Give blood...

On Thursday after school I will be trundling off home... but before that I will be off to give blood. In the developed world 38.1 people per 1000 donate blood which helps thousands of people survive accidents and many operations. In the developing world there are only 2.3 donations per 1000 people (WHO 2010). This has ultimately has upsetting consequences as I am sure you can imagine.

My friends brother is getting set to compete in the Aarhus Half Iron man on July 3rd. None of the three who are participating have completed a triathlon of any sort before... however I'm led to believe that they are a determined bunch! Please, if you have any spare pennies it would be great if you could sponsor them! I know you don't know them but it is a very worthy cause and if we can help them achieve their goal we will be proving to be very active citizens making a difference!

Whilst I can't help people in Malawi, I can raise awareness here and hopefully some of you may be able to ask friends/relatives etc to give blood wherever they might be!

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=kulukaCoIronman&isTeam=true and if you would like more information about the charity http://www.kuluka.org/

Thanks in advance!

Miss Udy

My mother, my queen

A poem written by Janani, a year 9 student who formed part of the winning group from our YPI projects this year. Rebecca, Janani, Deborah and Samira won £3000 that they donated to Womens Aid Bexley last month. They have been invited to perform this emotional and fantastic poem at the Insitute of Philanthropy celebration event at the end of this month. Today they we're able to work with Musa Okwinga who is a professional poetry reader and these are the results. I am sure you will agree.... amazing!

He hit and slapped her in front of my face,
Causing a riot and taking her grace.
She’s never the one to start a big scene,
But this scene involved her- my mother, my queen.

I peered through my fingers to see my mum cry,
She looked straight at me and whispered “goodbye”.
Her eyes slowly closed for my world to turn black,
I finally knew I quickly lost track.

Flashes of that day could be seen through my eyes,
I remember my mother say: “always be wise!”
Wise I was not as anger pierced through,
Please mum come back I really need you!

He hit and slapped her in front of my face,
Cause a riot and taking her grace,
She’s never the one to start a big scene,
But that scene involved her my mother, my queen.





Miss Udy