteering for charity work should be beneficial to both the volunteer and the charity. As well as giving your time to the charity you should also get something out of the volunteering work that you do. You should find satisfaction as well as gaining insight into the charity you are working for. Volunteering with a charity is a great way to meet new friends, enjoy new projects, and find new skills whilst helping others at the same time. If you have some spare time on your hands and would like to be involved in a charity then volunteering is a great option.
Robert Michael is a writer for Quasi Charity which is an excellent place to find charity links, resources and articles.

Charity Work The Essence Of Finding Real Happiness

Read more: Charity Work The Essence Of Finding Real Happiness http://www.sooperarticles.com/self-improvement-articles/self-help-articles/charity-workessence-finding-real-happiness-218768.html#ixzz1vlAW3fs9 If you want to live long and happy, invest in people and what better way to do it than through charity work. You have a great responsibility of volunteering, which unfortunately many think is a choice. The reason why volunteers are not paid is because they are priceless. There is no better investment than in kindness and love. Money and other assets are set to rot or lose value with time. In any case, what you store up for yourself is shared with rodents. The best exercise for your heart is in reaching down and lifting others up through charity work. Acts of charity gives you pleasure and contentment in the fact that you are able to help someone. One has not lived until he/she does something to somebody worth remembering. The best investment is where you expect no returns. That is the essence of love, it is selfless and unconditional. There are two things that man must have in order to find living worthwhile; and these are attitude and love. No matter what situations might be, man must always remain calm humble and positive. He should be aggressive in a calm and loving way. One who does not appreciate the events of life finds no joy at all and is thus unable to offer charity work to others; for how can you offer love if you do not have any? Joy begins within a person as a result of high esteem and optimism. One may expect to receive no affection and kindness from others but if he is happy by himself, his affection will surely be contagious. Life satisfaction does not come from how much your bank account reads but by how many lives you have touched. Those simple acts of charity work that may seem insignificant can be what just another person needs to have hope in life. Therefore, go out there are touch someone who is in need of help.

Read more: Charity Work The Essence Of Finding Real Happiness http://www.sooperarticles.com/self-improvement-articles/self-help-articles/charity-workessence-finding-real-happiness-218768.html#ixzz1vlAaCsBp

10 Celebrities That Do Charity Work

By: Nicole Ireland Break Studios Contributing Writer

While there are many celebrities that contribute to various charitable organizations and foundations, there are 10celebrities that do charity work on a whole different levelcelebrities that give their time and money in hopes of creating a better, safer, healthier world for all. 1. Angelina Jolie. Angelina Jolie has made a name for herself on the big screen, but some of her best work occurs off-screen, where she lends support to charities, foundations and causes around the world. Jolie is the Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR. She also offers her help to UNICEF, the ONE Campaign, Doctors Without Borders, Kids in Need of Defense and the Afghanistan Relief Organization. In addition, Jolie co-founded the JoliePitt foundation with longtime boyfriend, Brad Pitt. 2. Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt, much like his famous other half, Angelina Jolie, is involved in many different charities. His charity work includes Global Action for Children, Global Green, Human Rights Watch, Live 8, the ONE Campaign and the aforementioned Jolie-Pitt Foundation 3. Bono. Not only is Bono the lead singer of the world-famous Irish band U2, hes also very involved with charity work, most of which centers around fighting poverty and hunger. Bonos charitable supports include the ONE Campaign, Amnesty International, (RED) and UNICEF 4. Oprah Winfrey. Talkshow host Oprah Winfrey founded Oprahs Angel Network to promote helping others, but her most notable work to date has to be the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa, which aims to help low-income girls receive an education. 5. George Clooney. Clooney, whos known as one of the worlds most eligible bachelors, is more than that. Clooney is known for his charity work, which includes the founding of Not On Our Watch, which he co-founded with fellow celebrities Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon and Jerry Weintraub, to aid in the battle against genocide in Darfur, Sudan. 6. Matt Damon. Damon is another one of the celebrities who do charity work. Not only was he was one of the minds behind the founding of Not On Our Watch, but over the years, Damons also been involved with other charities, as well, including Celebs for Kids, DATA, the ONE Campaign, the Boys and Girls Club of America and the Yle Haiti Foundation. Damon also founded the Running the Sahara expedition charity called H20 Africa. 7. Ben Affleck. In addition to co-founding Not On Our Watch, Affleck also co-founded the Small Change Campaign with television talkshow host and "American Idol" judge Ellen DeGeneres. In addition, Affleck has also contributed his time to Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Jimmy Fund and UNHCRs Gimme Shelter Campaign. Affleck also offered his help to the political arena, encouraging his fellow Americans to vote. 8. Ellen DeGeneres. DeGeneres is not only a talkshow host and judge on "American Idol," but shes also actively involved in many charities, events and foundations, including the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, the Small Change Campaign, the charitable event Idol Gives Back, and the ONE Campaign. In addition, DeGeneres also supports charities and causes that support animals, including The Humane Society, the American Wild Horse Preservation Campaign and the Society for Animal Protective Services. 9. Scarlett Johansson. Scarlett Johansson is one of Hollywoods most famous and talented young actresses, but theres more to this beauty than just good looks. She also contributes

her time to many different charities and causes. Her name is attached to such charities, as (RED), Oxfam, USA Harvest, Make Poverty History, Not On Our Watch and World AIDS Day. 10. Justin Timberlake. Justin Timberlake began performing at a very young age. His love for music led him to lend his time to several different music-related charities and foundations, including MusiCares, the Sweet Relief Musicians Fund and Music For Relief. In addition, Timberlake also founded The Justin Timberlake Foundation to promote musical education. Timberlake also supports Oxfam, Childwatch and Habitat for Humanity.

Top of the class

Fifteen-year-old Mahesh is one of hundreds of children benefiting from an inclusive education programme being implemented by Sightsavers and our partners in north-western India. Mahesh has been the highest academic achiever in his class for several years in a row, a remarkable achievement considering he was born without sight. Mahesh hails from Bhiyasar in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, a remote desert village approximately 180 kilometres from the nearest town. The harsh and sandy climate has made education inaccessible for many children in the region over the years, with disabled children often deprived of their place at school and left with few prospects for the future. At the age of 10 Mahesh was denied admission to his village school as teachers there felt they lacked the resources to cope with a child who was blind. Mahesh found himself confined to his home, unable to learn and with the full weight of his disability on his shoulders. Although both of Maheshs parents are teachers they did not fight the schools decision believing, like most of the community, that the local education system could not cater for children with disabilities.

Inclusive education
Around five years ago Sightsavers and our local partners conducted a baseline survey for an inclusive education project in the region. Bheem Singh, a local teacher, identified Mahesh as an individual who had been deprived of his right to a full education. Despite initial resistance from the village school Bheem and his colleagues managed to ensure Mahesh was admitted. A detailed individual education plan was prepared for Mahesh to ensure he would have access to all the assistance he required and could develop to his full potential. Today Maheshs success knows no bounds. He has mastered Braille, uses other assistive technologies and recently secured marks of over 70% in his Rajasthan State Government exams. Maheshs headmaster, who had previously denied Mahesh a place, says he is proud to have Mahesh studying at his school.

Not a single blind child should be out of school, education is the only way to get back the lost vision
The story of Maheshs success has travelled far and wide and has helped convince many in the region that blindness is not an obstacle to success. Mahesh has also inspired many parents whose children suffer from blindness or other disabilities to fight for their right to a full education. Mahesh is rightly proud of his achievements and wants to use his experience in the classroom to become a teacher in the future. Mahesh is also passionate about the rights of disabled children; Not a single blind child should be out of school, education is the only way to get back the lost vision. Mahesh is also immensely grateful to his teacher for the role he has played; Without the support of my teacher Bheem Singh it would have been impossible. Maheshs success is a shining example of how education can empower and liberate individuals, and can also become a transformative force in the community; by changing existing perceptions and mind-sets, issues of social exclusion can be addressed, ensuring the previously marginalised have the potential to turn their dreams into reality. Tendulkar: Fame & Family

In an exclusive extract from his new biography of Sachin Tendulkar, writer Gulu Ezekiel focuses on the private side of India's top sporting icon. Every entertainer, whether on stage, screen or field of play, has an ego. In Tendulkar's case, he has accomplished what all superstars strive for, to harness that ego in a positive manner. Ego has driven some international sportspersons when they visit India to bring the media in tow as they do their good deed for the day. It is the done thing to be seen and heard, attempting to alleviate the misery of India's teeming downtrodden. Quiz Tendulkar's biographer When was the last time you saw even a photo of Tendulkar at a charity function? And yet, he gives his spare time unstintingly. Journalist Joe Hoover knows this hidden side of Tendulkar well. Sports Editor of Deccan Herald (Bangalore), Hoover has organised numerous charity auctions and functions where Tendulkar is the star attraction.

"He is so approachable and he never says no," Hoover told me. "He doesn't need the publicity because unlike some other sportspersons, he sees no need to use these acts to improve his image." Hoover recalled an incident in Pakistan in 1997 when he called Tendulkar in his hotel room and asked him if he could give some signed bats for a charity auction. "Within minutes he was on the phone, informing his bat manufacturers in Meerut to send over a dozen to New Delhi for this purpose." Down to earth
Man of the Series against England last year

Vijay Lokapally, the cricket correspondent for The Hindu and The Sportstar, has undoubtedly interviewed him more often than any other journalist. "Sachin once said to me "kiti lihishil?" ("how much will you write?"), Lokapally told me. "I first met him at a Wills Trophy match at Kanpur. This was before his 1989 Test debut. The next occasion was in New Delhi just before the Pakistan tour, his first. "He and Vivek Razdan, the other debutant were very excited. And do you know, he has that same excitement about playing cricket after all these years?" according to Lokapally. "I have always been impressed by the dignified way he carries himself both on and off the field. Despite all his fame and wealth, he is very down to earth. That has not changed a bit in all the years I have known him." Friends, family, food (particularly sea food - he enjoys a spot of cooking too), cricket and music. These are Tendulkar's passions in life. Lokapally says you can guess which hotel room is his by the music blaring out of it. "Dire Straits used to be his favourite group. But these days he is into old Hindi music. He seeks these out and gets them specially recorded."

Tendulkar is an icon for fans young an old

This incidentally is another trait he shares with Sir Don Bradman who would lock himself up in his hotel room and play his gramophone records after the day's play. Price of fame "Sachin Tendulkar is an important person of our country. He is our country's wealth and we will protect him," said Mumbai's Commissioner of Police, MN Singh. This followed reports that Tendulkar and Ganguly (India's captain) were kidnap targets for militant groups.

Such is the price of fame. Another heavy price is the loss of privacy. "Ask me anything you want about cricket, but keep my family out of this," he has told journalists repeatedly. Wife Anjali, daughter Sara and son Arjun are the centre of his existence. Just as his parents and siblings were when he was growing up. "My family life is altogether a different issue. I have always kept it a very private affair and I don't want that to be public. Everybody is watching whatever I do on the field. "Even today they (his family) look after me and ensure that my feet are on the ground," he said when questioned as to how he copes with all the hopes and adulation of the fans. (The Week, November 29, 1998)....... Family influence .....Sachin has spent all his life in Bandra, first with his parents and brothers and sisters at Sahitya Sahawas in Bandra (East) and since the middle of 2001, at the swank La Mer apartments in Bandra (West). They may share virtually the same address. But Bandra (East) and Bandra (West) are worlds apart. "West looks down its nose at East," says one long-time resident of the more up-market side of town. For the first few years of their marriage Sachin and Anjali stayed in a separate flat in the same building where he grew up. Le Mer was recommended to him by Prahlad Kakkar who has been directing his many of his commercials for a decade now. The Tendulkars bought a duplex apartment there in mid-2001. "The apartment has more glittering stars than the milky way," one Mumbai sports journalist told me. In that sense, Sachin has made the transformation from his solid middle-class youth to the world of Mumbai's glitterati.
Tendulkar with wife Anjali Dire Straits used to be Tendulkar's favourite band

The influence of Anjali and her parents, Anand (an international bridge player) and Annabelle Mehta (who is English and a leading philanthropist) have played a large part in this transition. After they first met and then started dating, it was Mrs. Mehta who would disguise Sachin in wig and beard and smuggle the couple out to the family holiday homes in Lonavala and Goa, according to a family friend. The Mehta's are one of Mumbai's wealthiest families, a fixture on the city's high-society circuit. That's all a far cry from Sachin's roots. But he still keeps in touch with his old school-friends and often drops by to enjoy his mother's seafood dishes which he relishes. ("Favourite Food: Anything cooked by mother" according to a 'Life Lines' article in 1997).

Anjali was a practicing paediatrician till the birth of Arjun in 2000. Now she looks after the two kids who are the apple of their father's eye. It is the daughter who has inherited her father's curly hair. As for Arjun, his father has already gifted him a plastic bat and ball. "It may be a batsman's game. But I would want him to become a good all-rounder", says the proud father with characteristic determination. 'Sachin - The Story of the World's Greatest Batsman' is published by Penguin Books India. Extract taken from chapter 35 - Man and Myth.

Sachin Tendulkar's Charity work Sachin Tendulkar who is already looking after welfare of 200 children from the same NGO called Apnalaya, said he always looked up to his father in trying to understand his social responsibilities. I was always inspired from my father on social responsibilities,Sachin said on Wednesday said he will sponsor the education of 200 children, who are part of a Non-Governmental Organization. There is no better source of inspiration for me than my father. Growing up as a child, I saw my father, a professor, pay for the education of our Newspaper person, who could not afford it. This is in a family where every penny mattered. Whoever turned up at our house, be it the watchman or the postman, would not be allowed to leave without having a cup of tea, which my father served,all these incidents taught me all about caring for others.I have learnt from my father and I'm proud of it. I'm trying to double my givings and contributing in whatever way I can. I will pay for the education of 200 children as a part of the 'Joy of Giving Week' campaign," he said in support of the programme conceptualised by another NGO, GiveIndia, to promote charity.

Sachin Tendulkar raises Rs 10 Million for Cancer Charity

Breaking News: A small request from Sachin Tendulkar on Twitter, raised over Rs 10 million for a cancer charity. Tendulkar raised Rs 10.25 million for cancer-affected children in just two weeks.

The appeal was posted on Twitter as "Sachin's Crusade Against Cancer in Children". The event was organized by the 'Crusade Against Cancer Foundation'.

All donors were presented with a bat signed by Sachin Tendulkar. Sachin himself thanked the donors and presented the bats. Sachin is going strong on Twitter with over 379,000 followers so far.

How to Work with Charities to Promote Your Business and Help Your Community By: Kevin Nunley
Kevin Nunley provides marketing advice, copywriting, and promotion packages. See his 10,000 free marketing ideas at DrNunley.com Reach Kevin at kevin@drnunley.com or 801-328-9006.

Looking for a smart way to promote your business? How about a tried-and-true marketing method that makes you look good in the eyes of thousands of new customers AND helps people in your community? Notice how many successful businesses in your town support charities. It costs less than you think to help out a non-profit group and the promotional payoff can be huge. Plus, there are lots of worthy projects in your area that could really use a helping hand. People give more to charities from November to December than any other time of year. Organizations benefitting children and the hungry get special attention from the public. However, in surveys the public always says they wished fundraisers would be held at other times of year. They are suspicious of fundraising being grouped around Christmas. GETTING STARTED NOW is the time to start talking with a good non-profit. Contact their director and ask how your business can help. In most cases you can dedicate a small percentage of your sales to the charity. Non-profits will be ready and willing to include your name in their advertising and marketing campaigns. Have a logo, flier, short ad copy, or web site banner for them to use. Make yourself available to join charity representatives on radio/ tv talk shows and Internet chats. There are so many worthy organizations that it is often hard to chose which one to help. If you don't already have a favorite, pick one that relates to your business in some way. If you sell children's clothing, working with a charity that helps underprivileged kids at Christmas would be a good match. Some charities are better equipped to work with sponsors and the media. Others are new, have inexperienced staff, and may appreciate your business experience in showing them how to organize people and resources. THE BENEFITS TO YOU

Most people don't buy the item with the lowest price. Customers highly value service and image. By involving your business with a non-profit doing important work, you get the notice and respect of thousands of people who otherwise might not know about you. Note how many major newspapers and television stations are promoting charities this time of year. Their audience and advertisers appreciate when media works to improve the community. Your customers and prospects will feel the same about you. As an added bonus, business, political, and community leaders are often heavily involved with charities. The people you meet can form a valuable network of contacts for future projects and business. CHARITIES ON-LINE The Internet started as a non-profit effort and still carries a strong feeling of people selflessly working to improve life. Web designer Lisa Schmeckpeper recently found the Net a perfect place to do non-profit work. "It's turned out to be very effective. In working with Toys Not Tears, we've linked our non-profit site to the web sites of participating merchants." Order forms can be modified so when a customer buys, a percentage of the sale is collected by the charity. It's easy and everyone involved benefits from the constant flow of customers from site to site. The group uses one site for consumers with another to recruit merchants. DON'T BE TOO COMMERCIAL It's easy to get carried away trying to promote the sponsor's interests in a non-profit campaign. If it appears that sponsors are being promoted more than the work of the charity, the whole thing can backfire. Sponsors who stay discreetly in the background receive more benefit in the end. Focus on how you can help make things easy for consumers. Ease of participation is often what separates success from failure. "Try to solve the problems a potential donor may have such as no time to write a check and mail it in, no extra money available, and fear their donation may not reach the right people," Schmeckpeper points out. PROMOTE HARD Lots of worthy non-profits are shouting their messages this time of year. Even though you are a sponsoring business, you may find yourself helping out on the publicity end. Use every available marketing and publicity option. It takes lots of repetition to have an impact. A well-written press release will interest editors and producers. Many email newsletters are good about donating no-cost ad space for charities. Radio, TV, and newspapers will often give you free time and space if you have a cause or event their audiences will be interested in. Also think how you might be able to continue your association with a charity year after year. Those who

don't notice you this year will be twice as aware the second time you participate. Many of the most successful business-charity associations have been going on for decades. There's no question your business helps others by providing valuable products, services, and ideas. You'll multiply the good feeling when you lend a hand to a non-profit charity.

Refugees from Darfur need books for education Find, fund and promote local peacebuilders
We believe that local people have the power to find their own solutions to conflict. Our mission is to help them to make this happen. Local people are the key to preventing, resolving and healing conflicts. They are the best way to break recurrent cycles of violence and make peace last. And increasingly they want to move away from depending on outside help, towards building their own futures. We help this strategic shift, and we add value to their efforts on the ground. Firstly, we raise funds for their programmes and offer management support and advice. Secondly, we build recognition for their work, to put them in touch with those in the wider world who can assist with funds and influence. And thirdly, we promote the concept of locally led peacebuilding to the international community, so that others will adopt our approach too. You can read more about our approach in detail below.

Whats special about local peacebuilders?

The peacebuilders we support are remarkable individuals doing life-saving work. They are disarming rebels, resettling refugees, uniting communities and reviving economies. They work at great personal risk, on modest budgets, to build a safer future for their own communities. Local peacebuilders bring personal courage and dedication. They also bring many advantages over outside experts from the international community:

They understand their own communities in real depth including the causes of conflict, the key players and the possible solutions. They are known and respected within their communities giving them access, trust and moral authority among those involved in conflict.

They can monitor and reach areas and groups that outsiders cannot allowing them to respond to conflicts early and effectively. They are committed for the long term because this is where they live so they continue when outsiders withdraw, and their work has sustained impact. They run programmes with local facilities and at local rates costing far less than expensive international operations.

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Taking our lead from local peacebuilders

At Peace Direct we take our lead from the local peacebuilders that we support. They direct their own programmes, they decide the most effective ways to tackle conflicts, and they build their own solutions to their communities problems. Our role is to support this self-help. We do so by raising funds for their work, by introducing them to people with influence (in governments, multilaterals such as the UN, and the media), by helping them to grow their organisations, and by enabling them to learn from each others experiences. We also bring them to the UK, so that young British people can learn from them, in the London-based Truce 20/20 youth project. Our approach is practical, local and vocal:

Practical, with a bias towards action rather than research, looking for impact on the ground that we can measure and communicate. Local, because we believe that local people are best able to understand their conflicts, and most motivated to end them. Vocal, because we want to get the voices and stories of local peacebuilding into media reporting on conflict and political decision-making at all levels.

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Finding our partners

We look for partners who can show that they are already reducing conflict in their area, and who have a vision of how they could do much more with greater resources and backing. Often we find them among the organisations we track on our information website Insight on Conflict, and also through recommendations from organisations and individuals that we trust. At this stage, these organisations are generally quite small, with one or two external funders at most. We carefully assess the motivation and sacrifices their staff have made to pursue their vision of peacebuilding. We screen out individuals who regard running an NGO as a business, and take on those who see it as a vocation. Hide

Funding our partners

We first meet potential partners when we invite them to a Peace Exchange regular events where our peacebuilders meet to learn from each other, influence Peace Directs strategy and share their experiences with Peace Direct staff. We may then offer them a small initial grant. This enables us to see how we can work together, and how effectively they report. If this goes well, we invite our supporters to help their work, giving monthly donations that provide essential core funding that is so hard to find elsewhere. From there, we progress to working with them to raise larger project grants from foundations and governments. Our ultimate goal is to enable them to develop the status and contacts to raise these funds directly for themselves, without Peace Direct being involved at all. Hide

Promoting our partners

We want the international community to recognise that without the efforts of local peacebuilders, peace will never be secure. This recognition is even more important than funding. At present, outsider organisations such as the UN, the World Bank and international NGOs can get a seat at the table where decisions are made, but local organisations are left outside the door. We aim to change this by:

Identifying and overcoming the obstacles that prevent international organisations from working on an equal footing with local organisations. Proposing and testing new ways of working between outsiders and insiders. Introducing our partners to people in power. Getting peacebuilders stories into the media as part of the narrative about how conflict can be resolved.

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Seeing the change

It is vital to ensure that our partners work has real impact. We monitor this continually, taking our measures of success from the factors that matter most to the civilians they are helping on the ground. You can read more about this here. Hide

Getting involved in charity work can help your career

Volunteer work can contribute to your graduate research and strengthen your CV.

by Jason Connell What if there was a way for you to make yourself more appealing to potential employers while simultaneously enhancing your academic profile? What if you could accomplish these things while also strengthening your community? Nearly all forward-thinking graduate students would leap at such an opportunity. What too few realize is that this opportunity is already at your fingertips, and it doesnt even cost a cent.
The secret: start volunteering

When I graduated, I was in a very fortunate situation. While many of my friends were busy job hunting, I was fielding multiple offers. The reason this happened is because while I was a student, I volunteered. lot. You can achieve similar A results by making a habit of volunteering. Here are some steps you can take as a volunteer that will leave both you and your community better off. The first step is to match your volunteer work with your academic interests and your desired future. I studied political science and wanted to land a job in international development. onsequently, I began volunteering on development projects C in sub-Saharan Africa during my summers. Doing this pro- vided invaluable experience in development and allowed me to experience life under a different government. The key is to connect your volunteer work to your future goals. For example, if you want to become a

veterinarian, then consider volunteering at an animal shelter. If you want to become a fashion designer, consider working with a program that provides warm clothing to the poor.
Picking an organization

As you begin looking for a volunteer organization that is right for you, you may need some direction. Though you could search online, there is a better way to find opportunities. Try approaching someone in your field, perhaps a potential employer or a well-respected professor, and explain that you are passionate about their work. Tell them you want to volunteer within the field, but arent sure where to begin. Ask them for suggestions about organizations to volunteer with. Youll notice that when you decide to help others, others will be very willing to help you. The person who you approached may even be able to help get you into the organization. Be sure to give him or her periodic updates about your volunteer work too; this way, when it comes time to ask for references and look for jobs, you will already have a well-positioned contact to help you out. As you volunteer, you can bridge the gap between theory and practice by using the knowledge you have gained in the classroom. This will make you not only a better volunteer but also a better student. Following a period of time volunteering in Uganda, I wrote numerous papers on Ugandan development. The papers received good marks because my experience provided me with an informed perspective.
How much time should you commit?

The final element in making your volunteer work incredibly effective for both you and your community is to make it a habit. The most effective projects will need a time commitment on your part. I spent several summers overseas working on development programs. If dedicating your summer doesnt make sense for you, you can achieve similar results by donating a few hours of your time each week to a cause, and then keeping it up over the course of the year. If you apply these strategies and become a volunteer while you are a student, you will be setting yourself up for success. Though you are inheriting an incredibly competitive economy, you will stand out amongst your peers and your competition. When you go to interviews and write cover letters, your volunteer experience in your field will be the perfect topic to discuss. It will show employers and admissions officers alike that you possess the leadership skills, clarity of vision, and genuine passion that virtually every institution craves. In volunteering your time, you will not only be building a better community, you will also be building a better you.

Jason Connell is a career consultant as well as a public speaker. His presentations (through his company Changing the World 101) focus on how university students can get involved with volunteer projects in the developing world. About Us Hope for Children (HOPE) is a small and growing charity that helps some of the most disadvantaged children in the World. HOPE works in 10 countries across Africa, Asia and Europe, working in areas largely unreached by other charities. Its mission is to provide practical support, such as education and healthcare, to improve children's quality of life, advance their rights and give them a better future. For HOPE, no effort is too big, no need is too small. This year alone HOPE has supported over 70,000 children. HOPE was founded in 1994 with a very specific ethos; to keep costs low, ensuring supporters' donations go directly to children who need it. It achieves this with the help of corporate support and thanks to the generosity of its volunteers who give both their time and money. This ethos remains at the forefront of HOPE's work, enabling it to offer crucial support to those that need it the most. Our Mission

To improve the quality of life and advance the rights of children. To bring about change for good on behalf of children and families, and encourage them to participate in processes which enhance their equality, self-reliance and long term sustainable development. Wherever possible to provide practical support which allows children to grow up within their own families and communities.

Our Aims Hope for Children (HOPE) is a non-sectarian, non-political and non-profit making organisation. HOPE is accountable through its constitution to its members and an Executive Committee of Trustees. HOPE's aims and objectives are to help disabled, orphaned, poor and exploited children, in particular those living in developing countries. This is achieved through providing, promoting and advancing childrens rights to basic necessities, including education and health care, aimed at sustaining their long term development.

Bingo and Charity Work Well Together