Making a
the Mad FOuNdatION
what does it do?
difference
The main objective of the Mad Foundation
is to benefit less privileged communities at
destinations in developing countries that host
Madventurer projects.
The Mad Foundation’s aim is not simply to
donate money but to invest in projects that will
empower and support local communities.
hOw dOes GOING Mad
“The completion of the classroom which
Madventurer supports the Mad Foundation with
BeNeFIt the wORld?
Madventurer have begun building is the first in
a series of three phases of enlargement which
resources and donations.
By going mad you are making a positive impact
I have planned for the school. You see, the
Mad10 – your donation
in 2 ways:
places in this new classroom have already
and Our commitment
been al ocated, the school is so overcrowded.
1. By helping on development projects that
The new block will allow us to split up some
10% of the cost of your project wil be donated
are making a long-term difference.
of the largest classes.”
to educational and health supplies, sports
2. By practicing responsible tourism alongside
equipment or building materials.
“When we increase the amount of space
Madventurer where as much money as
available for teaching in the school, this has three In addition, our staff fundraise in their paid office
possible is spent local y.
effects: firstly, the level of education is improved
time to assist the Mad Foundation and its
develOPMeNt PROjects
because class sizes become smal er and
charitable partners to create extra funds to top
teachers have more time for pupils; secondly,
up community development projects and to
Madventurer supports overseas development
the desks (which cost us to replace) break less
other causes such as educational scholarships
through its project partners. These include local
often, because fewer children are crowded
for children overseas.
communities, non-governmental organisations
onto them (and the floor in the new block will
(NGO’s), governmental departments and
We also encourage all of our staff to ‘do their bit’
hopefully be more even and stable!); lastly,
academic research groups.
by giving them time to help organise events that
the space is better for the health of the pupils,
promote the Mad Foundation and other causes.
Each project is researched and has to meet
illnesses are not spread so rapidly, and there
certain criteria such as long and short-term
are fewer accidents.”
We always include a donation to our local
benefits to the host community. The project itself
partners, be it an NGO we work alongside to
do you think it benefits the
is led by the community, Madventurer’s role
achieve more on Projects with combined
pupils at the school to come
is to act as a catalyst, both financially and
efforts, or local building materials if we are doing
into contact with volunteers
motivationally (with the volunteers presence) to
a stand alone project direct with a vil age
from Mad and elsewhere?
get the project up and running. This way when
development committee.
Madventurer leaves the project will continue to
“Yes, definitely. It improves their social skil s –
We recognise that the more funds that can be
be managed and owned by the community.
you can see they aren’t afraid of white people
anymore [very true!] Talking to volunteers can
raised towards these donations the better so
“By funding the projects
also improve the children’s grasp of English.
the cost per volunteer is set a level to make it
ourselves it gives us the
They pick up the accent better, and also enlarge
affordable to take part in our project and be
control we need to ensure
their vocabulary. Even after just one month, the
supported on the ground and any additional
that they are well organised
children tell me than can understand you all
funds that can be raised are most welcome and
and completed, but ownership
much better when you talk to them. Final y,
wil be donated direct to our UK Registered
always lies with the local
volunteers such as you bring different skills to
Charity – the Mad Foundation (1111805).
community. Perhaps most
“ I found it really rewarding
important of all, however,
the school. You have interests in sport, art and
knowing that I’ve made a
is the increased understanding
music which add to the lessons the children
positive impact on a deprived
that our volunteers gain of
receive from the teachers here, and provide
the real issues of sustainable
them with a broader education.”
community.”
chris deeks
development.”
do you have any suggestions
tim Guinan, Operations director
for how Mad could improve
“ Madventurer have been good
the contribution it makes to
friends with the people of
Here Mr Peter Moya, head of Murindati Primary
communities such as Murindati?
wote for three years now.
School, Kenya, tells how the partnership with
through their hard work
Madventurer has benefited the students
“I’m very happy with the building you’ve done
and generosity we have been
education at his school
here; we’ve met our goal for the five weeks, so
able to build a new clinic and
that’s fine. What we’re very short of in the school
drainage system. these projects
what has already been done for
have helped to improve the
the school by charities and
is good quality learning materials. They make a
lives of those that live in
volunteers? how do you think
big difference to lessons, but are very expensive
wote as well as making them
this has benefited the school?
here, so if you could bring more of those (such
as science equipment, textbooks and posters)
proud of what they have
“When Gemma Davies from Madventurer first
that would really help us.”
collectively achieved.”
visited the school, I spoke to her and she was
chief Kordadzawa III,
kind enough to recommend to Madventurer
tribal leader of liati wote, Ghana
that they supported Murindati Primary. Now
“the villagers appreciated our
the volunteers from Madventurer have begun
work so much and that had an
building another block of two classrooms. The
obvious impact, the children
sponsorship of children through their schooling
were so much safer...”
is also great contribution – four children from the
Martin walton, Mad in Peru
school are currently being supported; three girls
and one boy.”
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