Oxfam Active in North West England

February 2010
Hello and welcome to the February issue of North West news! In the last month we’ve witnessed the
devastating effects of the earthquake in Haiti, which hit the island on 12th January and affected millions. The
aid response is now moving from search and rescue into the recovery stage, but help is still needed. Find out
below how Oxfam is helping, and what you can do to raise money for the Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

Also in this issue, the usual round-up of exciting events and ways to get involved with Oxfam in the North
West. Read on!

Remember to write in and let us know what you’re up to or just to find out more ways of getting involved!
nsansom@oxfam.org.uk and join our Facebook group (http://tinyurl.com/yeqranl) and twitter
(http://tinyurl.com/y9trzkz) feed to stay uber up to date.
Also check out (and subscribe to) our North West Blog (http://tinyurl.com/yfsfywu)

Haiti Update
Aid agencies, governments and NGOs from around the world responded immediately to the disaster and now
thoughts are turning to the longer term. Oxfam has started a “cash for work” scheme employing people affected
by the earthquake to clean up their makeshift camps and improve their living conditions. Providing paid
employment such as collecting rubbish and human waste not only makes for a cleaner camp, it puts money into
the pockets of those who need it most. Read the experiences of people working in Haiti here -
http://tinyurl.com/yavkhbn

Cancel Haiti’s debt – a small action with a huge impact

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and still owes hundreds of millions of dollars in debt, yet the IMF
response to the earthquake was to offer a $100 million loan. This would hamper Haiti’s efforts to rebuild and lock the
country in poverty for years to come. Email the head of the IMF demanding cancellation of Haiti’s debt here -
http://tinyurl.com/yb5eudk

Fundraise for Haiti!

The devastating earthquake in Haiti has affected over 3 million lives and Oxfam still needs your support to keep
our efforts going. Please, please help.

You don’t need to be George Clooney to make a difference! Here are just a few ideas to get those creative juices
flowing…

1) Hold a dress down/up day and cake sale on Friday - ask everyone to bake cakes and pay £2
for the privilege of dressing up or down for work.
2) Spare change collection - Secretly most people know that they’ll never get their spare
change to the bank. Explain how these tiny coins can make a difference, not just collect
dust.
3) Invite friends round for a dinner party and Friday film night, and charge them to take part!
4) Undertake to be sponsored for something - you could walk to work, shave your head or
stay silent for a whole day. The sky is the limit.

For more ideas on how to get started and for fundraising materials, call Harriett on 0161 234 2791 or email
hchristie@oxfam.org.uk
 Fun things to get involved with
Age of Stupid Screening, Prestwich
On Thursday the 11th of February, Oxfam will be holding a free
screening of the climate blockbuster The Age of Stupid at Prestwich
Arts College. The film is set in the devastated world of 2055, and
stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite as a man living alone,
looking back at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn’t we
stop climate change while we had the chance?

Come along at 7pm for the film, and stay after for a discussion,
featuring Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South and minister in the Foreign
Office.

Light refreshments will be provided. The screening is free, but we

will collect for voluntary donations to cover the license fee. For more
info contact Nadav at natik@oxfam.org.uk.

Think you've got brain power? Collection days for Oxfam

Manchester residents, do you fancy coming to a pub quiz Come and shake a bucket for Oxfam over the coming
on Thursday 25th February at Jabez Clegg to support months to raise money for Oxfam’s projects across the
Oxfam? The Rotaract Club of Manchester International world.
are organising a pub quiz to raise money for Oxfam's Haiti
programme, and we are looking for teams to take part. It doesn’t take much. Just fill your bucket with £87 and
Get your mates, decide on your team name, and you could you’ll raise enough cash to buy ten first aid kits for families
win some fab prizes including dinner for two at a local who desperately need them. Go on, give an hour. Or two.
award-winning restaurant....
17th February Bury Town Centre
More details available from Harriett at 19th & 20th February Tescos Supermarket, Little
Lever
hchristie@oxfam.org.uk
24th February Manchester Piccadilly
Station
20th March Bolton Town Centre

And the big one – come and help us with the biggest
Oxfam Manchester Bucket Collection ever!

17th April Manchester City Centre

Elections 2010: Campaigning for Change

This election is different because whichever party wins, a whole new generation of politicians will be voted in.
They will be making decisions for years to come. So we need to start an ongoing conversation with them now.
We must persuade them about the need for renewed climate change negotiations, because a fair, adequate and
binding deal is essential for poor countries. They must understand the need for better aid for health and
education, because everyone has the right to decent hospitals and schools. And they must understand that
prioritising money for these things is essential and achievable. Bring your views on these matters to their
attention and make them work for you, because this election is different.

Oxfam in the North West is campaigning during the election period in selected marginal seats to draw candidates'
attention to these issues. If you would like to know more and perhaps take part in some election campaigning,
please contact Chris Worrall by at cworrall@oxfam.org.uk or 0161 234 2792.
 From our own correspondent
Nicola Sansom visits Oxfam projects in Uganda

Our very own Community & Activism Campaigner is visiting Oxfam climate change adaptation projects and
blogging about what she’s seen. Here’s a taster, for more click http://tinyurl.com/yeeca2s

“As I approached a farm in the Bundinyama village, the buzzing voices and noises from the farm welcomed me
into what was a real hive of activity. About 20 women from a women’s group were working on the farm, digging.
They work together to practice new techniques like contour ditches and to grow new types of banana that won’t
wilt because of the rising temperatures and erratic rainfall. The women’s community group has made a huge
difference in people’s lives here. With the profits from the sale of crops, the women’s group has managed to
send back to school the children of some of its poorest members. So, no matter how big the common threat is,
when a community is provided with skills and tools to get started, it can take action and mobilise itself. It shows
just how important it is that we continue our campaigning work to have an international agreement about
reducing the amount of greenhouse gases we pump out.”

Meet the newest member of the North West team!

Outreach Support Executive
Hi everyone, I’m Diane, the latest Outreach intern and my job is to recruit
and support volunteer Outreachers across the North West.

Outreach is a great way to get involved with Oxfam. Outreachers play a vital
role in our campaigns by helping to get the message out there about our
campaigns on climate change and health and education for all.

You don’t need to have any special experience or expertise to be an

Outreacher – you just need to be able to talk to people and tell them about
what we do. Not only do you get to go to all sorts of events for free, you get
valuable campaign experience and meet a lot of interesting people along the
way. We provide you with the training and the resources to help you to do
this.
I am currently recruiting Outreach Volunteers and Outreach Coordinators across the region. If
you are interested in being involved and are able to give us a few hours of your time then I
would love to hear from you. Contact me on activismnorthwest@oxfam.org.uk or call me on
0161 234 2794.
 Dates for the diary
February
1st February – Manchester Oxfam Group monthly campaigns meeting: planning Valentines action events for the
Millennium Development Goals campaign. 6:30pm at Greenfish Resource Centre on Oldham Street
4th February – From Consumerism to Sustainability, talk and book-signing. Join Erik Assadourian from the US-based
environmental think tank Worldwatch Institute and Caroline Downey from MERCI for a discussion rethinking the
foundation of modern consumerism. St Thomas Centre, Arwick Green, Manchester. Book your place HERE
11th February – Age of Stupid Screening. 7pm, Prestwich Arts College
25th February – Rotaract Club Pub Quiz, fundraising for Haiti. Jabez Clegg, Manchester

Coming up…
Look out for Oxfam Live, a special event for all Oxfam supporters. Meet other local supporters and regional staff,
and come up with ideas together on how we can achieve more. Oxfam Live will be in Manchester on 25th March, see
www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfamlive for more details and to register

For a more up to date events list join our Facebook group (http://tinyurl.com/yeqranl) to see our weekly updates,
interesting articles and please do remember to get in touch to get your events publicised

Materials to help you put on your events

Are you doing something wonderful for Oxfam? We have some great local resources that
you can borrow to make your events even better – from Polar bear outfits to video cameras,
from t-shirts to training packs on media and political campaigning. Just get in touch
nsansom@oxfam.org.uk to book the materials you need

What else can I do?

There are so many different ways that you can get involved with Oxfam – why not get in contact to find out more?

Oxfam’s Fundraising Hotspots

Are you from any of the following areas, or do you know someone who is?

• Northwich
• Poynton
• Keswick & the North Lakes
• Kendal & South Lakes
• Lytham
• Heswall

If so, would you be willing to give Oxfam the benefit of your local knowledge?

Please get in touch today by calling Harriett on 0161 234 2791.

Calling all media moguls!
The Oxfam North West Campaigns office in Manchester is looking for media activists who would like to make as much
noise as possible in the media about a brand new Oxfam Campaign

Are you a social networking, media savvy wizard who wants to use the media to change the world? Or are you simply
passionate about social justice and want to shout out about it?

Then please, please, please… Get in touch! The Oxfam campaigns North West Office is launching a brand new campaign
around 10th February. Details are still top secret for now- all you need to know is that it is a new edgy campaign to tackle
poverty and climate change, both in the UK and in developing countries!

You will be asked to get involved in exciting campaigning stunts and to spread out information about the campaign in as
many creative ways as possible. You will receive support and media training and use your skills to make a difference.

If you are interested, please contact Serena as soon as possible:

Serena Tramonti, Oxfam Media Campaigner

stramonti@oxfam.org.uk
0161 234 2922/ 078 257 80651

Oxjam is Back!
Want to combine your passion for music with your support for Oxfam?

Oxjam is Oxfam's fantastic music event which takes place in October and we are recruting now for the next Oxjam
Regional Support Executive for the North West.

This 8 month internship will be based in the Manchester Oxfam office from March. The successful candidate will manage
volunteer teams from across the North West of England as well as recruit and support other event organisers.

Check out the website for more details! www.oxfam.org.uk/oxjam

Get in contact if you have any questions/ comments – we are a friendly bunch!
Call: 01612 342786, Email: nsansom@oxfam.org.uk, or use our Facebook group (http://tinyurl.com/yeqranl) or Twitter
(http://tinyurl.com/y9trzkz)
Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International. Registered charity No. SC039042. To unsubscribe to these e-updates contact nsansom@oxfam.org.uk