Hugh Jackman has been a World Vision Australia ambassador since October 2008 and has been involved in the creation of SEE Solutions from the very beginning. The idea for the program, was conceived after Hugh and World Vision CEO Tim Costello, visited a micro loans and business training project in Cambodia.

”Going to Cambodia and Ethiopia showed me that if we’re really serious about ending poverty, then we need to be offering people a hand up, not a hand out,” said Hugh Jackman.

“I’ve seen the dramatic impact that an effective development program can have on hardworking people and their families. It creates a ripple effect that can spread across entire communities and future generations.”

In Ethiopia, Hugh met with coffee farmers who despite producing some of the most sought after coffee in the world, were living in desperate poverty. Through the Coffee Farmers’ Cooperatives Revitalisation Support Project, farmers showing the most promising signs of success are being given further training in organic coffee production techniques. These farmers then share what they’ve learned with their fellow co‐op members.

Coffee Farmer Co‐ops in Ethiopia are also being provided with access to credit, marketing and business management skills, as well as support to secure fair trade certification and training in how to rehabilitate and maintain coffee processing equipment.

The Coffee Farmers’ Cooperatives Revitalisation Support Project and nine other projects supported by SEE Solutions, will assist more than 200,000 people in Africa, Asia and South America.

“SEE Solutions is a great way for Australians to help the world’s working poor,” said Rev Tim Costello.

“Most Australians would remember a time when someone offered them a hand up to help them through a rough patch. This is exactly what SEE Solutions is offering to these people: a chance to lift themselves out of the poverty cycle, and build a better future for their families.”

For more information about SEE Solutions or to make a donation visit the website: www.worldvision.com.au/seesolutions

Consumers in Australia can also purchase certified fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate and more from the Oxfam Shop

Throughout August, people can vote for their favorite Designers For Daffodil Day piece for the chance to win a $1000 MIMCO voucher or make a contribution to Daffodil Day to go in the draw to win one of these exclusive pieces.

To vote for your favourite design visit: www.daffodilday.com.au/designers.htm

All funds raised support cancer research, prevention programs and support services for cancer patients and their families.

Akira Isogawa says “I wanted to help support the Cancer Council’s vision to minimise the threat of cancer to all Australians” Akira Isogawa is one of Australia’s most celebrated designers. He has achieved international recognition for his exquisite contemporary designs, which are sought after in every major fashion capital throughout the world. Since 1998, Akira has shown his collections in Paris, where he presents Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter collections to international buyers each year. For more information or to vote for Akira’s design visit: http://www.daffodilday.com.au/Designers/AkiraIsogawa.htm

Arthur Galan says “It’s great that Daffodil Day is partnering up with the fashion industry to support Daffodil Day 2010 and Cancer Council. We need to raise money to support research into a disease that affects so many.” Arthur Galan’s creation in 1998 of his self-titled label ‘Arthur Galan AG’ has developed into a leading Australian brand, designing signature collections for men and women. The Arthur Galan AG woman is sophisticated and sexy. The Arthur Galan AG man is assertive and modern. Both recognise Arthur Galan’s style, cut and quality as essential criteria to their wardrobe. For more information or to vote for Arthur’s design visit: http://www.daffodilday.com.au/Designers/Arthur Galan.htm

Bettina Liano says “Daffodil Day is an opportunity to become involved in event that is working towards a Cancer free future. Everybody has been touched by Cancer in some way, at some stage. In supporting Daffodil Day we hope to be able to make a difference”. This iconic label has come a long way since it was launched in the 1980s as a range of simple, draped jersey dresses. Today, celebrities and fashion editors alike clamour after Bettina Liano’s extensive range of coordinated dresses, skirts, tailored suits and tees, immaculately cut from high-quality imported silks, jerseys, cottons and knits. The result? Clothing designs that truly celebrate the female form. This is especially true of Bettina Liano’s trademark fitted O jeans: brilliantly tailored investment pieces that deliver a devastatingly sexy silhouette. For more information or to vote for Bettina’s design visit: http://www.daffodilday.com.au/Designers/Bettina Liano.htm

Camilla Franks says “I’m proud to support the Daffodil Day campaign and help create public awareness to raise significant funds for cancer research. Sadly, we will all be affected by cancer at some stage in our lives whether it’s a family member or friend. By buying a piece of Daffodil Day merchandise on August 27th you will be supporting a very worthwhile cause which could one day save your life or that of a loved one.” From the minute the vivacious Camilla Franks created her first kaftan eight years ago, a celebrity fashion and artist icon was born. As a former theatre actress, Camilla designed and created her own flamboyant costumes that naturally translated into her debut kaftan collection. It was a simple kaftan concept that would change the course of Australian fashion history and inspire a new direction of beach and resort fashion. For more information or to vote for Camilla’s design visit: http://www.daffodilday.com.au/Designers/Camilla Franks.htm

Gail Elliott says “I’m thrilled to have been asked to design a dress for Daffodil Day in an exclusive designer collaboration to raise money for the Cancel Council and we at Little Joe Woman are very proud to be a part of this wonderful initiative.” GAIL ELLIOTT rose to fame in the 1980′s and continues today to enjoy a stellar career as one of the world’s top models. More than 20 years later, Gail continues to travel the globe on modelling assignments using the opportunity now to gather inspiration for her ever growing fashion label – Little Joe. For more information or to vote for Gail’s design visit: http://www.daffodilday.com.au/Designers/Gail Elliott.htm

JASONGRECH says “We, like so many people, know someone who has been touched by Cancer and we’re honoured to be part of an event that brings hope to the community and continues to work endlessly to make a difference.” The name JASONGRECH is synonymous with refined elegance, chic modernity and unparalleled service in its made-to-measure and couture offerings. Performing in alliance with the fundamental values of honesty, integrity and value, JASONGRECH prides itself on providing a personalised service that caters to the needs and wants of their clients. For more information or to vote for JASONGRECH’s design visit: http://www.daffodilday.com.au/Designers/JASONGRECH.htm

Jayson Brunsdon says “Having survived cancer myself, this charity is something that is very close to my heart.” Jayson Brunsdon started his own eponymous label in 2004 immediately establishing national and international stockists and garnering extremely positive media coverage. The label is now available worldwide and also in his free standing stores nationally. Focusing a structured, strong silhouette with an emphasis on cinematic femineity, the Jayson Brunsdon client list includes Naomi Watts, Linda Evangelista and HRH Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. For more information or to vote for Jayson’s design visit: http://www.daffodilday.com.au/Designers/Jayson Brunsdon.htm

Rachel Gilbert “I am thrilled to be involved with Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day this August, and I am inspired by the amount of hope that the Cancer Council offers to victims, survivors and their families. I am extremely honoured to take part in raising funds for research, prevention and support services for all types of cancer. I feel blessed to be able to contribute in some small way by donating one of our gowns…” With luxury embellishments as her personal hallmark, five celebrated high-end collections under her belt, and a cluster of A-list stars clamouring to wear her red-carpet creations, designer Rachel Gilbert on course to become a leading fashion figure in Australia and across the globe. For more information or to vote for Rachel’s design visit: http://www.daffodilday.com.au/Designers/Rachel Gilbert.htm

Humanitarian aid work is one of the four most dangerous occupations in the world. The risks associated with humanitarian aid work include serious injury, mental trauma and death. But despite the risks involved, humanitarian aid workers remain committed to assisting those in need.

Executive Director of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), Mark Purcell says violence against aid workers is on the rise, especially in countries such as Afghanistan and Sudan, where UN treaties are not observed and both civilians and aid workers are exposed to violent conflict, disease and mental stress.

“Incidents of violence against aid workers have risen by 450% between 1997 and 2008. In 2008 for example, 122 aid workers were killed. The death rate for aid workers was 42 per 100,000 in 2008 and we expect this to have increased as we have received reports of aid workers killed in recent months,” Mr Purcell said.

On 19 August 2003, a brutal attack destroyed the UN headquarters in Iraq, killing 22 people from the UN and the humanitarian aid community and injuring hundreds of others. Symbolically, the United Nations General Assembly has designated 19 August as World Humanitarian Day to increase public understanding of humanitarian assistance activities worldwide.

In the 21st century, humanitarian aid workers provide emergency assistance and relief to civilians caught in armed conflict, natural disasters and man-made crises. The current food crisis, massive displacements of populations and the diminishing access to water and sanitation are just a few of the challenges faced by humanitarian aid organisations around the world.

Support the work of humanitarian aid workers by donating to one of these organisations:

Oxfam Australia – Pakistan Floods Appeal
Pakistan is facing its worst floods in living memory, with as many as 14 million people affected. Oxfam has launched a rapid relief effort to reach 650,000 people with clean water, sanitation kits and hygiene supplies. At least 90% of funds raised for Oxfam’s Pakistan Floods Appeal will directly support emergency response work.

Action Aid Australia – Child Sponsorship
ActionAid works with communities to access their basic human rights, so lasting change can be made. If basic human rights are met it’s more likely a child can remain in school and further their education, instead of having to leave to tend fields or care for younger siblings.

Médecins Sans Frontières – Doctors Without Borders
Médecins Sans Frontières is an international, independent, medical-humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, health care exclusion and natural or man-made disasters in around 60 countries worldwide.

Australian Red Cross – Warm Fuzzy Gifts
Red Cross helps tens of millions of people around the world each year, providing relief in times of crisis when disaster strikes, or when a personal situation seems insurmountable.

Oxfam Shop Australia – beautiful hand made homewares from artisans all over the world
Oxfam Shop is a passionate supporter of fair trade and deals on a fair trade basis with more than 100,000 producer partners around the world, including indigenous Australians.

Oxfam Australia – Oxfam Unwrapped Gifts
Oxfam Unwrapped is a collection of life-changing gifts that give twice: once to a friend or loved one and secondly, to those who haven’t got much at all.

Water Aid Australia – Shop for Life
WaterAid is an international organization working in 17 developing countries to campaign and implement safe water and sanitation. Buy a lifesaving gift from WaterAid Australia today, and you’ll receive an ecard that you can personalise and send on to your friend, family member or colleague.

The international aid agency Oxfam, says the recent floods that have engulfed Pakistan are a mega disaster and the world needs to mount a mega response to ensure the millions affected get the help they need. Accordingly, Oxfam have called for a “gear shift” in the response to the crisis.

The UN says the floods in Pakistan are the world’s worst current disaster. However, the speed of the response from the international community has been sluggish. According to the UN’s financial tracking system, as of 9 August 2010, less than US$45m has been committed and US$91m pledged, which breaks down to just US$3.20 for every man, woman and child affected by the disaster.

This pales in comparison with the amounts committed to other humanitarian crises. Within the first 10 days of the 2005 Pakistan earthquake, which left some 3.5m people homeless, the international community had committed US$247m and pledged US$45m. This works out to US$70 committed per affected person, 10 days into the crisis.

In the first 10 days after Cyclone Nargis, which affected 2.4m when it struck off the coast of Myanmar, almost US$110m was committed and US$109m pledged in the first 10 days. This works out at US$46 committed per person.

Likewise some US$742m was committed to Haiti 10 days after the quake and US$920 million pledged. This works out at US$495 per person.

The Australian Government is one of only five donors to have committed more than US$5m for the response to the floods in Pakistan.

Neva Khan, Oxfam country director in Pakistan said: “The rains are continuing and each hour that passes the flooding is multiplying misery across the entire country. Swathes of Pakistan are still under-water and people have seen homes, shops, schools and crops flattened. The world must not leave these people stranded. This is a mega disaster and it needs a mega response.

“We have all been shocked by the ferocity and magnitude of this disaster. Everyone – donors, the UN, aid agencies, the government – all of us need to shift gear on this crisis. The people here are living in desperate conditions. This is the biggest disaster in the world right now and we all need to get behind it.”

Oxfam and partners are mounting a response across four provinces in Pakistan. So far the agency has reached more than 100,000 people with clean water and helped local groups evacuate 80,000 stranded people. The plan is to reach 650,000 people.

To donate to Oxfam Australia’s Pakistan Floods Appeal, visit www.oxfam.org.au or call 1800 034 034

You can also show your support by joining the Facebook group at www.facebook.com/oxfamaustralia or follow Oxfam on Twitter http://twitter.com/OxfamAustralia

Source: Oxfam Australia

At some point in their lives 7 out of 10 people in New South Wales will experience or know someone who is, experiencing a mental health problem. Helping to address this serious situation, Wesley Mission LifeForce is a national program that helps people understand suicide and provides them with practical strategies to help people who are at risk.

“One of our key messages is ‘don’t wait’. If you see signs such as worrying behaviour change or mood swings, or detect feelings of hopelessness, then act,” says Rodney Cole from LifeForce.

Suicide prevention workshops dispel some of the myths around suicide, and take participants on a journey down the road to suicide, allowing them to gain insight into how a suicidal person thinks and what the warning signs are. Participants also learn how to approach and engage the person, and who to refer them to for qualified help.

“Put the invitation out there that you’ve got time to talk and use open-ended questions such as ‘so tell me about . . .?’ which require more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Too often people see depressed children or friends and think ‘it will pass’. It may well do, but can you afford to take that risk?”

People who have attended LifeForce seminars and workshops include parents, teachers, social workers, psychologists, doctors, sports coaches, police, emergency workers, concerned friends, bar staff, and many others. Since 2002 LifeForce has trained more than 8,000 people through its suicide prevention workshops.

LifeForce also helps to build the capacity of communities to prevent suicide, and holds memorial services for those grieving over the loss of a loved one.

Help Wesley Mission continue to offer these services by buying a Wesley Gift. Each one you buy will help the disadvantaged and vulnerable in our community. Furthermore, if you are buying it for a friend or loved one, they will receive a beautiful e-card to let them know that they have shared in helping the needy.

Buy a gift today and help someone in need. BUY NOW

Source: Wesley Mission

For the past 50 years the Mater Prize Home Lottery has been making dreams come true for some of its luckiest supporters, whilst raising much needed funds for sick babies and children at the Mater Hospitals in Brisbane. They have given away hundreds of amazing prize homes and if you purchase a ticket in the latest lottery you could be the next lucky winner.

The latest Mater Prize Home No.229 is a gorgeous new apartment in the idyllic coastal location of Byron Bay. Valued at over $1million dollars and featuring three bedrooms, outdoor living areas, access to a swimming pool and barbeque area and all only minutes to the beach, you’re guaranteed to find the luxuriously relaxed lifestyle you’ve always wanted right here in this stunning home.

Take a virtual tour online right now to see exactly how much your life could change then purchase your tickets to win, while supporting this worthy cause.

In securing your chance to win you will be lending your support to the Mater Mothers’ and Mater Children’s Hospitals in Brisbane, who work tirelessly to provide exceptional care to over 130,000 tiny patients every year.

SOURCE: Mater Foundation

This article is a paid advertisement for the Mater Prize Home Lottery

Titled No time to quit: HIV/AIDS treatment gap widening in Africa, the report builds on analyses made in eight sub-Saharan countries to illustrate how major international funding institutions such as PEPFAR, the World Bank, UNITAID, and donors to the Global Fund have decided to cap, reduce or withdraw their spending on HIV treatment and antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) over the past year and a half.

“How can we give up the fight halfway and pretend that the crisis is over? Nine million people worldwide in need of urgent treatment still lack access to this lifesaving care – two thirds of them in sub-Saharan Africa alone. There is a real risk that many of them will die within the next few years if necessary steps are not taken now. Also, the current donor retreat will prevent more people from accessing treatment and will threaten to undermine all the progress made since the introduction of ARVs,” said Dr Mit Philips, Health Policy Analyst for Médecins Sans Frontières and one of the authors of the report.

The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS relief, PEPFAR, reduced its budget for the purchase of ARVs in 2009 and 2010, and also introduced a freeze on its overall HIV/AIDS budget. Other donors, such as UNITAID and the World Bank, have announced reductions over the coming years in the funding for antiretroviral drugs in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Global Fund, the largest funding institution in the fight against HIV/AIDS, faces a major funding shortfall. The US, the Netherlands and Ireland have already announced that they will be providing lower contributions to the Global Fund. In 2009-2010, contributions to already approved country grants were reduced by 8-12%.

Overall funding cuts have translated into a reduction in the number of people able to start their ARV treatment, as seen in South Africa and Uganda, and in DRC – where the number of new patients able to start ARV treatment has been cut six-fold. Already fragile health systems will become increasingly strained by an increasing patient load requiring more intensive care.

Drug stock-outs and disruptions in drug supply are already a reality, and will become more frequent if sufficient funding is not made available. Médecins Sans Frontières has recently been requested by the government and other actors to assist with emergency drug supplies in Malawi, Zimbabwe, DRC, Kenya and Uganda.

“If there is reduced funding, then it will mean more people will die, and we will have more orphans. The ones that are positive often need to assist others, like their children. People will lose hope and die. It will be the end. If there are no drugs there is no future,” said Catherine Mango, an HIV patient from Kenya.

ARV treatment is lifesaving but also lifelong. This means that the number of patients under treatment increases cumulatively each year, thus requiring incrementally growing and sustainable funding.

“The HIV/AIDS crisis remains a massive emergency that still requires an exceptional response. Médecins Sans Frontières calls for a sustained and renewed commitment by donors and national governments in the fight against HIV/AIDS, so that this disastrous public health crisis can be addressed appropriately,” said Dr Philips.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders, is an international, independent, medical-humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, health care exclusion and natural or man-made disasters in around 60 countries worldwide.

In 2009 all funds for Médecins Sans Frontières’ work came from private donors. You can help continue their work in Africa and elsewhere in 2010 by making a donation today. CLICK HERE TO DONATE to this worthy cause.

SOURCE: Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)

In Year 12, Susan seemingly had a bright future. She was school captain, and head of the debating team and student council. Then she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. This cruel condition, once known as manic depression, takes it victims on a bewildering and dangerous journey to the extremes of human emotion. When they’re up, they are confident, articulate and capable of extraordinary manic activity. But when the pendulum swings to the other extreme – black depression – suicide is often only a small step away, and Susan has tried to end her life several times.

“The last time was quite recently and thankfully someone got me into Wesley Missions hospital in Sydney,” said Susan.

While medication helps, Susan finds that other support factors are equally important her family, healthy food, regular exercise, relaxation techniques and a part-time job as an occupational therapist.

“Prevention controls my life,” she said.

The results, contained in The Wesley Report 2010, Keeping minds well: Mental health is everybody’s business, paint a picture of pervasive mental health problems, continuing social stigma and delays in identification and treatment.

The major findings of the report include:

• Family and friends are the first port of call for help for sufferers. This raises the question of how to best equip these groups to support those with a mental illness.

• There is a strong correlation between risk factors for mental illness – such as financial stress – and the likelihood of experiencing a mental illness. Similarly, a range of protective measures – such as exercise – were shown to have a positive impact on prevention and management of mental illness.

• There is strong community support for prevention programs, particularly respite for carers and school-based programs.

Wesley Mission offers hope to sufferers like Susan through a range of counselling, social and medical services that address the causes and symptoms of mental illness.

Wesley Mission has launched their 2010 Winter Fundraising Appeal and this year the appeal will focus on Wesley Mission’s work in the area of mental health.

Help Wesley Mission keep minds well – buy a Wesley Gift today.

Wesley Gifts are very special gifts. Each one you buy will help the disadvantaged and vulnerable in our community. Furthermore, if you are buying for a friend or loved one they will receive a beautiful e-card to let them know that they have shared in helping the needy.

To Buy a Wesley Gift you simply:
1. Choose a gift
2. Purchase the gift
3. Send an e-card if you have purchased it for a loved one or friend

To see the full range of tax-deductible gifts including gifts for children visit the website: wesleymission.org.au

Thank you for supporting this worthy cause.

SOURCE: Wesley Mission

The 2010 Tax Time Fundraising Appeal focuses on Oxfam’s work in with the people of Timor-Leste who are experiencing severe food shortages.

Imagine not having enough food to eat. Or watching your family become sick because all you have to feed them is pumpkin. Every year in Timor-Leste (formerly East Timor), families face a hungry season where they experience severe food shortages for at least a couple of months. But drought and rising food prices now mean the hungry season lasts for up to five months.

Not having a good variety of food for nutrition is as much of a problem as food shortages. Without a balanced diet including protein and essential vitamins, children run the risk of chronic malnutrition.

Oxfam’s recipe for better health is working in Timor-Leste, but they need your support to save families, save lives, and stop children suffering from malnutrition.

Donate today and give mothers the right food and information to prevent childhood malnutrition. Help us stop hunger in Timor-Leste so that people have the strength to lift themselves out of poverty.

For more information about making tax deductible donations visit the Australian Taxation Office website: www.ato.gov.au

By completing the journey, Holly Brisley and other high profile Australians are hoping to collectively raise $1 million for the Humpty Dumpty Foundation.

Established in 1996, the Humpty Dumpty Foundation works to improve the condition of children’s health services across Australia and now supports over 60 children’s hospitals and health services across the nation, as well as two children’s hospitals in Timor-Leste (East Timor).

Holly Brisley, best known for her role in Australian TV show Home & Away, has just completed filming in the US film Sinbad and the Minotaur in Queensland following the birth of her son Levi last year.

Holly says she did not hesitate to sign up for the climb after hearing a moving speech by The Hon. Joe Hockey MP at the Foundation’s annual ball in 2009.

Nikon Australia has pledged a substantial sum of money to the Humpty Dumpty Foundation and Holly Brisley, who must personally raise $50,000 to participate in the climb.

Nikon Australia spokesperson Stuart Mitchell believes the trek is a fantastic initiative, and encourages other individuals and businesses in Australia to follow suit and support the actress in reaching her goal.

Nikon Australia will be providing Holly with a camera to document the ups and downs of what is sure to be an extremely challenging journey, both physically and mentally. The content will be posted on Nikon’s new interactive website www.mynikonlife.com.au

For more information and to sponsor Holly Brisley visit http://www.humptysmountain.com.au