KRIS WEBB on "SPEND IT WELL"


KRIS WEBB AND SPEND IT WELL
Timor-Leste is one of our closest neighbours - only a one hour flight from Darwin. 90% of Timor-Leste’s schools were destroyed in 1999 by Indonesian backed militia following the end of Indonesia’s 24 year occupation of Timor-Leste. Throughout the country, children are learning in schools which are at risk of collapse, useless in the rainy season, or massively overcrowded. In many cases they simply don’t go to school.  Since 2009 Kris Webb and Spend It Well have sought to rebuild schools in Timor Leste, many in remote areas. Kris will talk to club about the progress that has been made so far and how Rotary Clubs can help by funding projects.


SPEND IT WELL

Spend it Well is the most successful school building charity operating in Timor-Leste, having built school buildings and toilets at 19 government schools (most very remote) in the last 15 years.   We are different to most other charities in that 100% of donations are directed to the school project - all administrative costs of the charity are covered by the charity’s founders.  Our donors’ money goes to a specific project that they choose and they are kept up to date during the project with photos and information, so that they know what their money has achieved.  

Spend it Well works closely with the Ministry of Education in Timor-Leste, to identify existing government schools which are in desperate need of new buildings.  Spend it Well builds what is needed, then hands the buildings back to the Ministry of Education to continue to run the school. A typical project involves a 3 classroom building, teachers’ room, 5 toilets and a water connection and costs approximately A$85,000.  Spend it Well is also helping to address the serious malnutrition in children, by establishing 5 school gardens which supplement school lunches with fresh fruit and vegetables.

KRIS WEBB

Kris Webb and the other directors are all volunteers, who self-fund all their costs associated with the charity e.g. trips to Timor or for fundraising speaking opportunities.  Kris manages the fundraising for all Spend it Well projects and co-ordinates its activities within and outside Australia.

CONTACT:             Kris Webb and Spend It Well can be contacted on  kris.webb@spenditwell.com.










Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KATHRYN RATCLIFFE on MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE

Image
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system. This leads to muscle weakness, often with visible wasting. Kathryn Ratcliffe, from Narooma, is a  a long-time supporter of raising awareness of Motor Neurone Disease. Her family carries a genetic version, and she has lost over 10 family members, including her grandfather, father and brothers.  To raise awareness and to raise funds for research Katherine is taking part in the FightMND's annual road trip. This road trip, known as Daniher's Drive, is in its ninth year. In 2025 it will take place from the 9th to 12th October with more than 250 participants driving through parts of regional Victoria. MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE (MND) Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system. This leads to muscle weakness, often with visible wasting. MND happens when specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, called motor neurones, ...
Read more

GROVER GREENFIELD on RATS

Image
If you are looking for a talk for your local Rotary Club that is a bit different and will be talked about, then this may be it. Grover Greenfield will design a talk for you about rats. Grover has been a rat enthusiast since a very early age and now consults on animal ethics. This may be a great introduction to the world of rats. GROVER GREENFIELD AND RATS Anywhere rats are involved, you'll likely find Grover too! They have had rats as pets since age 13, and they have become a true passion. When Grove's health conditions progressed to the point where they could no longer continue their role as a research scientist, they found themselves with extra time to help pet rats and their owners who fell through the gaps of the animal rescue world. One thing led to another, and before long "Rachie's Ratirement Home" was born, an animal shelter specialising in the surprisingly popular domestic rat. The rescue has been nationally recognised as one of the best animal rescues in...
Read more

SHARLENE COHEN on MAASAI MAMMAS

Image
Sharlene Cohen is a dedicated environmentalist and conservationist, splitting her time between East Africa and her business, Urban Rewild, in Australia. She spends 3-4 months each year in East Africa, leading grassroots projects that foster sustainable development and community empowerment. The remainder of her time is devoted to local conservation efforts, including a Koala recovery and Spotted-tailed Quoll monitoring program. MAASAI MAMMAS Sharlene's connection with the Maasai community began in 2019 when she was profoundly moved by their deep connection to nature and dedication to wildlife protection. Since 2022, she has spearheaded ten grassroots projects in Uganda and Kenya, including sending 21 children to school through Christmas appeals, launching chicken projects, and leading environmental regeneration on cleared land, schools, and homes. Sharlene has also been instrumental in reforming wildlife poachers and supporting retired rangers. A key initiative is the Harvest Food ...
Read more