| |
|
|
|
|
|
 PURPOSE
-
- This website is dedicated
to raising funds for children's education in the Middle East.
A dedicated photojournalist, Paul
Moran strongly believed that in order to understand and resolve
conflict in the region, one must start with the basic needs of
children.
-
- The funds raised through
the sale of Paul's photographs will help build schools and buy
books and supplies for children living in zones of conflict and
impoverished areas. The beneficiaries
of the money raised through this site will be announced annually.
|
|
| |
|
"NEWS"
WEBSITE PARTY LAUNCH
-
- A year after the conception
of the idea of creating a humanitarian website, the www.paulmoran.org
launch party in London on July 1st, 2005, at the Frontline Club
in London was a resounding success.
Thanks to the more than 100 people who attended, the special
evening will remain etched in the memory of all who are keen
to help.
-
-
- A big thank you to all who lent
their support, which is of utmost importance. The success of
the party is proof that everyone can make an effort and that
effort can make a difference.
-
- Of course, "now" is
always the best time to act and show initiative, and as we saw
that evening, we were not alone. The evening still echoes with
slogans such as "Make poverty history" and "No
excuses". Such powerful statements are set to mark and change
history.
-
- We, as a group of friends, working
as a team, also show that everybody, on even an individual level
can help.
- A big thank you to those who
purchased prints or framed photographs and if you would like
to know more details about the pictures please do not hesitate
to write to us on : contact@paulmoran.org.
Please be aware that we will keep you informed about all our
steps in school identification and chosen beneficiaries.
- Last but not least, the party
was a nice opportunity for different people to meet, exchange
contacts and think positively. Please see the photos attached
and judge for yourself!
-
-
"NEWS"
ONE YEAR ON - WHAT WE ACHIEVED
-
- Dear Friends,
-
- As we promised during the exhibition
at London's Frontline Club in July 2005, here is the information
of what happened with the funds raised. Everything started
back in 2003 when a group of friends had the idea to set up www.paulmoran.org
as a tribute to Paul Moran. A suicide bomber in Northern Iraq
killed Paul in 2003 at the beginning of the war.
-
- The website celebrates Paul's
short but fantastic life; filled with adventure, professional
passion and generosity of spirit. It is also a way to fundraise
for school children in the Middle East by selling Paul's striking
photographs taken while on assignment and during his travels
all over the world. In honour of his memory, we are selling his
pictures to donate to organizations who will provide children
with school supplies like pencils, books, even timber to build
new schools.
-
- The funds collected until now
from on-line sale of photographs have been finally donated. It
was not easy to find a suitable beneficiary. Even when there
is undeniable will, sometimes we have to take under consideration
that the circumstances in Iraq are still very much delicate and
even the simplest idea, such as to supply school material might
take months to execute.
-
- The Ranj Primary School in the
city of Erbil, Kurdistan which accommodates more than 800 Iraqi
girls and boys will be the beneficiary of funds raised thus far.
Although some funds are already donated1 for some renovations,
the school still lacks running water and sufficient toilet facilities.
So far the school had no library.
Following consultation with the school principal, it has been
agreed that two classrooms could be joined and turned into a
library to be named after Paul Moran. The remaining classrooms
can still accommodate students as the school is operating two
shifts to accommodate all the students.
-
- Although this is significant,
there are still unfulfilled needs. Improved access to potable
water and sanitation services, sports and recreation space and
materials, a well-equipped library with access to computers,
as well as necessary furniture for students and teachers are
just some of the prerequisites for a school to operating and
are yet still to come.
-
- At our wonderful party, which
took place a year ago on July the 1st 2005, at the Frontline
Club2, there were several photographs on display. Each of them
had a story to tell. We hope that this party proved how a difference
could be made easily. It gives some more examples of how people
with a little effort can change the status quo.
-
- Here are some of the photographs
that were "the bestselling ones".
-
 |
 |
| Jerusalem
2001 A Palestinian
boy with a sling shot. Children take part actively in Palestinian
resistance in Israel |
Kosovo
1999, worried refugee - Misplaced
girl in Prishtina |
 |
 |
| Cairo
1998, Egyptian boy - Children
working in the basement of a small workshop in Khan Al Khalili
souk |
Morocco
1995. Orange Wall - Young
girls dressed differently to their older compatriots |
-
- We remain committed to developing
this website to its full potential and widest audience in order
to help us bring the best assistance to the children who need
more than what they have. The idea of helping children of the
Middle East was generated and based on Paul's love for the region.
Paul, like many other Australians, was probably struck with the
global contrast a real lack of resources in the Middle
East in contrast to the over abundance present in the western
1st world. Children are also suffering in countries like Iraq,
Iran, Syria, Palestine, Afghanistan, or Chechnya due to factors
out of their control their religion, their parent's mistakes,
global politics. One can only hope that having a better education,
gives a child a greater chance to be responsible and forge a
better future.
-
| |
- 1 Note : The Moran Foundation funds are donated
to UNICEF Australia and will be complimented by additional funding
from the Australian government (AusAID) and UNICEF Australia
2 Note : The Frontline Club is established in 2003 and
aims to support freelance journalists throughout the world who
risk their lives in the course of their work. (www.thefrontlineclub.com) 13, Norfolk Place,
London W2 1QJ, phone + 44 207 47 98 959.
|
"NEWS"
REHABILITATION OF THE RANJ PRIMARY SCHOOL IN IRAQ
-
 The Ranj School in Erbil is one of the
many Iraqi primary schools, which are in desperate need of help.
This school has a population of more than 800 students, both
girls and boys and operates in two shifts. The rehabilitation
work was completed in September 2006 with a great deal of help
from the implementing agency UNICEF Iraq.
The Paul Moran Memorial Fund has contributed to this project
from the funds collected through the Website launch exhibition
in London, July 2005, and the online sale of photographs. We
wish to thank all who have contributed and purchased the photographs.
-
- The objective of this rehabilitation
project was to establish a Child-Friendly School including improved
access to potable water and sanitation services, recreation spaces
and school materials, a well-equipped library with access to
computers, as well as necessary furniture for students and teachers.
-
-
"NEWS"
CHILDREN OF RANJ PRIMARY SCHOOL held a small ceremony to hang
the two pictures at the main hall in the school
-
- We want to share some the photographs
taken at this occasion. One of the pictures was a photograph
taken by Paul Moran and the other one was a small photo of Paul
along with a brief profile of him. After 4 years of the onset
of conflict and Paul's death, through these photos 'we may feel
how alive he still is somehow by touching Iraqi children's lives
this way...'
-
-
"NEWS"
The Paul Moran Foundation sponsors Fountain for Youth Literacy Backpacks for Aboriginal Children in Jilkminggan school
-
- Paul Moran was a journeyer. Now his photographs and his Foundation have connected with Aboriginal children, the 'Children of the Sunrise', the descendants of the world's oldest continuous culture.
A grant from the Paul Moran Foundation is supporting the Literacy Backpacks introduced by Ian Thorpe's Fountain for Youth in the remote Aboriginal communities of south-eastern Arnhem Land.
-
- In this part of the Northern Territory illiteracy is often as high as 93% and life expectancy around 17-20 years less than for the rest of Australians.
-
- Ian Thorpe's program of support for health education and life skills is based on research that indicates that improving the education of a whole community of young teenage girls adds up to four years life expectancy to their first baby. In this sense, Literacy means life.
-
- The Paul Moran Foundation's contribution is supporting Literacy Backpacks for children at Jilkminggan. The students take home reading for their parents and brothers and sisters. They are given the incentive of choosing their own books from the Scholastic Book Club selections each term. Good progress is rewarded with book vouchers that can be redeemed for more enjoyable reading.
- Seeing bookless homes discover the joy and value of reading, connecting people to contemporary Aboriginal news and issues, as well as helping children discover the whole world of learning, is a wonderful contribution towards improving the lives of these Australian families.
Attendance at school has gone up and reading levels are improving. Some of these primary school age children are now in good shape to tackle high school, a rare occurrence in this region.
- The early learning program is delivered by the teachers of the Northern Territory Education system and the books are available through school libraries and community reading rooms.
An early learning Aboriginal teacher is funded by Ian Thorpe's Trust to work within the regional Sunrise Health Service Aboriginal Corporation. This allows the distribution of books and other early learning materials to Aboriginal infants.
As well as Jilkminggan, the Literacy Backpacks are now in fourteen other remote communities.
As a fellow storyteller I know Paul would understand the value of helping Aboriginal children find themselves in the story.
December 2007, Jeff McMullen Author, Journalist, film maker, CEO (honorary) Ian Thorpe's Fountain for Youth; www.ianthorpesfountainforyouth.com.au/
|
|
|
