Kristiana Shirley
Kristiana's page
Fundraising for Voluntary Service Overseas
Story
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page… I bet you’re wondering what I am actually up to?
On the 16th of December I will be running 5k dressed as Santa Claus - beard included of course! I am doing this to raise much needed finds for a charity I support: Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). If you think that you would like to witness this ONCE IN A LIFETIME event of seeing me attempting to run a race in a Santa costume then I NEED your support! All donations will be greatly appreciated whatever the amount you can spare. Every little helps and it is really going to an amazing cause!
Why Voluntary Service Overseas?
VSO sends people and their skills (rather than money) to some of the world’s poorest communities to ensure that any change to improve people’s quality of life is sustainable and integrated into existing systems, communities and societies.
“A world without poverty, where excluded and marginalised women and men have a choice and an opportunity to participate effectively in society, have enough to feed and clothe their families, have access to education and healthcare services, land on which to grow food or a job to earn a living.”(VSO's goals)
What will I be doing?
I've recently been selected as a VSO volunteer, sooo I’m off to India in January where I will be working on a Maternal and Child Health Care project for 3 months. Health and Nutrition statistics in India are still alarming: infant mortality is at 57 per 1000; maternal mortality rate is 230 per 100,000. The new VSO India strategy will increase access to health and nutrition services through effective delivery of schemes such as NRHM. This work is critical because it can help provide aid to those who need it the most.
Why India?
General statistics on development in India mask extreme inequality and a vast disparity of access to opportunities. The rapid rise of a thriving middle class conceals the startling statistic that India is still home to one third of the world’s poorest people. Further, research indicates that a quarter of the population go to bed hungry and one million women still die every year in childbirth. Inequality is particularly significant, with a staggering estimate of over 60 million people living in slums. Exclusion of marginalised groups is a major issue in understanding poverty. Tribal communities, women, people with disabilities and Muslim minorities are all over-represented amongst the poor and systematically discriminated against and excluded.
VSO India works for the poorest and most marginalised and vulnerable sections of society. They aim to build and support an active and dynamic volunteering base and specifically focus on supporting women, people with disabilities and other minority groups.
So guys, I'm aiming to raise £800, so dig deep and donate for a great cause!
Lots of love (but only if you donate something mwuhaha!)