Oxfam in Scotland

From Paisley with love. Members of Paisley women's group take their message to Brussels

2010-03-18T11:30:19Z

Four Paisley women this week took their inspirational stage play to Europe's corridors of power to call for changes in how the European Union deals with poverty. Margo Kirkwood, Steph Mayo, Julie Tate and Nancy Gallagher are all members of the Paisley-based Beechwood Women's and Arts Group and they are in Brussels to perform 'Morag's Story' - a play which tells the tale of a woman dealing with poverty and the challenges it brings to her increasingly troubled family. The Beechwood group are in Brussels to take part in the GenderWorks Conference, a culmination of a two-year project by Oxfam and partners which investigated women's experiences of poverty and social exclusion in Europe. GenderWorks aims to influence change in European policy to improve women's lives. The play centres on a woman called Morag who juggles two jobs as her husband has been made redundant. She also cares for her dementia-suffering mother and is trying to be a good mum to her teenage daughter who is about to go to university. Worn out and at breaking point, Morag is then hit with the news that she has cancer. The women performed to an audience that included representatives of the European Commission and over 30 members of women's groups from across Europe. Margo Kirkwood, who plays Morag, said: "It couldn't have gone any better. We performed the play once and then we did it again but the second time we allowed the audience to intervene and point out where Morag was going wrong. "Morag doesn't talk about her situation and she refuses the offers of help that she gets from her friends.The audience really got involved and there were loads of great suggestions. The play is very powerful and the four of us, along with the director Claire O'Hara, have worked hard to get the play together. "It's quite emotional performing it because of all the things Morag is going through. The audience all recognise a bit of Morag in themselves because women have a natural instinct to protect their families. "What we are trying to say with the play is that women need support and that they shouldn't be afraid to ask for help or to accept help when it is offered. Women are the shock absorbers in their families and when times are tough, like they are during this recession, it is often the women of the household who are left to pick up the pieces." The GenderWorks Conference brought together regular women from across Europe, who have all experienced poverty, alongside decision makers who can influence change in the European Parliament. GenderWorks makes a number of key recommendations. It highlights the importance of women-only spaces, such as the Beechwood Women's Group, and calls on the EU to recognise the value of these women-only spaces. It also recommends better funding for women's services to include free or low cost quality childcare to allow women an easier path back to work, as well as better training for women and better social protection for vulnerable or abused women. Margo Kirkwood added: "One of the best way that women can get support is through women's only spaces such as women's groups. In 'Morag's Story' the main character is a member of a women's group and without the support of her pals there who knows what would have happened to her. I think this has been a very worthwhile conference and hopefully it leads to policy change at EU level to tackle women's poverty across Europe." Visit www.oxfam.org.uk/genderworks for more information on the GenderWorks Project.]]> Four Paisley women this week took their inspirational stage play to Europe's corridors of power to call for changes in how the European Union deals with poverty.

Gender agenda - Empower women to make real change

2010-03-17T10:36:55Z

The GenderWorks conference got underway in Brussels with the launch of a paper that outlines how the recession has led to more women in Europe living in poverty. An Invisible Crisis - Women's Poverty and Social Exclusion in the European Union at a time of Recession is a paper by Oxfam and the European Women's Lobby and investigates the impact of poverty on women from all over Europe. The paper exposes the specific issues that affect women more negatively than men and makes a number of recommendations to European policy makers. Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland, officially launched the paper. Judith said: "Oxfam has a long history of working on gender issues and highlighting the links between gender and poverty. It is no secret that the vast majority of people experiencing poverty are women. "Oxfam has a rights-based approach and GenderWorks is about making sure women have access to those rights. "One of the key learnings from GenderWorks is the importance of the participation of women in influencing policy. "It's fantastic to see such a diverse group of women here tonight. This paper was produced with the aim of influencing EU planning and thinking on gender. "This year is the EU year of action on poverty and social exclusion and we are pushing for a new gender roadmap in Europe." Guests at the launch included representatives of women's groups from Scotland, England, Wales, Slovakia, Italy and Austria, as well as David Martin MEP and Secretary General of the European Women's Lobby, Myria Vassiliadou. Myria said: "The impact of the recession has made existing difficult situations worse, especially for women. "We hope to make sure that the results of this report are communicated to the people who can make a difference." Jean Lambert, the Green Party MEP for London then addressed the conference, calling on the European Union to "empower women" if they are serious about changing society for the better. Jean shared her experiences of how good EU policy has helped make a real difference to women's lives. She praised the GenderWorks project for its recommendations and conclusions, but added that the real challenge would be making sure that the recommendations are actually used to influence policy. Jean said: "There are some very good results and some very good policy recommendations. The question is how do we get these to the stage that it helps to shape policy. "The gender dimension in the EU has improved over the years, but it's still something that we have to fight for. The message we have to give is that if you really want to change society then what you have to do is empower women." The conference continues throughout today this week, when members of various women's groups from across Europe will share their experiences of poverty. To find out more about the GenderWorks project, visit www.oxfam.org.uk/genderworks]]> The GenderWorks conference got underway in Brussels with the launch of a paper that outlines how the recession has led to more women in Europe living in poverty.

Brussels-bound women's group has a message for European bigwigs

2010-03-16T16:25:57Z

Four women from Renfrewshire (Margo Kirkwood, Steph Mayo, Julie Tate and Nancy Gallagher) are set to travel to Europe's corridors of power to demand a fairer deal for women across the continent. They are members of Paisley's Beechwood Women and Arts Group and all four have experienced poverty in their lives. They are part of a group of 33 women from across Europe who are travelling to Brussels this week (Tuesday 16 March) to take part in the GenderWorks Conference and tell Europe's powerbrokers of their experiences of living in poverty or working to tackle women-specific poverty in Europe. GenderWorks is a project run jointly by Oxfam and partners, funded by the European Commission, to investigate women's experiences of poverty and social exclusion in Europe. GenderWorks demonstrates that poor women are the experts on the experience of poverty. In many areas the disadvantage women experience is hidden from the attention of policy makers and the general public by statistics that fail to differentiate between men and women. The right to a voice is central to tackling poverty and social exclusion, and one way of giving women a voice is by providing women-only spaces such as the Beechwood Women and Arts Group. The conference will make three key recommendations to the European Parliament and European Commission next week. * More focus on women's economic independence - including proper access to childcare, training and fair pay for women in work. * Recognition for the importance of women only spaces - including safe physical spaces for women as well as space for women's voices in policy making. * Dedicated services for women - Social protection must be delivered in a way that reflects needs and does not exclude women by mode of delivery, but instead encourages women to access their rights and raises their confidence to participate. Margo Kirkwood said: "The Beechwood Women and Arts Group was set up as a place for women to get together and talk about the issues surrounding poverty. "I'd never been in a women's only space before and it quickly became a precious place to me. It's a safe haven for me and the other women who come here. "I ended up living in poverty for the same reasons that thousands of women in Scotland do. "What little money I was earning as a youth worker at the time was nullified by what I was having to spend on childcare. The pressure was immense and there was a lingering feeling that I had become a total failure. "It's a horrible situation to be in and you feel totally helpless. When you end up in debt you are at the mercy of people who can come and take your furniture away or leave you with nothing. "They have power over you and they call the shots. All I wanted was the chance to take part in normal life but when you're in poverty you can't. "It was only when I got involved with the Beechwood group that I started to become more politically aware and I realised that I wasn't the only one. "I became aware that it wasn't entirely my fault and that actually it was impossible to get by in those circumstances. There was more going out than was coming in. "It was an important moment for me because I knew then that I had the right to stand up for myself. Okay, I found myself in this position but that didn't make it okay for people to speak to me like I was a piece of dirt on the sole of their shoe. "Oxfam's GenderWorks project is so important because its aim is to take the message to the policy makers in Europe. There is nobody more qualified to tell them what it's like being a woman living in poverty than those women themselves. "We'll go there, make our point and hopefully convince the European Parliament and the policy makers to take these issues more seriously and to do something about it."]]> Four women from Renfrewshire (Margo Kirkwood, Steph Mayo, Julie Tate and Nancy Gallagher) are set to travel to Europe's corridors of power to demand a fairer deal for women across the continent.

Last ever work by the late Scottish artist Aitchison auctioned for Oxfam

2010-03-15T16:22:28Z

Top Scottish artist and writers collaborate for auction at the Saatchi Gallery. The last work produced by the late Scottish artist Craigie Aitchison, who died aged 83 in December last year, is to be auctioned for Oxfam on Tuesday March 16. Before his death, Aitchison - whose works are collected by the likes of Sir Elton John and Sir Terence Conran - was one of a group of leading artists, including Antony Gormley and Sir Peter Blake, who were commissioned to create original works of art to raise money for the aid agency. The art works, including Aitchison's, are unique customised art boxes, inspired by and commissioned to house Ox-Tales - Oxfam's popular short story collection, which was published last year. For Ox-Tales, authors including Scots Ian Rankin and Kate Atkinson, joined forces with 30 other writers to produce four brilliant collections of short stories, themed loosely on the elements: EARTH, AIR, FIRE and WATER. Following the successful launch of a popular paperback edition of Ox-Tales last year, the authors all agreed to sign limited edition box sets of the four Ox-Tales books. Craigie Aitchison and 13 other artists were then given a box set each and asked to create an original work of art. The result is fourteen striking and unique pieces, which reflect the artists' responses to the Ox-Tales stories. The artists' pieces will be auctioned at the Saatchi Gallery on 16 March, and the event will raise money for Oxfam's life-changing work around the world. The non-customised box sets signed by the authors will also be on sale at the auction, priced £450 each. Terry Dansiger Miles, Director of Timothy Taylor Gallery, who represented Aitchison, said: "This work was one of the last things that Craigie was working on before his sad demise. He had been very excited about being involved and desperately wanted to complete the work. Sadly he was unable to realise this, although he had finished the front panel. "In order to present the work in the fashion that he would have been happy with, a studio technician finished the remainder of the box in his chosen colours." Antony Gormley, whose piece is entitled 'Lost Subject' and reflects his fascination with the human form, said: "I am really happy to have been able to contribute to the Ox-Tales box set idea; it is thoughtful, creative and connective. Oxfam provides intelligent and sustainable support to people being confronted by life-changing events in countries all over the world. Whether we are directly responsible, as in the case of climate change refugees, or indirectly in relation to commodity wars or the breakdown of social order, it provides a way in which we can at least try to make those changed lives better." To view a selection of the artworks and download a copy of the catalogue, see: www.oxfam.org.uk/artboxes Profile Books' Mark Ellingham, the editor of Ox-Tales, said: "The Ox-Tales box sets are stunning and are real collectors' items which we hope will raise a large amount of money for Oxfam's work fighting poverty and suffering around the world. We are hugely excited to have such talented artists and writers involved with this project, and are very grateful to them for all their support." The Ox-Tales Artists Boxes are a result of a unique collaboration between writers and artists, and the auction will give collectors the chance to own a truly one-off piece, created by a leading contemporary artist. Oxfam is hoping that the auction will raise around £200,000 to support their work fighting poverty and suffering around the world. ]]> Top Scottish artist and writers collaborate for auction at the Saatchi Gallery. The last work produced by the late Scottish artist Craigie Aitchison, who died aged 83 in December last year, is to be auctioned for Oxfam on Tuesday March 16.

Spare a thought for mums around the world this Mother's Day

2010-03-13T00:00:19Z

Take a simple online action that could save lives. Not all mums will be pampered and lavished with expensive gifts this Mother's Day. In fact, many mothers-to-be will not live to see Mother's Day. Every day, 1400 women in the developing world die during pregnancy or childbirth, simply because they don't have access to affordable healthcare. Oxfam Scotland is calling on Scots to help prevent these unnecessary deaths by asking UK political party leaders to take action on maternal mortality at www.oxfam.org.uk/mothersday. Following this link will take just seconds but will send a strong message to the politicians. One of the promises made when the UK signed up to the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set out in 2000 was to reduce the maternal mortality ratio by three quarters by the year 2015. However, almost no progress has been made to meet that promise. Taking action this Mother's Day will remind party leaders of the promises they made and will push them to get the MDGs back on track, saving the lives of millions of women the world over. Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: "Every year millions of women face death, serious illness and permanent disability because of complications during pregnancy and birth. As well as the risk to their own health, mothers in many parts of the world also face losing their children. "Last year, almost nine million children under five died, 40% of them in the first months of their lives. "The next UK government must show leadership in addressing the preventable deaths of women and children. I hope the people of Scotland will remember these women on Mother's Day and take this online action to show their support."]]> Take a simple online action that could save lives. Not all mums will be pampered and lavished with expensive gifts this Mother's Day. In fact, many mothers-to-be will not live to see Mother's Day. Every day, 1400 women in the developing world die during pregnancy or childbirth, simply because they don't have access to affordable healthcare.

Gaza Unplugged. Power cuts putting lives at risk in the strip.

2010-03-12T08:50:04Z

As the migraine-inducing sounds of generators overwhelm the Gaza Strip, Karl Schembri discovers power cuts have caused much deeper disruptions, putting lives at risk. Wasfi Al-Nider sits motionless on a couch looking at a small screen. Whenever it goes blank, it is the sign of yet another power cut hitting Gaza. But while most blackouts deprive many fellow Gazans of working on computers or watching TV, the screen the 63-year-old is looking at is connected to his blood and a kidney dialysis machine.

"Whenever there is a blackout, I'm in Allah's hands," Wasfi says. "The machine just stops, blood stops circulating, I just cry." Along with Wasfi, 200 other kidney dialysis patients frequenting Al-Shifa Hospital three times a week for four-hour rounds of treatment have watched their screens going blank. Over the last two months, blackouts have increased so much in Gaza they have rendered many of the hospital's emergency battery backups useless. "Many of our battery backups need repairing, and the Israeli blockade makes it very difficult to get most spare parts; we've been waiting for a year for some of the items," says Dr Mohammed Shatat, the director of the kidney dialysis department. His colleagues at the cardiac and surgery departments work with the same trepidation of facing a blackout during critical surgery. Gaza has witnessed a steep increase in blackouts since the European Commission handed over responsibility for buying industrial fuel needed to operate Gaza's only power plant to the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah late last year. The entire coastal strip is now plunged in total darkness for up to 12 hours a day, disrupting the daily lives of Palestinians who are already living with hardships caused by the Israeli blockade. It is critical that the Palestinian Authority urgently resolve the ongoing crisis transparently with international donors, mainly the European Union, to ensure that sufficient fuel supplies are delivered to Gaza's power plant and Gazan families have access to electricity.

While most of the shops and offices in Gaza were already equipped with generators, many Palestinians are now buying portable generators made in China for their homes. These are imported through the tunnels running under the Gaza-Egypt border and fuelled by cheap diesel coming through the same underground lifelines. The owner of a store selling generators in Gaza City said sales increased by 70% in the last month. With the help of a generator, Gazan families can generate enough energy so that nights have the semblance of normality: they can switch on the lights and a television set, and recharge a mobile. However the generator does not give enough power to switch on a refrigerator, heater or a washing machine. For many Gazans living in poverty, generators are still too expensive to buy, at roughly 92 Euros each. "These days, I'm lucky if I can make 100 shekels (20 Euros) in one month and I have 18 family members to support. How can I afford a generator, let alone the fuel and maintenance costs?" says 26-year-old Ibrahim who still supports his parents and other relatives as the only employed member of his immediate family. "We have to make do with a kerosene lamp. With no gas available, we cook on firewood in the back yard and huddle in one room whenever it's cold." The energy crisis is also causing a ripple effect of problems beyond the sick and the poor. "I would need a very powerful generator to be able to use my machinery, costing me over 5,000 shekels (almost 1000 Euros)", says blacksmith Abd al Rahman Al Shurafa who is unable to work when electricity is unavailable. The idle time is costing Abd al Rahman up to 50% of his monthly income. Keeping his fish fresh is Ihab Abu Hasira's biggest headache at Munir fish restaurant.

"During blackouts we pack our freezers with ice although even that is not always available," he says. "The worst is when we come in the morning and find there has been a blackout all night long, risking losing thousands of dollars worth of fish." For Mohammed Hizeb, a young electrician who repairs home appliances, this has been a boom time for business, as the number of fridges and washing machines for repairs in his shop can testify. "The sudden blackouts do a lot of damage to these appliances," he says. "The last month has been the busiest." The widespread use of generators is also claiming the lives of Palestinians through fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Last month, 3 children were reportedly killed and 5 others injured in a blaze which started after the explosion of a generator at their family's home in southern Gaza. The same month, Oxfam employee Inam Abu Nada' and her 20-year-old daughter nearly died when both were left unconscious near a generator leaking carbon monoxide gas. A total of 15 people have died and 27 have been injured since January in generator-related accidents at home, according to Gaza Director of Emergency Services Muawiya Hassanayn. Last year, generator fires and carbon monoxide poisoning reportedly claimed the lives of 75 people. "I can barely sleep with the sound of generators at night," said Mahmoud, a refugee from Jabaliya Camp. "You can smell fuel wherever you go in Northern Gaza, everyone's inhaling all sorts of crap."]]> As the migraine-inducing sounds of generators overwhelm the Gaza Strip, Karl Schembri discovers power cuts have caused much deeper disruptions, putting lives at risk.

Haiti earthquake: £7.5 million raised in Scotland. Scotland's generosity rebuilds lives

2010-03-11T13:15:29Z

People across Scotland have now donated almost £7.5 million to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Haiti Earthquake Appeal. The generosity has helped the aid agencies that make up the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) in Scotland to reach hundreds of thousands of people with emergency relief, including food, clean water and medical services. Yet huge challenges remain, including a continued need for emergency shelter and latrines to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The rainy season in Haiti is due from April to June, and will be followed by the hurricane season. Gerry McLaughlin, Chair of the DEC in Scotland, said: "People across Scotland have responded to the suffering in Haiti with a wonderful generosity. Every donation to our appeal is making a real difference in helping people in Haiti survive and to rebuild their lives. "There is no room for complacency though. This has been a disaster on a vast scale and huge numbers of people are still living in appalling conditions." The Haitian government's latest estimates following the January 12 earthquake is that 230,000 people have been killed, 300,000 injured and 1.3m in need of emergency shelter. So far DEC member aid agencies and their partners have helped feed 750,000 people, provided clean water to over 400,000 and emergency shelter materials to 250,000. The aid agencies have also been providing medical services, blankets, hygiene kits, and supplies for new-borns. They have been improving sanitation, and helping vulnerable groups including children, pregnant women, the disabled and the elderly. The Scottish public's generosity means that the DEC members have funds for short-term emergency aid in Haiti, but money is still needed for crucial longer-term work to help the Haitian people rebuild their lives from the ruins. Donations have mainly been made online and by phone, but also include corporate, postal, events, SMS and over-the-counter donations. People can donate to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal at www.dec.org.uk, at any Post Office or high street bank, or by post. Cheques payable to 'DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal' can be sent to PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA. For developments in Haiti, see www.dec.org.uk, follow @decappeal on Twitter or become a fan of 'Disasters-Emergency-Committee-DEC' on Facebook. ]]> People across Scotland have now donated almost £7.5 million to the Disasters Emergency Committee's Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

Rare gold coin proves to be a real treasure for Oxfam store. Troon charity shop coins in almost £900

2010-03-04T12:29:19Z

A rare gold coin donated to a Troon charity shop fetched a whopping £871 in an online auction this week. The Queen Victoria £5 gold piece, dated 1887, was handed to staff at the Oxfam Bookstore at 9B Church Street in Troon. Staff identified immediately that it was valuable and decided to sell it on eBay rather than in the store. The shop itself is popular with stamp and coin collectors and Oxfam volunteer David Tennant, who works in the shop, is something of an expert on both. The coin was donated by a regular supporter of the shop who inherited it after her parents passed away. She knew the coin was valuable and wanted it to be sold to raise funds for Oxfam's vital work around the world. Store manager Julie McCulloch, said: "I just instantly knew that the coin was rare and I phoned one of my volunteers, David, who specialises in the stamps and coins section. He confirmed that it was in fact valuable and that it could possibly fetch up to £800 in auction. We were all very excited and we're very grateful for such a fabulous donation. "It never fails to amaze me how generous people can be. Every single donation we get is very much appreciated and will all go to a great cause. But every once in a while you get a real gem like this stunning coin and it gives us all a real thrill. I'm delighted the coin will go to a good home and I can assure the lady who donated it that the money will be put to very good use." The coin was made in 1887 for Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. The coin is known among collectors as the 'Jubilee Head'. It was used from 1887 to 1893, when it was replaced by another, older looking portrait. The 'Jubilee Head' coins are rare and command premium prices. Shop volunteer David Tennant, who has been a collector all his life, said: "The coin really had the wow factor. When you are regularly dealing with ordinary everyday items and something like this turns up, it is very exciting. Watching it get more and more bids on eBay was a very fun process to be involved in. We were delighted with the money the coin raised." ]]> A rare gold coin donated to a Troon charity shop fetched a whopping £871 in an online auction this week. The Queen Victoria £5 gold piece, dated 1887, was handed to staff at the Oxfam Bookstore at 9B Church Street in Troon.

Old clothes for a good cuppa? Now that's a Fairtrade!

2010-02-22T00:00:51Z

Oxfam shops in Scotland will be rewarding donors for their generosity with 40 free cups of tea each during Fairtrade Fortnight. Anyone bringing in a bag of quality donations to an Oxfam shop from today, 22 February, to Sunday, 7 March, will get a box of 40 Cafédirect teabags in return. The charity hopes to bring in mountains of donations from the tea swap initiative, at the same time as encouraging consumers to switch over to Fairtrade products permanently. This means consumers can help to change lives in two important ways - by supporting Fairtrade producers in the developing world, and by helping Oxfam raise money to fight poverty around the world. The offer comes as part of Fairtrade Fortnight's theme of 'The Big Swap', which is aiming for shoppers across Britain to make one million and one swaps from non-Fairtrade goods to their Fairtrade equivalent during that two-week period. Around 250 Oxfam shops will be taking part in the donations-for-tea swap. Malcolm Fleming, Oxfam Scotland's Campaigns Manager and a board member of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, said: "Supporting Fairtrade is a really simple and effective way for people to use their power as high street shoppers to help change lives around the world. By donating to an Oxfam shop, you can help us to raise millions of pounds to fight poverty. "And during Fairtrade Fortnight, you can do both at the same time by swapping your unwanted goods for some refreshing Cafédirect tea." Anne MacCaig, CEO at Cafédirect said: "We're delighted to be supporting this drive for donations by rewarding people with an excellent cuppa. Once they've tasted our brew, we're confident that people will be inspired to turn over a new leaf and swap to Cafédirect for good." Betsy Reed, Director of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum, said: "We are looking forward to people swapping as many things as they can find during Fairtrade Fortnight and hopefully many people will start buying Fairtrade products permanently as a result. "Scotland is working hard to achieve Fair Trade Nation status and this will go a long way towards helping us reach that goal too. "When you buy a Fairtrade product you are ensuring that producers in developing countries get a fair deal for their goods." Oxfam food shops also sell Cafédirect Fairtrade tea in boxes of 80 for £2.49 and boxes of 440 for £9.99. To find your nearest participating shop, search for 'food' at www.oxfam.org.uk/shopfinder or call 0300 2001 333. ]]> Oxfam shops in Scotland will be rewarding donors for their generosity with 40 free cups of tea each during Fairtrade Fortnight.

Celtic fans can do their bit for Oxfam at the match. Supporters can bring donations to Dundee United game

2010-02-19T19:50:09Z

Football fans attending this Saturday's match between Celtic and Dundee United at Parkhead are being urged to bring along donations of clothes, books and other items to help back Celtic's partnership with Oxfam Scotland. An Oxfam van will be parked next to the Celtic Superstore from 1pm (Saturday, 20 March) where volunteers will be accepting donations which will then be sold in Oxfam shops and used to help fund Oxfam's work to tackle poverty around the world. This week Celtic and Oxfam Scotland officially launched their World Cup Partnership for Africa with the help of midfielders Landry Nguemo and Ki Sung Yueng. Fans will also be able to support Oxfam's campaigning to improve health and education across Africa by going online to www.oxfam.org.uk/celtic Fans can also make a donation to Oxfam's work via the website. The two organisations were both formed to tackle poverty. Celtic were formed by a Marist Brother priest called Brother Walfrid in 1888 to alleviate poverty in the east end of Glasgow. Oxfam was formed in 1942 and works with others to end poverty and suffering around the world. Oxfam Scotland's Campaigns Manager Malcolm Fleming said: "Oxfam will have a van parked at Celtic Park before and during the Dundee United game and we hope supporters will bring along donations. "The Celtic and Oxfam World Cup Partnership is all about raising awareness of the devastating effects that poverty has on millions of people in Africa. "The eyes of the world are on Africa for the World Cup this year and it's important that we don't forget about the issues affecting millions of Africans. "Oxfam are delighted to have the backing of Celtic for this partnership. Fans can find out more about the partnership and Oxfam's Health and Education For All campaign at www.oxfam.org.uk/celtic " The Oxfam van will be clearly marked and parked to the left of the main stand, next to the Superstore.]]> Football fans attending this Saturday's match between Celtic and Dundee United at Parkhead are being urged to bring along donations of clothes, books and other items to help back Celtic's partnership with Oxfam Scotland.

Celtic's World Cup-bound stars back club's Oxfam partnership for Africa

2010-02-18T11:36:43Z

Celtic stars Landry N’Guémo and Ki Sung Yueng today [Thursday] officially launched a partnership between their club, Celtic FC, and international aid agency Oxfam Scotland, aimed at fighting poverty in Africa in the year that the World Cup is hosted on the continent for the first time. Midfielder N’Guémo, who will represent Cameroon at the World Cup in South Africa this summer, and fellow midfield maestro Ki, who will play for South Korea at the tournament, are calling on the club's massive army of loyal fans to get behind the partnership and do their bit for Africa. Fans will be able to support Oxfam's campaigning to improve health and education across Africa by going to www.oxfam.org.uk/celtic. Fans can also make a donation to Oxfam's work via the website. There will be a limited edition Celtic and Oxfam ribbon on sale for just £1 at a future home match, and also opportunities for fans to get behind other campaigning and fundraising initiatives. The two organisations were both formed to tackle poverty. Celtic were formed by a Marist Brother priest called Brother Walfrid in 1888 to alleviate poverty in the east end of Glasgow. Oxfam was formed in 1942 and works with others to end poverty and suffering around the world.

Celtic stars N’Guémo & Ki help launch the campaign. Credit: Oxfam

Landry N’Guémo, 24, who helped his country to the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations in Angola last month, said: "Everyone is looking forward to the World Cup and me and some of my Celtic team mates will be representing our countries in South Africa. "But while the football takes centre stage, there will be millions of people in Africa dealing with the daily struggles of poverty and I think it's our duty to make as many people aware of that as we possibly can. "Poverty prevents people from getting an education and denies them access to even basic medical care. Celtic and Oxfam both have the same goal when it comes to tackling poverty and this partnership will raise awareness of those issues and also raise funds to help tackle poverty in Africa. "I hope Celtic supporters will now also become Oxfam supporters and do whatever they can to back our World Cup partnership for Africa." Ki Sung Yueng, 21, hailed the partnership as a match made in Paradise. He said: "Well over 100 years ago this great club was founded with the aim of not only providing entertainment, but to help alleviate poverty in the city's east end. "Oxfam exists to tackle poverty across the world and the two organisations are a perfect match. "This is the year that the world's attention will be on Africa for the World Cup. I hope we can focus some of that attention on the issues that will not be so apparent to people watching the games from the comfort of their homes. "In Africa, millions of people go without basic health care and millions of children are denied an education and the chance to make a better life for themselves, all because of poverty. "Celtic fans are famous all around the world for the backing they give the team. I hope they will show the same kind of backing to the Celtic and Oxfam partnership and help in whatever way they can." Malcolm Fleming, Oxfam Scotland's Campaigns Manager, said: "Oxfam are delighted to have the support of Celtic and we look forward to having the backing of their many millions of fans around the world too. "The eyes of the world will be on Africa when the World Cup takes place in South Africa this summer, but we can't afford to forget the devastating effect poverty is having on millions of people there. "I hope Celtic fans will back this partnership and that together we can make a difference and improve access to healthcare and education across Africa." This Saturday (20th February) when Celtic play at home to Dundee United, fans are being encouraged to bring donations of clothes, books and other items to Celtic Park, for resale in Oxfam shops to raise vital funds to tackle poverty. An Oxfam truck will be on site to accept collections. Then on Saturday 10th April, when Celtic play at home to Motherwell, fans will be able to purchase a special Oxfam/Celtic ribbon at the match, to show their support. Celtic Chief Executive Peter Lawell said: "As the eyes of the world focus on the continent for this summer's football extravaganza, we want to net their support to help bring people out of poverty. "Poverty has always been high on both our agendas. Oxfam has been fighting poverty and suffering around the world since 1942. Celtic was first set up in 1888 to alleviate poverty in the east end of Glasgow. "So it made sense for us to join forces and tackle poverty together in the year that footballing attention will be on Africa for the World Cup."]]> Celtic stars Landry N’Guémo and Ki Sung Yueng today [Thursday] officially launched a partnership between their club, Celtic FC, and international aid agency Oxfam Scotland, aimed at fighting poverty in Africa in the year that the World Cup is hosted on the continent for the first time.

Haiti quake five weeks on. Scots aid worker says 'still a mountain to climb'

2010-02-16T20:08:10Z

Kenny Rae, Oxfam aid worker from Edinburgh, reminds us that a Herculean effort is still needed if public health in Haiti is not to deteriorate. Time is pressing, as there are only five weeks before the start of the rainy season. Kenny said there have been enormous and successful efforts in getting clean water and food to people since the quake hit exactly five weeks ago. To date, Oxfam has provided assistance to about 100,000 people and continues to scale up operations, planning to reach at least 500,000 people by the end of July. But the same progress must now be made in tackling poor sanitation and a surge in effort is needed from the international community, the UN and aid agencies in advance of the rainy season, due in April. Kenny said: "This past month in Haiti has been the most difficult I have experienced in my time as an aid worker with Oxfam. I have worked in Afghanistan, in Sri Lanka after the tsunami and in mountain villages after the Pakistani earthquake, but the operation here in Port-au-Prince has been much more of a challenge and the devastation more overwhelming than in anywhere I have been before. We are currently working in seven of these camps, distributing shelter kits and providing clean water and toilets for up to 100,000 people. One of the areas is an ex-golf course - home to 50,000 - and we have installed taps at water points that were previously used to irrigate golfing greens. We have also started cash-for-work programmes in five camps, where local people are getting paid to clear rubble and dig toilets, which gives them at least a short-term livelihood. But the living conditions of people in the camps need to be rapidly improved. Many of the current sites will not be suitable to withstand the coming rainy season, which, without adequate drainage and sanitation, threatens to wash away shelters and cause disease. There is still a mountain to climb." Oxfam workers on the ground in Haiti fear that cases of diarrhea and other water-borne diseases could spread given the combination of poor drainage, a limited number of latrines and crowded living conditions. Oxfam has so far installed latrines at 11 key sites and many more are planned. Public health teams are also working with communities to reduce the risk of disease by rubbish-clearing and awareness-raising. But there is still a long way to go. Marcel Stoessel, Head of Oxfam in Haiti, said: "Thanks to the generous public and political response, the aid effort has rapidly expanded to meet people's needs but there is still a mountain to climb. "We now need a surge in effort to improve sanitation facilities for people in Haiti. Let us not kid ourselves that this is going to be easy, it requires a Herculean humanitarian effort from all quarters. "Around 230,000 people lost their lives on January 12. It is our priority to make sure that we don't let that number grow." The temporary camps where people have congregated are fast-becoming over-crowded slums and need upgrading to allow easy access to basic services. More ditches need to be dug to improve the drainage in the crowded camps before the rains begin. Oxfam also fears for the safety of people who have moved to areas that are at risk from land and mudslides because of the upcoming rains. The Government has plans to resettle people but it still needs to clarify whether there is government land available or if it needs to confiscate private land instead. It also needs to ensure that people are not forced to move away from their communities, that new camps are safe and that there is a plan in place to ensure that camps do not becoming dumping grounds outside the city. These decisions need to be taken quickly. The huge logistical challenges facing the aid effort - communications, transport, loss of key staff, destroyed physical and political infrastructure - are slowly being overcome but bottlenecks still remain. While the coordination of the aid effort is going well, Oxfam said it still needs to be improved. Hundreds of agencies now in Haiti - estimates vary from 500 to 900 - are playing their part in the response and the UN has made great strides in coordinating the aid effort but, along with the Government, it needs to provide stronger leadership. As more than 75 per cent of Haiti's capital needs to be rebuilt, reconstruction will take many years and needs the full support of the international community, Oxfam said. The Government needs to elaborate on its reconstruction vision as the many rumours about its plans are causing a sense of anxiety amongst those who have lost their homes. Stoessel continued: "Whatever the vision of the Haitian government is, it should ensure that a newly built Haiti does not recreate the injustices and inequalities of the past. The country's reconstruction ought to be led by Haitians for Haitians. "With more than 80 per cent below the poverty line before the earthquake, the needs of Haiti's poor must be central." Though the focus of the aid effort centres around the capital, where the majority of needs are, there is a growing concern about conditions in the countryside where nearly 500,000 people have fled. Vigilance is needed to ensure that their needs do not fall off the radar and support must be provided to those hosting them.]]> Kenny Rae, Oxfam aid worker from Edinburgh, reminds us that a Herculean effort is still needed if public health in Haiti is not to deteriorate. Time is pressing, as there are only five weeks before the start of the rainy season.

New DIY look for Byres Road charity shop. Frightened Rabbit star helps re-launch Oxfam store with DJ set

2010-02-15T19:20:13Z

Glasgow's West End will be home to Scotland's first Oxfam DIY fashion store when the Byres Road shop re-opens its doors after a stylish re-launch on Wednesday (17 Feb) - with help from one Scotland's hottest bands. The shop at 231 Byres Road, already popular with the area's students and fashion-conscious locals, has been undergoing extensive renovations to turn it into an Oxfam DIY store, similar to Oxfam's hugely successful DIY store in London's trendy Camden. Andy Monaghan, bass player with Scottish indie band Frightened Rabbit, will be showing his support for the charity with an exclusive DJ set at the official launch night on Wednesday. Oxfam's DIY stores are the ultimate fashion resource destination for independent style seekers. The idea is to pick up some stunning fashion bargains and re-style them yourself to design your own unique garment. Andy Monaghan said: "The DIY store sounds like a good idea to me and I've always been supportive of Oxfam's work. "I've shopped at Oxfam stores for years and I'm happy to help in any way I can." The launch night, which starts at 7pm, will be soundtracked by Andy's DJ set and shoppers will also be able to see some of the great designs from local designers and artists like Lori Marshall and Stuart Ford. Shop staff will be delighted to help with advice for your re-styling ideas. And members of some Glasgow design collectives will also be on hand to offer expert advice. Store manager Elaina Smith said: "I'm very excited about the re-launch. The shop looks brilliant right down to the last detail. "The first thing people will notice is the striking black and white Oxfam logo which stands out compared to the traditional Oxfam green. "Byres Road is the perfect location for an Oxfam DIY store and I'm sure people will flock to see what kind of thing we have on offer. "We still have all the great quality stock that we always did at fantastic prices, only now we'll be able to give people advice on how to design and re-style garments for themselves and come up with something truly unique. "I think it's going to be a lot of fun and it really breaks the mould of the traditional idea of a charity shop. And shoppers will also be doing their bit to help Oxfam fight poverty around the world." The store opens at 7pm on Wednesday, 17 February. As well as the DJ set, there will be snacks and treats available for shoppers. No tickets are required.]]> Glasgow's West End will be home to Scotland's first Oxfam DIY fashion store when the Byres Road shop re-opens its doors after a stylish re-launch on Wednesday (17 Feb) - with help from one Scotland's hottest bands.

From Congo with Love - Scots celebrity photographer Rankin teams up with Oxfam for Valentine's Day.

2010-02-11T14:00:22Z

Ahead of Valentine's Day, Oxfam has teamed up with celebrity Scottish photographer, Rankin, for "From Congo with Love", a series of portraits inspired by the love and solidarity of ordinary people living amid conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Eastern Congo is one of the most violent places in the world. Five million people have died and two million more have been displaced due to fighting. The majority of these don't live in camps. Instead, they live with families who have opened their homes to those - in many cases complete strangers - who have lost everything. For this project, Rankin's second trip to Congo with Oxfam, he visited a small town called Sange in eastern DRC, where the population has doubled in size as a result of renewed fighting. There he met host families who were housing one to three other families in small, two-roomed homes. As well as looking at the kindness shown by Congo's host families, Rankin's portraits focus on other forms of love found in Congo, such as romantic love, mothers' love and the pain of love lost, with the people photographed against the same trademark white background that Rankin uses with celebrity clients, such as Kate Moss and the Queen. The portraits and stories of 'From Congo with Love' will be published in a new coffee table book 'We Are Congo', which will also feature pictures Rankin took on a previous trip to Congo, alongside photographs taken by the people in the communities he visited. 'We are Congo', this limited edition Valentine's Day gift, is available at selected Oxfam shops across Scotland (see below for list of shops) and online at www.oxfam.org.uk from today (Thursday February 11), priced £20, with all proceeds going to Oxfam's work in Congo. Rankin said: "My style of portraiture is about bringing people out of themselves, getting them to share something. I chose to photograph the people against a white background instead of in their physical environment. The expressions in their eyes and on their faces - their humanity - was what I wanted people to notice and relate to. "This collection focuses on the relationships that bind people to each other - the connections that make us human. I hope that these photographs can aid understanding. They are neither ugly images of brutality, nor sentimental images of suffering. The world needs imagery that, instead of encouraging pity and powerlessness, promotes understanding, connection, and ultimately action. It's about making people accessible to each other." As well as taking his own portraits, Rankin held photography workshops with the local community, handing out cameras and teaching almost one hundred people how to take their own pictures. The photographs focus on the things that people in the community love and hold dear - from children and homes to favourite pets and football teams. Rankin continued: "I gave out cameras so that the people could have authorship over their own images - show us what was important in their lives. The images I got back were amazing, like an intimate family album of life in the Congo. It gives the people that see the images in the UK a very direct connection to people in Congo." In the DRC, Oxfam has expanded its programme to provide clean water and decent sanitation to the newly displaced. It is now assisting some 800,000 people across eastern Congo and this project and book are linked to a fundraising appeal for its work. Rankin said: "When I first went to the DRC, I expected to be depressed. I wondered how people got up in the morning to face all the misery. But the people I met there confounded my expectations. I met fathers, mothers, children, all getting on with life, making it through, even having a laugh and a joke. These people didn't see themselves as victims, despite the bad hand that fate had dealt them. This book celebrates their spirit. "What I've always been trying to do is to take the victim out of the equation. Take that feeling of pity out of it, say these are human beings and we actually just owe it to them to try to help them. If you do give money to Oxfam I know that the money comes back to Congo. That's the brilliant thing. The money we made last time was brought to Congo and it's getting results." Malcolm Fleming, Campaigns Manager at Oxfam Scotland, said: "Rankin's portraits and the Congolese people in them are inspirational. If you give this beautiful book to your loved one this Valentine's Day, every penny raised by its sale goes to Oxfam's Congo appeal to help bring safe water and sanitation to 800,000 people across Eastern Congo, who have lost their homes due to fighting." People can donate to the Oxfam Congo appeal by visiting www.oxfam.org.uk/rankin or calling 0300 200 1300. 'From Congo with Love' is part of a book, 'We are Congo'. The following Oxfam shops in Scotland are selling 'We are Congo' - Oxfam Bookshop, Byres Road, Glasgow Oxfam Bookshop, Back Wynd, Aberdeen Oxfam Shop, Broughty Ferry, Dundee Oxfam Shop, Lombard Street, Inverness Oxfam Shop, Morningside Road, Edinburgh An exhibition of 'From Congo with Love' will run outside the National Theatre in London from Thursday February 11 until April 11 2010.]]> Ahead of Valentine's Day, Oxfam has teamed up with celebrity Scottish photographer, Rankin, for "From Congo with Love", a series of portraits inspired by the love and solidarity of ordinary people living amid conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Be part of the world's greatest bank job

2010-02-10T10:30:00Z

The Robin Hood Tax is a tiny levy (0.05%) on major financial transactions that will raise £250billion a year. Robin Hood and his band of merry men stormed Edinburgh's financial district today (Wednesday) to launch the campaign for a 'Robin Hood Tax' and to call on people to 'be part of the world's greatest bank job'. A Robin Hood Tax on banks financial transactions could raise hundreds of billions of pounds to fight poverty, protect public services and tackle climate change, according to the campaign launched today by an unprecedented coalition of domestic charities, aid agencies, unions, faith organisations and green groups. The campaign is calling on the leaders of political parties to support a global tax on the banks to help repair the human damage caused by the global economic crisis, protect public services at home, fight poverty abroad and help foot the bill for climate change. The campaign, supported by almost 50 organisations including Oxfam, the TUC, Barnardo's, the Salvation Army, ActionAid and Save the Children, is launched with a promotional film starring Bill Nighy, and written and directed by Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Comic Relief). It is backed by regional events, advertising and online promotions challenging politicians, public and banks to Be Part of the World's Greatest Bank Job. The Robin Hood Tax is backed by financiers and hundreds of economists who have signed a letter supporting the campaign. Judith Robertson, Head of Oxfam Scotland, said: "Billions of pounds circulate round the global financial system every day. A tiny tax on each transaction is absolutely practical and will hardly be noticed by those paying it. But it could raise billions to help make the world a better place. "We have a once in a generation opportunity to make global finance work in the interests of ordinary people at home and abroad. A tiny tax on banks would make a massive difference to the millions of ordinary people around the globe forced into extreme poverty by the economic crisis." The Robin Hood Tax would not be levied on banks transactions with their high street customers, but only apply to transactions between financial institutions. While different rates of tax would apply to different types of transaction, they would start at just five pence for every thousand pounds traded - an average of 0.05%. But even such tiny taxes would raise hundreds of billions of dollars a year given the scale of transactions - equivalent to $10,000 a day for every one of the 1.2 billion inhabitants of 30 of the world's richest countries. Experts have estimated an international transaction tax system could eventually raise as much as £250bn ($400bn) every year. While an internationally agreed tax system is the best way to proceed, the UK Government and European Union should start extending transaction taxes already in existence, such as the UK's 0.5% stamp duty on shares, the campaign says. This would both raise much needed money and encourage other countries to adopt the proposal, with modern foreign exchange markets an attractive and easy target for a unilateral tax on sterling and Euro transactions. The market for financial transactions has exploded in the last decade, and is now worth 60 times global GDP. Before the financial crisis banking was the most profitable industry in the world, with profits five times that of the pharmaceutical industry, and three times bigger than the privatised utilities, according to consultants McKinsey & Company. At the same time the financial sector is not taxed as much as other sectors. The campaign is calling for countries which levy the tax to keep half the proceeds domestically and for the rest to be split 50-50 between poverty reduction and tackling climate change. The UK's share of the tax would amount to tens of billions of pounds. Money raised by a Robin Hood Tax could be used avoid cuts to vital public services and for a range of good causes including: * Meeting the Government's target to halve child poverty (£4bn) * Ending the benefit trap that makes it too expensive for people to leave welfare and return to work (£2.7bn) * Protecting schools and hospitals at home and abroad under threat of cuts * Meeting the Millennium Development Goals to cut child deaths by two-thirds, maternal mortality by two-thirds and tackle malaria and HIV/AIDS, and * Providing resources to enable a deal to be done on tackling climate change. The UK campaign is part of an international movement with similar calls being made in the USA, Europe and across the developing world. Gordon Brown, Angela Merkel, Nicolas Sarkozy, Nancy Pelosi, Jose Manuel Barroso, Meles Zenawi (Ethiopia) have all spoken out in recent months in support of some form of transaction tax. Financial figures who have backed transaction taxes include Lord Turner (FSA), George Soros, Warren Buffet, Avinash Persaud (chairman of Intelligence Capital), Sir Philip Hampton, (RBS chairman) and Terry Smith (chief executive of money brokers Tullett Prebon). Polling carried out by YouGov for Oxfam shows there is already significant public support for a Robin Hood Tax, with almost twice as many people in favour of the policy as oppose it. It is also the public's favoured option for reducing the UK's deficit - well ahead of reducing public spending or raising income tax, VAT or corporation tax. Faced with a 12% deficit, the next government will be facing a stark choice - raising other taxes such as income tax or VAT, cutting services, or taxing the banks. The campaign believes that the Robin Hood Tax is the right idea at the right time. In a letter to the leaders of the UK's political parties, the campaign says: "You could ignore the big problems facing the world, and accept that climate change will stay unchecked, and that the poorest people at home and abroad will have a very hard time of it over the next decade. Or you can find all the money needed by directly taxing the British public themselves. "Or you can work to find an innovative, modern, regular way of accumulating a fund of money to deal with big issues boldly. We would ask you seriously to consider the Robin Hood Tax as that radical new option - a small tax on bankers that would make a huge difference to the UK, to the poorest countries and to our planet. Let's turn the crisis for the banks into an opportunity for Britain and the world." Brendan Barber TUC General Secretary said: "The crash was made in the finance sector - finance should now make a proper contribution to putting right the damage the crash caused and preventing huge cuts in vital public services." Claire Melamed Head of Policy at ActionAid said: "We now have a chance to raise enough money to create real and lasting change. If politicians are brave enough we could turn a financial crisis into an opportunity for the world's poor by raising billions from the banks to spend at home and abroad."]]> The Robin Hood Tax is a tiny levy (0.05%) on major financial transactions that will raise £250billion a year. Robin Hood and his band of merry men stormed Edinburgh's financial district today (Wednesday).