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Australian High Commission Supports BEARS
Foundation
The charity arm of the Australian High
Commission, AusAID, has joined the list of
many reputable organizations, agencies and
bodies that support the BEARS Foundation.
The AusAID which is an arm of the Australian
Government's overseas aid program is a
federally funded program that aims to reduce
poverty in developing countries. The
Australian Agency for International
Development (AusAID) manages the program.
The aim of the program is to assist
developing countries reduce poverty and
achieve sustainable development, in line
with Australia's national interest.
AusAID funds not-for-profit organizations,
such as BEARS Foundation, to deliver aid
programs at the local community level in
developing countries.
According to Miss Modupe Ozolua,
Founder/President of BEARS, the AusAID
receives thousands of applications annually
from different charity organizations
requesting financial assistance to meet
their objectives. These organizations are
carefully screened, investigated and
references are contacted before few are
selected and funds are given to support
their causes. Due to the credibility, vision
of BEARS Foundation and recommendations
received from its many sponsors and the
various State Governments it worked with in
the past; BEARS Foundation received N1, 839,
970 which is the highest donation given by
the AusAID to any charity organization in
2008.
Miss Ozolua says the AusAID’s donation
should send a message to other agencies,
State governments, corporate organizations
and individuals to show that organizations
such as BEARS should be supported and
encouraged financially to meets its goals.
As BEARS Foundation is a non-profit
organization, it depends on
donations/sponsorship to achieve its free
charity work. She goes further to say that
no donation is too little or too large.
BEARS Foundation is a non-profit
organization that uses surgeries to restore
the lives of underprivileged African men,
women and children suffering from both
congenital and developmental deformities. In
addition to that, they provide preventive
care such as HIV/AIDS testing, counseling
and immunization for infants and children.
The organization annually conduct free
medical missions all over the country and
render free corrective surgeries, donations
of food, clothing, toys to underprivileged
deformed men, women and children. During the
medical missions, donations are given to
hospitals, training is provided for local
surgeons and nurses and people are educated
about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Since the creation of BEARS in 2003, it has
treated hundreds of patients with various
medical conditions such as Vesico Vagina
Fistula (VVF), cleft lip, cleft palate,
burns and lacerations, cataract extractions,
hernias, removal of tumors, cysts and
fibroids. His Emeritus, Archbishop Desmond
Tutu is the Patron of the organization.
Friends of BEARS Club (FOBC)
This is a unique membership club that will
bring together people from diverse
backgrounds, age groups, religions and
experiences that share the passion and
vision of BEARS Foundation. Our exclusive
vision for Africa is to help the
underprivileged men, women and children in
our Continent and play a crucial role in
restoring their lives.
The Friends of BEARS Membership Club (FOBC)
gives people the opportunity to make
suggestions, participate in activities,
volunteer, donate/sponsor the causes of
BEARS Foundation; and become a stake holder
in the organization’s philanthropic
activities.
Membership to this club is free! Members
will receive numerous benefits, such as:
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Receive E-mail updates/newsletters of
upcoming BEARS charitable activities
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Purchase beautifully designed BEARS
souvenirs such as caps, tee shirts,
wrist bands, etc (this is an avenue for
BEARS to raise funds)
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Invitation to BEARS annual summer/end of
year party for members/sponsors (this
will be a free concert/picnic/BBQ. The
admission requirement will be the
purchase of a BEARS souvenir which is to
be worn at the event to show
solidarity).
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Beautifully designed Membership
certificates as a stakeholder in a
worthy cause
And much more!!
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