###### OXFORD UNDRESSED: THE CHARITY CALENDAR #####
For our latest fundraising initiative, Oxford Undressed, see www.oxfordundressed.co.uk
To donate to TravelAid please go to:
http://www.thebiggive.org.uk/charity.php?charity_id=5000&search=299ee06c-49d5-4c13-b8e3-beb7364ac434
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WHO WE ARE:
TravelAid is an Oxford-based, student-orientated, UK registered charity (No. 1092061). We work through university students to alleviate poverty and build social capacity in the developing world.
TravelAid collaborates with partner charities from across the developing world to provide university students with the chance to engage in valuable and worthwhile volunteering projects. Projects span four continents and range from education and microfinance to health and social inclusion. Student volunteers of all disciplines and backgrounds are recruited from the University of Oxford and placed into teams according to the project they will volunteer on. Before they leave for their destination country, volunteers are challenged to work together to fundraise £500 each. These funds are used entirely for charitable purposes, and do not contribute toward personal expenses. During the summer vacation, students travel to their chosen project site and spend 4-6 weeks volunteering with TravelAid's local partner charity.
HOW EVERYTHING STARTED:
The TravelAid concept was conceived in 2000 by three Oxford University students after they visited the Temi community in Gremi, Georgia. The students returned impassioned by their experience and inspired by the mutual benefit the visit had brought to themselves and the Temi Community
OUR AIMS:
TravelAid builds co-operation between university student volunteers and partner organisations for their mutual benefit. We have four main aims:
1. To alleviate poverty through education and social empowerment.
Our projects have a capability building focus; we always aim to place our volunteers where they can help local people to help themselves. By building enduring relationships with our partner charities TravelAid supports local organisations tackling local problems.
2. To support our partners through the provision of funds and skills unavailable in their local community.
Our volunteers are enthusaistic and dedicated university students that provide a supportive resource and bring concrete skills that are not available in the local community. TravelAid funding is infused directly at the local level and bypasses intermediaries that are typical of other charitable organisations.
3. Provide dedicated volunteers with training and unparalleled engagement with local people in the developing world.
Our volunteers are amongst the key decision makers of the future, and with their TravelAid experience in mind, we hope that they will be much better disposed to make choices to the benefit of those in need.
4. Break stereotypes, bridge cultural differences and foster understanding between different communities by building meaningful and long-lasting relationships
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS:
In previous years TravelAid volunteers have set up an HIV/AIDS clinic in Kenya, taught English to the Masai in Tanzania, developed a microfinance scheme in Cambodia and led summer camps in Ecuador. With the funds volunteers have raised, TravelAid has also helped purchase a school-bus in Nepal, hot water supply for a care-home in Georgia and school supplies for students in Guatemala.