Who are we?
Amritha, Anna, Felicity & Monique - four university students who, as part of The Oaktree Foundation, are raising funds next month in support of Timor-Leste's Youth Livelihoods Program. Doing your bit for East Timorese youth while swapping your way to a new wardrobe? There's really no better way to spend a Sunday.
What is The Oaktree Foundation?
In one word? Amazing. Oaktree is an entirely youth-run organisation which is working to empower developing communities through education. We believe education is the key to breaking the poverty cycle and creating lasting change in the lives of the disadvantaged.
Oaktree was founded in 2003, and is now established in NSW, ACT, QLD, SA, VIC and WA. We raise community awareness. We lobby the government. And we fundraise for our overseas projects.
Why do we care? It's simple. We know that this generation can - and will - be the ones to end poverty.
In the last six years, we have partnered with developing countries in six countries, directly empowering over 40,000 young people with access to increased educational opportunities.
'Make Poverty History', one of many Oaktree projects.
So why East Timor?
East Timor is Australia's closest neighbour. Yet it is also one of the world's poorest and youngest nations.
40% of the population live on less than $US0.55 per day.
Life expectancy is 56 years.
The adult literacy rate is only 58 per cent.
And one in ten children? They won't live to see their fifth birthdays.
Crucially, 43% of East Timor's youth remain unemployed. A lack of quality education and peer infrastructure has them facing an incredibly uncertain future.
This is where the ‘Youth Livelihoods Program’ comes in. Supported by the Oaktree Foundation, this program will work with 200 young people aged 16-30 from 10 communities within the district of Aileu, equipping these youth with the vocational, business and life skills training they need to create their own businesses and generate income to support themselves and their families.
When these youth are the future of East Timor, it is in their success that the reconstruction of an East Timor battered by political unrest and conflict lies.
Did you know that the unemployment rate in East Timor is a staggering 43%? You can help! Support the East Timor Youth Livelihoods Program."
The cost?
$375 will allow one East Timorese young person to participate in the program for one year.
$32 will support a young person for one month of the Project.
Just over a dollar a day will enable an East Timorese young person to complete the two year Project.
The clothes swap
Not only will this clothes swap allow us to raise money to alleviate the poverty of East Timorese youth (all proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to the program!), but we'll also be exchanging our pre-loved clothes and accessories, and gaining a new wardrobe - all in the spirit of greater sustainability. It's one of those lovely win-win situations!
Your support counts
The Oaktree Foundation receives no ongoing funding and therefore relies upon the generous support of people like you.
When you purchase a ticket to join our clothes swap, you will be directly investing in the lives of Timorese youth - helping to achieve real and sustainable change.
We know that with your support, and love for clothes swaps, we could really make a strong contribution to empowering East Timorese youth and helping to make their poverty history.
Questions?
Leave us a comment. Shoot us an email. Tweet your heart out.
We want to hear them!
Our email: swaptilyoudrop09@gmail.com.
Intrigued about Oaktree?
Check out the official website: http://www.theoaktree.org/
Keep swapping,
Amritha, Anna, Felicity & Monique.
Co-Coordinators of ‘Swap Til You Drop 2009: Supporting Timor-Leste’s Youth Livelihood Program’.
Why doesnt this event support indigenous children instead?
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