Palmera Projects
Australia
Palmera is committed to supporting initiatives in Australia that focus on improving the lives of vulnerable individuals and communities. Although Australia is a developed nation, homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness and poverty is rising at alarming rates. It is clear that Australia's middle class is shrinking, and while the majority of those living in poverty are probably not becoming poorer in absolute terms, they are becoming more numerous. Poverty in Australia today is complex and changing. In 2007, UNICEF's report on child poverty in OECD countries revealed that Australia had the 14th highest child poverty rate. In 2000, life expectancy of Indigenous Australians was some 20 years below that of other Australians. In fact, Australian Indigenous poverty ranks alongside countries as poor as Bangladesh where absolute poverty is real.
One Laptop Per Child
November, 2010
One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is an organisation that strives to deliver educational laptops to children in rural communities of Australia. With these laptops, children have the opportunity to learn, share, create and collaborate.
Amount donated: $10,000
Partner Organisations: One Laptop Per Child (OLPC)
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Empowerment Project
The ASRC through Palmera Project's Funding is establishing an Asylum Seeker Participation Program to provide vocational development for asylum seekers through work experience, volunteering, training and employment pathways. Through training and practical experience in a range of areas, including food handling, administration and customer service, the Program will enable asylum seekers to gain valuable skills and experience and increase their chances of finding employment, participating fully in community life and ultimately becoming entirely self sufficient.
Youth Off The Streets
Date: November, 2007
Palmera will be funding one scholarship in the Youth of the Streets Scholarship Program which will support those young people who show the potential and desire to further their talents, but who without assistance would struggle to move forward.
Amount donated: $5,000
Partner organisations: Youth off the Streets