Giving a little back. No distance too far. No hurdle too high.
Direct Aid for Africa is a charity with a difference.
First, every penny raised is spent in trying to improve the lives of people in the Third World through a range of projects focusing on health care, education and self-help.
Second, those who help administer the charity or are involved in facilitating any of its projects do so entirely at their own expense.
Another unusual feature of DAFA is that it has strong links to the racing communities in Britain and Ireland. The charity was founded in 1996 by Barney Curley, the renowned gambler and trainer, who remains its driving force.
Curley’s friends and associates have joined him in funding numerous projects that have directly improved the lives of thousands of people in recent years. Supporters include leading jockeys Frankie Dettori, Jamie Spencer and Johnny Murtagh as well as a host of top owners from the world of horseracing.
DAFA, which is strictly non-political and non-sectarian, operates predominantly in Zambia, a country 36 times the size of Wales but one that has been utterly blighted by poverty and the impact of AIDS.
DAFA has been involved in funding health centres to treat those suffering from AIDS as well as supporting hospices to provide care for those dying of the disease and to enable them to die with dignity. It has also promoted schemes providing home-based care to AIDS victims and others. AIDS has had a devastating effect on Zambia. With so many adults having succumbed to the disease, there are huge numbers of orphaned children, many simply left roaming the streets. Zambia is a country with a population of 11 million, 2 million of which are orphans and life expectancy is just 38 years of age.
DAFA funds a number of projects providing food for the homeless. It has also aquired houses in the capital Lusaka and in Ndola, in the Copperbelt region near the Congo, to take children off the streets and give them a fresh start in life. In addition, DAFA has underwritten the cost of funding a number of schools. The charity’s focus on education and self-help has resulted in the establishment of community workshops where computers, woodworking equipment and sewing machines are provided to enable people to earn money by learning a trade and selling furniture or clothing.
Following the sale of The Racing Post in October 2007, Trinity Mirror Group were requested by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to give £10 million to four charities for transferring the licence to use the Racing Post trademark, which the Sheikh owns. As one of the four selected charities, DAFA subsequently received a £2.5 million donation as a condition of the sale which took place. Barney Curley was quoted as: "floating on air since hearing the news. I'm never stuck for words, but this time I am. What this will do for people is unbelievable." DAFA cannot express its deepest appreciation enough for the generousity of this gesture by Sheikh Mohammed.
Barney
Curley on his March 2006 visit to Zambia Johnny
Murtagh presents a cheque to Yengwe Primary School on behalf of DAFA
To help the terminally ill die with dignity.
Providing support from their immediate communities, helpers wash and clean the sufferers, bring them food and drugs and attend to their daily needs.
To support underprivileged children so that they have the opportunity of obtaining
an education.
Financial aid is generated for school computers, books, equipment, furniture etc. The food provided at some schools can be the only meal the children, most of whom are orphans, receive all day. Groups of young people are trained in life skills to counteract the scourge and dangers of AIDS.
To support community based economic development projects.
As well as larger projects, several small one-off projects are given financial support to encourage self-help initiatives. Small business ventures are often supported improving the efficiency and effectiveness of such efforts.
Support is also offered to hospitals to employ much needed nursing staff.
Objectives
Every pound donated will only go directly to provide aid and fund designated
projects.
All involved in working for and helping DAFA will do so on a voluntary basis.
DAFA members will directly assess the
integrity and feasibility and later monitor the execution of all projects which
they fund in conjunction with the local organising body responsible for the
projects.
Accounts will be published annually.
The DAFA Committee comprises six individuals who are chiefly involved in the day-to-day management and organisation of the charity. Committee meetings take place regularly and members visit Zambia frequently, at their own expense. The members assess the projects funded by DAFA and report their findings back to the committee. It is on the basis of these visits that the following year's action plan is devised.
Official Charity Reference: XR23527 NI
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