Raise founder Julian Azzopardi.Voluntary organisations often struggle to raise funds, campaign and recruit helpers, which is why a new NGO was set up to act as a support network for good causes.
“We are an NGO that does not want to replicate what is being done by other NGOs. We want to support them. Since we are a voluntary group and cannot run projects on a permanent basis, when we have the time and the resources and feel there is a cause we can support, we will do so,” said Julian Azzopardi, founder of Raise Foundation.
Raise stands for Raising Awareness, Interest, Support and Engagement. In the logo, the name of the foundation is written with a number one instead of the letter ‘i’ – Ra1se – to reflect the motto: one for good causes.
“The aim is to raise awareness, generate support, get people together and engage different organisations and individuals by doing a number of things, be it providing volunteers, fundraising or organising campaigns,” Mr Azzopardi said.
The foundation, therefore, is essentially a pool of volunteers willing to donate their time and energy wherever it is needed. They can either come up with their own projects or support those of other local or international NGOs.
The first project was born in-house – through Mr Azzopardi’s past experiences in voluntary work – and consists of building an orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia.
The seed was sewn in 2008 when Mr Azzopardi set off to Lusaka to volunteer as an assistant football coach as part of a project that aimed to teach children through sports.
There, he met a man who always dreamed of building an orphanage to offer stability to homeless children. Mr Azzopardi made it his mission to help make this happen in collaboration with Lusaka’s Youth Organisation for Orphans.
The project will cost €90,000 and Raise is hoping to provide at least a third of the budget. It involves building three houses for 40 orphans between the ages of seven and 18, an administration block, a reservoir and a farm that will make the orphanage self-sufficient while teaching the children essential farming skills.
Between April 12 and 26, a group of 15 Raise volunteers will be helping build the orphanage. Each volunteer must raise at least €1,000.
Fundraising events are being organised including the NGO’s official launch party on Saturday at Café del Mar, Qawra. Those who attend will be asked to make a €40 donation for a buffet lunch and the chance of winning a flight to Corfu.
Half of the money donated will go to the project and the rest will cover the costs of the event.
Those wishing to support Raise, a registered NGO (VO/0917), by making cash donations or sponsoring the cause can visit the Facebookpage (www.facebook.com/RA1SE), send an e-mail to ra1sefoundationmalta@gmail.com or call on mobile number 9976 4776.