VANUATU EMERGENCY RELIEF / CYCLONE PAM

A major relief effort in Vanuatu after the devastation of Cyclone Pam is already underway, we are calling on all HEROES to support the efforts of locals to help those in desperate need.

News from the ground in Vanuatu...

Like many other villages, Pango Village, just outside Port Vila, was devastatingly hit when Cyclone Pam crossed from the east to the west side of Vanuatu on Friday 13 March.

Initial reports and photographs show that the community has been severely affected with many roofs and shacks destroyed, trees uprooted, subsistence gardens lost, jobs in jeopardy and lives in ruins.

Even the loss of tourism over the next several weeks will hit almost every family badly.

Over the past 10 years our friends at Cleveland High School have built a relationship with Pango Village, with groups of staff and students undertaking ambitious projects in the local schools and kindergartens.

Staff and students from their Sister School, Pango Centre School, have travelled to Cleveland for personal development and expanded education.

People urgently need shelter, clean water, food and sanitation and as we find out more information we will alert you to specific needs like housing and infrastructure rebuilding.

While it is exciting to build relationships in good time, the test of these relationships comes in times of need.

If you want to help, donations can be made to Be A HERO Australia on the link below or bank transfer.

Westpac Bank - Be A HERO Australia

BSB : 034 070  ACC : 308 700

Donations over $2 are tax deductible.

The project is being managed and monitored by Global Development Group with Be A HERO Australia.

Together, we can do amazing things, come on HEROES!

We have some exciting news to share with you; for the first time ever the Be A Hero crew will be lacing up our running shoes and participating in the 2015 Bridge to Brisbane fun run and we would like to invite you to join us!

Each year over 35,000 people participate to raise money for many individual charities. For the Be A Hero team, this year’s run will be all about raising dollars to support our Hero Shop project.

The Hero Shop project has been designed to provide young girls and women who have been rescued or helped out of the from sex industry with vocational training, physical and psychological support, education and employment.

By joining the Be A Hero team on Sunday August 30 and participating in the Bridge to Brisbane you will therefore be assisting us in giving these innocent women a new start to a sustainable future for them and their families.

For more information with registering, group training and fundraising please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Special thanks to Adam McKay from AXDesigns for the new Be A HERO Caped HERO designs.

More Bridge to Bisbane news coming, go the HEROES!!!

David & Fiona

HERO ARMY News December 2014

Welcome to the December edition of the HERO Army News.  So much has been achieved in 2014 but the job is not complete for this year just yet - we have uplifting ways for you, the HEROES to transform lives.

Read + click + donate = transformed lives and a Merry Christmas...

Give a Gift Card 

Help kids be kids this Christmas, even when life won't let them.

Give friends, family and associates a gift that keeps on giving - and it's tax deductible.

This Christmas our focus is on:-

We will send your special person a specially made gift card - you can choose the information that goes in your card, eg. the project, the amount, the type of gift.

To get started, click here to go to our website or you can choose exactly where your donation goes from the projects listed below.

• Empowering Cambodia Sewing Training Centre (training extremely poor or rescued girls in Cambodia)

• Mosquito Nets (providing mosquito free sleeping in Brazil)

• Village Toilet (providing sanitation for village in Malawi)

• SHE Rescue Home (rehabilitation and reintegration for rescued girls in Cambodia)

• Nila’s Village School (education for extremely poor (children in Di Su village in Myanmar)

• Vana Childcare (homes and sustainability for orphans in Zimbabwe

Please include an additional $2 per card to cover the cost of the card and postage.

More ways to help....

9 Children need urgent sponsors

Education Centre in Myanmar

Break the Cycle 2015

Release a child from poverty today

Make a child's Christmas in 2014 by sponsoring them for just $33 per month.

We have 9 children that urgently need sponsoring in Bangladesh
In many developing countries around the world, almost 2000 children are sponsored through Be A HERO - helping to create positive changes, not only for their sponsored child, the child's family and community, but also children in other sponsorship communities, for generations to come.

Education Centre in Myanmar Starting Construction 2015

Construction will start soon on the education centre at Be A HERO's partner, New Life Trust in Myanmar.

Myanmar ranks number 149 on the UN Human Development Index 2011.

Myanmar is also ranked number 120 in terms of education. (UN HDI & EI 2010) Many children do not have the opportunity to go to school, and those that do, receive very low levels of education.

As there are now signs that the Myanmar is opening up, economically and politically, basic education, English proficiency and computer skills are essential in assisting these communities out of poverty.

Some of the objectives of the education centre:-
A) To increase educational standard in English/Burmese literacy and computer literacy in this community.
B) To establish a preschool facility for community children.
C) To develop a designated library area within the Educational Training Centre.
D) To increase the employment opportunities and thereby reduce poverty in this community.

The education centre will also provide adult classes in IT, family planning, medical care and many other community needed ititiatives.

This project will continue for many years after the project completion as a comprehensive learning centre.

Whilst it is not anticipated short term, long term fee for service could occur for education services.

Be A HERO has been a proud partner of New Life in Mynamar since 2008. To make a tax deductible donation towards the education centre click on the link below.

Get ready for Break the Cycle - September 2015

Break the Cycle Australia - Great South East Queensland - is a challenging cycling event starting at Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane cycling 1000km in 8 days around the Great South East.

Challenge yourself to ride hard and raise funds for those less fortunate.

Since 2008 Break the Cycle has inspired thousands of Australians to ride, support and donate to transform the lives many children in developoing countries. 
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Till next month, we love you Heroes!

David & Fiona

This Easter help stop child labour and trafficking by purchasing fair trade chocolate.

Cote d’Ivoire (the Ivory Coast) is where 35% of world’s cocoa is harvested. Hundreds of thousands of children work in West Africa’s cocoa plantations. Thousands of children, as young as ten, from neighbouring countries are actually trafficked to harvest the beans from cocoa farms. 

Their freedom is taken and they are forced to work long hours on the cocoa plantations without receiving any money for their work. They work in dangerous conditions using machetes to open the cocoa beans. Most of the boys working on these farms have never tasted chocolate.

INTERPOL and Cote d’Ivoire officials recently rescued 76 children, most of whom had been trafficked from neighbouring Burkino Faso and Mali to do the backbreaking work of cocoa harvesting.

Aldi has stocked their entire Easter range with UTZ Certified products.  Congratulations to Aldi for their stand against human trafficking. There are also choices you can make at other leading supermarkets. Look for - Fair Trade, UTZ certified products.

Download the Stop the Traffik Good Egg Guide and take it shopping with you! Ask the supermarket assistant or manager to show you where their Traffik-Free Easter products are.

Tell them you are supporting farmers who are engaging in good labour practices and contributing the STOP THE TRAFFIK of children in the chocolate industry.

Meet Abdul, trafficked to harvest the cocoa which ends up in our chocolate. Watch this short clip and share Abdul’s story bit.ly/abdulsstory

Find out more about Stop the Traffik.

Take up the challenge of rescuing more trafficked girls by promoting Be A HERO into schoos, work places and sporting asssociations.

We offer many styles of garments and now also offer custom design for your clothing needs (conditions apply).

Fact - In factories in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Cambodia and others, the people who make our clothes live in poverty, usually earning just half of what they need to meet their basic needs and care for their families.

This is an industry that, on paper, supports the principle of a living wage, which means they earn enough to live on.

Most high street fashion brands have the commitment to pay a living wage written into their ethical codes but little is being done to deliver this into the pay packets of workers who desperately need it.

You can be sure by purchasing clothing through Be A HERO, the staff that make the clothes are treated with dignity and respect and are able to support their families because the wage is at least double the industry standards.

You can make a huge difference in the lives of others through the simple purchase of clothing.

Orders from 10 - 10,000 garments welcome.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Call David Crawford today on 0402 137 305 to discuss or email.

Till next month, we love you HEROES!!!

David & Fiona

HERO ARMY News October 2014

Welcome to the October 2014 HERO Army News. This month we share about our Cleveland District State High School uniforms; our upcoming Super HERO Dinner; and how one girl can help those in need with a little help. Enjoy...

Super HERO Dinner - Friday 7 November, 2014

JOIN US FOR A FUN NIGHT DRESSED AS YOUR FAVOURITE SUPER HERO TO TRANSFORM CHILDREN'S LIVES

Cost: $65.00 per person or $500 for a table of 10 people

Time:  6.30pm for a 7.00pm start

Where:  Pacific Resort, Middle Street, Cleveland 4163

MC: Nova Radio Host - Kip Wightman

Guest Speakers: Everyday Super HEROES - Ryan and Anna Cuthel

How can you easily "Be A HERO"

Lucky Door Prizes - Best Dressed Super HERO - Raffles/Auction

Click the register now button to book or contact David Crawford 0402 137305 for Table Bookings and/or Sponsorship.

Cleveland High School Uniforms

Cambodian girls having their lives transformed through the making of school uniforms!!!

After a meeting with school principal, Paul Bancroft in 2013, Cleveland District State High School decided to take its already extensive social justice programs to new frontiers by giving Be A HERO the opportunty to make the school's senior uniforms through our HERO Shop!

The HERO Shop concept is to make transformational change of lives in developing countries as well as helping to engage Australians who purchase clothes made by extremely poor, rescued or "at risk" girls in developing countries.

The Cleveland High students can actively participate by wearing and feeling the difference they are making in the lives of rescued girls, thus empowering the next generation so they can be part of the solution for others through this training, empowering and income generating process.

The two projects that Be A HERO work with in Cambodia support over 85 girls and they have been busy making the school uniforms.

The uniforms will be delivered over the coming weeks to be ready for the 2015 school year.  This will be an incredibly exciting time for all of us at Be A HERO and our project partners.

Bike for Sophy

While Fiona was in Cambodia recently she caught up with one of our great friends Sophy. Sophy works on the ground in Phnom Penh helping keep babies from being trafficked.

Sophy is an amzazing example of helping her own with all of her energy and talents, so when she shared with Fiona how much she needed proper transport to get around, naturally Fiona was empowered to help raise some money to by a moto.

So, the text mesages went out and the "Super HERO" Break the Cycle Cambodia team pitched in and raised $1200 and 48 hours later Sophy took possession of her new (second hand) Honda. We are blessed to have such incredible friends and now Sophy can help more of those in need - awesome!! Michael De Jong (Be A Hero supporter) said, "It was great being involved again in what Be A Hero does best - making a difference and helping those like Sophy be able to help others in Cambodia".

Till, next month when we see you at the dinner... we love you Heroes!

David & Fiona

As you are already aware, Be A HERO is currently conducting a major relief effort within Vanuatu following the occurrence of Cyclone Pam. To this effect, we have received correspondence from our project officers detailing both what your wonderful donations have thus far helped us to achieve, and also what still needs to be done to help those who have been worst affected. 

News from the ground in Vanuatu….

Poulu Kindergarten, Epau.

Poulu Kindergarten is located in the Epau Village in North East Efate, one of the areas that were worst hit by Cyclone Pam. The kindergarten suffered extensive damage as a result and is currently unusable.

This has left approximately 60 small children without access to schooling.

Thanks to the kind donation of Cavalry Christian College we have been able to purchase 2 tubs worth of children’s toys, which are currently being used to occupy and enliven the children of Epau kindergarten while they are consigned to a temporary tent which is being used in the absence of a working school building.

While both teachers and children are grateful for the help that has been offered thus far, we here at Be A Hero know there is still much more to do.  

Specifically, our resident project officer estimates that it will cost $6000  to rebuild Epau kindergarten with much stronger, and safer, cement blocks.

As kindergartens within Vanuatu receive no funding from their government we are calling on our HERO army for help!Donate directly for the Kindy by clicking the donate now button.

Jonny and Heather’s House

A lovely couple from Pango, Jonny and Heather, are in dire straits. Their house was severely damaged by Cyclone Pam and is now uninhabitable.

As a result, they and their 3 children are currently staying in the house next door with their neighbour, a widow, and her 3 children.

That’s 9 people in one small house!  

In addition, the structural damage done to their home has meant that many of this family’s possessions have been and/or are currently in the process of being lost or destroyed due to exposure to the elements.

Our resident project officer has communicated that it will cost roughly $2000 to restore this sweet family’s home to working order.

We at Be A HERO are therefore calling on our wonderful HERO army for help! 

We are appealing to all school families as well as the wider Be A HERO Australia community, to reach out with a tax deductible donation to help rebuild this home.

If you can help, donations can be made on the link below or  if you would like to do a direct bank transfer This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  us and we will send you the bank details.

The project is being managed and monitored by Global Development Group with Be A HERO Australia.

In other news, a fundraining event is being held for the New Life Orphanage that we support in Myanmar.

LADIES FASHION REVIVAL

FASHION - FREINDS - FOOD - COFFEE

Pre-Loved quality clothing WOMENS/MENS?KIDS & ACCESSORIES

Saturday June13th @ 11am

Cnr Sturgeon & Delancey street, Ormiston

COST: $15

(Includes a glass of bubbly and morning tea)

Phone or text Julie: 0432 802 439

Together, we can do amazing things, till next month, come on HEROES!

David & Fiona

Looking for a christmas gift idea for those men in your life ?

Make this Christmas gift one that helps transform lives in Cambodia by purchasing 3 Individually hand sewn Mens Business Shirts for just $140 .

• Choose between black (cotton/spandex), white and/or white with grey pin stripe (100% cotton)
  
• We can deliver to you or your loved ones
• Corporate branding embroidery available
  
• Order this week to have delivery before Christmas

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. us to order today for Christmas delivery

David Crawford 0402 137 305

To find out more about how buying garments made through HERO Shop is helping transform lives click here.

Total Shade Solutions love HERO Shop Polo's

FROM OUR HERO SHOP CLIENTS

Total Shade Solutions are delighted to be wearing company apparel supplied by Be A HERO through the HERO Shop.

TSS says, “The guys are very impressed with their new work shirts, they look and feel great!  We are happy that we have been able to help out others that are in need by doing this.”

To order Mens and Ladies Business Shirts, Polos and T Shirts for your organisation, team or next event This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. today.

Knowledge is Key for a Bright Future

FROM CAMBODIA

These kids are hungry for knowledge and so happy that they have a chance to study in a ‘class’. They know that this is their chance to have a bright future!

Two village outreach projects for children are out in the back blocks of the province. One ‘class’ takes place under a big old tree and at a second location the ‘class’ takes place under a house. White boards are replaced with flip charts and chairs replaced with tarps.

The children travel along the wet pot holed roads, slipping and sliding in the mud and rain, as they excitedly make their way to their ‘classrooms’ much earlier than they need to. 

Mums’ and Dads’ sit around the boundary of the class and the joy on their faces can’t be hidden.

Many of these parents would not have had an opportunity like this and have no doubt struggled through their lives as a result of illiteracy. The teachers are passionate about imparting their knowledge to the children, so class time is special for all involved.

Women’s Lives are Changed

FROM BANGLIDESH

Unskilled women are given an opportunity for self-development in the communities where Be A HERO project partner, Global Concern is educating children .

In India and Bangladesh sewing classes ares part of the community development program training village women in the tailoring skills they need for employment. Many are able to find work in garment factories, earning an income for the first time in their lives.

The Indian women who formed a “self-help” group are so grateful for the opportunity to own their own sewing machines so they can sew clothes at home and earn a living.

All these women's self-esteem has improved as they are able to help provide for the daily needs of their families.

A one off donation of $170 will provide a  sewing machine to help one woman fight her  way out of poverty.

Ongoing support of just $33 a month to support a child also provides training for these women.  

Be A HERO - Share your heart for others

Anyone with a voice, computer or a pen can be an advocate.

Just start talking to those around you about the issues of today: poverty, AIDS, child labourers, orphans, street children, child soldiers, sexual exploitation, slavery, unsafe water, children not in school, maternal death rate, refugees, night commuting children, human rights, justice – pick one that you are passionate about, study it, and SPEAK UP!

Join the Be A HERO Facebook and share it out to your friends and asscoiates.

Find Out More Ways to Be A HERO

David & Fiona