fws is a not-for-profit, non-denominational, non-governmental organisation that builds and manages eco-friendly villages with educational, social and health facilities for vulnerable women, their children and orphans in developing countries.
We do this by providing
-
nourishing meals to vulnerable women and children
-
access to clean water for vulnerable women and children and, where possible, the wider community
-
safe shelter for vulnerable women and children
-
access to health facilities (including AIDS care) for vulnerable women and children
-
environmental, health, business, social and educational programs that teach life skills to vulnerable women and children
-
weekend education programs for the wider community
-
all of the above with minimal impact on the local environment
fws aims to enhance the current and future lives of these women and children so that they are better able to contribute to their community and enjoy their lives.
Why we do it
Well…it’s like this: those involved with fws believe that while a person is on earth, they either get a dodge deal or a great deal. If you get a great deal, then it only seems fair that you help those who got the dodge deal.
When you’ve had the privilege of living and volunteering in a developing country, as each of us at fws have, you soon see how the smallest amount to us, in the western world (a night out, a new top, a movie), can make a drastic difference to someone in a developing country (food for a month, school fees, life-saving medicine).
Often those that need help don’t have the voice to ask for it and those who would love to give, don’t realise how valuable what they offer is, nor how easy it is to make a tangible difference.
You also observe how aid can be misdirected or mismanaged and how it can sometimes create dependencies and perpetuate the very need it aims to address.
It’s for these reasons that fws aims to create projects that are locally managed, eco-friendly and that leave the locals with improved living and vocation skills.
By using our creativity and forethought from the outset, we have managed to impart knowledge and skills in a way that ensures we are needed less as each project develops. This not only allows us to concentrate our services where they are most required, when they are most required, but also ensures we leave the locals a legacy – and that’s what we’re all about.