New Charitable Trust Website!

We are very pleased to announce that he new GVI Charitable Trust website is now live! From now on all news will be added to the news section on the website including archives from this blog.

Please bookmark the GVI Charitable Website at www.gvi.org now and check back regularly to see exciting news from the field, our fundraisers and supporters and developments of the trust.

We will also be highlighting ways that you can get involved and as always if you have any ideas, need help or support or simply want to chat about the project get in touch!

All the very best

Ross

New Charitable Trust Website!

Text books in Kenya

Funds raised for the GVI Charitable Trust have recently been used to purchse text books for our schools in Mombasa, Kenya.

Text books in schools are certainly something many of us took for granted when we were at school but for children in Kenya they can be a precious luxury.

Before GVI CT funds purchased theses books children could share 5-6 children per book or often only the teacher would have a text book. This made lessons incredibly inefficient as everything needed to be written in full on the board meaning lessons invariably took longer and it would become a real rush to cover the complete syllabus before the end of term.

Now the classrooms are stocked with beautiful fresh books and the benefits are already visible. There are now enough books for children to share 2-3 to a book or even one per child. With less time spent writing on and copying from the board more progress can be made in actually teaching the children.

Teachers and volunteers have time to cover subjects in details and also find that there is time to provied extra care to children who are struggling and may be falling behind. In addition high flyers can now stand out and be encouraged to excel.

With increased attention and progress children seem to be noticeably more engaged which is being reflected in monthly test results which are slowly but surely creeping upwards.

To everyone who has supported the projects- Asante sana!

Text books in Kenya

GVI Charitable Trust Fundraising events

Fundraising events are a great way to support the GVI Charitable Trust projects, raise awareness and have an amazing time. As such we are working hard to create more fundraising events for our supporters to get involved in.

In Central America the Phoenix projects have been running stunning volcano and biking challenges in Guatemala for a couple of years now which have been fundamental in many of the recent developments on the projects for example construction of the brand new school in the community of Santa Maria, Guatemala.

On May 5th a group of hardy challenges will take part in the first Nicaragua challenge, scaling 7 volcanoes in just 4 days! Funds raised from this event will contribute towards construction of the new school in the community of Chiriza as well as teachers salaries and food for the children.

The team in Cape Town are also getting involved in their first fundraising event with a half marathon on May 2nd. Funds raised here will be going towards the recently opened and GVI CT funded Edu-care Hope Centre.

In the UK the team from the UK office will be taking part in a 60k walking challenge across the English countryside on May 7th to support the GVI Charitable Trust. In an effort to boost funds we will be laying our dignity on the line and accepting suggestions for fancy dress on the day. If you make a donation to the fundraising page you can make a suggestion and we will follow the most popular suggestion and take photos to show how silly we look!

If you would like to take part in any of the fundraising events, want to to hear about future plans or make a donation please get in touch!

GVI Charitable Trust Fundraising events

Join the GVI UK office team on a 60k walk to raise funds for the GVI CT!

On May 7th 2011 a group of our staff from the UK office are going to take part in the annual Just Walk event to raise funds for the GVI Charitable Trust, we would LOVE for you to join us!

This charity fundraising walk offers participants the chance to experience a breathtaking charity walk over the picturesque South Downs in West Sussex and support the GVI Charitable Trust.

There will be a huge crowd taking part on the day supporting a range of worthwile causes. Come and help us represent GVI and the Charitable Trust.

In the UK office we have opted for the 60k option which in one day is certainly going to be tough work, especially considering our universal lack of training! If 60K sounds too much for you there are 10, 20 and 40K options as well.

There is a fee to take part in the event which, as with GVI programs, helps to make sure that the event is well organised and safe. This also includes food, drinks and a free t-shirt, everybody loves a t-shirt!

If you would like to join us, fantastic! Please contact Ross on ross@gviworld.com or call the office on 0044 1727 250250

We hope to see you there, Ross and the GVI Team

Join the GVI UK office team on a 60k walk to raise funds for the GVI CT!

Challenge Doreen biking challenge a huge success!

An inspirational team of GVI staff and volunteers have completed their 5 day biking challenge from Guatemala to Honduras. This gruelling endurance test was completed by 14 keen challengers including GVI project directors and founders Dom and Doreen.

The aim of the challenge was to raise funds specifically for the Guatemala and Honduras projects, including constructing a new school in the community of Santa Maria, Guatemala.

This was certainly no walk in the park as the team traversed bridges, climbed monster hills and entertained baffled locals with their efforts but they were rewarded with lush views and amazing scenery and of course the knowledge that this event raised funds to support the projects.

We are continually amazed by our supporters and their fundraising efforts, if you would like to raise funds for one of the GVI Charitable Trust projects get in touch, we would love to hear from you!

Challenge Doreen biking challenge a huge success!

Japan Earthquake And Tsunami Disaster Relief

On March 11th Japan was hit by its most powerful earthquake triggering a devastating tsunami. The GVI Charitable Trust have started a campaign to provide emergency relief to victims of this disaster.

At least 1596 people have been killed with the death toll expected to rise significantly. A tsunami warning has been implemented in 20 other countries.

Donations to our campaign will be disbursed to local organisations providing effective relief and emergency services to those in need.

Click Here to donate to the earthquake and tsunami campaign.

Japan Earthquake And Tsunami Disaster Relief

Greenhouse is first step towards becoming sustainable at Precious Vision, Kenya

With thanks to our wonderful and generous supporters our team and communities in Kenya have been very busy recently!

In addition to the food programs at the Precious Vision school to provide vital nutrition to children while they learn the goal has always been to help the school become self sustaining, the first step on this path has taken the form of a greenhouse.

Tess Doogue, GVI Kenya Project Manager, explains: 'The installation of a greenhouse at Precious Vision is the first example of an income-generating project funded by GVI Mombasa and the Charitable Trust. Produce grown in the greenhouse will be sold at a competitive rate to the local community, the proceeds from which will go towards teacher’s salaries. This project is extremely exciting as it is the first step towards Precious Vision becoming financially self reliant.

Importantly, there is a high level of investment by the local team. Madam Jane (Community leader) is an experienced farmer and her skills, knowledge and commitment have been crucial in the formation of the project. A “greenhouse committee” of standard 6 students has also been formed, to support Madam Jane on issues such as water management, and importantly, to teach students some practical food production skills. Families in slum areas such as Shauri Yaku (where Precious Vision is located) have no access to tenable land, so those skills are not passed onto younger generations. GVI has employed a gardener (selected by the community) as an additional support for the running of the structure, on the understanding that once the greenhouse is producing money, his wages will come from there. Although his wage is modest, he is given free accommodation at the school and is provided breakfast and lunch from the school’s feeding programme. The first crop rotation is a ‘learner’ crop of various spinach-like greens, low profit margin, but ideal for the first three months of learning how systems work.'

Tess also explains that in addition to the clear tangible benefits of the initiative the school has also benefited from a huge morale boost due to the increased activity and progress.

Additionally this is the first commercial greenhouse in Mombasa meaning that the Precious Vision site will become a working example of sustainable income generating initiatives. In the future the community will be able to charge others for training so they too can benefit from this initiative and donations to the GVI Charitable Trust.

Greenhouse is first step towards becoming sustainable at Precious Vision, Kenya