Dear wonderful, generous people,

I've recently joined Casa Alianza as a volunteer, and my aim is to help as much as I can by making them lots of lovely money... first stop Sky Ride!

So, on September 5th we'll be joining the masses to cycle around the capital for the Mayor of London's Sky Ride. 

http://www.goskyride.com/city/details.aspx

I've roped my darling sister into doing this with me (if the "It's for a good cause" line doesn't work, "I'll but you a pint at the end" never fails!), and you're probably aware that we're not exactly seasoned cyclists! BUT, it really is for a fantastic cause and if you're thinking that the 15km route around the Big Smoke isn't sponsor-worthy, don't fret, because we're going to do the route twice (three times if I buy Jess a packet of smoky bacon to go with that pint) in order to really deserve your generous sponsor.

100% of the money we raise goes straight to projects in Mexico, Nicaragua and Honduras which help children and young people get off the streets, and every penny really does count.  Please check out the Casa website and read the blurb below so you can feel great about sponsoring us lots of dosh!  If that doesn't convince you, then perhaps knowing that we'll be achy and saddle sore afterwards might eek out a few pity pennies from you compassionate-types, or a quid for comedy value from the rest of you

In all seriousness, we really appreciate whatever amount you can afford and thank you very much in advance.

Sian and Jess

 

An International Charity Dedicated to Street Children

Casa Alianza is an international, non-governmental organisation dedicated to the rehabilitation and defence of street children in Honduras, Nicaragua and Mexico.

We work with over 12,000 street children a year most of whom have been orphaned, abused or abandoned and are further traumatised by the indifference of the societies in which they live.

Founded in 1981 in an uncompromising environment of violent conflict and intolerable human rights abuses rampant in Latin America in the early 1980s, Casa Alianza has grown from a refuge for displaced Guatemalan children into an international organisation working on behalf of street children.

We offer street children shelter, food, medical care, protection, guidance, respect and love. Casa Alianza began as a place where forgotten children could escape from loneliness, hunger, drugs, poverty, prostitution, emotional starvation and physical danger. Twenty five years later, our work continues but we have grown to become a lot more. Casa Alianza now also actively defends children’s rights and our staff regularly risk their own personal safety to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Separated from their families many street children end up sleeping rough in darkened alleys, frozen shop doorways, underground water systems and on rubbish dumps. They are often numb with cold, terrified - some will be beaten, abused and killed. For many street children each day is just another day to endure and survive. That is ... unless they come to Casa Alianza.

For many homeless children we are the only place to go where they can be safe and away from the hostile, dangerous streets that are no place for an adult let alone vulnerable and defenceless children. We offer sanctuary, safety, a clean warm bed to sleep in, hot nutritious food and most important of all ... hope and an option to leave the streets once and for all and with our help build a future.

We have an open door policy; no child is ever turned away. We respond to their immediate needs and provide guidance, support and residential care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and encourage them to stay with us and leave the streets behind.

Our crisis centres operate well beyond capacity and this year, with the harsh economic reality, we know that we will somehow have to cope with even more homeless children. Whenever the economy is bad - when families struggle to put food on the table ... sometimes it all breaks down and all too often children end up on the streets. We need to reach more homeless children and urgently need your help.

http://www.casa-alianza.org.uk/

 

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