Why stuff your rucksack?

Destructive human activity is a threat to the park and the animals that live in it. The natural processes that offer vital resources to communities – such as access to clean water, good soil quality and wood for fuel – are being lost. ALERT offers environmental education and supports local services and an orphanage. In poor rural communities such as this, the need for basic items is great, and what you bring can empower people to find a way out of poverty without destroying the environment around them.

The people living at Victoria Falls rely heavily on their natural environment for resources. ALERT works to provide them with the essentials they need in a way that doesn't damage the fragile ecosystems and the animals living there. Its rehabilitation program preserves the lion population, while funding and support improve schools and clinics. The simple items you bring can help people in the local community learn how to utilise natural resources, prevent disease, and improve their quality of life in a sustainable way.

The children and young people at Akany Avoko have been let down or mistreated for most of their lives, but as Simon from the home explains: “our kids simply refuse to be beaten, and seize the opportunities we are able to offer them with both hands.” You will find nothing but smiles, giggles and warmth at the home, which is both a safe environment and a place for education. Games, creative activities and entertainment are vital for their development, and anything you bring will help these children lead the healthy, happy lives they were previously denied.

Uganda suffers from chronic poverty and has the highest proportion of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS worldwide. Around 18% of children are not enrolled in school and the drop out rate averages at 66%. Street children and orphans are vulnerable to abuse and are sometimes abducted for use as child soldiers. The Amazing Love School offers an escape from that life to its children - any donation would make a hugely positive difference to these children's lives. 

Ninety-three per cent of the Atlantic Rainforest has disappeared due to human activity, and the rate of destruction is increasing – largely due to clearance for coffee farms. This not only destroys vital ecosystems, but also adversely affects the local economy: although small farmers receive some compensation for giving up their land, it is not enough for them to make a long-term investment. Your items can help empower local communities so farmers can establish a sustainable base for long-term economic development. 

Tourism has become the mainstay of the economy in Belize, and with pressing concerns including an unsustainable foreign debt, high unemployment, growing involvement in the South American drug trade, high crime rates, and increasing incidences of HIV/AIDS, the country relies heavily on international donors to reduce the level of poverty. Literacy levels are poor, particularly among the most destitute. By dropping off your books at one of the checkpoints across Belize, you can make a real impact,  strengthening the country's literacy rate.

Kitale has some government schools, but these can be incredibly overcrowded and under-resourced and classes may have up to eighty pupils so some non-government schools have been set up. ALC began as one of very few "inclusive" schools in the country, accepting mainstream pupils and those with disabilities alike. Thanks to the ALC school, marginalised children have the opportunity to learn and develop in a safe and inspiring environment.

Tanzania is one of the poorest countries in the world. More than a million children have been orphaned by AIDS and a third of the population lives under the poverty line. Art in Tanzania supports over 100 community schools and education centres throughout the country. Most have very few resources and receive little funding and therefore depend heavily on contributions and support from volunteers.  In addition many families cannot afford to send their children to school, despite the low fees.

Visit the Nagwa slum today and you’ll find people have access to vital immunisation and treatment, education and food. This would not be possible without the dedication of the Ashray Charitable Trust. But there is still much work to be done: in winter many people do not have enough clothing to keep warm, and 70 children arrive at school shivering every morning. Items such as socks will help provide these people with the basic essentials many take for granted.
 

In the wake of the genocide, many Rwandan women have found it hard to rebuild their lives: more than 500,000 were raped and thousands widowed. Now more than a third of households are run by women, and 80 per cent of these live in severe poverty. Aspire Rwanda provides much-needed education, training and social support, and with your help will ensure these women are able to clothe their children and learn how to sew or speak English. 

This organisation is well organised, very committed, does great things and really needs a hand with resources. If you are going to the Festival of the Desert in Timbucktu, do take the time to seek the organisation out, go and see them and please offer some assistance. They both need it and deserve it. They ensure that disabled women have a high priority and are very keen to set up a literacy program, if they can obtain funding.