Friends of Africa

Public benefits

The trustees are satisfied that both elements of the Public Benefit requirement are met: Purpose 1: To educate the beneficiaries in any charitable way but in particular by creating opportunities for voluntary work in Africa. Purpose 2: To assist the beneficiaries, through their leisure-time activities, to develop their physical, mental and

spiritual capacities that they may grow to full maturity as individuals and members of society and so that their conditions of life may be improved, in particular, by developing good citizenship and character-building through service to the community in Africa. The benefits that flow from these purposes include character development and interpersonal skills development of the young volunteers and improved educational outcomes for the beneficiaries such as skills and experience which may be transferable to other situations. This will be evidenced by evaluation reports from volunteers and leaders as well as reports from host community leaders. Further evidence will be received during feedback at debriefing session for returned volunteers. Purpose 3: To promote racial harmony between young people in Ireland and Africa by promoting awareness of diverse issues, spirituality and culture. The direct benefits flowing from this purpose include a raised awareness of African Issues, spirituality and culture, issues affecting African people and how the spirituality and culture differs from that in Ireland as well as harmonious working relationships. These benefits are evidenced through programme evaluations completed by Irish volunteers and their leaders as well as reports received from host communities in Africa. Purpose 4: To assist in the advancement of community development programmes for people living in Africa which will enhance their future opportunities and conditions of life. The benefits that flow from this purpose include improved life conditions and opportunities for those African people and the community with whom the volunteers are working and wider improvements in living and social conditions. This will be evidenced through volunteer reports and reports from host community leaders. No harm will arise from the purposes. The charity’s beneficiaries are communities in Africa and the Irish volunteers who spend time working alongside African people. There are no private benefits to any unintended individuals or organisations.

What your organisation does

Friends of Africa is a sending agency which recruits volunteers to work on our projects in Africa. We raise awareness of the needs of Africa and issues that effect African people. Our Volunteers fund-raise for the projects on which we work.