Update 14 June 2023

Project Funded!

We have wonderful news! Thanks to the swift and generous support of our donors we’re thrilled to announce that we have been able to fulfill our 18:1 Somalia Project – amazing!

We’ve been so encouraged by our donors who have… baked cakes… wore crazy socks to school… recycled cans for 10c… and held office porridge parties… all so that they could support children in Somalia to receive a years education. Thank you.

While we celebrate being able to fund this particular project we know that the situation in Somalia continues to be difficult for so many other children who still need our help.

If you’re able, we would welcome your support for the wider development work of our team in Somalia.

Donate Now

Thank you for making a difference in Somalia.

GREAT NEWS!

NEW 18:1 GRANT!

Finally, there is good news for the children of Somalia!

As they face the threat of famine, and danger from conflict, you can bring healing and hope with a new 18:1 Matching Grant!

Your kindness today can support children to go to school.

You will provide:

• daily School Meal
• school uniform
• school desk
• renovated classrooms
• facilities and assistive devices
• for children with special needs
• training for teachers
• Dignity Kits for girls

The great news is a new 18:1 Grant for ALWS increases your impact on children’s lives 18 TIMES!

You directly help children among the most vulnerable in Somalia, and in danger of being forgotten by the world

Girls first – at last!

In Somalia, girls suffer worst. Nearly all suffer genital mutilation, and 45% are married off before age 18.

Education is critical to changing this for girls like 15 year old Hani:

“I missed my chance for education because my parents couldn’t afford the school fees. This had disappointed me a lot. In fact, it was very painful. When you get discouraged, your future remains in the dark, but I always wished that better chances would arrive.”

Your work through ALWS has a special focus on girls, including the distribution of Dignity Kits with sanitary essentials, and the building of gender-segregated toilets.

Hani now says:

“I never had such opportunities before, and now here is great difference. I am very happy. Thanks for giving me such a wonderful support.”

Hani

Food fortifies thought

Through the 18:1 Matching Grant, you provide a daily school meal for each child.

The meal is a fortified porridge, typically made of:

• cereal – corn / rice / wheat
• pulse – soya beans / lentils / peas
• dried skim milk
• vegetable oil
• sugar – if available, for taste and energy

Five successive years of drought threaten famine. The School Meal you supply may be the child’s best (and sometimes only) meal of the day. It encourages parents to send their children to school, including girls, rather than keeping them home, or sending them out to do child labour.

Healthy food helps children concentrate at school, and so achieve their best.

See your smiles of school success!

Your 18:1 support for children in Somalia to go to school is urgent and vital.

Sadly, it seems the world has forgotten these children. Despite famine looming, the media is not reporting the threat. The horrors faced by girls make no headlines. Children with disabilities are left behind.

Thank you for your commitment to caring for others through ALWS, and humbly helping wherever you can. Please, don’t miss out on using the 18:1 Matching Grant to help the children in Somalia who have suffered so much.

Thanks for bringing healing and hope

How your donation is used wisely

[✓] You help with practical care

Your donation will be used to support children in Somalia. Should ALWS receive income beyond what is needed in this projects, any extra will be used to support critical work in other ALWS-supported projects. Information in this communication is based on data correct at time of writing and may change. Funds and other resources designated for the purpose of aid and development will be used only for those purposes and will not be used to promote a particular religious adherence or to support a political party, or to promote a candidate or organisation affiliated to a particular party, or to support welfare activities as defined by DFAT. For more information, call: 1300 763 407

[✓] Being careful with your care

 In 2022, ALWS ‘overheads’ (fundraising and administration costs as defined by ACFID Code of Conduct) were 15.4%. The 5 year average is also only 15.4%. A copy of the most current ALWS Annual Report can be viewed at alws.org.au or requested: 1300 763 407.

[✓]  Your privacy is important to us

ALWS collects personal information about you in order to process your gift. A copy of the ALWS Privacy Policy is available at alws.org.au. If you don’t wish to receive further news from ALWS, simply call 1300 763 407 or write to us at alws@alws.org.au.

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) is The Overseas Aid & Development Agency of the Lutheran Church of Australia – ABN 36 660 551 871