Since our last update in Autumn 2021, we’ve proudly continued our efforts to support our chosen charities in multiple ways. This update provides you with the latest news and activities from each charity. This year also saw unprecedented events in Ukraine; as such, Etch chose to support humanitarian efforts via The Wildman Fund. Discover what we did and how we helped.
An interview with our chosen charities
At the start of 2022, we hosted a sit-down with our chosen charities, hosted by BBC News presenter and Wildman Fund patron Sally Bundock. In the interview, we learned more about the impact of our initiative and found out what each charity had been up to over the past twelve months.
The Beatrice Project
Etch helps to deliver an international fundraising quiz.
In November 2021, our very own Dan Thomas, Head of Etch Play and Wildman Fund ambassador, hosted a charity fundraising quiz over Zoom, allowing people from all over the country and even from the other side of the world to join. Not only did we host, but Etch were on hand to provide technical assistance too. Seventy people in twelve teams from across the globe participated, helping to raise over £1,400.
I can't thank you [Dan] enough for last night…your calm and competent manner sorted everything out. I know they all appreciated you enormously. It seems a good night was had by all. Thank you for your kind words about the project; I appreciate your interest and support, to say nothing of your giving up a Saturday night of fireworks with friends! Until the next time!!
Sue Hutchinson, Founder Trustee, Beatrice Project
Supporting Ntombi Nto through the pandemic
The Beatrice Project partners with the Ntombi Nto Girl Child Network. It’s a registered trust in Zimbabwe. With funding from The Beatrice Project in the UK, the Ntombi Nto team can offer a choice of appropriate sanitary protection, which helps to keep the girls in school and set up sewing rooms for them to use under the supervision of their teachers and offer regular workshops on sexual and reproductive health. They also provide advice and psychological support to the girls, with access to Childline and local Child protection committees and can link them with the local child protection body.
Our support of The Beatrice Project has helped them raise money for Ntombi Nto to:- Keep going despite all the restrictions and price hikes caused by the Pandemic.
- Start a new site to offer additional support in the region.
- Become self-supporting with girls using only sustainable sanitary protection.
Find out more about The Beatrice Project.
NC Kibera
The public washrooms project
In January 2020, NC Kibera’s local partners presented them with the idea of building much-needed public washrooms (showers and latrines) on the Kibera Slum. Since then, it has taken a herculean effort to secure land, go through planning, sort the groundworks, and deal with opposition. But since their last update, we’ve seen a great deal of progress, including:
- Making the building more secure
- Rendering indoor spaces to ensure they are hard wearing and practical
- Overcoming seasonal rains to finish off the external finishes
- Connecting sewerage and plumbing
- Installation of a water tank
- A final set of snagging
And in June 2022, after a rollercoaster of a journey, with highs and lows and many challenges along the way, with their new manager (Mary) in place, the public washrooms are now open for use by the local community.
Supporting small businesses
In Kibera, with little employment, many people try to run their small businesses to earn a living. Small businesses are the heartbeat of the local economy. Over recent years, NC Kibera has supported both prospective and established small business owners with business training and the establishment of a locally managed seed fund that can provide small business loans to local entrepreneurs who otherwise would have no affordable access to credit. NC Kibera talks to a local business owner, Billy Rogo, about how his business has benefitted from their business loan.
Find out more about NC Kibera.
Jeevan Asha
Open for business once again
Jeevan Asha is a non-profit organisation based in Thane, Maharashtra, reaching out to underprivileged communities in Thane and beyond by providing education, nutrition and primary healthcare. After being closed for the Pandemic, since February 2022, they have reopened their learning centre. A massive relief for the team, as this allows Jeevan Asha to restart their education work again.
Education providing a way out of poverty
One notable success from Jeevan Asha since our last update was the impact of the education they provide. Thanks to the support from the Wildman Fund, Jeevan Asaha can provide location education. As a result, 4 of their mature students (late 20s/early 30-year-olds) have completed their O-levels. And thanks to their newly acquired qualifications, 3 of those have already found employment.
Providing healthcare to those in most need
In January 2022, Jeevan Asha arranged 25 cataract operations for people living in poverty who would otherwise not have any options. They also held their first health camp in Junagaon to provide eye, skin and general check-ups, as well as covid vaccinations.
Discover more about Jeevan Asha.
Etch
Supporting the people of Ukraine
In February 2022, after seeing appalling events unfold in Ukraine, we decided to leverage our charitable platform, to support humanitarian efforts in their country. Once a donation was made, the donation confirmation was forwarded to the Wildman fund team. Etch would then match any donations their team made to humanitarian causes supporting the people of Ukraine.
A fantastic £1,672 was raised by Etchers for the people of Ukraine. This equates to £37 per Etcher raised. And once Etch doubled the total amount, we raised a whopping £3,344 for the Red Cross. We also have reached out to Ukraine-based service businesses to invite them into the Etch community. We have been looking for opportunities to outsource work to support their economy and people.
In addition, our very own Ben Thornton participated in a squashathon tournament to help raise money for Ukraine. Bounty Squash is a group of squash players from Hampshire who, for the past five years, have been travelling to Ukraine to play in the Black Sea Open Squash Tournament. Via the Wildman Fund, Etch matched a £3,000 donation, helping Bounty Squash to raise nearly £8,000 – smashing their £2,000 target – for the people of Ukraine.
For more information on any of our chosen charities or how you can help, visit - The Wildman Fund.