15 September 2008
Lagos — 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 a statement signed by the Founder/President of BEARS, Miss Modupe Ozolua, the AusAID receives thousands of applications annually from different charity organizations requesting financial assistance to meet their objectives.
"These organisations 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 said.
According to her, "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. "
She said the organization annually conducts free medical missions all over the country and renders 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," Ozolua said.
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