actionaid action magazine autumn 2013

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Autumn 2013 • The childhood issue • www.actionaid.org.uk 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

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The childhood issue

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Page 1: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Autumn 2013 • The childhood issue • www.actionaid.org.uk

The forgotten children of BurmaHow your support is giving children a childhood

Inside•  Rebuilding lives

in Sierra Leone, by actress Sarah Alexander

•  Our tax justice campaign highlights

Page 2: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Htar Htar, 5, collecting dirty water in Phayar Lay Su Village, Myanmar.Photo: William Davies/ActionAid

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

Page 3: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Autumn 2013 3

CONTENTS

3 DEAR SUPPORTER

4 NEWS SHORTS

6 REBUILDING LIVES IN SIERRA LEONE

8 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

ActionAid33–39 Bowling Green LaneLondonEC1R 0BJ 01460 238 000 [email protected]

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.comPrint: Brightsource

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.

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

Page 4: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

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Dundo Victoria, 60, celebrating the peanut harvest in Kituti village, Uganda.Photo: Jake Lyell/Shoot the Earth/ActionAid

NEWS SHORTS

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

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

Page 5: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Autumn 2013 5

Join Will and others taking action as part of our Community Campaigner network.

Email [email protected] 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

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.”

CAMPAIGNING IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Page 6: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

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REBUILDING LIVES IN SIERRA LEONESarah 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.

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.

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.

Nurses Aminta Thoronka (left), and Mary Angela, with Sarah outside the local birth home.Photo: Greg Funnell/ActionAid

Sarah Alexander with Iye Mammy, 25, her new-born baby, and nurse Mary Angela.Photo: Greg Funnell/ActionAid

“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.”

Page 7: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Autumn 2013 7

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.

Thursday

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.

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.

Friday

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.

Tuesday

Sarah sits with Jane, 50, in the ruins of her house destroyed in the war.Photo: Greg Funnell/ActionAid

Kadiatu, 13, and her brothers, from the Kola Tree Community, Sierra Leone.Photo: Greg Funnell/ActionAid

Sahr Mbayo with four boys taking part in a carpentry workshop.Photo: Greg Funnell/ActionAid

Wednesday

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.Act now:www.actionaid.org.uk/child

Page 8: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

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OUR TAX JUSTICE CAMPAIGN HIGHLIGHTSWe’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.

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

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 information-sharing treaty, to help stop companies like SABMiller dodging their taxes.

Youth Activist Jo Woolf outside the London Office of SABMiller.

Photo: Henry Nicholls/ActionAid

2011:

Schtop tax

dodging!

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

2009:

Tax havens

promise

2012:

Closing a new tax

loophole

Put People First March London, 28 March 2009.

Photo: Kristian Buus/ActionAid

Page 9: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Autumn 2013 9

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.

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.

2013:

Enough Food

for Everyone…

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.

Page 10: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Children from Thayet Pin Seik village, Myanmar.Photo: William Davies/ActionAid

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.

REACHING CHILDREN THE WORLD FORGOT

Page 11: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013
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“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

Six-year-old SuSu Hlaing drawing in morning class, Su Yet San village. Photo: Christopher Davy/ActionAid

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.

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.”

Shihab Uddin Ahamad, Myanmar Country Director Photo: Kate Stanworth/ActionAid

WE CAN CHANGE THE FUTURE FOR CHILDREN LIKE HTAR HTAR

“Only half of all children finish primary school in Myanmar,” explains ActionAid’s Country Director, Shihab Uddin Ahamad.

Page 13: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Autumn 2013 13

No life for a five-year-oldEvery 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.

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. Photo: William Davies/ActionAid

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.

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.

• £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.

Htar Htar washing dishes at her grandmother’s house in Phar Lay Su village, Myanmar.Photo: William Davies/ActionAid

Page 14: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

YOUR WILL MADE EASYMany 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.

Get in touch on 0203 122 0512 or email us at [email protected] and we will even make the appointment for you!You can also visit www.actionaid.org.uk/willaid to find your local participating solicitor.

14 actionaid.org.uk

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.

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.

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

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

Page 15: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Autumn 2013 15

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”

MESSAGES FROM YOU

@carolynjoy

N after a 12k run. Training for the #RPFHalfMarathon for @ActionAidUK

Lauren Jones – @LaurenJ77

@ActionAidUK My girl reading about other 8 year olds less fortunate than her in your newsletter …thank you!

Get in touch Email us at: [email protected] or find us at: www.facebook.com/actionaidukor www.twitter.com/actionaiduk

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?”

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!

Page 16: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

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Mission Malawi 2014

20–28 September 2014Take 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.

Discover Vietnam

24 October– 2 November 2014Register 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.

No experience is necessary: just enthusiasm and the desire to make a difference!

SEE THE WORLD MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Leila Wallis meets local children during a Nepal first hand experience.Photo: Kari Collins/ActionAid

Mount Moulanje in Malawi.Photo: Colin Carmichael Photography

For more details call: 01460 238 047, email: [email protected] or visit: www.actionaid.org.uk/experiences

Page 17: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Virgin Money

London Marathon

Sunday 13 April 2014Register now to be part of Team ActionAid in the world’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 [email protected] or visit www.actionaid.org.uk/running

Sing for ActionAid

this Christmas

December 2013If you are part of a choir, or simply enjoy a Christmas sing-song, then you can make a huge difference this December.

Join the festive fun, email [email protected]

Call My

Wine Bluff

Spring 2014Tickets 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.

Contact [email protected] or visit www.actionaid.org.uk/winebluff

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 they’re learning about.

Download our free resources at www.actionaid.org.uk/LiveLikeLesotho

Autumn 2013 17

Ramotili, 12, standing on his family farm in Lesotho.Photo: Eva-Lotta Jansson/ActionAid

Adam Elkin, Virgin Money London Marathon.Photo: ActionAid

Page 18: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

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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!

1.

Choose a gift for a friend, colleague or loved one. We have gifts to suit all tastes and personalities!

2.

Add your personal message to one of our specially designed cards.

3.

Your loved one receives their gift card and your donation is sent to those who need it most.

• Optional FREE deliveries • E-Cards • Personalised messaging • International shipping

No queuing. No stress. Your Christmas shopping made simple.

GIFTS THAT CHANGE LIVES

How does it all work? Well, it couldn’t be simpler:

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONEAll 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.

Venilia Philippe, 14, on her way to ActionAid funded Loncy Community School, Haiti.Photo: ActionAid

Page 19: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

Autumn 2013 19

“When I opened

the present it was

such a surprise that

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

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.

Tune in

Gadget geeks will love the gift of a radio enabling isolated communities to hear vital broadcasts over the airwaves.

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.

Order your Gifts in Action today by completing the enclosed form, calling 0800 085 8550, or visiting giftsinaction.org.uk.

Page 20: ActionAid Action Magazine Autumn 2013

If, like many other people, you have been putting offwriting your Will, Will Aid is your chance to put that right.Every November, participating solicitors waive their feefor writing a basic Will. Instead, they invite clients tomake a donation to Will Aid. The suggested donation is£90 for a single basic Will and £135 for a pair of basicmatching or mirror Wills.

Every November, thousands of people not only gainpeace of mind by writing their Will in this way, they also

help raise millions of pounds for nine of the UK’s bestloved charities, including ActionAid.

Visit: www.actionaid.org.uk/willaid Call: 0203 122 0512 Email: [email protected]

ALL MONEY RAISED BY WILL AID SUPPORTS THE WORK OF:

towriteyourWill

actionaidhas

found a

Reg No. 274467 Reg No. 213890Reg No. 220949Reg No. 1128267 Reg No. 207544Reg No. SC012302 Reg No. 1105851 Reg No. XR10431Reg No. 216401

Project2_Layout 1 22/08/2013 17:45 Page 1

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 [email protected] we'll even make the appointment for you! Alternatively, goto www.actionaid.org.uk/willaid and use the solicitor look upto find your local participating solicitor.

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4_M

If, like many other people, you have been putting off writing your will, Will Aid is your chance to put that right. Every November, participating solicitors waive their fee for writing a basic will. Instead, they invite clients to make a donation to Will Aid. The suggested donation is £90 for a single basic will and £135 for a pair of basic matching or mirror wills.

Every November, thousands of people not only gainpeace of mind by writing their will in this way, they also