OXAB is first and foremost an organisation about volunteers. The exchange of information and experience between people working in the social sector in the Balkans and our volunteers is vital. The experience of volunteering benefits both the volunteer and the recipient of their attention, the children. Time and attention are what these children really need in the short term; education and opportunities are what will benefit them in the long term.
As well as sending out volunteers we invest most of the money we raise in projects that will benefit the children in the long run. From installing heating equipment to funding a social worker- these projects can really change the quality of life of children in Bulgaria and Bosnia, and we rely on donations and fundraising to fund them. As a charitable organisation, we receive a large proportion of our donations from various colleges. Just putting a motion to your JCR or charities fund can make a big difference. Even a small amount of money can really help so please put in the motion to your JCR or try to speak to your JCR Charities Officer about the possibilities of getting donations. You will find the motion in the fundraising section of the website.
Although we want to stress that OXAB is not primarily about giving money and that we do everything we can to offer volunteering opportunities at the lowest cost possible, it is also true that many volunteers quickly realise the poverty of the homes they are working in and how changes (not necessarily expensive) could radically improve the living conditions for the children they have worked with. Also, looking to the future, sponsoring projects which focus on education, improved social care or which provide employment opportunities is a small step towards eliminating the roots of the social problems that are prevalent in Bosnia and Bulgaria today.
Many volunteers have found that on returning to the UK they would like to be able to continue to help the children that they worked with but aren’t sure exactly how. OXAB, over the past couple of years especially, has decided to focus more on finding projects to benefit the lives of the children in the respective countries. We would also like to provide more of a structure to people to focus there aid efforts; whether they would simply like to make a donation, help with fundraising or have a project that they would like to put forward for funding. If you are interested in donating money or fundraising please get in touch with Xiaonan Sun (Treasurer).
OXAB’s present projects
OXAB’s 2003 projects
OXAB’s past projects
See also OXAB’s history
Last updated: March 2nd, 2008