‘JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST EXTREME POVERTY’

In a branch of the Human Relief Foundation in Leyton works a Bosnian woman. In 1992 she experienced the terrible Bosnian war which devastated her family and many others in the country. ‘We were millionaires’ she says, ‘and overnight we became the needy’. The only way she and her family survived was by the help of others. This, she says is what motivates her to work at the foundation. ‘It is my turn to give back’.

In her opinion, there is not much awareness about the poverty and inequality in war torn countries, in the local area anyway. From observance, people come into the shop to try and get a bargain, abusing the fact it is a charity shop, so things must be cheap. Surprisingly, it is those of a comfortable income who do this, and they are the most common type of customers she usually sees. There aren’t many poor, or low-income people who shop there. When they do, they are easier to deal with and more grateful in her point of view.

The next time you enter a shop with the sole purpose of charity, remember to bring along some benevolent spirit!

The organisation provides food, water, medicine and more for people in war torn countries and refugees. The United Nations is partnered with the foundation in a programme called Habitat. They aim to provide for people in dangerous areas. Don’t underestimate the importance of a Human Relief Foundation shop when you see one in your local area. The foundation is partnered with other global human rights groups. For instance, UNICEF, the European Union. The World Food Programme and the World Health Organisation. They have provided food for 66,000 Syrians, and are in the process of creating safe schools for girls and boys, and more. The organisation raises money in other ways:

  • Fundraising
  • Sky diving
  • Rock climbing
  • Charity dinners

Don’t be fooled, charity work can be fun and there are numerous rewards!

Before I left, the lady left me with one final thought. ‘They don’t understand the meaning of charity’ she says. Do you understand the meaning of charity?

If you want to ‘join the fight against extreme poverty’, you really don’t need to do much. A donation of the least you have in pockets really does go a long way. The lady in the charity shop found her meaning spending her hours giving back. What does charity mean to you?

Carlotta Johnson, City and Islignton College