Syria Crisis Appeal

Monetary assistance for Syria is much needed. Please see the following Appeal from Oxfam Australia:

Click Here to read further, donate and share. Thank you.

Please Note: Monetary donation will deliver essential supplies like fuel, blankets and stoves to children and families. According to Oxfam Australia's website, the worst of winter is yet to come.

Source: Oxfam Australia 

Since the Syrian conflict began more two and a half years ago, more than 100,000 Syrians have lost their lives and more than 2.2 million people have fled the country.

Over 9 million people, nearly half the country’s pre-war population of 21 million, are in need of humanitarian assistance inside Syria. Of those, around 6.5 million people have been forced to flee their homes and remain trapped inside the country.

Oxfam is now helping more than half a million people across Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, but the crisis continues to escalate. One of the most bitterly cold winters in the Middle East in decades has now hit hard, pushing Syrian children and families into an even more vulnerable situation. Most refugees fled home with nothing, and now, hundreds of thousands are living in little more than makeshift tents to protect them against freezing temperatures.

With your support, we can scale up our work across the region to reach 650,000 people by March 2014,  helping them to survive against these unimaginable hardships.

New Range of Products

New range of products... Now in store.

Come and check out various new products in store at your local Oxfam Shop. 

Bags:

Handmade dolls:

Handcrafted scarfs (more of men style):

Kitchenware (hand painted):

As well as Cards and Health and Wellbeing:

Aspiration International

Source: Oxfam Australia

Aspiration International is one of Oxfam Australia’s oldest trading partners, and assists many artisan groups throughout India to ensure the survival of their unique craft traditions.  Founded in 1993, Aspiration International has achieved global recognition as an exporter of premium-grade fair trade products.  Due to the organisation’s high commitment to quality and willingness to expand and create customized products, Aspiration International has developed a huge export client base around the World.

Padam Kapoor founded Aspiration International after previously working for the government in the handicraft development area.  With a vision of improving the lives of economically disadvantaged Indian artisans, Kapoor established an independent fair trade company that purchased and exported the artisan’s products equitably.  Working alongside approximately 30 producer partners, Aspiration International encourages their artisans to become self-sufficient through allowing them to set up their own workshops and employ other artisans.

 

Aspiration International also works with women who are working from home to assist them in gaining financial empowerment, while still being able to care for their children.  Paying their workers above the minimum wage, Aspiration International treats their workers with respect and offers them a chance to lead independent and stable lives.

 

Along with their fair-trade mission, Aspiration International aim to give new life to the ancient crafts of India.  Undertaking in-depth research into traditional Indian designs, Aspiration International strives to provide its customers with products which maintain contemporary aesthetics whilst incorporating designs from the ancient culture of India.  Aspiration International’s dedication to quality and customer satisfaction remains clear as they employ expert quality control analysts to supervise the production process.

 

Products which Aspiration International market includes costume jewelry, kasmiri paper-mâché products, copper and stainless steel kitchen ware, Christmas decorations and Sheesham wood homewares such as decorative boxes and photo frames.  As a conscientious business which believes in sustainability, Aspiration International asks each of their producer partners to plant 2 trees a year and nurture their growth.

 

Aspiration International also aims to work with groups who make intricate carved wooden products, including local Jalicut and Jaipur techniques, as the continuous production of these crafts is essential in the preservation of India’s cultural identity.

 

Aspiration International pride itself on the fine workmanship which goes into their products, the attentive and timely delivery of their exports, and their customised shipment packages which conform to varying clients' needs.  Aspiration International remains distinguishable for the subtle blend of contemporary design and ethnic taste encompassed within their products, and its ability to maintain reasonable prices with fair trade standards.

Click Here to read more about Aspiration International

Oxfam Celebrated Its 60th

Oxfam Australia celebrated its 60th birthday last December.

Launceston Oxfam Shop and the local group had a final gathering before the year ended in December to celebrate Oxfam's 60th birthday, coupled with VIP Evening and food tasting for the local members.

There were also a short video clip of "60 Years in 60 Seconds", photo snaps and final meeting session to close off the year.

Many thanks to all Oxfam supporters, volunteers and staff members.

Aluminium Produce

Your local Oxfam shops sell recycled aluminium products - polished, stained or otherwise. :)

Upcoming Events

Upcoming events (as per Mrs Ros Lewis' email)

 

Hello to Oxfam supporters in Tas. and all the best for 2014. Another year of challenges and everyone trying to do their own bit for global justice.

 

Tuesday 11 Feb. 6pm Royal Oak (upstairs) – Launceston Oxfam Group meeting including a short interesting talk (to be advised) and planning for the year.

Public Forum on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in 3 places on 3 days.

·         Monday 17 Feb. 5.45pm till 7.30pm at Launceston Town Hall

·         Tuesday 18 Feb. 5.45pm till 7.30pm at Devonport Council Chambers

·         Wednesday 19 Feb. 5.45pm till 7.30pm at Hobart Town Hall
Details at http://www.recognise.org.au/timetable/Feb-2014

Saturday 22 Feb. – Penny Farthing Race and Stall at Evandale (Launceston Group). Volunteers needed.
 

Tuesday 25 Feb. – Sign-up day at the Uni for Launceston uni group. Volunteers needed.
 

Wednesday 26 Feb. - Sign-up day at the Hobart Uni for uni group; also Burnie (N W). Volunteers needed.
 

Wednesday 5 March – Oxfam speaker(s) at Hobart College assembly. (Tim Sprod organising)
 

Thursday 6 March 6pm at Republic Bar (N Hobart) – Hobart Oxfam Group meeting including short talk from a speaker (to be advised).
 

Friday and Saturday 7 and 8  March – training in Melbourne for Tas. Uni group leaders.  (Jade Cromwell & Julie Stirling  from Hobart; Lane Edwards from Launceston)
 

Friday 4 April – Button Day across Tasmania.  Volunteers needed. This is an annual event where we take a tin and some stickers and stand on a footpath, mall or shopping centre so that people can put a donation in the tin. We do NOT approach them or do any sales pitch. Penny (in Hobart) or Ros (elsewhere) will help you work out a good time and place for you to get  the gear, accept donations and return the gear with money after.
 

Hobart volunteers please contact Penny O’Brien Penny O'Brien (pennyob@whale-mail.com) or 0439 379 640. If you have Hobart school contacts, please pass them on to Tim Sprod, timsprod3@gmail.com. Launceston and North West volunteers and school contacts, please contact Ros Lewis rlewis8@bigpond.net.au or 0437 741 677
 

We don’t yet have a date for Helen Szoke’s visit but we are working on it. We also expect to meet Ula Majewski (Campaign Coordinator) in Tas. in the near future.

It's the Season of Love

As the Season of Love is just around the corner, why don't celebrate this Valentine's Day with gifts that give twice.

 

Stop by your local Oxfam Shop to check out Oxfam Australia's range of products for Valentine's Day this February 14th.