Dear Madam,
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere gratitude and that of the thousands of people in developing countries that Oxfam Ireland have assisted in the past year to the people of Mullingar and county Westmeath for all your support in 2010.
2010 was a very challenging year for this country and despite economic turmoil and job losses the generosity of the Irish public still shone through. From the moment the year started with a devastating earthquake on the Caribbean island of Haiti the people of this island swung into action. In our shops all across Ireland, people arrived and asked how they could help. Throughout the country a phenomenal range of fundraising events were organised by people who wanted to make a difference and it allowed Oxfam to play our part in delivering an immediate aid response to the people of Haiti.
In July large parts of Pakistan were submerged by the worst flooding in the country in living memory. Oxfam was there, helping to evacuate people, providing clean safe water, hygiene kits, and food. Again, we were only able to do this thanks to the people that support us here. It is your generous cash donation, your donation of stock or purchase in an Oxfam shop, and your fundraising energy that allows Oxfam Ireland to stand ready to respond to such emergencies 365 days a year.
In Southern and Eastern Africa, the main focus of Oxfam Ireland’s ongoing development programmes, we continued to work with our partner organisations to support humanitarian projects in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, livelihoods projects in Kenya and Malawi, and helping to tackle the HIV and AIDS epidemic that has devastated a generation in countries like South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
We hope you will continue to support Oxfam Ireland again in 2011. If you have any unwanted Christmas presents or items that you rarely use, if you could kindly visit Trudi Soysal, Oxfam Mullingar shop manager, at 3 Oliver Plunkett Street and donate them you will continue to help us to change people’s lives.
Yours, etc
Jim Clarken,
CEO Oxfam Ireland www.oxfamireland.org
