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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".
 

boy_and_sling_shot

worried_refugee
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

egypt_boy

orange_wall
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/




 
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