Four charities were initially selected as recipients of 2010 “Keeping the Hope Alive” donations :

• Lantern Ireland
• Ireland – National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street
• First Step – Georgia
• ATD Fourth World – Haiti

However, due to the extraordinary circumstances being the horrific floods in Pakistan, the Bazaar Executive Committee decided to add the fifth recipient of the Bazaar funds – D.R.I.P Ireland – Disaster Relief by Irish and Pakistanis, providing the Aid for victims of the floods in Pakistan. Please read below about the Charities and the projects supported from the proceeds of 2010 Bazaar.

 

D.R.I.P Ireland – Disaster Relief by Irish and Pakistanis

In the aftermath of 2005 Earthquake in Pakistan, it was needed to set up a platform by volunteer organisations and individuals. DRIP was founded by Pakistanis and their Irish supporters and since 2006 has been actively working in the rehabilitation efforts in Kashmir and other areas of Pakistan.

D.R.I.P is a registered Ireland-wide charity and has representatives in all four provinces of Pakistan. D.R.I.P works solely on voluntary basis. All funds raised go directly to the victims. www.dripireland.org There are two main, urgent requirements in the flood affected areas.

1.House Rebuilding:
Providing shelter to those who’s houses has been destroyed by the flood. Rebuiling a damaged house of approx. 325Sq Ft before winters – Cost € 1500 per house . Houses will be basic two rooms and a kitchen to provide shelter before winter.These will be made on the existing infrastructure and with help of locals volunteers to keep costs to a minimum.

2.Rebuilding of Agricultural Infrastructure:
Construction of damaged water channels. The water issue is so critical that neither water is available for animals nor for irrigation. Success of next years crops is greately dependent on a functioning irrigation system. Again local volunteers will be used to keep the costs down.

Rebuilding water channel cost € 40,000 (current exchange) . www.dripireland.org

 

First Step – Georgia

First Step Georgia is a charity helping children with special needs but without resources. The donation will help create a personalised learning plan for children with special needs, involving parents and a professional team.

The team will encompass psychologist, home teacher, social worker, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, and paediatrician.

 

Cost €12,000  http://firststepgeorgia.org

 

ATD Fourth World , Grand Ravine, Haiti

Our donation will help fund a nutrition programme for pre-school children in underdeveloped villages hit by the earthquake. This school is run by volunteers.

The funding will also cover the construction of a small, safe pre-school destroyed by the earthquake.

Cost €10,000.

 

Lantern Ireland

The Lantern Centre provides child minding and catering facilities for immigrants from 26 countries. For many of these families this is the only social space outside their home where they can find hospitality and get the opportunity to meet and speak to others in their native language.

Project: Refurbishment of a safe play space for the children of immigrant families in Ireland.

Cost €15,000 http://www.lanterncentre.org

 

Ireland – National Maternity Hospital, Holles Street

The National Maternity Hospital delivered 9000 babies in 2009, the Hospital is recognised as a national referral centre for complicated pregnancies, premature babies and sick infants.

They propose to enhance their existing facilities for parents of chronically ill infants and for those whose babies might die. This funding will enable them to refurbish both their counselling and parents rooms, where they plan to create a family friendly space that is comfortable and private.

When parents are given difficult news regarding their baby’s medical condition or the prognosis that their baby may die, this news, however painful cannot be changed. However, the environment in which this information is shared can bring some measure of comfort at one of the most difficult times of any parents life. http://www.nmh.ie

Cost €10,000 („Holles Street“)