French Philosopher, Albert Camus said 'where there is no hope, we must invent it.' That powerful notion - inventing hope where there is none - lies at the very heart of the work done by volunteers for the UK Charity, Hope and Aid Direct.
WHAT IS HOPE AND AID DIRECT?
Founded in 1999 we are a 100% voluntary, humanitarian aid charity whose team members raise their own funds, obtain donations of aid, transport that aid in convoys of lorries twice a year, and give it out directly into the hands of the people who need it the most. The donations are made by the public, churches, clubs, schools and companies.
The convoys also carry out humanitarian work whilst they are away. Hope and Aid Direct has been involved in projects such as rebuilding bombed schools, renovating orphanages, and delivering aid for third parties who would not be as welcome in some areas. Volunteers come from every corner of the UK and from all walks of life. Whilst in recent years most of our work has been carried out in Kosovo, we have also distributed humanitarian aid in Romania, Bosnia, Croatia and Serbia.
Four of our team joined workers in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Tsunami, one of the worst natural disasters seen by any of us. We also have an ongoing project in Nigeria.
The Easter 2008 convoy of aid to Kosovo is well underway. The arduous route over the winding mountain roads was a testing time for both the trucks and the drivers. Please click here to read the latest diary entries.
A BIG THANK YOU FROM KOSOVO As always, the presence of the Hope and Aid Direct trucks in Kosovo has been a brilliant proclamation and implementation of caring and healing society - the possibility and reality of people doing good works simply and profoundly changing the lives they touch for the better. As always, it has been a pleasure and deeply satisfying to meet the Hope and Aid people. And as always, for your full-hearted and energetic response to our appeals. Rand Engel, Balkan Sunflowers.
