Multiply your gift by as much as six times by donating to this appeal

For centuries, the Adivasi tribes, known as the ‘Forest People’ have lived in isolation in the hills and forests of Nilgiris Hills in South India. They are believed to have descended from India’s earliest inhabitants.

But the growing tea plantation industry and recently introduced legislation is affecting access to their land. Today, they often survive by working under bonded labour arrangements on the plantations.

In many cases they have no official identity papers. Without these they are not recognised as citizens and cannot access their human rights; the right to education, to vote, to health care, and to dignity and respect.

We are working in partnership with the Church of South India on a Community Development project to alleviate poverty in these marginalised communities.

We’re working on a grassroots level to advocate for their human rights, empower women, and undertake health care and education initiatives involving 500 children in 12 communities in Nilgiris Hills.

Watch the short video below to learn more about the work that your gift will support.

Through your support, the Adivasi will gain access to their right to own land and access basic services such as electricity. Women will be empowered by forming self help groups.

500 children in 12 communities will gain access to health care and education.

Assist the Adivasi gain access to their human rights by donating to this appeal

Clean Water in Vellore, South India and Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea

When water supplies are inaccessible, unreliable or unsafe, illness is brought to families and communities, which deepends the cycle of poverty.

Girls and women are often forced to walk for hours each day up steep hills and through thick forest to access water.

We work with local communities to implement appropriate water technologies to bring about sustainable transformations.

Working in partnership with the Church of South India, we are working to provide access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and health education.

Community groups manage the water and sanitation systems, which ensures that the projects are sustainable.

These “Water Committees” educate their community on the important of good hygiene and health.

With your support, 7 575 people in 1 969 households will receive access to clean water. Workshops will be run to educate communties on the importance of clean water and sanitation. Women will be empowered, and communities will be able to lift themselves out of poverty.

Connect these communities to a reliable source of clean water by donating to this appeal

About the Matching Gifts Fund

The Australian Government is currently reforming the co-funding of the work of fully accredited Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) like the Relief and Development Unit of UnitingWorld.

From 2010, the Australian Government’s support for effective and successful international development projects, like those of the Relief and Development Unit of Unitingworld, will expand.

For every dollar you give to the Matching Gift Fund for approved overseas projects, an Australian Government grant multiplies your gift by as much as six times.

This means your contribution can be as much as six times more effective in the fight against poverty.

If you donate $25 , we can access up to an additional $125 through an Australian Government grant, which equals a total of $150.

In 2010-11 the Matching Gifts Fund will support three Relief and Development projects in South India and Papua New Guinea, which are detailed above.

Dignity is a human right that, through your gift, you can help to restore.

Enable us to multiply your gift by as much as six times by donating to this appeal

How to donate:

• Click here to make a secure online donation

• Donate by phone by calling us on 1800 998 122

• Download and print a donation form, then return by post to:

  UnitingWorld – Relief and Development Unit
  Reply Paid A2266
  Sydney South NSW 1235

  Please make cheques payable to UnitingWorld.

Thank you for your support!

Gifts of $2 or more to our Relief and Development programs are tax deductible.

Note: Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the needs of these projects, UnitingWorld will use the excess funds for similar Relief and Development projects in these areas.