The Happy Villages Poster competition is both a fun way to raise awareness of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17th October and to help Happy Villages achieve our mission.
The brief is to design a poster that delivers the message ‘Working towards a world without extreme poverty, one happy village at a time’ which will be considered for use in future Happy Villages communications.
To register and submit your design, build a fundraising page and upload a digital version of your poster (or take a digital photo of your poster and upload the photo). Use one of the links below to start building your page now and when you have uploaded your design, ask all your friends, family and colleagues to donate to your page. http://www.everydayhero.com.au/happy_villages_poster_competition_under_16_years
http://www.everydayhero.com.au/happy_villages_poster_competition_open
The competition is open between 1st July 2010 and 16th October 2010.
You may download logos for use on your poster from http://picasaweb.google.com/HappyVillages/Logos# if you wish.
The designs may be used by Happy Villages in a variety of media such as t-shirts, banners, web pages, brochures or newsletters. Entry is free and is open to all interested participants, subject to the Terms and Conditions.
Participants agree that, if requested by Happy Villages, they will:
1. supply high resolution digital files; or,
2. if their submission is a photograph of their poster they will mail in the original artwork.
How to win
Happy Villages prize packs will be awarded to two adults and two children who receive the most support through their EveryDay Hero pages in terms of:
a) the number of people who have donated; or,
b) the total amount of funds raised.
by 5pm 16th October, 2010.
The way to win is to ask all of your friends and family members to donate through your page.
Thank you for your support.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Poster Competition Terms and Conditions
Registration and submission will be conducted online at http://www.everydayhero.com.au/happy_villages_poster_competition_open and http://www.everydayhero.com.au/happy_villages_poster_competition_under_16_years between 1st July 2010 and 16th October 2010.
Notification of result
The competition results will be published after 16th October 2010.
Authorship
Each competitor must be able to satisfy the competition organisers that the submitted design is an original piece of work and that he/she is the bona fide author of the design he/she has submitted.
Publicity
Happy Villages reserves the right to publicise the poster competition, any submission, and the result in any way or medium it considers fit.
Illustrations of any design – either separately, or together with
other designs, with or without explanatory text – may be used
without cost.
How to enter
By submitting a digital design, or a photograph of a poster to the competition page at EveryDay Hero. Participants agree that, if requested by Happy Villages, they will:
1. supply high resolution digital files; or,
2. if their submission is a photograph of their poster they will mail in the original artwork.
How to win
Happy Villages prize packs will be awarded to two adults and two children who receive the most support through their Happy Villages Poster Competition EveryDay Hero pages in terms of:
a) the number of people who have donated;
b) the total amount of funds raised.
by 5pm 16th October, 2010.
Disclaimer
Happy Villages accepts no responsibility and disclaims all, or any, liability for any loss or damage incurred by any person, whether directly or indirectly, as a result of postage, delivery or handling of original artwork.
Licence
In consideration for the opportunity to enter the Happy Villages Poster Competition, participants agree to grant royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive licence to reproduce and publish work in all media of expression now known or later developed and in all languages in the winning artwork Happy Villages Australia without reservation including, but not limited to, all intellectual property rights to reproduce and publish any entry and to change and/or reproduce any part of any poster in relation to other promotional activities.
Participants further agree that Happy Villages may publish, in relation to promotional activities, any personal information provided by the artists in connection with their entry including, but not limited to, their name, age, community and State/Territory of residence and warrant that there is no cultural or religious reason or any other impediment that prevents the winning artwork from being exhibited, published or reproduced.
Notification of result
The competition results will be published after 16th October 2010.
Authorship
Each competitor must be able to satisfy the competition organisers that the submitted design is an original piece of work and that he/she is the bona fide author of the design he/she has submitted.
Publicity
Happy Villages reserves the right to publicise the poster competition, any submission, and the result in any way or medium it considers fit.
Illustrations of any design – either separately, or together with
other designs, with or without explanatory text – may be used
without cost.
How to enter
By submitting a digital design, or a photograph of a poster to the competition page at EveryDay Hero. Participants agree that, if requested by Happy Villages, they will:
1. supply high resolution digital files; or,
2. if their submission is a photograph of their poster they will mail in the original artwork.
How to win
Happy Villages prize packs will be awarded to two adults and two children who receive the most support through their Happy Villages Poster Competition EveryDay Hero pages in terms of:
a) the number of people who have donated;
b) the total amount of funds raised.
by 5pm 16th October, 2010.
Disclaimer
Happy Villages accepts no responsibility and disclaims all, or any, liability for any loss or damage incurred by any person, whether directly or indirectly, as a result of postage, delivery or handling of original artwork.
Licence
In consideration for the opportunity to enter the Happy Villages Poster Competition, participants agree to grant royalty-free, worldwide, non-exclusive licence to reproduce and publish work in all media of expression now known or later developed and in all languages in the winning artwork Happy Villages Australia without reservation including, but not limited to, all intellectual property rights to reproduce and publish any entry and to change and/or reproduce any part of any poster in relation to other promotional activities.
Participants further agree that Happy Villages may publish, in relation to promotional activities, any personal information provided by the artists in connection with their entry including, but not limited to, their name, age, community and State/Territory of residence and warrant that there is no cultural or religious reason or any other impediment that prevents the winning artwork from being exhibited, published or reproduced.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Renny - a Young Women of Kenya Scholarship student
I am 19 years old. I stayed in Nairobi with my mother, father, four brothers and my sister Mercy when I was a child. Dad worked for the government. My mother passed away in 1999, when I was still very young.
When I started high school, Dad could only afford to send me to an upcountry school. I had to go to stay at our ancestral home and look after my younger brother Oscar. It’s out in a village near Kisumu. Dad had to spend time with my siblings in Nairobi so that they could complete high school without being disturbed. I stayed near my grandmother and I saw her every day.
Because I had always lived in the city, I was only fluent in Kiswahili and English. Our tribal language, Dhuluo, is the only language my grandmother knows. Although it sounded familiar to me, I could only understand it a little and could not speak it at all. I have now spent a few years at home and can speak Dhuluo as well.
I aimed to achieve A grades, but I was frequently sent out of school because we couldn’t afford fees. I managed to complete school at the end of 2008 with a C- grade. I spent a stressful few months after school just in the house trying to work out how to continue my education.
I had dreamed of becoming a school teacher. I even volunteered at a school, but it seemed for a while that it would be impossible to afford the fees to get qualified.
Then in September I applied for a scholarship through Happy Villages. I was so happy when I found out that I’d won.
I am now enjoying my Early Childhood Development course. I am looking forward to the day when I can work with children and help my father by supporting myself. If I get a good job I will take Oscar to a very good school.
When I started high school, Dad could only afford to send me to an upcountry school. I had to go to stay at our ancestral home and look after my younger brother Oscar. It’s out in a village near Kisumu. Dad had to spend time with my siblings in Nairobi so that they could complete high school without being disturbed. I stayed near my grandmother and I saw her every day.
Because I had always lived in the city, I was only fluent in Kiswahili and English. Our tribal language, Dhuluo, is the only language my grandmother knows. Although it sounded familiar to me, I could only understand it a little and could not speak it at all. I have now spent a few years at home and can speak Dhuluo as well.
I aimed to achieve A grades, but I was frequently sent out of school because we couldn’t afford fees. I managed to complete school at the end of 2008 with a C- grade. I spent a stressful few months after school just in the house trying to work out how to continue my education.
I had dreamed of becoming a school teacher. I even volunteered at a school, but it seemed for a while that it would be impossible to afford the fees to get qualified.
Then in September I applied for a scholarship through Happy Villages. I was so happy when I found out that I’d won.
I am now enjoying my Early Childhood Development course. I am looking forward to the day when I can work with children and help my father by supporting myself. If I get a good job I will take Oscar to a very good school.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
There but for the grace of God go I.
I’ve realized a dream to travel to Africa.
An opportunity arose to go to Kenya recently and it was Happy Villages that made the yearning ever stronger. A desire to see this wondrous place and meet the people I’d been connecting with through the Happy Villages family.
The trip was wonderful. Full of wonder. And I’m most grateful for my experiences. I visited Kisumu on Lake Victoria and met Kenyan families and visited villages, witnessing their lifestyle and endeavours. I saw much countryside in my overland travels in Kenya and Tanzania, many amazing sights, both natural and of mankind. I also went on Safari – camping at the iconic Masai Mara, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater - saw Mt Kilimanjaro and the jewel-like waters of Zanzibar, amongst many other places full of awe.
The most uplifting part was meeting & engaging with local people. Witnessing their strong family and friendship ties, connected community life, often their strong faith, their gentile and kind regard for one another, and for me. By far the most difficult part was seeing their environs, particularly the slums, and knowing the difference between that, and its consequences for them, and what I am fortunate enough to take for granted at home and the available opportunities here. Knowing how life can be.
Just one basic example: what seemed like the majority of villagers having to carry water in very large containers back to their homes. Often children helping with this task. Usually these containers (think 20 litre plastic drums) are carried on their heads as they walk along the roadside seemingly great distances. Perhaps lucky to have found available water. In this day and age, still such a basic need. Amazing.
I appreciate the answering of a long-held question, why do Africans have more or any children when poverty prevails and learning that without a welfare system the children become just that - your family, your children are your support system. Often your only support. And with a high prevalence of child mortality, having more than one child is therefore a must. And of course that basic human need to belong, to connect, to care for one another.
I also talked to kids about school, their hopes and desires. We’re not talking playstations here.
Anyway, I’ll leave the orating of African life for others to better articulate.
The Happy Villages holistic approach, working with the villagers and helping them become better equipped, stronger, sustained, with the positive consequences that flow from that, simply resonates as a practical, intelligent, kind assistance.
We’ve heard many stories about the need in Africa and I’ve never doubted this. I’ve never doubted our ability to help either. We are blessed with plenty. And simply by being aware that there is a need for our help we then have only 2 choices. To help or not.
I just wanted to say Congratulations to those who had it in their hearts to help and developed the Happy Villages method of alleviating suffering and provided a vehicle for us to act kindly, to help practically, to connect, and show we care.
Sue Baker, Australia. Happy Villages member.
An opportunity arose to go to Kenya recently and it was Happy Villages that made the yearning ever stronger. A desire to see this wondrous place and meet the people I’d been connecting with through the Happy Villages family.
The trip was wonderful. Full of wonder. And I’m most grateful for my experiences. I visited Kisumu on Lake Victoria and met Kenyan families and visited villages, witnessing their lifestyle and endeavours. I saw much countryside in my overland travels in Kenya and Tanzania, many amazing sights, both natural and of mankind. I also went on Safari – camping at the iconic Masai Mara, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater - saw Mt Kilimanjaro and the jewel-like waters of Zanzibar, amongst many other places full of awe.
The most uplifting part was meeting & engaging with local people. Witnessing their strong family and friendship ties, connected community life, often their strong faith, their gentile and kind regard for one another, and for me. By far the most difficult part was seeing their environs, particularly the slums, and knowing the difference between that, and its consequences for them, and what I am fortunate enough to take for granted at home and the available opportunities here. Knowing how life can be.
Just one basic example: what seemed like the majority of villagers having to carry water in very large containers back to their homes. Often children helping with this task. Usually these containers (think 20 litre plastic drums) are carried on their heads as they walk along the roadside seemingly great distances. Perhaps lucky to have found available water. In this day and age, still such a basic need. Amazing.
I appreciate the answering of a long-held question, why do Africans have more or any children when poverty prevails and learning that without a welfare system the children become just that - your family, your children are your support system. Often your only support. And with a high prevalence of child mortality, having more than one child is therefore a must. And of course that basic human need to belong, to connect, to care for one another.
I also talked to kids about school, their hopes and desires. We’re not talking playstations here.
Anyway, I’ll leave the orating of African life for others to better articulate.
The Happy Villages holistic approach, working with the villagers and helping them become better equipped, stronger, sustained, with the positive consequences that flow from that, simply resonates as a practical, intelligent, kind assistance.
We’ve heard many stories about the need in Africa and I’ve never doubted this. I’ve never doubted our ability to help either. We are blessed with plenty. And simply by being aware that there is a need for our help we then have only 2 choices. To help or not.
I just wanted to say Congratulations to those who had it in their hearts to help and developed the Happy Villages method of alleviating suffering and provided a vehicle for us to act kindly, to help practically, to connect, and show we care.
Sue Baker, Australia. Happy Villages member.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Fun and games in the field
My name is Dennis Okoth Otieno. I am a founding board member of Happy Villages.
A couple of weeks ago I started a new full time job as an agro-forester. The organization I am working for works only for the benefit of orphans and vulnerable children through their guardians. But it also operates in a holistic way, in a specific geographical area, so in some ways it is similar to Happy Villages.
The work is challenging. I have realized that working in this field it is impossible to forget that we are in the midst of famine. I go out and work with the community to help them learn how to grow their own food and look after their environment. It is very difficult in this area at this time because rainfall has been so low this year. A teenager admitted to me the other day that the reason they didn’t go to school was because there was no food in the house – they had little energy for anything but trying to find something to eat. It’s very sad.
My workmates and I also run a program of psychosocial support for orphans. On Saturdays we meet with about 350 of them to play games, have lunch together and sing. The purpose is to make sure we know the vulnerable children in the area and can try to address any problems they have. I was shocked to realize how many orphans there are in such a small area.
A number of the children try to enjoy the games while also keeping one eye on the food. They are too afraid to move away and play freely because they cannot afford to miss out on that meal of beans and maize.
At the last games day I was so moved when I saw a little girl of about four or five with her baby brother. I had already met her mother, a volunteer cook, and knew that they’d lost her father not too long ago. It was so cute when she clutched her brother’s hand, put a big smile on her face and brought him into the games saying, “Come on, we are here to be happy.” And for a little while they were.
The best experience I have had so far in the job was meeting the community health workers last week. One old grandmother stood up and said, “Since the non-governmental organizations started working here, infant mortality has gone down drastically. The mothers know how to prevent illnesses and know what to do when children get sick. Before these organizations came we were losing our babies.”
I look forward to the day when the mamas from our Happy Village can say something similar.
Here’s to the end of extreme poverty.
Kind regards,
Dennis
A couple of weeks ago I started a new full time job as an agro-forester. The organization I am working for works only for the benefit of orphans and vulnerable children through their guardians. But it also operates in a holistic way, in a specific geographical area, so in some ways it is similar to Happy Villages.
The work is challenging. I have realized that working in this field it is impossible to forget that we are in the midst of famine. I go out and work with the community to help them learn how to grow their own food and look after their environment. It is very difficult in this area at this time because rainfall has been so low this year. A teenager admitted to me the other day that the reason they didn’t go to school was because there was no food in the house – they had little energy for anything but trying to find something to eat. It’s very sad.
My workmates and I also run a program of psychosocial support for orphans. On Saturdays we meet with about 350 of them to play games, have lunch together and sing. The purpose is to make sure we know the vulnerable children in the area and can try to address any problems they have. I was shocked to realize how many orphans there are in such a small area.
A number of the children try to enjoy the games while also keeping one eye on the food. They are too afraid to move away and play freely because they cannot afford to miss out on that meal of beans and maize.
At the last games day I was so moved when I saw a little girl of about four or five with her baby brother. I had already met her mother, a volunteer cook, and knew that they’d lost her father not too long ago. It was so cute when she clutched her brother’s hand, put a big smile on her face and brought him into the games saying, “Come on, we are here to be happy.” And for a little while they were.
The best experience I have had so far in the job was meeting the community health workers last week. One old grandmother stood up and said, “Since the non-governmental organizations started working here, infant mortality has gone down drastically. The mothers know how to prevent illnesses and know what to do when children get sick. Before these organizations came we were losing our babies.”
I look forward to the day when the mamas from our Happy Village can say something similar.
Here’s to the end of extreme poverty.
Kind regards,
Dennis
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
How to donate
We're all very excited here at Happy Villages. Last week the Kenya NGO Bureau approved our application and we are officially registered!
Now we can get on with the important work of selecting our first Happy Village.
Please help us launch our brand new organisation with a donation. You can transfer your gift to Happy Villages in Australia:
Bank: Westpac
Name: Happy Villages
BSB: 032 587
Account number: 275076
Swift code: WPACAU2S
It's a great way to celebrate with us.
Thank you so much for taking these early steps with us towards a world without extreme poverty.
Kind Regards
Michael Hawthorne
Chairman - Happy Villages Kenya
P.S. If you make a donation, please email happyvillages@gmail.com and let us know so that we can send you a receipt.
Now we can get on with the important work of selecting our first Happy Village.
Please help us launch our brand new organisation with a donation. You can transfer your gift to Happy Villages in Australia:
Bank: Westpac
Name: Happy Villages
BSB: 032 587
Account number: 275076
Swift code: WPACAU2S
It's a great way to celebrate with us.
Thank you so much for taking these early steps with us towards a world without extreme poverty.
Kind Regards
Michael Hawthorne
Chairman - Happy Villages Kenya
P.S. If you make a donation, please email happyvillages@gmail.com and let us know so that we can send you a receipt.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Together we can create a world without extreme poverty, one happy village at a time
So, what is my vision of success? Of course it will vary from place to place, depending on the community, but this is how it plays out in my imagination. Let me take you for a stroll through a Happy Village.
As we walk, the first things we notice are the fruit trees. They are blossoming on roadsides, in school playgrounds and other public spaces. We stop to pick a piece of fruit – there’s plenty for everyone – and we say hi to many other people who are doing the same, on their way to work.
There are a lot of vegetable gardens now, surrounded by trees especially selected to return nutrients to the soil. Agricultural production has significantly increased. The effect has flowed into the local market. The vegetables are so colourful! All the parents now have a variety of nutritious food, including traditional, indigenous, plants to feed their families.
The river water is clear enough to wash clothes and there are fewer floods than there used to be – thanks to some indigenous trees planted on the banks. Every person has access to drinking water from a rainwater tank. All community spaces, like schools and libraries, have a rainwater tank and a latrine.
Passing the clinic, the nurse tells us that the number of people contracting malaria, HIV/AIDS and typhoid has dropped dramatically since she started working there. The distribution of mosquito nets and condoms has had the biggest impact. With the addition of a well-stocked pharmacy and an emergency vehicle, this happy village now enjoys better health than any community for miles around.
Better health and more sources of safe drinking water have made it possible for girls to start attending school in massive numbers. The burden of carrying water every day and caring for sick family members has been lifted from their shoulders. They have space to dream of their own education, future careers and families, and to simply enjoy childhood.
The increased agricultural production, as well as improving nutrition and health throughout the village, has also allowed a number of small businesses to spring up. A couple of local entrepreneurs bought solar panels and started a business charging mobile phones. Their customers don’t mind paying more than they used to, because the service is now available within their own village. It saves them a two hour walk!
Believe it or not, this is quite a big dream for many villages in Kenya at the moment. But it’s not too much to ask, is it? I strongly believe that we have a responsibility to try. After all, Nelson Mandela was right when he said,
"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life."
As we walk, the first things we notice are the fruit trees. They are blossoming on roadsides, in school playgrounds and other public spaces. We stop to pick a piece of fruit – there’s plenty for everyone – and we say hi to many other people who are doing the same, on their way to work.
There are a lot of vegetable gardens now, surrounded by trees especially selected to return nutrients to the soil. Agricultural production has significantly increased. The effect has flowed into the local market. The vegetables are so colourful! All the parents now have a variety of nutritious food, including traditional, indigenous, plants to feed their families.
The river water is clear enough to wash clothes and there are fewer floods than there used to be – thanks to some indigenous trees planted on the banks. Every person has access to drinking water from a rainwater tank. All community spaces, like schools and libraries, have a rainwater tank and a latrine.
Passing the clinic, the nurse tells us that the number of people contracting malaria, HIV/AIDS and typhoid has dropped dramatically since she started working there. The distribution of mosquito nets and condoms has had the biggest impact. With the addition of a well-stocked pharmacy and an emergency vehicle, this happy village now enjoys better health than any community for miles around.
Better health and more sources of safe drinking water have made it possible for girls to start attending school in massive numbers. The burden of carrying water every day and caring for sick family members has been lifted from their shoulders. They have space to dream of their own education, future careers and families, and to simply enjoy childhood.
The increased agricultural production, as well as improving nutrition and health throughout the village, has also allowed a number of small businesses to spring up. A couple of local entrepreneurs bought solar panels and started a business charging mobile phones. Their customers don’t mind paying more than they used to, because the service is now available within their own village. It saves them a two hour walk!
Believe it or not, this is quite a big dream for many villages in Kenya at the moment. But it’s not too much to ask, is it? I strongly believe that we have a responsibility to try. After all, Nelson Mandela was right when he said,
"Overcoming poverty is not a gesture of charity. It is an act of justice. It is the protection of a fundamental human right, the right to dignity and a decent life."
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