Perhaps a little randomly, this week’s charity decision was made on the basis of a needle-stick plot line on local soap opera Shortland Street. The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria is an international financing institution that invests the world’s money to save lives. To date, it has committed US$ 19.3 billion in [...]
We saw Peter Singer speak as part of the Writers&Readers festival last week. I’ve been reading his philosophy since varsity but hadn’t seen him lecture till now. Though this was more of a lay-man’s interview than lecture which made for only average stimulation. Still, I got to see the man speak finally which was fulfilling. [...]
On the weekend I watched a nature documentary. Which is not something I normally do. Confessions first – I did so because Stephen Fry was the host and I’m a complete fan boy. In the series he was revisiting endangered animals which were were featured in Douglas Adams and Mark Carwardine’s, Last Chance to radio/book [...]
This weekend a lovely couple of friends were wed in a particularly adorable ceremony in Auckland. Their celebrant’s speech touched on the still existing inequalities, in some parts of the world, in the realm of relationship rights. So this week I’ve decided to make my donation to Unifem, UNIFEM is the women’s fund at the [...]
Earlier this week fashion designer Alexander McQueen was found dead in his home, having committed suicide. On 3 February 2010, he wrote on his Twitter page that his mother had died the day before, adding: “RIP mumxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.” Four days later he wrote that he had had an “awful week” but said “friends have been great”, [...]
So the results are in: For my 33rd birthday I’d like to give a gift to charities. And I’d like, as their present to me, my friends to help me choose which. I’ll distribute $500 proportionally amongst the top-5. The top 5 charities, with the amount I’ll donate, are charted below (click on the slice [...]
For my 33rd birthday I’d like to give a gift to charities. And I’d like, as their present to me, my friends to help me choose which. I’ll distribute $500 proportionally amongst the top-5. You can vote in the poll below from my list of preferred charities. Links for more information are on my charity [...]
It was the birthday of a friend’s child this week, which helped me select my charity – Save the Children. Like many of the larger international charities they have a well established chapter in New Zealand who operate on both a local and global level. I had to do some digging to find a children’s [...]
There was a fuss in the local press this week when a local gym linked to a particularly naff article in their weekly newsletter. An Auckland gym franchise owner has apologised for a newsletter to members which included a link to an article entitled “Soy is making kids gay”. Club Physical member John Kingi said [...]
For the first week of my new charity programme I’m giving money to Oxfam NZ’s Haiti Appeal. I’m always a little uncomfortable with the gross disparity between the coverage of crisis-causes and the many ongoing situations of need around the world – but there is no denying Haiti need support right now. I must have [...]