Over the last few months I have been travelling almost constantly - to Switzerland, the US, Tanzania and Kenya following up projects and developing the Global Angels network. Visiting our projects is one of the most fulfilling parts of my life. I love seeing how the funds we’ve raised are directly resulting in thousands of people having the huge burden of struggling to survive lifted from their shoulders. It’s amazing to see the joy in their faces and also a few lions and giraffes on safari!

The trip to Kenya and Tanzania was inspiring. Katherine Corich, Allan Guinan and I were primarily aiming to develop our partnership with Majitech Engineering, who are providing 1.9 million people with safe drinking water through the use of their own drilling rigs. Along with a Global Angels grant for $71,000 and a promise of match funding, we are able to give an additional 17,542 people safe drinking water over the next few months

We visited our existing water purification plant in Eastern Kenya. My son Daniel and I had visited the area two years ago, before the water plant was completed. After four years of drought, we found the people and animals were living in devastating conditions. On my return this year, I was thrilled to see thousands of mothers and children now have access to safe drinking water every day.

The little girl and boy in the photos (above) represent a typical child-headed family in Kenya. Having been orphaned by AIDS, the two youngest children are left with their teenage sister (the girl in red) as their main carer. Every day, this family comes to collect water from the new water point we have provided, and to receive food and education through the local project we are partnered with. Each night they return to their hut in a nearby village. It was amazing to be taking photos surrounded by women who, two years ago, were digging holes in the empty riverbed to collect muddy water to drink. I was especially moved as the whole community broke into spontaneous applause and laughter when they realised it was Global Angels who had provided them with the means to keep their children so healthy. I felt proud to be a Global Angel.

This project in Kenya is particularly successful in working with the local women to help them in supporting their families and becoming sustainable. Many of the women accessing water from the project are also employed in the surrounding fields to produce organic beans for the European market, and food for their own families. Profits from the sale of the beans go right back into funding the care and education of the thousands of street kids and orphans also under the care of our partner project It was so inspiring to be able to see first hand the impact these combined projects have had on so many lives.

In Tanzania, we visited a project providing hearing aids for deaf villagers. We were able to work alongside technicians giving many people the ability to hear. In the photos (below), you can see one little girl, delighted to not only hear sound for the first time, but also to hear music as someone held an iPod behind her head. It felt like we were giving them a miracle... something so small made such a difference

The trip was hugely successful and we came back freshly enthused to continue to do all that we can to provide many more thousands of people with safe drinking water and medical care.

To help us with the challenge by donating to our Water For Life campaign, please use the form below.

Every £5 provides one more person with water for 10 years.

Thanks for being an Angel...

"My name is Nick Firth. I trekked for 12 hours in aid of Global Angels and raised $500 dollars between my school, family and neighbours. A 100% charity that supports this generation and the upcoming generations that have/will be effected by global warming. This is my attempt to do what I could to raise awareness and support Global Angels."

As you may know, every week on the Global Angels Facebook and Twitter pages we select an 'Angel of the Week'. This might be an amazing fundraiser, one of our Ambassadors or Corporate Angels or just someone who has stood out to us as being a particularly great Angel.

This week, 13 year old Nick Firth from Australia is this Angel. Inspired by Ambassador and adventurer Bear Grylls after he visited his school last year, Nick, along along with his father, performed a huge 12 hour trek around the boundary of his families rural farm property in central north New South Wales. The countryside is very rugged here and much of the terrain dense bush, with steep crevices, streams and of course wildlife! We are told by Nick's mum Catherine that, despite the day being quite cold, Nick began at 6am sunrise and finished just before 6pm sunset - an amazing 12 hours!

Catherine said, "This was an arduous day that involved navigation, map reading, climbing and crossing streams.  Throughout this Nick was driven by his efforts to support Global Angels."

Nick raised an amazing $500 Australian Dollars for Global Angels through his passionate fundraising including a special 'cake n can' stall where cakes were baked and drink cans sold to the school students at his school, St Ignatius' College. Nick received donations from classmates, friends and families which helped him to achieve this brilliant result!

Nick is a perfect example of an 'Angel in Action' and we're so proud to have him as an Angel. He also made a great video documenting his trek, so you can see him in action! Check it out below...

In October 2010, Global Angel Ambassadors Wendy Smith and Nick Leventis undertook a breathtaking challenge in support of Global Angels, making new solo (Wendy) and tandem skydiving (Nick and Tom Noonan) records in the Himalayas, by jumping from 32,000ft. They raised a staggering £103,000 to give to projects empowering disadvantaged communities in Nepal and refugees living on the Thai-Burmese border.

Once considered one of South East Asia’s richest countries, after four decades of military rule, over 3 million Burmese people are now internally displaced. The projects we’ve chosen to partner with, located just inside the Burmese border, are particularly worthwhile. The hardships faced by these Burmese Karen Refugees are tremendous, with whole communities hiding in the jungle, living without access to basic resources such as hospitals, medical care, school buildings and roads. The threat of the government soldiers bombing their settlements and mining their rice paddies creates a constant battle for survival.

Over the last year, the Global Angels team have been visiting and choosing outstanding projects along the Thai Burmese border, and in the Himalayas, performing all the tasks and checks necessary to ensure the funds raised will be utilised to the highest level of integrity and with maximum impact. These funds will now be used to transform the quality of life for the thousands currently living in extremely challenging situations.

Photo: Board members Mark Eddison & Molly Bedingfield visit projects on the Thai-Burma border last year

A 2004 study focusing on Karen, Karenni and Mon areas showed some of the worst conditions in Eastern Burma and highlighted a health situation that closely resembled that of conflict areas in Africa:

• 1 in 5 children die before their 5th birthday.
• 1 in 12 mothers die in childbirth.
• 1/4 of all deaths are attributed to malaria.

Medic Training
Responding to the overwhelming need, Dr Stephen Nash (founder of Hope 4 The World) has been taking volunteer training teams of doctors, nurses and dentists into the jungle since he visited Burma in 2002, believing that the best way to tackle the extreme lack of medical care was to train local recruits as medics. A growing number of skilled volunteers from the UK have given up their time over the last 8 years to train medics, dentists and midwives in order to relieve suffering and care for these vulnerable people in isolated and high-risk areas.

In 2011, Global Angels supported 26 second level students to undergo their medic training. They will be manning the 32 ‘mobile health clinics’ in the region. Over the next two years we have pledged to fund the students for their third, more advanced level of training.

“I wish you could have been there to see the medics graduate - Very moving for them and for us. We have so much good will and support locally to make this happen. I am now on the case preparing for level three training at the earliest possible moment. Give thanks for a fantastic ending to a great course, it was so enjoyable. I still find it remarkable how we can achieve so much with so little when you have the right people.” Dr. Stephen Nash
 

Photo: 2012 Level 2 Graduates at their Graduation Ceremony (Photo ©Hope 4 The World)

Mobile Health Clinics
Global Angels will be funding the annual budget for two of these ‘mobile health clinics’, managed by Partners Relief & Development, working to maintain a health system throughout the villages. Medics will provide: health campaigns, reproductive health services, regular school-based care and respond to emergencies such as obstructed labour. In some cases they may carry out amputations for landmine victims and most also have a dental service. The clinics will serve a total of around 4,000 people. Previous clinics within Karen State have seen amazing results: Each home in the village has a toilet and most will boil their water. The rate of malaria has decreased to under 3%.

Although built in areas that are deemed ‘safe’, the mobile clinics are designed so that staff can evacuate patients and hide/evacuate supplies should the Burma Army move in on their location. Three previous clinics have been overrun by the Burma Army, although have since been rebuilt so they can continue with their medical care to the local communities.

Photos L-R: Midwife checks patient, a medic treats a child (© Partners Relief & Development)
 

Development Farms
‘Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day, but teach a man to fish, and he can feed himself for a lifetime.’

Global Angels are funding a Development Farms project over three years, to support marginalized communities with training and resources to start long term fish and animal farms and rice paddies along with training in modern sustainable agriculture. Each farm will have a reach of up to 4,000 people. This is a Partners Relief & Development project and will progress as follows:

The first year will focus on training two farmers from each community who will then put their training into practice on land given to them in various strategic locations.
In the second year, villagers from surrounding communities will increase their own knowledge and skills in farming at the main farm before in turn starting their own, for which they can apply for a grant to cover half of the cost.
The third year aims to make the main farms self sustaining and no longer dependent for training or financial support.

We're so excited about these new projects and pleased to be able to share them with you. Project pages coming soon with more details and photographs of the projects in action.

Photos L-R: Medical supplied are distributed, Fish Farming (© Partners Relief & Development)
 

Join our Ambassadors in The British

10k London Run 2012

It's that time of year again! Global Angels are entering a team of 36 runners into the British 10k London Run 2012 and we would love you to take part.

Join some of our amazing Ambassadors and Angels as they take to the streets of London. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned runner, this event is open to all those over 15. Last year our runners surprised themselves with the great times they achieved and many are hoping to beat them this year!

The cost of entry is £55 per person. This includes your race entry, chip timing, official photograph, goodie bag & medal and a Global Angels t-shirt to wear for the run.

BUY YOUR PLACE NOW - CLICK HERE

Those who ran last year will remember our celebratory concert held at Freedom Bar in Soho. It was such a success we hope to hold a similar evening event again.

If you aren't running on the day, you can still get involved! The atmosphere on the day is amazing and we'd love to line the streets with Angels cheering on our runners! You will also be able to sponsor anyone in our Angel team, they may be a friend or you may just feel passionately about the cause they have chosen to raise funds for.

Last year, over 25,000 runners ran the race which takes place right through central London, starting on Piccadilly at Hyde Park Corner and finishing on Whitehall. If you're already running and haven't chosen a charity to fundraise for, why not run for Global Angels? Get in touch with Fina on angelevents@globalangels.org.

The race route through the heart of this historic capital city is unrivalled anywhere in the world and takes runners past many of the iconic and most world renowned sights that the great city of London has to offer.

The annual Global Angel Awards were launched on Friday 2nd December, raising over £90,000 for the charity - What a spectacular event, hosted by Ambassadors Caroline Feraday and Tony Moore! The Awards, including an acoustic concert with Daniel Bedingfield, were followed by an Angels In Concert special hosted by Natasha Bedingfield and featuring Leona Lewis, Joss Stone and John Forte. The Awards allowed us to honour those outstanding Angels who have helped us achieve our vision in the past 6 years and winners included Ambassadors Bear Grylls, Bonita Norris and new Angel John Forte.

The feedback from the evening has been fantastic. Artists Joss Stone & John Forte have both Stepped Up to become new Angel Ambassadors and Leona Lewis loved the 100% Promise and our charity. Presenter & model Lizzie Cundy said, "Amazing night for Global Angels. Thank you Natasha and Daniel Bedingfield and your lovely mum Molly!" We are thrilled at all the praise we have received from guests and artists alike in the aftermath of the Awards and Concert. We are so pleased everyone had such a great time.

Our personal highlights have to come from the mind-blowing performances given by the artists on the night, in particular Natasha Bedingfield's rendition of Prince's 'Purple Rain'. At the end of the concert, all 5 artists took to the stage together, treating us to a once in a lifetime jam session between them. The perfect end to an amazing night, but not before we celebrated Natasha & Daniel's birthday with an amazing cupcake-style birthday cake! Leona Lewis told us, "I loved being a part of the Global Angels concert, it's truly such a wonderful charity that is doing such essential work and saving lives. Their 100% promise is amazing. Supporting them in their mission is something i would encourage everyone to do."

View more videos of the Awards & Concert on our YouTube channel

Natasha Bedingfield 'Purple Rain':
 

The whole evening was streamed live direct from the Global Angels Facebook page, sponsored by Bupa International and provided by Noonan Media. Thousands worldwide managed to watch the concert as it was happening online, something we we were so happy to be able to offer. It felt amazing to know that Angels around the world could join us for this special launch. For those of you who missed the stream, or simply want to relive the evening, we will be releasing videos soon on our blog and Facebook page.

Our first of many future annual Angel Awards, we used this occasion to launch our search for an inspirational Angel, an 'unsung hero' who you think deserves recognition for their contribution and efforts to make the world a kinder place. We need your help to find this special person and will be asking you to let us know your nominees some time next year.

The winners were:

Best Corporate Angel

• MWB Business Exchange

Best Corporate Partner

• ASHA
• Future Capital Partners
• GKN PLC

Best Charity Partner

• The Nema Foundation

Best Ambassador

• Bonita Norris
• Hazel Thompson
• Wendy Smith

Best Ambassador Partner

• Bear Grylls

Step Up Award

• John Forte
• Christophe Charlier

Photos by RGBDigital & UBPICS

We would also like to thank all of our amazing sponsors:

I am so excited to able to invite you join us in London for our Angels in Concert event on December 2nd at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel. My daughter, Natasha Bedingfield, will be headlining the event, joined by Leona Lewis Joss Stone, John Forte (Grammy nominated artist, writer & producer) and DJ Oisin Lunny, with more friends to be confirmed.

We have been planning the concert most of this year and Natasha can't wait to be back in London for this gig and of course we can't wait for her to come

Please see the flyer below to find out more information about Angels in Concert with Natasha Bedingfield, and buy tickets HERE.

December 2nd also marks the launch of our first annual Global Angel Awards which will take place earlier in the evening. The Angel Awards will honour and reward those inspirational businesses and leaders who, through being outstanding 'Angels', have worked with us to fulfil our vision.

For more information about the Angel Awards, please view the full flyer here and contact us if you would like to buy a table or an individual ticket.

Tickets are available for both Angels in Concert (8.30pm), and the full event including the Angel Awards ceremony beforehand, which starts at 6.45pm. I'd love for you to join us at either event.

These events are fundraisers for Global Angels, and we would love as many people to attend as possible. With only 5 weeks to go, please help us spread the word by sharing the events with your friends and networks.

Love
Molly
x

We love sharing stories from our projects, and hope you all enjoy reading them! We recently gave you some updates from the Masai Mara in Africa - Today we are heading further South to Guludo, Mozambique and the Nema Foundation, (one of our partner projects) to tell you the story of Amina and orphan Facque Pira...

Faque Pira lives with his half brother and sister-in-law in a small hut in the remote and rural village of Naunde, Northern Mozambique. His parents passed away in 2007 and 2009 from the same undiagnosed illness, most likely to be HIV/AIDS. Struggling to make ends meet, the family was forced to send Faque’s 12 year old sister Muanassa to Macomia, a large town some 100 kilometres away where she is more vulnerable and more likely to be married off at a young age.

In 2008, Faque fell from a coconut tree while collecting coconuts to sell in his village. He broke his ankle very badly and doctors in the neighbouring villages were unable to repair it. His ankle has never properly set, leaving Faque unable to walk without the help of a stick.

In spite of his tragic story, Faque remains optimistic about the future. “I love going to school”, he explains, “my favourite subject is Portuguese, but I hope to learn English one day, too”. Faque is desperate to complete his schooling and will be able to apply for a Nema scholarship next year, which would support him throughout secondary school. One day he hopes to work for Nema to help other orphaned and vulnerable children in the same situation as him.

Amina Suale and her family of five live in Lumuamua, a poor and remote rural village along the coast of Northern Mozambique. Up until three years ago, the community relied on shallow, hand-dug ponds for their drinking water. Not only did these water sources fail to meet the community’s water needs, but they also propelled the spread of water-borne diseases such and diarrhoea, which causes around 10% of deaths in children under five.

In 2007 the community installed its first well. “Now, we never have problems with the water” explains Amina. “People come from all over the village to collect the water. There is enough for everyone and we no longer suffer from stomach aches and other illnesses.” Amina and her family are extremely relieved to have access to safe drinking water, as are the rest of the five hundred or so other villagers.

Even so, Lumuamua is a large and widely dispersed community and due to low rainfall, their next ambition is to install a second well to provide enough water for feeding crops and animals too. Amina’s final request that we put one in her back garden to save her the walk was possibly slightly pushing it, but the optimism is definitely a good sign.

 

Global Angels provides water, food, education, medical care and resources through Nema.

Step Up, be an Angel & donate to the Nema Project:

To find out more about Nema visit our project pages.

Global Angels currently provide water for around 6,000 people in tiny villages in a remote part of the Kajiado district of the Masai Mara and in Northern Kenya, where we have funded a water purification project for a community. Water is pumped from the River Thika to the purification plant and after being filtered and cleansed, safe clean water is pumped through pipes to the surrounding rural community.

The following stories demonstrate the success of the project and the amazing new opportunities given to the communities through the increased water supply. Community members were having to walk up for 18km a day just to reach safe drinking water for their families, this has now been drastically reduced.

We hope you enjoy these inspiring stories direct from the project in Kenya, to help us provide more water, please donate here:

Oloyiankalani Secondary School’s Agriculture Class

Last year, the Oloyiankalani students planted a large crop of carrots during their agriculture lessons. Thanks to the water that was available, the turnout was so high that even the school kitchen could not use them all up! The school therefore supplied the surplus to the surrounding Esiloyia community for a period of three months.

The agriculture teacher, Mr. Ole Mosiany, has discovered that the soil is very fertile and suitable for growing many different crops. If set up properly, the agriculture activities could provide good, sustainable, income generating activity to the school in the future.
 

Alice Matura

Alice, a mother from the Esiloyia Maasai community, used to have to endure an 18 km walk to and from the nearest water supply to fetch drinking water for her family. She now only needs to travel 4 kilometers for clean drinking water, saving her a tremendous amount of time each day. By using a donkey to transport the jerry cans the trip is also less strenuous. Alice has even been able to start a small beadwork business, along with several other women in the area, making use of their spare time not spent walking to get water.

Babu Mumanyi

Babu Mumanyi is a so called ‘shamba’ boy, earning a living taking care of someone else’s plot of land. His boss last year allocated him his own ½ acre plot to plant or grow whatever he needed for his own use. Since there is now plenty of water available Babu can grow kales, cabbages, corn and onions on the terrain. The compound looks beautiful as trees, flowers and grass also grow there in abundance. This ‘private’ vegetable garden has cut Babu's expenses for greens drastically and he now even has a little monthly return from the produce he grows.

A new concept from Preferred Hotel Group (PHG) and The Good Night Foundation (GNF) will allow new and existing Angels worldwide to use their holiday time not only as a way to relax and enjoy themselves but at the same time to help others worldwide and, 'give back' while travelling.

The nightly rate when booking PHG's 'City Kids' and 'Family Fun' offers will include a donation of $1 to $3 to Global Angels! With the packages available for the rest of 2011 we're really excited to see this new scheme in place, opening up yet another cool way to make a difference.

Maureen Raynaud, Executive Director at the Good Night Foundation said, “It is a win-win for both the guests and the participating hotels and resorts. We are pleased to provide a way for travelers to support global causes through our partner, Preferred Hotel Group,” said Executive Director Maureen Raynaud at The Good Night Foundation. “And, the hotels and resorts have an opportunity to increase their social responsibility and raise awareness among their guests."

It is amazing to see companies like the Preferred Hotel Group and The Good Night Foundation coming forward to Step Up and be Angels - We're really looking forward to seeing the results of this campaign and encourage all our Angels to take a look - you might find yourself booking a great holiday and supporting Global Angels in the process!