FOR NEWS OF THE EVENTS PUT ON BY THE GREAT KIDS FOR KIDS COMMITTEES - WHO ARE BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF KIDS FOR KIDS - PLEASE LOOK AT THE NEWS & EVENTS PAGE!
The list below gives just some of the support we have had from our friends this year! Please send us news of how you are supporting us! We would love your digital pictures - please look at the Gallery for pictures of some of our supporters below!
Corvallis - Oregon USA
Beth collected a giant check for a giant amount of money from the First Presbyterian Church in Corvallis recently. This is a stupendous gift for villagers in Darfur and will make a massive difference to the lives of children there. The Mission Committee has been raising funds for the past two years, thanks to Beth Jordan who not only plays in their band but works indefatigably behind the scenes to get things done!
Thank you Beth, Linda and Gordon and all at the Church. This is a terrific way to end 2009 and to start 2010.
Oxford
Students in Oxford have been leading the way to how to bring help to Darfur. Their group - HANDS UP FOR DARFUR - hosted another debate this week at Exeter College, Oxford University, with Medecin sans Frontieres and KIDS FOR KIDS.
So far they have raised the incredible sum of £100,000 to help families in Darfur, which they divided between the two organisation. This has enabled KIDS FOR KIDS to provide their whole package of long term help - goats for the poorest families, donkeys for transport, midwives who save lives right there, in the villages, first aid workers, blankets, mosquito nets, and water - to TWO WHOLE VILLAGES. Students in the UK helping so many families.
On top of that - their example is inspiring other students. And they are taking the message to schools in the Oxford area. If you would like to hear their message of how to help in Darfur please call us! 07957206440
Cirencester
Chairman Patricia Parker was keen to visit this wonderful church again to thank them for their unparalled support of KIDS FOR KIDS. They have raised literally thousands of pounds to help villagers and the PowerPoint Presentation she made was to show them how the KIDS FOR KIDS projects are being run, despite the continued violence.
People were moved to tears because of the poignency of some of the photographs. Some however were on a lighter vein too! Patricia also showed the loo and shower where she has confronts cockroaches from time to time! Huge thanks go to Jean who is the inspiration behind such wonderful team work with Mike and all our friends in Cirencester. "I cannot begin to thank everyone for their support" said Patricia "it goes beyond just money, it shows everyone, including me, that hope is a real viable possibility, despite what we hear in the press."
Chapel HIll, NC United States
CAF America sent KIDS FOR KIDS the letter Isabelle sent to them when their terrific donation of a Goat arrived in the office. The two children raised the money themselves from pictures they painted and solf for $3 each.
Isabelle said "I am so happy we sold them all. We might even start doing the art shows resularly as a business! So you can probably expect more from us - maybe even a donkey!"
Patricia writes: "Thank you girls - your goat really will help a family and yes, it will make a child very happy. Thank you both for all you are doing. You are setting a terrific example. By the way, I love animals too! Not sure about aquatic snails though....."
Sussex
Keen goat owners heard Patricia Parker tell them about how goats are cared for in Darfur - a very different environment from the green fields of the UK!
Patricia asked her audience to take leaflets about KIDS FOR KIDS when they show their beloved animals at Country Shows next year. Goats here provide extras, goats in Darfur provide the essentials of life - their milk is often the only source of vitamins, minerals and proteins for children in KIDS FOR KIDS villages when the harvest fails and nothing grows.
Concord USA and Oxford UK
Just in - news of the Marshall Scholars Sponsor a Village Campaign. See details at www.marshallscholarsforkerker.org. Thanks to Dan alumni are raising funds to sponsor Kerkera a village in Darfur - it is a big ambition but has got off to a flying start! $30,000 are needed but Dan has no doubt that supporters from the alumni will join together to help this desperately poor village in Darfur where violence has taken its toll. So far a Benefit Concert in Edinburgh, a team run next year in the London Marathon, a trans-England bike ride and a Surprise London Event are on the cards!
Contact Dan for further information of these fun events!
To learn more about Sponsoring a Village please email patricia@kidsforkids.org.uk
Okehampton
Yet another donation came in the post from the Lions - Okehampton District Lions joined in the tremendous support that Christine has secured for us from all the clubs in her destrict. She really has been a fabulous friend, showing them what we do. It just proves that it takes just one person to make a difference.
Thank you Christine - you are a really wonderful Ambassador.
Leatherhead
One of the wettest evenings of this year's British summer could not deter the ladies of the leatherhead branch of the Royal British Legion going to hear our Chairman give a talk on what we are doing in Darfur. A generous donation was made towards our expenses and even their coffee money was raided. "We want to show we care" was one comment afterwards. Many were grandmothers themselves so they were particularly touched by the story of a grandmother in Darfur struggling to care for her orphansed grandchildren - without even a donkey to help her collect firewood.
South Africa
Have you heard of 'GOATS DO ROAM' the delicious South African wine red, white and even a rose? Now VINEYARD BRANDS, importers of GOATS DO ROAM into The United States, has devised a wonderful campaign highlighting not only the unique support we are giving to children in villages in Darfur but raising funds for us with every bottle sold. Look for displays in Oregon, South Carolina and Maine - and more to come! To learn more about the wine itself do log onto www.fairview.co.za
latest news is that the campaign is spreading like wildfire. A Whole Foods grovery retailer started the craze and it is catching on! Three other grocery chains have signed up. Well done Val and Thank you.
Land's End to Broadstairs
PEDALLING FOR DEAR LIFE -
This is the touching name Graham gave for his incredible bike ride across the south of England in July. He cycled 420 miles to raise funds "for handpumps, goats and donkeys and other enhancements to improve the lives of families & children". I think we can guess what he thought about during that long long ride.
This is the second major challenge Graham has done for us and his supporters have already strated sending funds in - if you would like to encourage Graham by sponsoring this fantastic effort, for someone over 70, then please email him on grancy@talktalk.net
An amazing achievement by an amazing man!
SPAIN and ITALY
Roving Ambassador HAZEL OBERST visited SPAIN recently at the invitation of ROSA LETELIER to tell people there about KIDS FOR KIDS. ROSA had gone to enormous trouble to arrange a presentation in the Hammam Baths. What an exicting venue! Donations from these new friends has already begun and when Rosa returns from a long planned visit to Peru we anticipate hearing more exciting news from Spain. Rosa also visits ITALY regularly so see news of JANUA SCHOOL in our School Friends' section - and there will be news soon about fund raising through doctors in Italy specifically for water.
A new experience for me was a live interview which is heard by the English speaking community in Spain - arranged thanks to Rosa, ROGER and her friends! Thank you too to MARY - the charming and enthusiastic radio presenter - for your support and encouragement to your listeners. I really enjoyed the interview which covered a the whole gamut of our projects - and introduced the idea of helping children in villages for the first time to Spain. I loved the idea of Mary challenging Spanish schools to put on concerts for us. Our new friends in the States in Corvallis staged a NOTES FOR GOATS and may be Spain will be the first to get the ball rolling world wide. It is lovely to think that small children in Spain will join the growing band helping children their own age in Sudan.
Thank you ROSA and thank you SPAIN!
Dorking
Dorking based company Kaupthing Singer & Friedlander Premium Finance challenged its employees to make a difference. Winning team, with dynamic duo Sophie and Simon, used every technique possible to raise funds for Darfur, but it was their innovative, not to say enthusiastic, presentation that tipped the scales in their favour! Thank you kaupkids - great team - great ideas - great inspiration.
And you are continuing - to join in their fun events and make a difference too please see their website at www.kaupkids.homestead.com
From DORKING TO DENVER!
Support at Christmas came from all over the world! Lovely to think of Christmas Carol Concerts being sung to help children in Darfur!
Thanks too to the supporter in Surrey who raised £30 from Christmas Street Lighting - amazing to think of that, whilst in villages in Darfur it is like Bethelehem when Christ as there when the Kings relied on the Star to lead them!
Teachers gave each other parts of goats instead of Christmas cards at a Pre Prep School so that 6 more goats could go to a family!
And thank you to the family in Edinburgh whose children sold copies of their home written book - we hope they go on to be bestselling supporters!
ORANGE - UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Our thanks to the family in ORANGE CT who held a number of fundraising events - pool parties and selling smoothies to name just two! Thank you for receipe guys! Thank you for the hundreds of US$ - we are so lucky to have your support!
The World!
Superwoman article in SAGA MAGAZINE produced huge support from readers from all over the world! This article was written in August 2006 - and donations are still coming in in April 2007!
We were really touched at the very personal response of readers who told us their stories too. And money came from money sources - one kind pensioner donated premium bond winnings. May this bring more luck to you in the future too!
A couple from Derbyshire were so impressed with the work we are doing they sent enough for 2 goats saying sorry they could not donate more. I hope they realise what an incredible gift this is to a family in Darfur. Our motto is One Goat at a Time - because each makes a big contribution to helping children.
SCOTLAND
15 children in years 4 and 5 raised £72 for six goats. These will help one family now, and another in two years time, and another in two years time ..... keep counting children! Thank you!
SPAIN
A kind supporter from Madrid raised £1000, completing the New Year's Eve Madrid Run, requesting the funds be spent on the critical provision of midwife training and clean water access. What a great way to start 2007!
Thank you to everyone in this thoughtful group - it was good to hear from you Mary. So much is needed in Sudan, where conditions continue to deteriorate.
FORDINGTON
What a great surprise - a splending donation of £300 cheered our week up in February! This will help several families this year! Thank you to all at Fordington. Please keep in touch!
Dorset
These wonderful churches continue to quietly raise much needed funds for Darfur. Thank you to all our very special friends and in particular to Reverend Janet Smith for her continued support.
The West Country
Many congratulations to our good friends in the West Graham and Nancy for their Golden Wedding Anniversary! It is lovely having such wonderful friends!
Surrey
We were all astounded to find that IRIS was to have a major birthday this year! She looks far too young to have reached another decade - and she asked us all to give her goats and donkeys! Cheques are still coming in - many from across the seas.
Happy Birthday Iris and thank you!
Surrey
Jo's paintings are delightful - and the latest two she has sold provided 2 Donkeys for two families in Darfur! Thank you Jo!
Hampshire
CATHERINE & GILLIAN invited over 60 people to supper to raise funds for Darfur. They organised gift aid giving - and their report to us is one of the most efficient received in the office! A Huge thank you to Catherine & Gillian!
Dorking
Britain's favourite longhaul holiday company has been organising charity activity travel since 2000. In fact Kuoni UK have been operating group tours for 40 years. Now you can take advantage of Kuoni's experience and expertise, - raise funds for KIDS FOR KIDS - and achieve your personal goals with a superb programme of trekking and cycling tours. Link to Kuoni Challenge for Charity website
DONATION VIA CAF
Do all you can with it to stop the pain in Darfur.
Thank you, who ever sent this generous donation, and, in particular, for the trust you are giving us. We will do our best.
A splendid cheque arrived in the office from new friends in Wolverhampton. Huge thanks to Cllr John Davis, Mayor of Wolverhampton, for introducing KIDS FOR KIDS to his fellow members of Rotary in Wolverhampton. Huge thanks.
Oxford
Committed to supporting the humanitarian effort in this beleaguered region of Sudan, Hands Up For Darfur is an initiative being launched by a committee of students from Oxford University who are dedicated to raising awareness and funds for relief agencies in Darfur. At their Ball in March they raised over £25,000 for KIDS FOR KIDS!
Website www.handsupfordarfur.co.uk
Dorking
London
Gave a goat to each school leaver this summer - and held their FIFTH Wheelathron for us - everything from skate boards to electric scooters!
Surrey
Have donated a further £1,000 and will be singing at our Christmas Concert again! It is really special to have such loyal support!
Oregon, UNITED STATES
Cassidy, who is just 7, has raised enough money to buy 112 goats! See her website at www.playfulpancakes.blogspot.com She sets us all a great example!
London
Susie celebrated her 60th Birthday at a splendid party in London - but even more special were her presents. Well over 300 goats have gone to families this Christmas in her name. She made it a really special birthday!
Fetcham
Jane & James Gowing and everyone at Bocketts have been raising money for goats all year thanks to our Huge Roll-A-Penny Box and to the little goats running around it!
London
support for donkeys and goats for many families. They have made a big contribution to our projects every year. We are really grateful to have such loyal friends!
Southwark Cathedral, London
The Bishop of Southwark chose KIDS FOR KIDS for his Lent appeal, before we had been formally registered as a charity - the £25,000 donated by the churches of Southwark Diocese enabled us to help a community of 5,000 people.
KIDS FOR KIDS aims to spend as much as possible on the projects themselves, keeping administration and other costs to a minimum.
WE DO NOT ADVERTISE but rely on friends spreading the word. Please become a KIDS FOR KIDS AMBASSADOR! We need your help to tell people how each of us can make a difference in the life of a child. We will send you leaflets and all the latest news so you can make a major difference yourself.
One of the benefits of KIDS FOR KIDS is the opportunity to meet our supporters and to read your letters of encouragement! We love to hear from you and our thanks to you all!
There are many very personal and individual stories that are difficult to share. Many people who are suffering themselves but recognise the plight of thousands living in devastating and often life threatening conditions in Darfur, and want to make a difference to their lives - we salute you all!
It is awesome to read about the youngsters who donate their Birthday and Christmas money - so far away from the usual materialistic approach we see much of today - how humbling! And it is not always the young - the oldest Birthday Boy was 100!
See the list opposite to view some of our supporters and what they have been doing to help raise awareness. This is not a definitive list however and our thanks go to all those wonderful people who have enabled us to do so much.