Haiti Visit January 2010

The trip to Haiti is being led by Flor White, who has close and long term connections with the country, having lived and worked there for some time. Two local nurses have also been moved by the plight of so many who have been injured in the terrible disaster and they are funding their trip in order to support larger medical teams working in the capital. In the days following the disaster, we were able to obtain a generator to enable doctors to carry on treating patients. Antibiotics are also very much in need and the team have been able to source 1,000 courses which they will take to help victims.

UPDATE ON HAITI TRIP  2nd FEBRUARY 2010

                                                                       The girls are staying and working at the clinic set up in the police car park                                                          

February 15th 2010 Message from Flor:

First of all I want to thank you  everyone who helped in this trip to Haiti, we did make a difference in that place!

I was there for almost two weeks it was a honour and an oportunity to see first hand the situation of the people of Haiti at this moment. Many times I felt helpless at the great need these people are facing and many times I felt honoured to be there and realize that with all the help and donations we took from England we were making a difference!

At the moment the tradegy is still very fresh over there, the sadness in peoples eyes and hoplessness was overwhelming. At the same time the birth of three babies in the place we were working was a sign of hope, that told me that among the devastation life carries on.

So, now what? I ask you all not to forget about these people, the need still huge and we can still bring light and hope to many. It does  not finish here, this is the begining of something very special, so thank you again for being a part of this.

So far, through your giving, Bright Tomorrows has been able to fund:

Vital medical supplies ( bandages, antibiotics and other medication)

Food aid for over 500 families and children

Baby milk, clothes and other necessary supplies

60 + tents for families now living on the street

Ongoing care for 3 children at a local orphanage

It is estimated that reconstruction work will not be able to commence in the city for another few months. The immediate priority is relief and food aid for the surviving children and families. UNICEF are working hard to reunite children who have been separated from their parents. Where this is not possible, the next step is to try to connect them with survivors within their extended family. When these avenues have proven unsuccessful, the children may be able to be placed in a local orphanage (if places can be found/funding obtained). UNICEF will keep them on the register in case a surviving family member is discovered in the future. The children have suffered a great deal of trauma and uncertainty in recent weeks and it is in the children's best interests to stay within their familiar context wherever possible.

March 1st 2010

There are plans to take a team of people who having building skills back to Port Au Prince in the Autumn. The school attached to the orphanage where we are supporting children has been demolished by the earthquake and urgently needs rebuilding to allow the children to carry on with their studies. More details will follow, but if you are interested to find out more, please do contact us.

Zimbabawe - September 2009

In Zimbabwe, up to 1 in 4 children are orphan by the horror of AIDS, causing the death of many working aged parents. Bright Tomorrows has been using your money to effect the lives of these children, through sponsorship of Psycho-Social care, provision of education and food aid.

The rural areas are hit the hardest with children from the city being left with distant relatives, known as Grandmothers, for the very basics of care. Even though in some regions the cost of education is just $2 US per term, children have no means of income to meet this cost. Even those that do, go with as little as 1 meal per day and then find school impossible to engage with due to malnutrition.

At Bright Tomorrows we have chosen not to judge the difficult political landscape of Zimbabawe but rather to work directly with people on the ground that are on the front line of care. This means every penny that you donate goes directly to those in need, with all admin costs met by the trustees.

Two boys collect ants for their meal that day..

Teas & More - Open Gardens 2009

You did it! Your generosity raised over £2000...

A big thank you to the hard work and dedication of Chris & Joan Sheldon, the hosts of this wonderful annual event. For the 6th year running, local businesses and people from the area have supported the work of Bright Tomorrows and raised an impressive £2000.

Every penny of this money goes straight to the projects you can find on this website. This is an annual event, so if you missed it, do come along in July 2010!

Bangalore

A team from Bright Tomorrows went to Bangalore in South India to see the school and present them with the money raised by Francis White's parachute jump.

Many of the parents pay something towards the school fees, although the children are not turned away if they cannot pay and those who turn up with no lunch are fed, and those with no uniform are given one. The school has been running for seven years. It has rapidly grown to the present day with more than 200 children. The classrooms are very small and bare with the children sitting on small plastic chairs or benches. The have no desks, but balance their books on a board on their knees. The school is inspected regularly by the government and is well regarded. They do well in local area competitions and enjoy activities such as games and dancing as well as formal subjects. The children learn computers from a text book and the school has one computer with no printer which would have been condemned and thrown away years ago here!

While we were there the school did a special presentation and we used that opportunity to present the school with our gift of a 6mtr parachute and 2 dozen balls. We also gave them a range of equipment and materials. Earlier in the day Sarah presented the cheque from Francis' parachute jump which almost paid off the loan for the school building extension. The children attend the school and sleep in a classroom on mats on the floor. They are exceptionally happy children and we really enjoyed playing with them and sharing their lives.

Child Sponsorship Scheme: For as little as £5 per month you can provide the school fees, the uniform, lunch and books for 1 child and/or Tsunami orphan living at Bangalore. Email us for a Standing Order form today.