LUCIA Charity

Bluebell walk on the Clent Hills

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 13:00:54 GMT

Come and join us for a guided walk on the Clent Hills to view the beautiful bluebells. On Sunday 12th May we will be meeting at 10am at the Bell and Cross pub. We aim to have an enjoyable 2 hour walk, followed by lunch around the campfire at Crossways, Holy Cross, DY9 9QG. Tickets are £10 each, with a family ticket costing £20 (dogs for free!). To book, please contact Anne Brazier by emailing anne_brazier@hotmail.co.uk or ringing during the evening on 01562 730700.

Photo courtesy of PhotoEverywhere

Shoes collection for Kidane Maheret Children's Home

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:46:42 GMT

The LUCIA team collected and bagged shoes, kindly donated by friends and supporters. The shoes had been requested by the Kidane Maheret Children’s Home where 85 children are cared for by two wonderful Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus. Taking the shoes proved to be a problem when two members, whose bags contained only shoes, had their passports taken off them. The customs officers in Ethiopia feared the shoes were brand new and being taken for the market. A letter was produced by the team, requesting the shoes for the home; this saved the day and the team was able to continue out of the airport to their guest house in Addis Ababa.

All the work of collecting, storing and carrying was rewarded when the team handed over the bags to Sister Ludgarda. Most of the children were at school but about twelve toddlers ageing from 18 month to three years arrived in the form of flying marbles. They squealed and laughed as they tried to put on the wonderful presents of shoes. The pink seemed the most popular items by the boys and it really didn’t matter which shoe went on which foot. What a wonderful time we all had experiencing the delight of giving. You can see some wonderful photos from the day here.

Pictured above are just some of the shoes collected by two of the LUCIA team – can you see yours?

Plant sale

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 12:38:49 GMT

Although the weather may be trying to show us otherwise, it really is spring! Time to stock up on all of your plants for your garden. If you're in the Birmingham/Solihull region on Saturday 18th May, come along to our annual charity plant sale. There'll be geraniums, fuchsias, begonias, petunias, herbs, shrubs and a whole lot more! Doors will be open between 10am and 3pm, with refreshments available. If you'd like to come along, let us know by ringing us on 0121 745 6463 or emailing info@luciacharity.org.uk and we'll give you the address details.

Meet the trustees - Anne

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 08:48:49 GMT

"My journey towards becoming a Trustee for LUCIA began in 1984, on 24^th October at 6.00pm precisely. This was the day of Michael Buerk’s first news report from Korem, the epicentre of the Ethiopian famine. It was a defining moment, when the world finally and unequivocally acknowledged the horror and reality of famine and took responsibility. His opening statement shook the world:

“Dawn, and as the sun breaks through the piercing chill of night on the plain outside Korem, it lights up a biblical famine, now, in the Twentieth Century”

In Michael’s own words Korem “became a metaphor for human misery and global responsibility.” A young musician called Bob Geldof took up the challenge and over the next two years Band Aid, Live Aid and Sport Aid followed. Like so many others my family and I cried as we watched the news report. My children were shocked to see children of their own age in the final stages of death or literally dying. What could we do to help? My 10 year old twins, Richard and Matthew (along it transpired, with 2,000 other children) decided to write to Blue Peter asking them to launch an appeal. Blue Peter responded by collecting bottle tops and scrap and by Christmas they had raised £1 million. On 25 ^th of May 1986, together with their dad, Richard and Matthew also did a 10 kilometre run in Birmingham for Sport Aid as part of “The Race Against Time” to raise money for Africa. They raised £321.25. This was a global, simultaneous run which linked 60 major cities and it was organised by Band Aid and Unicef. The purpose of the event was to show global policy makers that the world wanted them to help Africa to help itself. My younger boys, Edward and Joseph, were too young to run so we ran around the local playing fields. Our family’s response was fairly typical as people all over the world dug deep and gave their time in “a communal act of caring” such as had never been known before. This was a formative experience for my children and their peers which has hopefully made many of them more compassionate human beings.

Fuel saving stoves project

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:08:00 GMT

The LUCIA team has visited Ethiopia many times and felt it had some knowledge of the level of poverty in the country. However, when the team visited the new ‘Fuel Saving Ovens Project’ in Shashamane they found the level of poverty was unbelievable. The town was full of beautiful children with no shoes, some barely clothed and nearly all with eye or nose infections. The market was cramped with stalls standing on dirt and dusty sites. Cattle and dogs ran through the market unchecked. The living conditions of the women and children was barely more than a tarpaulin over a make shift roof. The local water was dirty, containing rubbish and access for the animals, which could only add to the pollution.

The women chosen for the ‘fuel saving ovens project ‘ have large families with no male support. The government, along with Women and Children Development Organisation (WCDO), selected the women who they felt would benefit from the project. Most have had some previous experience in moulding. These women are totally on their own trying in whatever way they can to survive with their children. As always the hospitality shown to the LUCIA team was exceptional. Chairs had been found and a table with artificial flowers placed upon it to give the occasion a special and pleasing feel. The ladies danced and clapped with the LUCIA team joining in, to the delight of women and children alike. The usual coffee ceremony took place with popcorn as an additional touch.

The women will be put into Self Help Groups and trained in the art of making the ovens from cement. The moulds will be provided as well as the materials. A programme will be in place to train the women in business and marketing. Support in health issues and human rights will also be provided. Shashamane is a town situated on one of the busiest roads through Ethiopia so with the large passing trade the ladies should be in the position to sell their ovens.

This is a new project for LUCIA with so many issues being addressed. The ovens are 50% more efficient than open fires which are traditionally used for cooking. The wood collecting (UN statistic puts the collecting at six hours per day) will be half with 50% decrease of fuel required. With deforestation at a critical level this can go some way to help take some of the pressure away. Smoke from the fires cause immeasurable health problems, cancer, cataracts, still births and premature births. The ovens will not solve the problems but they will go some way to help address the situation.

Together we’ve done it - thank you all!

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 17:46:02 GMT

The LUCIA team arrived at the Saria School to the warmest welcome, with elders, tribesmen, government representatives, teachers and pupils singing, clapping, chanting and dancing. All the team had tears in their eyes as a little flower girl presents a lovely bouquet of wild flowers. The atmosphere was one of wonderful happiness.

The new library was everything LUCIA could have hoped for. The community contribution of labour had worked so hard to build the library/community centre in such a short time and under difficult conditions; the ground was rock hard and they had no machinery to help them dig out or mix the mortar. The building was built in line with the school classrooms and the rest of the campus. Aesthetically pleasing, thought and planning had gone into this project. When inside you were struck by the light and inviting wooden desks and shelves filled with Amharic and English books.

The community had gone to great lengths to make this inauguration a very special occasion. Filmed by the Ethiopian media, the red ribbon round the library was cut and the curtained plaque was unveiled to show “constructed by Saria Community, DFT and LUCIA charity”. All this from people who have so little was more than enough thanks, but it didn’t end there. A marque had been erected with a speaker sitting on the top table facing the elders, priests and local community dignitaries while the media continuing to film. Everyone spoke but one of the most moving parts was when a middle aged farmer thanked LUCIA for the library and community building and said he planned to visit on Saturdays and learn to read. After the speeches the team sat down to a banquet which had been cooked and prepared by the local community. The team felt so honoured and privileged to be present at such a warm important celebration.

Thank you from all the 500 children, teachers and community - it couldn't have happened without you.

Great Library Bake Off!

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:19:32 GMT

Last week library staff at the University of Birmingham donned their aprons and took part in the Great Library Bake Off! From carrot cake to gateaux, macarons to lamingtons, staff members produced some wonderful baked delights for their colleagues to taste and rate. After plenty of sampling, Amanda Lawrance was crowned Star Baker and walked away with the prize apron and certificate. Congratulations to Amanda, and thanks to everyone who participated - over £150 was raised! Click here to view of all the yummy baked goods made on the day.

Why not organise a bake off at your own workplace? Please get in touch if you want any planning tips.

Saria School library - nearly there..

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 21:06:30 GMT

We're exceedingly pleased to announce that the library has now been built! It's just awaiting glass for the windows and a lick of paint. Then of course it needs to be equipped with furniture and books! Thank you again for your continued support for this wonderful project - we couldn't have done it without you!

Sinfonia of Birmingham concert

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:48:02 GMT

Join the Sinfonia of Birmingham at its next concert, on Saturday 23rd March 2013 at the CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham, B1 2LF at 7.30pm. This concert will start with Brahms' powerful Piano Concerto No 1, with local soloist Ben Dawson. The second half of the concert is Mendelssohn's Symphony No 3 - the 'Scottish', with its enchanting melodies and evocation of the highlands. With conductor Michael Seal's characteristic energy and colour, the concert is sure to inspire, whether you are a seasoned concert-goer or enjoying a live classical concert for the first time. The orchestra is generously supporting LUCIA for this concert. Do come along and enjoy an evening of fabulous music, and help us raise funds for LUCIA at the same time. Contact us by phone or email for tickets. Suggested donation £12 (£10 concessions).

Saria School library - work continues...

Sun, 30 Dec 2012 20:42:10 GMT

Incredibly, construction of the Saria School library is already 60% complete! It's fantastic to see the progress that's been made, and remember, it's all down to you! In less than a year, you have helped us raise enough money to build what promises to be a wonderful library and community centre. Thank you!