Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Urban Age Award 2008


Urban Age Award 2008, originally uploaded by carf.

Our actions depend on other people's ability to give. They are in fact limited by that fact, because we are a non-profit organization where our profits are measured in social gain. We are also a small grassroots organization with a very small administration, running on an even smaller budget. We don't have the millions needed for hi-class publicity campaigns in the media, to break through the giving barrier.
Nevertheless, earlier this month we were judged as one of the 12 best projects of São Paulo for the esteemed Deutsches Bank Urban Age Award 2008 in strong competition with 133 organizations. We did not win the $100.000 prize as we had hoped, but we were very proud to be among the 12 finalists.

On the award certificate we received at the prize giving ceremony are the following words:

We certify that the REDE CULTURAL BEIJA-FLOR (Hummingbird Cultural Network) distinguishes itself among the 12 best projects of the Deutsches Bank Urban Age Award São Paulo 2008.

Thank you to all our supporters for helping to make this possible!



Basic Scholarships – USD$40.00 - $50.00 per month

Aimed at impoverished younger children participating in our Street Migration Prevention Programme, normally aged between 11 and 14 years of age. This scholarship guarantees their active participation at the Hummingbird Activity Center alongside their essential attendance in public schools. The scholarship helps combat child labor in high-risk families by preventing these children becoming new victims. The scholarship is awarded to those in particularly difficult life situations where survival often becomes a more important factor than the child’s educational needs and mental and physical health. As a regular sponsor you will have the opportunity to stay in contact with your scholarship holder and to follow the changes your sponsorship will be making in this child's life.

Intermediate Scholarships - USD$60.00 - $70.00 per month

This youth scholarship is aimed at developing vocational interests in young people as they grow with our programme, guaranteeing their commitment and eventually leading them on towards an advanced scholarship. A firmer step towards their personal life project. As a regular sponsor you will have the opportunity to stay in contact with your scholarship holder and to follow the changes your sponsorship will be making in this young person's life.

Advanced Scholarship - USD$80.00 - $100.00 per month

Aimed to inspire older youth reach their potential in whatever area they are developing natural or acquired abilities in programmes at the Hummingbird Activity Centre. The scholarship can be used to cover costs for supplementary, external educational courses or for extra training sessions and materials. Such funds would otherwise be an impossible priority for them to obtain within an impoverished family situation. As a regular sponsor you will have the opportunity to stay in contact with your scholarship holder and to follow the changes your sponsorship will be making in this young person's life.

"THE RICH MUST LIVE MORE SIMPLY SO THAT THE POOR MAY SIMPLY LIVE." - Mahatma Gandhi