Cleft lip and palate operations so easily transform a child’s life and future, but families from San Jose island in the Philippines have a particularly difficult time accessing this support.

Ten hours round-trip away from the nearest hospital, even aid workers rarely visit due to rebel group activity.  Pauline Curtis-Smith, working on the ground, has been a real hero working with these families in a dangerous setting.

In November we sponsored 12 children, and this month a further 16, bringing us to a total of 28 so far. In the Philippines, where 45% of the population live below the poverty line and 40% never see a doctor in their lifetime, many families simply cannot afford simple surgery for their children. 

These before and after photos of Andrei Coching, Jaymar Juancho, Christopher Bautista, Jethro Darado, Chriz Delizo, John Flowing Sing - Sing, Gabriel Fadulla, KC Tardeo, Kent Gregorio, Khian Emenedoza, Kyle Pruga, Maria Herilla, Princess Joy Sing - Sing, Ronalyn Gabanan, Sammal Ubag and Tristan Cabral show a beautiful transformation.

Susie, our Office Manager, says ‘These pictures really bring home the reality of the impact these operations have. It is wonderful to know that our 100% Promise has been used to ensure that children have these transformative reconstructions in a safe, supported environment. What a wonderful cause.’

Full medical checks are carried out the day before surgery. Children who are not well enough have their operations delayed, in which case you will notice a longer time gap between their before and after photo’s.

All it costs is £230 per operation. To help us sponsor more children, donate here.

We are delighted to welcome new Advisory Board members to the team!

Suzanne Godfrey was the cofounder and Head of Global Sales and Marketing for Fastway, increasing their turnover from $30million to $458million in seventeen years. Currently an Executive Director of a new drinks brand, BerryWhite, Suzanne is helping us to delivery an innovative new marketing strategy. 

Amanda Ellis, Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is the first woman to head the New Zealand Aid Programme, leading the team that manages over half a billion dollars of development assistance annually. Amanda was awarded the World Difference Lifetime Achievement Award for promoting women's economic empowerment and is representing New Zealand on the UN Security Council. 

Anna Nation is an HR Expert who has worked with BP Plc and Barclays Capital. Anna has completed her first novel this year and has contributed hugely as Global Angels’ HR Advisor.

Pepukaye Bardouille, a Global Energy Specialist with the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank Group. Pep has advised CEO’s in Africa, the Middle East, Europe and Asia on corporate strategy, organisational delivery, and operational performance improvement whilst working for McKinsey & Company.

Roza Azu is a creative director who has worked on campaigns for Coca Cola, Godiva, Barnes & Noble, Converse, and Starbucks, among others. Passionate about travel and global narrative, Rosa is our Corporate Liaison in the US. 

We also have some exciting new Ambassadors!

Deckscar is a DJ and producer, prominent across London’s vibrant music scene. 

Amelle joined the Sugababes in 2005, enjoying success of countless top ten hits. In 2009, Amelle became the first Sugababe to have a solo number one hit with Tinchy Stryder. 

Get Funked perform classic soul, funk and pop in both an 10 and 13 piece line up, comprised of some of the UK’s finest session musicians and vocalists. Credits include Mary J Blige, Emeli Sande and Amy Winehouse. 

"It is a huge pleasure to become Global Angels Ambassadors and we look forward to contributing towards their incredible work. Global Angels is more than just a charity, it is a movement that embodies the energy, passion and selflessness of the incredible people that donate their time and resources to it. This enables Global Angels to keep their 100% promise, so that every penny they raised through public donations goes directly to provide tangible, on the ground resources. In these uncertain economic times, we feel that it is more important than ever to support charities with their valuable work within the developing world. We are very proud to be Global Angels Ambassadors and we look forward to working with Molly and her wonderful team of volunteers." - Martyn Strange, Manager of Get Funked

Get Funked are one of the most sought after and highly acclaimed bands in the events industry, with a reputation that precedes them right across the globe. Home grown in London, Get Funked perform classic soul, funk and pop with a hugely talented band that comprises many of the UK's finest session musicians and vocalists.

Individual performance credits include artists such as Emeli Sande, James Brown, Damon Albarn, Mary J Blige, Roy Ayers, Robbie Williams, Basement Jaxx, Amy Winehouse, The Streets, Joss Stone, Leona Lewis and Corinne Bailey Rae, to name but a few! With a reputation for literally tearing the roof off whenever they are on stage, Get Funked are regularly flown all over the world to perform for some of the most prestigious and exclusive parties.

Get Funked will be performing at the 2013 Global Angel Awards, as backing band to a whole host of international recording artists. Come back soon for more information! 
 

Suzanne honed her global sales and marketing skills in more than 16 countries during a career spanning 30+ years in entrepreneurial businesses. Her most notable achievements were with the Fastway Group where she remains a major shareholder, and was previously a director and global sales and marketing consultant for 18 years.

With no formal business training, and having left school whilst still a
teenager, Suzanne relied on ambition and common sense, plus research and networking, to develop her business skills alongside the growth of the businesses she was involved in.

Whilst Global Sales and Marketing Director of Fastway, franchise system turnover sales went from $30 million per annum in 1994 to $458 million per annum in 2011, and the number of franchisees grew from 250 to 1800 in the same period.

Recognised as NSW Business Woman of the Year in Australia and inducted into the Australian Business Woman’s Hall of Fame, Suzanne also gained in excess of 40 franchise and business awards for the Fastway group, including Franchise System of the Year, and Australia’s Fastest Growing Private Company.

A decision to retire early morphed into ‘a year off’, during which time Suzanne met and became friends with Molly Bedingfield, learned more about Global Angels, and met many of the people involved. She was influenced by Molly’s passion to build a movement of good, and her ability to inspire others, and very impressed by the entrepreneurial, strategic, and visionary work that Molly had created and overseen over the previous seven years.

Looking for a way to best utilise her skills for Global Angels, Suzanne had many discussions with Molly about the challenges to be addressed and the amazing opportunities available to further build on all the incredible work that had already been done. This led to them discovering a mutually rewarding and consultative basis for Suzanne’s involvement, based on trust, respect and support, which has seen the implementation of a three pronged marketing activity plan for 2013, the recruitment of a team of qualified volunteers, and the creation of a management structure format. Suzanne has pledged a minimum of two days per month to Global Angels to continue the initiatives she and Molly have put in place.

Suzanne has also returned to the business world – ideas of retirement now forgotten! – and is working with a select group of entrepreneurial clients including BerryWhite Organic Drinks, where she is an executive director and shareholder, and Merchant Star Trading in the UAE.

Amanda, Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), is the first woman to head the New Zealand Aid Programme, leading the team that manages over half a billion dollars of development assistance annually.

Before returning to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in July 2010, Amanda was lead specialist in the Poverty Reduction and Economic Management Group of the World Bank. Amanda also managed the World Bank’s Global Private Sector Leaders CEO Forum to promote women’s economic empowerment. Previously Amanda founded the Gender Entrepreneurship Markets (GEM) programme at the International Finance Corporation and the Women’s Markets Initiative at Westpac Banking Corporation. Amanda is on the Advisory Boards of Global Women NZ and the Global Banking Alliance for Women. In 2011 The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) awarded Amanda the World of Difference Lifetime Achievement Award for promoting women’s economic empowerment.

This year  we will be taking a fundraising team to climb Africa's highest peak, the famous Mt Kilimanjaro with Bonita Norris who became the youngest British female to climb Mt Everest in 2010 as a Global Angels Ambassador.

The expedition will take place from 3rd - 13th October 2013, giving you plenty of time to prepare! You will travel via the quietest route on the mountain over a longer period than most parties, ensuring plenty of time to acclimatise and to enjoy the spectacular scenery. Accompanying you along with Bonita will be an excellent team of local guides.

Pre Expedition Experience:
This trek is suitable for fit walkers, without previous trekking or mountaineering experience. The itinerary is designed to give a gradual acclimatisation, with a total of 8 days spent gradually climbing the mountain.

How Can You Get Involved?
To find out more or book your place on this adventure get in touch via email at info@globalangels.org or call us on +44 207 484 5408 or +1 310 601 7439. 

Cost:
The total cost of the expedition will be £2750, which includes:

• Experienced UK expedition leader
• Return flights to the UK
• UK airport taxes
• National Park Fees and Peak Permits
• All international hotel/airport transfers
• The best available hotel accommodation in Moshi
• Evening meals in Moshi
• All road transport by private vehicles
• All camping facilities and meals during the trek
• All porterage costs
• All costs for RJ7accredited leader, local Tanzanian guides and local crew

Please be aware that the cost does not include visa fees, travel insurance & tips.

We're really excited about this expedition and just cannot wait to get lots of Angels on board! Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anyone can jump.  Skydiving in the Himalayas is one of the most breathtaking adventures ever and you'll be jumping with World Champion Wendy Smith who is also a Global Angels Ambassador. 

Tandem skydiving with your personnel HALO Instructor and Sport skydivers holding a C license 200 jumps is possible. The Logistics of this location and operational skills have been in process during the last 3 years, developing equipment and an understanding of this High Altitude environment.

This is not an open Drop Zone all year, it is set up for each expedition, this amazing adventure is offered to clients from around the world, welcoming them to join our crew of experts and skydive from 29,500 feet in full view of Mount Everest.

JOIN US NOW

Step UP and Earn Your Wings through Everest Skydive 2013.

JOIN OUR ANGELS IN ACTION FUNDRAISING GROUP HERE

Join the highest charity skydive in the world and help the Global Angels Skydive Team raise $1million for street kids and orphans in Asia.

Everest Skydive is the most elite skydiving adventure to date in the world.

Clients pre-book and  need to have prepared their forms prior to arriving in Nepal.

Everest Skydive rendezvous are made in Kathmandu, where we start our adventure. Everest View Hotel is your high mountain accommodation during your stay at altitude with us. For each Expedition is prepared and set up on The World's Highest Drop Zone with every component necessary for its function: equipment and International Skydiving Specialists, doctors, commercial jump pilots and PC6 Turbine Aircraft, oxygen systems by Summit Oxygen, meteorological surveillance and mountain guide experts.

Our scheduled days include:
Phase One - arrival and briefing on O2 and equipment
Phase Two - acclimatization
Phase Three - re briefings
Phase Four - HALO jump from 29,500ft
Phase Five - Party back in Kathmandu!

Booking Procedure & Pricing:

If you are interested in joining us or would like to book for the upcoming Everest Skydive trip as a Solo or Tandem jumper, please get in touch via info@globalangels.org or contact the office on +442074845408 or +1310601 7439.  We will take you through the process. 

Pricing & Payment Terms:

2013 Price Guide:
Solo Skydivers: $25,000
Tandem Skydivers: $35,000
(With inclusion of tandem master briefings, training and tandem skydive.)

DEPOSITS:

If you are a Tandem or Solo Jumper, Deposit of $1,500 has to be paid as a token of your confirmation as member of the Everest Skydive.
If you are the member of the support trek, the deposit shall be $1,000.

The deposits are to be paid, to Global Angels as the booking agent. Explore Himalaya banking details given by booking agent to pay the final installment. This will be ascertained at the time of the trip confirmation.

Exclusions
• International flights to and from Kathmandu
• Personal insurance
• Trek clothing
• Personal photographs ordered from aerial camera person
• Any expense of personal nature, telephone calls, laundry and tips

"I feel incredibly privileged to work as a Global Angels Ambassador and be in a position to actively help disadvantaged people worldwide through doing what I love and making music.

I’m proud to be part of a charity that connects both corporations and the public with their universal family and allows for the opportunity to know exactly how donations are being used to make the world a more equal place for all."

Deckscar always harboured a deep passion for club music, but it was during years spent working as a singer/songwriter in a rock band that it truly began to awaken. Whilst studying music at University in London, the arrival of his first set of decks inspired him to play around with fusing the two genres.

Taking advantage of the capital’s vibrant music scene, Deckscar started securing regular DJ sets at popular venues, such as Electroworks, alongside coveted weekly residency slots at Soho’s infamous Punk and Egg in Kings Cross.

From this, nights at world renowned clubs were quick to follow and within a year Deckscar was playing the likes of Fabric and Ministry of Sound, as well as touring festivals including V-Festival, Rhythms of the World and Mallorca’s Pacha, amongst others.

With sets going from strength to strength, predominantly riding between drum ‘n’ bass, dubstep, electro house and moombahton, Deckscar began to put together original remixes and incorporated classic anthems with his super heavy bass creations.

Working as a producer, his production skills have been widely praised and featured extensively in Computer Music Magazine.

His debut track ‘Feel Good’ made it into the top 40 in the Beatport charts which lead to putting his own spin on collaborations with other successful artists, including both Natasha and Daniel Bedingfield, as well as Hani, Cutline and UK X-Factor’s Gamu.

Currently touring the world, this up-and-coming artist is one to watch for 2013.

We are about to open our second health clinic provided through Global Angels funding, with 5 more in the pipeline. As this blog is posted, a nurse, with midwifery training, is being recruited to live within the new medical centre. The excited community are poised to make the finishing touches by building a toilet block together next week for their newly resident medical expert.

The building project is led by Abacar, who you can see in his high visibility jacket below.

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Abacar, born in Guludo Village, has been involved in this community project since 2008. Starting off as a labourer, he has recently become a foreman. Originally illiterate, his literacy and numeracy have improved dramatically.

A visiting French doctor did a few trial days in Guludo’s nearly complete medical clinic. The Doctor saw Abacar’s son (left, above) who had been playing near his father. The doctors trained eyes could see that he had a serious problem with his stomach. He was given the right medical attention. Abacar and the community were given an insight into how different life is with accessible medical support. Soon, with the recruitment for the nurse in process, this will become their daily reality.

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Malaria is still the number one killer in Mozambique and with the new clinics, this can be monitored and medication will be readily available in the area. In Guludo Village, this clinic really will save lives.

Further to this medical clinic, community teams have been coming together to install the three running water points in Guludo, Lumuama and Nuande villages. It is amazing to see the communities take responsibility for the building and maintenance of these resources.

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Lumuama has a population of approximately 700 people and a few years ago, Global Angels installed the first water point in the area. Though this made a huge impact, the village was spread across such a large area, that the decision was taken to install a second pump. With the new well fully operational, no members of the community ever need to drink the muddy water from the pond that they used to rely on. Now everyone has access to safe drinking water.

You can find out more about how to support this project on our donation pages. 

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We look forward to bringing you more news of her trip and adventures in the comings. 

I am so thrilled and honoured to be part of Global Angels. The charity helps so many people, families and children from all over the world. They help to re-build lives, homes and help others to have a chance at a better life and future.

Global Angels is a very special charity that goes above and beyond to aid those in need. Global Angels believe in change, preferring not to turn a blind eye to the suffering of disadvantaged children and communities. But to open our eyes and see whats happening and to 'step up' and help do something about it. Together we can build a better world, help others to have a chance and to make a difference. I am very proud to be an Ambassador and to be part of of this inspiring charity.

Amelle x

Amelle joined the Sugababes in 2005 after their manager had seen her perform years earlier as a member of her first band, Boo2. Within the Sugababes Amelle enjoyed the success of two number ones and countless top ten hits. Amelle became the first Sugababe to have a solo number one hit with Tinchy Stryder in 2009. After enormous success, the Sugababes have been taking a break to pursue individual endeavors since 2012. For Amelle, this meant an immediate start on solo material. She is currently working on an exciting debut album. We are delighted Amelle has Stepped Up and become an Angel Ambassador