LittleStars-Luxor

 www.LittleStarsLuxor.com

Little Stars Food Parcels

Three years ago, when Little Stars started to distribute food parcels, the whole operation was dealt with by an agent of the Egyptian Food Bank.  Little Stars was at that time not registered with the Egyptian Authorities and could not buy the parcels in its own right. 

Consequently, Little Stars had absolutely no control over where the food parcels went or who received them and there was no contact between Little Stars and the families concerned.  It was purely a funding transaction between Little Stars and the Agent. We monitored the situation over a period of six months but it proved extremely unsatisfactory for a number of reasons but primarily because parcels were only given to women who had all the necessary paperwork and were in possession of a special stamp.  There were many women who did not have paperwork or the stamp and were turned away tearful and empty handed. 

Following a prolonged meeting with Food Bank officials Little Stars decided to distribute its own food parcels over which it would have total control.  Quotes were gained from three different companies by the Needs Assessor and the quotes saved for future reference.  The lowest quote was chosen, orders were placed and premises were hired as a distribution centre that could store everything that Little Stars needed.  That was two years ago and the arrangement has been amazingly successful. 

Abandoned wives do not get  any Government help.  Neither do many widows or families where the equivalent of National Insurance has not been paid.  When people cannot read and live in isolated villages, official help is a dream rather than a reality.  These are the people that account for most of our sponsored families.  If any of our families are eligible for Government help then they can still get it through Government Agencies.  Our job is to help those families with children who have fallen through the net and are in most need. 

Because we have complete freedom over distribution we can choose our families and do not have to turn our backs on any deserving case.  Also, we can tailor our parcels and give large families double the amount that is given to small families.  As our families are sponsored it means that we can provide poultry on a monthly basis, can provide blankets and clothing, and can renovate homes, monitor health and improve living conditions.    

It is only your support that allows us to do this.

Thank you.

www.LittleStars-Luxor.org  and www.LittleStarsLuxor.com

More New Fridges Delivered

At the beginning of August Little Stars delivered another batch of new fridges and cookers to sponsored families with small children in the remote villages.  When temperatures exceed 40C and there are small children to be cared for, a fridge ceases to become a luxury and becomes a vital necessity.  For some families the lack of an electricity supply was a problem but this has been attended to.

Little Stars delivers chickens to all 60 of the sponsored families each month but many of the families had to cook their whole supply on the day of delivery to stop the meat rotting.  Use of the chickens can now be spread over the month.   

It is only due to your generosity that we were able to do this.

www.LittleStars-Luxor.org  and  www.LittleStarsLuxor.com

Three Years of Progress and Achievement

In the three years that Little Stars has been operating on the west bank of the River Nile  it has grown from a tiny association that helped another charity operate a run-down clinic  into one of the most effective charities in Luxor.  It has done all this on a shoe-string as total donations over the three years total around £175,000 (£30,000 of which is still in the bank account).  This is less than the annual rent of the London offices of some of the national charities. 

How was this money spent?  As Little Stars has a policy of complete disclosure for which we have been commended by the Charity Commission, all the figures are on our website and on the Charity Commission site.  However, to put it all in a nutshell, because virtually everything is done on a volunteer basis we have almost achieved the impossible and made a difference to so many lives.

From being merely a small support group, Little Stars now has a large clinic for sick and disabled children that has three surgeries with different specialities.  Free treatment can now be obtained for children with physical disabilities, general health problems and dental problems.  Our latest development is providing the services of an optician and the provision of free glasses.

In addition to this a wonderful new Training Centre for Women and Girls has been created from the cavernous shell of two unfinished flats.  Equipment for the centre to offer lessons in sewing has already been bought and funding is in place for the provision of a literacy area where girls can learn how to read.  Space is available to add classes in hairdressing and animal care.  The aim of the centre is to lead women and girls out of illiteracy and allow them to earn a living which will hopefully lift their families out of poverty. For their children there is a wonderful purpose designed nursery school which has a staff of three and will take 30 children each year. In all we have ten local members of staff which helps provide employment in the area.  More will be appointed when the Training Centre is fully operational.

At the beginning of last year Little Stars started a family sponsorship scheme.  Initially there was just one family but that quickly expanded and now nearly 60 families receive poultry and food parcels each month.  Larger families are receiving up to 10 kgs of flour.  Their children's health is monitored and clothing is provided.  Approximately 600 new gellabiyas and pairs of shoes have been bought in the last 18 months.  

The welfare of the families is extremely important to their sponsors and many homes have had rudimentary toilets added, water piped in from external sources and roofs mended.  Some homes have been completely rebuilt after they have collapsed in storms.  Over 100 beds have been bought to get children off the floors when sleeping, fridges have been bought where there are babies in the family and cookers provided for homes where cooking was done on an open fire.

With one exception we still have all the Trustees that we started off with and have two magnificent Patrons to whom we are extremely grateful.  We are now into our fourth year - may we continue to give aid to those who need it the most

To have done all this with so little funding is remarkable but without you we could have done nothing at all.  Thank You for caring.