Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope
Our Mission: “A committed and proactive children’s organization whose advocacy is focused on supporting the underprivileged child and children with disability.”
We will continue to :
- Be a strong advocacy organization for underprivileged children and children living with disabilities.
- Give the underprivileged child and children with disability financial, educational, and psychological support.
- Create activities within the community.
- Advocate to alleviate poverty among children.
The organization has made its impact with Blessing and the team playing a key role during the peak of the Covid 19 pandemic: offering psychological help to children and helping with the distribution of supplies. Accommodation support was also rendered to children and their parents in desperate need.
From Queens hospital London: thanks Safehaven a ray of hope for the birthday presents/educational materials for the children
As a team:
- We are working to bridge existing educational gaps for long term ill children while in the hospital or at home by helping with required curriculum standard presented in ways that learning can be fun and engaging and still achieving successful academic progress for their age.
Free Singing and Music Instrument Lessons
We are proud to announce our Free Singing and Music Instrument Lessons, accessible to underprivileged children and those with disabilities, to help them acquire the skills required to play a musical instrument and sing, an opportunity they might otherwise struggle to access.
Sessions are presently held in NE4 7UN and NE4 9XD areas of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
Sessions are held every Saturday from 2:30 to 3.30PM.
Instruments include guitar, piano, and ukulele, as well as other supportive instruments for therapy sessions. Singing, voice training and entertainment sessions remain a key part of the programme.
‘Be the Best Version of you’ Free Training Programme
In today’s complex world, we’ve noticed an increasing number of 12-19 year old children facing challenges that impact their well-being, such as a lack of focus, moral dilemmas, emotional struggles, and a decrease in self-confidence and optimism.
Our “Be the Best Version of You” programme will inspire, motivate, and support these children in maintaining focus by guiding them on a journey of self-discovery towards a better version of themselves. We aim to assist them in exploring their potential and identifying solutions to their core needs and significant obstacles, ultimately rebuilding their confidence and hope.
The programme will be accredited by ASDAN, with each child achieving a portfolio and receiving their certificates upon completion.
The 8-session programme are presently held in NE4 7UN and NE4 9XD areas of Newcastle Upon Tyne.
CAMPAIGN FOR MORE BAME TO GET ON THE DONOR REGISTRY
Safe Haven a ray of hope began a campaign to get more Black and Asian Minority ethnic background on the donor registry to bridge the gap of 23% of this group in the donor registry as compared to 75% of the European group. No child from the Black and Asian Minority ethnic background critically ill and in need of a lifesaving transplant deserves a long-suffering wait and risk of death due to the lack of people from its own ethnic minority for a lifesaving transplant. DKMS, Chi Onwurah (MP of Newcastle), the Media, Press, and Various organizations and bodies have joined forces in our campaign around the world.
SHE’S ONE IN A MILLION, LET’S MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
She’s One in a Million
The Charity Single Featuring Afrobeat Star Flavour N’abania and UK songstress Anna Reay ‘She’s One In A Million,’ honours the memory of 8-year-old Valerie Olalemi, whose dream was to be “the greatest fashion designer in the world”. Sadly she lost her fight last year following her diagnosis with Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) at the age of 4.
Join us in honouring her memory and supporting the creation of a brighter future for underprivileged children and those living with disabilities. Her legacy lives on, inspiring us all 💖
🌹Rest on Our Valerie💫
Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope receives the point of light award
Northern Enterprise Award For Most Supportive Charity Award for Underprivileged Children
World Rare Disease Day
Director, Mrs Blessing Olalemi and Husband, John Olalemi along with singer, song writer Anna Reay at Valerie’s gravesite, as they release eco friendly balloons to mark world rare disease day.
Valerie was born with a rare disease Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD), which causes the immune system to malfunction and prevents it from fighting certain infections. the condition affects about eight people in a million.
Sadly, despite a brave battle, our middle daughter lost her battle with CGD after suffering multiple organ failure last April.
Here is wishing every child who suffers from a rare disease the courage and strength to keep fighting till they overcome. We love you and are rooting for you!
Article of the Month
CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE
Children are classed as the most vulnerable group in society. Many children are suffering in this world as they are not being given the care or help they need in order to live fulfilled lives.
There are so many underprivileged children in the world today as they lack what all children should be entitled to; societal and parental care as well as protection and the chance to grow and develop. Many do not have this so-called privilege.
When we talk about being underprivileged we consider poverty as a key aspect of this; as people living without financial means for food and/or a home or lack of access to healthcare or education they should all be entitled to.
At Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope, we wanted to support some of the people in our community who badly need help. We are parents and, as such, we wanted our charity to support children – some of the most vulnerable people in our society. But what could we do, when there is already an array of charities attending to all manner of society’s ills.
Charity is in our heart
Charity is programmed into us. It’s our heart. My husband John and I would shrivel if we did not give as we take, so after pondering on what our charity should focus on, we decided that our two main areas would be supporting underprivileged children and children with a disability.
According to government statistics in UK; Before Covid-19 there was 4.2 million underprivileged children living in poverty in 2018-19. Since Covid-19 that number has almost risen to over half the population of families struggling to afford food, rent and bills. Schools closing meant lack of childcare for many, loss of jobs; particularly in female(mothers) and families at breaking point.
In Africa prior to Covid-19 more than half the population were living in poverty (Lain & Vishwanath 2021). In Nigeria alone more than 80 million Nigerians were struggling to survive with extremely limited means of getting necessities required for living, greater than the population of Germany. As we look back at the past year it is estimated that over 100 million people globally will be living in impoverished conditions by 2022 (Yonzan et al, 2020)
The effects that poverty can have on people including children can be devastating as disadvantaged children are 4.5 times more likely to develop severe mental health problems by the time they turn 11 (WHO, 2015).
Social exclusion
Our next focal point would be children with disabilities. This is a logical step, bearing in mind that research confirms that those with a disability are more likely to face poverty or social exclusion. And with an estimated 93 to 150 million children under the age of 14 classified as having disabilities and 8% of the 14.1 million disabled people in the UK, being children, we knew we wanted to make a difference in this space.
More work to be done
Last year, we delivered toys, food items, and cash donations to children in hospitals and orphanages across the UK and Africa. And we have no plans to stop.
Children are our future, so our fundraising efforts will see us deliver even more items to underprivileged children, here at home and abroad. Moreover, we plan to build a permanent creative centre, which will serve the children of Newcastle.
Get involved
We’re a small charity with big ambitions. We will continue to strive to support underprivileged children and children with disabilities but we can’t do this alone. We need your financial support, so we ask that you donate to Safe Haven – A Ray of Hope, and also follow us on social media.
This Week Content
TOPIC OF THE MONTH
A Safehaven a Ray of hope presentation- Destitution in Children
Every child deserve a future
Listen to the voice of
Shan Chinese actress
Debi
specialist nurse
Christine
Director maximize education
