Hello friends,

A month has passed since you last received our newsletter and it may shock you to hear that during this time fifty thousand children around the world died due to lack of food. Toddlers that were so malnourished they were unable to stand because they could not support their own body weight; babies that were so hungry they no longer had the strength to cry.

The want of food is universal. It is a need that you, I, and every other human being on this planet share regardless of age, gender, race or religion. But what is not universal is the access human beings have to food. Even though the world is producing enough to feed everyone, millions are still going hungry.

Food lets us live but it also gives us the strength to love, laugh and learn. And it is in this spirit that our 'Eat So They Can' fundraising campaign was developed. We want to give everyone around the world the opportunity to affect change and at the same time celebrate life right out of the comfort of their own living rooms.

When you 'eat so they can' on the weekend of October 18-19 you are not just sharing a meal with friends, you are helping feed, clothe, house and educate children in Africa.

Article 1 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights says 'All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.'

I ask you to please, please, sign up to our Eat So They Can campaign today and help give children the opportunity to laugh, love, learn... live: http://www.eatsotheycan.org/getinvolved/signup.php

Colin Salisbury
Chief Executive Officer

NEW EMERGENCY NEED: IDP Camp Program, Kenya

• Children have turned to scavenging, while girls and women are trading sex for food.
• Men from the camp and from outside preying on girls because of their vulnerability.
• Most families can only afford a cup of light porridge a day.
• Danger of contracting diseases at the camp as a result of overflowing toilets.

This distressing summary of conditions in the Nakuru Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Kenya was published in the media last week (Daily Nation 21/08/08) - this a community in desperate need.

GVN has launched into action and set up a volunteer program in the Nakuru IDP camp with our partner organisation on the ground in Kenya. There are opportunities available in counselling, youth mentoring, education and food preparation.

The 2007 Kenya Election unrest still affects many who were forced to flee their homes to avoid violence. 1000s are still unable to return home. The need is great. Many have very limited access to basic necessities, like food and education. While others suffer the effects caused by their traumatic experiences are left with no help.

Please consider a volunteer placement or making a donation to the IDP Camp fund today.

VOLUNTEER IN KENYA >>> MAKE A DONATION >>>

Tanner Mission Emergency Appeal Raises Precious Funds

Thank you to all of our dedicated supporters who so generously gave to the Tanner Mission Emergency Appeal. Over $14, 000 USD was donated to the appeal and with Colin Salisbury promising to match and contribute $10, 000, a total of nearly $25 000 will be sent to Romania to help Bruce and Sandy continue to run their Mission.

These precious funds will go towards the following necessities:

• food
• electricity
• medicine
• repairs

Sandie and Bruce Tanner, Founders of the Tanner Mission, have been providing shelter and love to abandoned children and young adults for the past 20 years. However, economic pressures have caused the cost of living to almost double, forcing the Tanner Mission to face the very real possibility of having the close the program.

Your generosity is helping 38 children and young adults stay together as a family with Bruce and Sandie.

The GVN Foundation is currently working with community organizations throughout Europe, Asia, South America and Africa to implement sustainable development projects. If you would like to learn more or donate and effect change in countries around the world please visit the GVN Foundation website.

GVN FOUNDATION >>> VOLUNTEER AT THE TANNER MISSION, ROMANIA >>>

Eat So They Can Grand Prize Trip to Africa!

An expense paid trip to Africa is up for grabs for one lucky host who takes home the Eat So They Can grand prize! The grand prize winner will have the choice of visiting GVN projects in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda or South Africa. They will have a hand in distributing monies raised from the Eat So They Can campaign as well as have an opportunity to meet the children who will be benefiting from the funds - what a reward!

Jeanne Sweetman, last year's grand prize winner, had the following to say after her life changing visit to Kenya:

"My week here has been amazing. I've learned so much about the importance of non-profit organizations and what they do. I really had no idea how important they are in the lives of so many people. If you've ever considered volunteering, do it! These kids are great. They get their basic needs met, but there are so many of them, and so few adults. Believe me, when you walk into a room and are greeted by a chorus of How are you?, to be followed by a swarm of hugs and kisses, your heart will melt. For me, the biggest thing I will take away from here is a lifelong commitment to stay involved. I've met many people this week who have chosen to step up and help those less fortunate. They are selfless people and they inspire me. I've no words to express my gratitude to GVN for this opportunity. Courtney and Irene have been fantastic hosts. They are 'Nyawira' - hard working women. Asante Sana (thank you very much) to you both.

Please sign up for a fundraiser. You will be making a difference in the lives of so many."

JOIN THE FIGHT TO STOP CHILD POVERTY NOW AND YOU COULD BE ON YOUR WAY TO AFRICA!

SIGN UP AND CHANGE LIVES >>>

VOLUNTEER JOURNAL: Paige Schneider, Uganda Volunteer

Introducing Paige Schneider, a passionate 19 year old student from New Orleans, USA.

"I am studying Sociology and International Development. I am originally from Colorado, but after Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans I felt a different love for this city. I see a lot of hope and opportunity here."

Paige recently spent six weeks volunteering in Uganda. "I had an amazing trip. We had some challenges, but that's Africa right?" said Paige.

Read all about Paige's adventures through her online journal:

Babies everywhere!!!
A lot has happened, my friends, in the past few days. When I got back from Gulu I heard a lot of bad news. Sunday night there was a huge fire in one of the schools in my village. Thankfully nobody was hurt, but the fire was started by young teenagers. Early Monday morning I was walking to school and heard someone was shot at the local grocery store. Two people robbed the store and shot one man. When I went to see who it was, I found out it was the father of three of my children at PACE Center. Three boys. Robert is 3. David is 4. Adgus is 5. They had no mother and their father was just shot, so now they are total orphans. We are trying to figure out a place for them now. Tuesday afternoon, I was the only person at school because Teacher Rose went to the funeral and Teacher Susan has the flu. Well, 3 inspectors came by our school and were asking me all these questions I couldn't answer. They were very rude with me, saying that we are taking these children away from getting a better education. I told them they were wrong and that these children couldn't afford your government run schools. I told them that half of these children don't even have a pair of shoes, and that I knew the children's names by the same clothes they wore everyday. But these were government people and only wanted money from me. When I refused, they gave me a notice for closing the school. So now Betty has to go to the District to get our school reopened. She told me it was right what I did and that there was nothing I could do to keep the school open unless I gave them something. But everything is working out. Yesterday, Betty went to the chairperson and things are getting straitened out. Next week we are having school in my backyard until they people finish the paperwork to reopen the school. Now for the title. I found a baby kitten outside the grocery store two days ago and Betty said we could take it home. It was going to die if we didn't take it. I decided his name would be Mukisa which means Lucky in Luganda. So we have a new baby in the family. Second, last night Betty found an abandoned baby outside of a building. He was left there to die. You could see every bone in this child's body. He didn't even have the strength to lift his own head. We were told by some locals that the baby had been mistreated and the mother was a prostitute that left her son there. Well, knowing Betty's heart it didn't surprise me when she brought the baby home last night. He was a beautiful baby but it looked like it was about to die. He is over a year old but he looks like he is 5 months old. He is the smallest baby I have ever held. Last night I let him sleep with me. The whole night I kept looking at him making sure he was still breathing. But he is looking a lot better today. Betty is going to keep him. She is such an amazing woman. She can never say no. This baby was meant to live because Betty was the one that found him, and God gave Betty the heart for children. So now I have a baby kitten, baby brother, and a school in my back yard. Welcome to Africa!

READ THE REST OF PAIGE'S ENTRIES >>> VOLUNTEER IN UGANDA >>>

Everest Base Camp Trekkers on a Mission

We would like to take this opportunity to wish the Everest Fundraising Trek Team a wonderful and safe trip through the majestic Himalaya! It is sure to be a life changing experience. Nineteen brave trekkers who hail from all around the globe - from Singapore to Ireland, are all donating their time and have raised precious funds for the children of Nepal. These funds will go towards running the day to day operations of the Brighter Future Children's Home and construction and daily running costs for a new children's home.

Good Luck Team and Namaste!

PARTICIPATE IN A GVN FUNDRAISING TREK >>>

News and Housekeeping

COLIN NOMINATED FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARD!

Colin Salisbury has been nominated for the 2008 XL Extraordinary Lives Award. This award goes to those who have been an inspiration to others, have grown their power to create and contribute wealth and have contributed back in a meaningful way. Congratulations Colin and Good Luck!!!

WELCOME LIBBY G (not to be confused with Ali G!)

Libby Gendall is GVN's newest Volunteer Coordinator and takes care of our programs in Europe and America. Libby is a proud Kiwi, born-and-bred and her studies at Victoria University in history and international relations sparked her interest in development. This interest became a passion when she spent 5 months volunteering through GVN in Nepal. Welcome Libby, we are thrilled to have you on the team!

BYE BYE ANNA AND CHARISSE!

GVN said sad farewells this month to two of our favourite team members who are heading off overseas in search of adventure and new opportunities. It's been an absolute pleasure working with Anna Bowbyes and Charisse Gebhart and we hope you will both pop back into the office when you are next in town. We will even put on morning tea!

OFFICE OLYMPICS

The GVN Team at the NZ headquarters held their own Office Olympics this month with events that included pin the volunteer on the world map, the staircase challenge, the swivel chair race, and round the table ping pong! The GVN Games were lots of fun and a big thank you goes out to Erin Ingram and Libby Wann for organising such a wonderful event. Thank you!