For
Immediate Release. 2nd
May 2002 Gravesend, Kent.
Don McBurney,
Director of A Ray of Hope, UNESCO Youth Ambassador for the Culture
of Peace works with TagTeacherNet www.tagteacher.net
to support schools in the developing world.
The
key aim of A Ray of Hope, a UNESCO project (an international
non-governmental organisation), is to investigate what schools
need throughout the developing world, and to deliver those items
directly into their hands. This avoids many of the pitfalls that
exist in the world of giving, and A Ray of Hope tries as far as
possible never to assist in currency form. Over $5 million worth
of products have been distributed in this form to date to 564
schools in 40 countries.
Working
in conjunction with TagTeacherNet, the online community of 25,000
teachers, A Ray of Hope is now building new contacts with schools
in the Developing World. By working this way, 12
schools in 7 countries have already received goods totalling
$13,200 through the online network.
Plus,
as many TagTeacherNet members are teachers in developing
countries, the online community provides an ideal platform for A
Ray of Hope to communicate with overseas schools, identify needs,
and maintain contact with those that receive the products:
http://www.tagteacher.net/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000104.html
When
asked by Tag Teacher
how Don saw the progress with Tag Teacher over
such a relatively
short period he commented
It
has not only been very fulfilling for me to work with Tag Teacher
Net but to be given the opportunity to assist many more children
is totaling rewarding. I am convinced that through Tag Teacher we
have many more blossoms yet to bloom. When those who care come
together as one the power to assist abroad becomes awesome. Tag
Teacher Net has indeed harnessed the energies of many with the
good intentions of A Ray of Hope. It is indeed our pleasure that
Tag Teacher is now affiliated to A Ray of Hope and we look forward
to a future when even more children in need around the globe can
be assisted.
Items
requested by schools range from stationary and books, to riding
hats and school uniforms. On a recent visit to a School for Art
and Music in Belarus, A Ray of Hope came away with a wish list of
4 violin bows and pink dance slippers. Only black dance slippers
are available in Belarus, giving weight to the recent BBC World
television programme reporting that no international aid has
reached Belarus at all. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1957000/1957523.stm
)
Whilst Ray of Hope rarely has difficulty in obtaining educational
supplies, some of the smaller items, although easily purchased,
can prove difficult to acquire.
A Ray of Hope, in conjunction with TagTeacherNet hopes to
allow schools in developing countries to have access to equipment
that they could otherwise only dream about.
http://www.tagteacher.net/members/unesco3.htm
For
further details on The Ray of Hope and TagTeacherNets involvement,
please log onto www.tagteacher.net
and www.unesco.co.uk.
