Our Core Beliefs and Values
Education is
the Main Route out of Poverty
Education can transform the lives of children now
and in the future. Not only does it give children
the knowledge and skills to improve their own lives
but when they have families of their own their
children will have a better chance of surviving and
thriving.
A
Healthy Educated Childhood
Children have the right to a healthy educated
childhood, to be safe from abuse, to attend school,
to be treated with respect and to be heard. They
have the right to act like children and to play.
Child
Protection
We take
seriously our responsibility to promote child safe
practices and protect the children we come into
contact with from harm. We require partner
organisations to do the same.
Positive Images Not Emotive Stories and Photos
We
believe that every child has the right to dignity
and that supporters are generally aware of the
difficulties disadvantaged children living in Goa
face. We therefore avoid publicising emotive stories
and photographs and instead focus on positive images
and information about what has been achieved.
Regardless of Religion, Gender, Caste or Class
We
support disadvantaged children regardless of their
religion, gender, caste or class and will only work
with partners and organisations that do the same. We
may, however, develop schemes to target additional
support to particular groups where evidence is clear
this is warranted.
A Hand
Up Rather Than A Hand Out
We know
that hand outs can provide short term relief but
they are unlikely to provide a permanent escape from
the poverty cycle. Our role is to provide children
with opportunities. We work to help children develop
and reach their full potential by providing a
hand-up rather than a hand out.
Collaboration Not Control
Whilst
we will agree overall plans, budgets and insist on
certain Child Protection arrangements and financial
controls when working with partners we do not
presume to know the best way to do things in Goa. We
will advise and support but our partner
organisations run their projects on the ground and
have a far better idea about religious
sensitivities, cultural values, official
requirements and the advantages of one solution over
another than we ever can.
Integrity And Honesty
We will
speak and act honestly and be open and factual in
our dealings with donors, fundraisers and the public
at large.
Minimal Operating Costs
Operating costs should be kept to the minimum
necessary. We will not employ non-Indian staff nor
maintain an office in the UK which ensures that more
of the funding raised goes towards the projects we
deliver and support. |