Donor sees charity work first-hand

Monday 16th April 2012

A mum-of-two has travelled to Zimbabwe to see how Oxfam uses her charitable donations as part its See For Yourself campaign.

Jodie Sandford, from South Hiendley, South Yorkshire, travelled to the Gutu District to see how an Oxfam water project has benefited the community.

The IT manager met families who had already benefited from the project, as well as families who were still waiting for the project to be rolled out.

Jodie, 38, said: "I'm just a normal everyday mum who donates to Oxfam so the chance to go and see for myself where that money goes was an incredible experience.

"What really shocked me was just how big the difference is between people who've got and people that haven't. I think we all just need to share a bit more because I've seen how small, regular donations really can make a difference."

One of the families Jodie met was Ester and Nelson Mananzva, and their six children, who ate one meal a day, of maize mixed with a little water from a stagnant pond. Once helped by the water project, they will be able to grow crops for themselves and have a chance to sell their produce.

The See For Yourself campaign aims to show regular donors how their contributions are being put to good use around the world and inspire more people to donate.

Jodie was selected to travel to the African country from a number of regular givers to the charity who applied. The trip costs were covered by an anonymous donor.

Paul Vangas, Oxfam's head of public fundraising, said: "Oxfam knows just how much of a difference our donors' support makes to people in need around the world, but we don't want the public to just take our word for it. Jodie gives a genuine insight into where money donated to Oxfam is spent so we hope the public will really engage with the campaign and it will encourage lots of people to sign up to give regular donations."

For more details visit http://www.oxfam.org.uk/seeforyourself.

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