Global Development Group is a charity organisation carrying out humanitarian projects with approved partners and providing aid to relieve poverty in a tangible way. We provide long term solutions through the provision of quality aid development projects in approved countries.
 

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Recent Activities

J759N School for Excellence Program

J759N is an educational development project, in partnership with Classroom of Hope and KAPE, that aims to provide quality educational opportunities to disadvantaged children across Cambodia. Capacity-building is a major focus of the project, providing high quality training to improve teacher skills, performance and confidence.

KAPE has recently created a YouTube video about the project’s goals and outcomes. We encourage you to view this to learn more about the amazing work GDG and its partners are achieving.

The “School for Excellence” program also receives support from AusAID.

You can make a tax-deductible donation to this excellent project @ www.gdg.org.au/GiveToJ759N

 

GDG Monitoring Trip- Cambodia/Laos - February 2013

Geoff and Betty Armstrong and Lisa Low visited Cambodia in February. The first event was a get together with the Cambodian staff, Peta Thomas, Nigel and Debbie Doughan and Makara Kin

The major event was a great network meeting with 60 Global Development Group partners present and a highlight was the Global Development Group World view – although we also had other great partner speakers

Lisa went back to Australia while Geoff and Betty and Peta went onto Laos mainly visiting World Food Program J753 and Cope J553 (for victims of UexO ) both these projects are supported by AusAID for government money but their public Australian funding comes from Global Development Group. We then went to the MiVAC project J715 (Phonsovan) where we are doing water, biogas and community development for the Hmong People Peta Thomas spent a further 3 days up in Luang Prabang monitoring the WFP program.

J655N Botanica Ethiopia's Lizzie wins Rotary award for Living Pharmacy project

From all of us at GDG, we would like to publicly congratulate Elizabeth d’Avigdor for winning a Rotary award for the Living Pharmacy project (J655N).

To find out more, please click here

J537 Project Visit

Dr Jerry Day, Jane Day (nee-Luscombe), together with their children, Olivia and Hamish went to Nepal to do some medical volunteer work.

Whilst they were there they also visited GDG project J537 - the Heartland Centre for Learning and Children’s Rights (Stage2), with our project partners, The Heartland Children's Academy and CLCR (The Centre for Learning & Children’s Rights) Nepal & Australia.

Help WFP and GDG save lives in the Philippines

As mentioned in Tuesday's press release, World Food Programme (WFP) is appealing for US$21.6 million to provide life-saving food and nutrition assistance as well as logistics support for 400,000 people who have been most affected by Typhoon Bopha in the worst-hit areas of Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, the CARAGA region, and Lanao del Sur.

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Comments by John Hyde MLA

Earlier this month John Hyde MLA (Member for Perth; Australian chair of the Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption; Shadow Minister for Culture and Arts; Local Government; Heritage; Multicultural Interests and Citizenship) commented the following to Global Development Group’s Executive Director – Geoff Armstrong;

“I wanted to offer my congratulations for the great work GDG is doing in East Timor.

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In-Country Representatives Conference - October 2012

This year GDG held its third In-Country Representatives Conference for members of the GDG team who work with GDG within their countries.

Over a couple of weeks the In-country and Australian representatives came to get on the ground training at the Brisbane office and then concluded the period with a  three day intensive conference help by GDG.

The conference covered a range of topics from the Power of Vision, the Importance and Collection of Baseline data, Project Management, Cultural Awareness to each representative sharing on the different dynamics and perspectives of working for GDG in their respective countries.

Presentations were of a high calibre, with much to be learnt from the content and the conference was an overall great success. There was much sadness as the delegates parted ways, but all were confident not only in the lessons learnt being of great value to the GDG projects; but also of the growing strength of GDG, its partnerships and the relationships therein.

Special mention needs to be made of Betty and the administration team who hosted and served the delegates of the conference with much gusto and quality.

China Partners Conference - 10-11th September 2012

The Global Development Group China Partners’ Conference was held in Changsha on the 10th and 11th September, 2012 with 34 delegates in attendance. Master of Ceremonies Justin Anemaat of GDG Partner International China Concern, and Hailey Wang provided clear communication in both English and Mandarin languages.  The theme of the Conference was Effective Development for the Disadvantaged & Disabled in China.

Global Development Group’s Executive Director Geoff Armstrong presented on the GDG Partnership and discussed the Australian donor paradigm.  Keynote speaker Dr David Michalk promoted the importance of good working relationships with the Government in China, and shared on some of his experience working in agricultural development in rural China on behalf of the Australian Government. 

Global Development Group staff and representatives from various partners shared on topics relevant to their work and projects.  GDG Accounts Officer Jessica Tan presented on the GDG process of funds and introduced the Administration team impressing us all by presenting first in English and then in Mandarin. GDG Project Officer Samantha Robb shared on the ACFID Code of Conduct and led a workshop with delegates on several key points from the Code. GDG Project Department Manager, Fe Luscombe gave an overview of the countries GDG works in with the number of projects and the level of funding. She also discussed the development activities and programs of 18 GDG projects. This session was very well received by the partners who enjoyed hearing about the big ‘GDG picture’ and projects that are being implemented across the world.

An important purpose of the conference was to facilitate networking and build relationships between partners. Peta Thomas, GDG Project Officer spoke about the importance of projects collaborating and assisting each other to be effective and efficient in the development work.

Feedback from the partners in attendance confirms that the Conference provided a deeper understanding of the development roles and the values which unite us as partners in development.   We would like to thank GDG Partner International China Concern for the extensive support provided both before and during the Conference.  Global Development Group appreciates the active participation from all partners in attendance and we value our relationship as we work together towards building better lives for the poor and vulnerable in China.

GDG Monitoring Trip - Indonesia - August 2012

In August, Geoff (Executive Director) and Betty Armstrong (Administration) along with Ofelia Luscombe (Senior Project Officer) monitored GDG projects in Indonesia.

They visited with our in-country partner Mercy Indonesia where they saw some great examples of Capacity Building (training) as well as inspecting some building structures. Later in the day they visited Denpasar Community Development Project. It was remarked that it “was great to see such a well-run project”.

Next, they visited Bali Kids (J718) which was excellent. The centre helps look after sick and orphaned children in Bali. Every year they reach out to more than 7000 disadvantaged children. The work involves providing much needed health education, and offering a wide range of medical services including expert treatment for children that are HIV,  have TB and other medical needs. The Centre is a fine example of a well designed and built special purpose building

J294 Australian Parliament Member visits the Village of Hope

On August 21st, the Special Envoy to the Australian Prime Minister visited Rwanda. Mr Bob McMullan was on a short visit to Rwanda, aiming to strengthen the relationship with Australia by developing local educational institutions to improve curriculum in mining and drilling. After a visit with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Mr Bob McMullan, accompanied by the Australian East Africa High Commissioner Geoff Tooth, stopped in at the Village of Hope to see a local working example of an Australian-Rwandan partnership. The Australian delegation visited houses in the village and viewed income-generating activities such as brick making, dairy farming and vegetable gardening. These activities provide a way for the widows to earn their own income and for the village to become self-sustainable.

Members of the delegation commented on the high building standard and good maintenance of the houses and decided to contribute to the local economy by purchasing baskets, hand made by the Village of Hope widows.

J542 Kapuna Canoe Project, PNG - Newspaper Article

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GDG Monitoring Trip - Africa – July 2012

In July 2012 I had the thrilling opportunity to go on my first monitoring trip to Rwanda, Kenya and Zimbabwe with Carey Westwood (Senior Project Officer – Africa). Being new on the Project Team (just under 10 months), the lead up to the trip and its extensive preparation was filled with much excitement. The months looking over almost every detail of the trip flew by and before I knew it I was boarding a plane at the Brisbane International Airport.

We left with the expectation of not only monitoring the projects, but building relationships and strengthening our partnerships; and over the course of a month Carey and I visited project after project, ALL doing nothing short of AMAZING work. We visited with: J298 Revival Palace, J294T Hope Education, J294 Hope Rwanda, J507 African Evangelical Enterprise, J566 HopeBuilders, J592 Improving Youth & Young Adult Outcomes, J396 Kenyan Neighbours Aid, J693 MCF Capacity Building & Community Empowerment, J525 Bethlehem Community Centre, J269 Mothers for Orphans, J710N Vana Childcare Development Program, J685N Water for the People and J301 Our Neighbours Community Development Project Zimbabwe.

At each project spent hours with the management staff, walking through the projects in the most remote locations through to suburbia, villages through to city townships and slums; all the while  meeting beneficiaries receiving such a wide range of aid from water, health and sanitation assistance, HIV & women assistance, food, education, vocation training and income generation training, peace and reconciliation, medical care, agricultural training and assistance (and even visited my first greenhouse!)

This entire experience was one of the most humbling that I have ever had; not only being able to meet with the beneficiaries of these projects but also the amazing men and women who selflessly and tirelessly work to provide the best development aid they can to the different communities.
Thank you GDG for an experience of a lifetime, thank you Project Partners (both Australian and In-Country) for your amazing hearts and work, and thank you donors for continuing to give to your passion – you truly all are making a difference.

GDG Monitoring Trip - India – March 2012

In March, Samantha (Project Officer) and M.V Thomas (GDG Representative) monitored GDG's projects in India.

We visited the Bridge of Hope program which provides a nutrition program, medical care and supplementary education to children enrolled at a BOH centre. The centres also address the needs of the local community and implement a range of activities such as English classes, literacy and numeracy classes, vocational training ect. BOH also organise gifts such as seeds, water filters, wells and livestock to specific members of the community. The centre’s run programs to educate the community on various social issues including health, sanitation, domestic violence and financial advice. The children at the centre’s participate in these activities and are the voices that educate their community.

Samantha also visited an agriculture project that works in 6 Tibetan settlements across India.  GDG has partnered with The Charitable Foundation and the Central Tibetan Relief Committee (CTRC) on promotion of organic farming with further aims to introduce cash crops, increase crop yield, produce organic compost, train farmers on various topics, gain organic certification and a dairy co-op initiative.

Visit from Geoff Tooth (Australian High Commissioner for East Africa)

On Thursday 5th July, GDG had a visit from Geoff Tooth the Australian High Commissioner for East Africa

From left to right: Sam Major, Geoff Armstrong, Betty Armstrong, Brenda Pearson, Geoff Tooth, Ofelia Luscombe

WFP News Release - Jessica Watson

Joint News Release

3 July 2012

JESSICA WATSON, WFP AND SCHOOLAID URGE AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS TO JOIN FIGHT AGAINST CHILD HUNGER

BRISBANE – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and WFP Youth Representative Jessica Watson, together with Australian non-profit organisations SchoolAid and Global Development Group (GDG), are joining forces to engage Australian students in the fight against child hunger. They announced their support for the KIDS FIGHTING HUNGER campaign today before an enthusiastic group of primary school children at Wellers Hill State School.

The KIDS FIGHTING HUNGER campaign, which will reach 7,000 schools around the country, will teach Australian primary school children about child hunger around the world and about WFP’s school meals programme.

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Special Envoy of Prime Minister - Childcare Kitgum Servants - 6th March 2012

On Tuesday 6th March 2012 Bob McMullan (Special Envoy of Prime Minister Julia Gillard), Geoff Tooth (Australian High Commissioner) and Hon Henry Oryem Okello (Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs Uganda) drove from Pader, North Uganda with police escort to Kitgum Uganda to visit the Global Development Group Project Childcare Kitgum Servants founded by Irene Gleeson OA. GDG’s Senior Project Officer, Carey Westwood and Representatives for Africa, Martha Waithaka and Janet Ayo were also in attendance on this special occasion.

Thousands of children greeted the delegation with song and dance, as Australian and Ugandan flags flew high. It was an incredible morning, with Chief Administrator, John Paul Kiffasi  officially welcoming the guests, before the tour of the main school, vocational training institute, HIV/AIDS hospice and FM radio station.

GDG has been in partnership with Childcare Kitgum Servants, now know as Irene Gleeson Foundation for 7 years. Today, with over 400 staff,  10,000 war affected children are educated; 1,500 former child soldiers are receiving vocational training; many mothers and infants are provided with medical care and the community are benefiting from water, health and sanitation activities.

Thank you for your continued support.
 

Cambodia Partners Network Meeting - 23rd Feb 2012

The first GDG Cambodia Partners Network meeting was held on 23rd February in Phnom Penh. Six staff from the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia (CCC) attended along with forty eight delegates representing twenty three GDG partner organisations. Catering by the Open Arms team from GDG Project J676 was enjoyed as we reconnected and networked before the presentations.

We learned about the CCC Good Practice Project NGO voluntary accreditation which is similar to the ACFID Code of Conduct in Australia. The presentation on the Good Practice Project by Mr Sok Sovann was followed by testimony from Mr Thong Romanea of Asian Outreach on their experience which gave us a good picture of the accreditation process.

South East Asia GDG Project Officer Craig Tunney presented a workshop on project design which inspired a lot of good discussion about development best practice. Many of the delegates enjoyed lunch together afterwards and continued networking.

In-country meetings with our GDG Partners Network serve to strengthen the partnership between GDG and the in-country organisations as well as building relationships between partners. Encouraging the sharing of experiences and knowledge as well as connecting partners with local structures to enhance their ability to serve the poorest of Cambodia is the purpose of the GDG Partners Network. Feedback from delegates suggests that our Partners Network is providing just that for our Cambodian partners. We want to thank the Cooperation Committee for Cambodia for their support, Open Arms J676 for catering, and all of the delegates for your active participation.

Cambodian Conference October 2011

The Second GDG Cambodian Projects Conference held at the Sunway Hotel, Phnom Penh on 10-11 October 2011, was by all accounts a roaring success.

With guest speakers including Megan Anderson (AusAID) and other invited guests, GDG staff and Cambodian project staff, with projects highlighted throughout the program, it was a thoroughly informative, enjoyable and empowering time. Many attendees commented on how it built on the success and momentum of the previous year's conference and reinforced and extended the partnership understanding, development process learning and capacity building that had been established previously.  The conference was also a great time of building closer partnership relationships and celebrating and experiencing both the diversity and unity of the various Cambodian projects and activities throughout the nation.

Meet the President: Baucau Peace House, Timor-Leste

President Ramos-Horta (Timor-Leste) was one of the esteemed invited guests present for the inauguration of the latest Peace House in Baucau, Timor-Leste on 14th September 2011. Joao Boavida & Mario Alves (Executive Director & Project Coordinator, respectively, of CEPAD - our In-Country Partner), and Renee Lariviere (Interpeace) were also present. Global Development Group and The Charitable Foundation were both represented by Greg (Compliance Manager, GDG) at the official opening ceremony. The Peace House Project has been a vital and much needed pilot project to trial the effectiveness of official neutral community meeting places for peaceful negotiation of disputes, in a country which has been plagued with a long history of political and social unrest.