Author: Gemma Moffatt

Oxfam Live came to Manchester last night and we were treated to an inspirational evening from some of Oxfam’s finest. 

There was a brilliant turn out as the evening kicked off with an introduction from Oxfam’s Campaigns Director, Thomas Schultz-Jagow and Head of WI in the North West, Sybil Graham.

The audience of local activists, students, Oxfam volunteers, fundraisers and supporters got first hand accounts of how Oxfam works and how it plans and prioritises international programme work.  The audience was split into groups to battle it out over how they would prioritise funding if they were in charge of an international programme.  Tackling big issues such as climate change and girls’ education created a big buzz about the room as groups debated the importance of each and demonstrated just how difficult a job Oxfam is managing to do around the globe.  Having visited some of the countries where these issues are prominent, I could fully appreciate how difficult this task was when thinking about the real lives such decisions affect.

It was really great to hear from Oxfam’s own as they spoke about all the amazing work that goes on here in the North West.  From school speakers to shop volunteers and from all ages, the commitment to Oxfam’s work was clear to see.  It obviously inspired others to act as well as there were queues to sign up to volunteer opportunities at the end of the evening.

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the evening was the chance to hear from Arbab Shakar, an Oxfam programme officer working in Pakistan.  His fascinating talk gave us an exclusive insight into Oxfam’s work in Pakistan and brought home just how important the work that goes on all over the UK is in order for overseas projects to be supported.  Shakar’s accounts of the individuals he has worked with through Oxfam helped us to see the real people behind the statistics and the real reason that brought us all together. 

It was a fantastic evening and a real success.  Feeling motivated and inspired to work more with Oxfam North West, I went home with the amazing work that goes on in Oxfam around the world clear in my mind.    

Ninety eager school children from three Liverpool Primary Schools headed to Friends Meeting House in Liverpool last Friday to learn all about Climate Change and its effects. 

The event held workshops by Oxfam, Cafod, Christian Aid and the Liverpool World Centre, and had them up on their feet and running around in the name of climate change.

The fun and active workshops focussed the children’s attention on the human impact of climate change and what is being done to tackle this in developing countries around the world.  The children heard first hand accounts about children in Sierra Leone and were treated to some truly original songs and dances from West Africa as well as various games and quizzes to test their climate change knowledge.  Through the workshops they were able to see how different countries had to adapt their way of life due to the effects of climate change. 

We were also lucky to hear from Arbab Shakar, a Pakistan-based Oxfam worker, about how poor countries are coping with climate change.  His talk gave a fascinating insight into life in Pakistan and how climate change is affecting the people living there.  The children were eager to learn more with questions coming from all over the room.  Shakar said: “ It is great to know that so many children in Liverpool are interested in learning about climate change and how it affects other children in a country like Pakistan”.

The day ended with a fantastic performance from each school…there were songs, plays and talks about what the students themselves are doing about climate change and what can and should be done in the future. 

One of the first things I remember about my trip to Chile is arriving in the capital, Santiago.  As I trundled down the streets looking for my hostel, peeping through the tall grey buildings was the most amazing view of the snow capped Andean peaks.  It’s difficult to imagine the chaos that spread through these same streets on that Saturday morning after the massive earthquake shook the city and the country to its core.

Two years ago I went to Chile on holiday and was immediately taken with the friendly locals and stunning scenery as I ventured away from the capital.  The coastline was especially beautiful, attracting tourists from around the world.  This was one of the worst hit areas by the recent earthquake and resulting tsunami.  Two years ago the resorts lining the coast were packed with holiday makers and travellers making the most of the beaches, the same beaches where people were staying the weekend the earthquake struck.  The scene now however, is very different from that which I remember.  Emergency workers have shifted their attention to these areas fearing that many people were swept away to sea by the three huge waves following the earthquake. 

With a magnitude of 8.8, the earthquake is reported to have claimed upwards of 800 lives and made over 2 million people homeless. 

Oxfam relief workers arrived in Santiago three days after the earthquake hit Chile, with a stock of basic emergency supplies to be taken to the worst hit areas.  They were already working with local partners who had immediately started providing basic assistance to people in need. In assessing the full extent of the damage Oxfam is particularly concerned with the impact to water and sanitation facilities and people’s access to them.  

With the support of relief agencies, what remains now is a massive clean up operation as Chileans try to re-build their homes and lives.  I wonder if I will soon be able to go to Chile again and walk through the streets of Conception, as if the disaster had never  happened.