Story
HELLO
Firstly I would like to thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page!Recently, I came across Architecture For Humanity. They are a real inspiration and being an architecture student myself, I hope that one day I may be able to make a contribution in a similar way.
For the moment, my quest is to raise £500 by running the Bath Half Marathon in March 2010 in an effort to give them a helping hand.
ABOUT ME
When the disasters hit Indonesia and Somoa last year, I was so shocked by what had happened, the way people had lost their homes so dramatically. It made me think, I just couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose my own home and everything around me. We see on the news, the immediate relief going out to help, but then what happens after that? It takes years to rebuild homes and infrastructure!
I wondered what I could do to help, then I looked around and found out about architecture for humanity and the work they do. It seems that the organisation helps so much in the aftermath, trying to rebuild these communities affected by disaster and is such a good use of architect's skills.
It also made me think more about the ongoing help needed in developing countries and the smaller scale disasters that happen everyday closer to home on our doorsteps. Help on a small scale can make a huge difference too. Architecture is so important, we often take it for granted but if you took it away what would we have? It shapes our lives.
Again this last week Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake and we have all seen the horrors they are facing and the help they are going to need in the coming months/years.
Please help me raise some money so AFHUK can help them!
They also assist projects in the developing world where the promoting organisation is based in the UK.
HISTORY
Architecture for Humanity is a nonprofit design services firm founded in 1999 in New York.
"By tapping a network of more than 40,000 professionals willing to lend time and expertise to help those who would not otherwise be able to afford their services, we bring design, construction and development services where they are most critically needed.
Each year 10,000 people directly benefit from structures designed by Architecture for Humanity. Our advocacy, training and outreach programs impact an additional 50,000 people annually. We channel the resources of the global funding community to meaningful projects that make a difference locally. From conception to completion, we manage all aspects of the design and construction process. Our clients include community groups, aid organizations, housing developers, government agencies, corporate divisions, and foundations.
Design is important to every aspect of our lives. It informs the places in which we live, work, learn, heal and gather. We engage all stakeholders in the design process. We believe our clients are designers in their own right.
Thoughtful, inclusive design creates lasting change in communities by:
• Alleviating poverty and providing access to water, sanitation, power and essential services
• Bringing safe shelter to communities prone to disaster and displaced populations
• Rebuilding community and creating neutral spaces for dialogue in post-conflict areas
• Mitigating the effects of rapid urbanization in unplanned settlements
• Creating spaces to meet the needs of those with disabilities and other at-risk populations
• Reducing the footprint of the built environment and addressing climate change”
Your donations will be sent to the UK Chapter of Architecture for Humanity.
If you would like to learn more about the organisation, please have a look at the following websites:
ABOUT JUST GIVING
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
Many thanks again taking the time to look at my page,
Alex