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Oxfam believes that in a world rich in resources, poverty isn’t a fact of life but an injustice which must be overcome. We believe that everyone is entitled to a life of dignity and opportunity; and we work with poor communities, local partner organisations, volunteers, and supporters to make this a reality.Oxfam's goal is a world where every person is... Secure: Poor people usually have a clear idea of what could help them to overcome their problems, but they lack the resources needed to put their ideas into practice. That's where Oxfam comes in – providing the necessary funding, training and support to get people started. Years of erosion meant that the farmers of Chalatenango in El Salvador struggled to survive. They realised that they could achieve more by working together. Oxfam gave them funding for seeds and equipment, and advice on how to protect the environment. Skilled: It's hard to change your life for the better when you don't know how to read or write. Yet today, millions of children are being denied their best chance to escape poverty: unable to go to school because it's miles away, or because their parents can't afford the fees. As illiterate adults in the future, they probably won't earn enough to send their own children to school – and so the cycle of poverty will continue. Oxfam helps communities to set up their own schools, and funds school buildings, equipment, and teacher-training programmes. We also support adult literacy classes for those who missed out on school as children. Oxfam's Health and Education for all campaign is putting pressure on world leaders to make education for every child a reality. Equal: Often the most vulnerable people are those who are oppressed within their own society. This might be because they are women, or because of disability or ethnic or cultural identity. With support from Oxfam, people can begin to take control of their own lives and to challenge the negative views which keep them living in poverty. In many villages of western Rajasthan, India, women have traditionally been treated as second-class citizens: denied the right to go to school or to earn an income. Oxfam funds groups who are enabling women to improve their status in the community. Safe: Oxfam has a worldwide reputation for emergency relief work, providing shelter, clean water and sanitation services to people whose lives have been turned upside down by war or natural disaster. Staff in our Logistics Warehouse in Oxfordshire can dispatch 30 tonnes of life-saving equipment to any airport in Great Britain within 13 hours. After an emergency, Oxfam puts long-term programmes in place to help people to rebuild their lives, and to prepare for and minimise the impact of future crises. This can mean literally raising villages beyond the reach of annual floodwaters, or strengthening houses in areas prone to hurricanes. Oxfam's Control Arms campaign aims to reduce the homelessness and deprivation caused by armed conflict. Saving and protecting lives Conflicts and natural disasters are major causes of people’s suffering and poverty. Oxfam aims to reduce the number of people who suffer and die as a result of armed conflict or natural disasters, and to ensure that fewer people are forced to flee their homes. Oxfam campaigns to bring about changes that will help to protect people, such as stopping arms deals that fuel conflict and promoting peace initiatives. We also help people to prepare for disasters. But where people have been affected by an emergency, Oxfam’s primary objective is to save and protect lives. Healthy: In poor countries, many people don't have proper medical care. Even if they can afford treatment, sick people often have to walk for hours or even days to see a doctor. Many children die of illnesses such as diarrhoea, which could be easily prevented or treated with some basic medical knowledge. Oxfam helps people to improve existing health services, and reduces sickness from water-borne diseases by providing safe, clean water supplies. We also train people to promote health and hygiene in their own communities – and save lives. For example, Oxfam health workers show villagers how to treat diarrhoea with a simple solution of salt and sugar. Heard: Most poor people have no say in the decision that affect their lives, and no power to change things. Oxfam helps people to speak out together, so that their views and their needs are heard. Traditionally, the Tamachek nomads of Gao in Mali, West Africa, have been a marginalised group. When a severe drought wiped out most of their animals, they were forced to settle. Oxfam supported community workers, like Mohammed Hamed Aba to help the new villagers to improve their standard of living. Thanks to Mohammed, the Tamachek have learned about their right to vote for government representatives to ensure their needs are met. Now they won't be ignored.
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