Can we sponsor a child through ALWS? If not, what do you offer?
No, ALWS does not run a child sponsorship program.
However, we offer
a. Membership of the ALWS Club.
This membership involves the giving of a donation (to the amount of your choosing) monthly, quarterly, six-monthly or annually. Your donation supports the work of ALWS, including our overseas program that assists community development work in countries such as Cambodia, Nepal Sudan and the graduation process of communities in Mozambique.
Currently, there are around 930 ALWS Club members who receive a bi-monthly newsletter, PROJECTNEWS, which gives updated project news, pictures and other development information, and the ALWS Annual Report which also provides financial data.
b. Specific projects
Although ALWS especially values gifts that are provided on an undesignated basis donors are able to specify their gifts to particular projects with the ALWS Overseas Program.Click here for current list of approved projects.
See question 7 for more details about how donations to the ALWS Club can be made
How and why does ALWS access funding from the Australian Government (AusAID)? e.g. Does the Australian Government match supporters donations dollar for dollar?
ALWS accesses AusAID funding through a number of avenues. HOWEVER in order to be eligible for any funding, ALWS has to be accredited by the government. { click here to access a section from the recent (2005) accreditation report.} The accreditation process is a very rigorous one, demanding transparency and accountability, effective and sustainable partner development, and a proven track record in delivering a development program to name but a few foci.
Avenues of Funding:
i. ANCP (AusAID NGO Cooperation Program)
This funding scheme aims to subsidise Australian Non-Government Organisation (NGO) community development activities which directly and tangibly alleviate poverty in developing countries.
The level of subsidy is assessed on a complex formula, but is based on how much ALWS raises from its own constituency. In other words, under this scheme the more generous our supporters the greater the support from AusAID. However the ANCP funding subsidy does not match ALWS funds dollar for dollar.
Once the level of funding is known Annual Development Plans are submitted to AusAID for approval, which must meet the criteria governing the ANCP scheme. AusAID subsidises the approved projects on a 3:1 basis.
At the end of the year ALWS must submit to AusAID a Development Plan Report accompanied by a Financial Report by a set date.
The value of the ANCP is that it increases the financial support available to community development projects supported by ALWS.
ii. PNG CPP (Church Partnership Program)
This program is funded by AusAID and was introduced in 2004 with the view to enhancing the capacity of the main PNG churches to contribute to PNG development and social stability. Its purpose is to help PNG Churches promote good governance, through strengthening their role in policy dialogue, service delivery and peace and reconciliation activities. The CPP reflects a greater recognition by AusAID of the churches in PNG society and their potential to play a prominent role in civil society in promoting good governance.
ALWS does provide some minor level of funding to this CPP.
As with the ANCP funding scheme, eligibility to CPP funds requires any participating development agency to be accredited by AusAID.
Similar ADPlan and ADPlan Report expectations apply to the PNG CPP
Why does ALWS operate through partnerships such as LWF/Dept for World Service, ACT (for emergencies) and the Church Partnership Program (CPP) in PNG?
Is it just a cash register for LWS?
Whilst ALWS benefits from and contributes to the collaborative strengths and experiences of the international network of LWF/Department for World Service and LWS Field Programs, it is an autonomous organization within that network. The benefits of this network membership are many and include:
- access to a well established and long term partner in the field projects
- the application of a transparent and accountable financial package to all program/project financial matters
- the sharing of professional development opportunities and materials.
- access to a wide range of resources and expertise.
- the shared use of LWF/LWS facilities, staff and other necessary infrastructure in project areas which enables the donors' dollars to achieve the maximum.
However, as the official overseas aid/development and resettlement agency of the LCA, ALWS does support projects in countries where there is a strong link with the LCA through its Board for Mission, but where there is no established LWS program. e.g. PNG and Indonesia.
ALWS works through Action by Churches Together (ACT) during emergencies. ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. Its coordinating office is based with LWF and the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Switzerland.
Why is ALWS located in Albury?
There are historic, economic and strategic reasons for this location.
(i) Historic {click here for Facts about ALWS}
(ii) Economic... cheaper rent etc
(iii) Strategic... easy access to Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.
Why doesn't ALWS produce more eye-catching, "out-there",
promotional material?
Because of ALWS's past strong connection with Lutheran congregations, this network has been a cost saving and effective method of promoting its development work.
HOWEVER many promotional resources are NOW available. {click here to view ALWS resources.}
All resources are available by contacting ALWS on ph: 02 60215329
Is it possible to visit an ALWS supported project?
Most definitely!
Visits to projects can be arranged by contacting the ALWS office.
Project Visit Conditions include the following:
- no more than 8-10 people in the group.
- an ALWS staff member will accompany the group.
- all travel expenses are to be met by the group members.
- time of visit is to be determined by LWS Field Staff in conjunction with ALWS staff to ensure minimum interruption to the project's planned activities.
For further information contact ALWS on ph: 02 60215329 or alws@alws.org.au
What methods do you have for receiving donations for your
work?
Donations can be made through the following methods:
Do you offer Volunteer opportunities?
Volunteer opportunities can be offered if there is a request for volunteers from a particular LWS country program.
The following conditions prevail:
- usually the minimum period of service is at least 3 to 6 months.
- specific skills, training etc are necessary to match the position available.
- language skills may be a barrier as many projects are in non-English speaking countries.
- travel costs are met by the volunteer.
- accommodation is usually provided by the project.
For further information contact ALWS on ph: 02 60215329 or alws@alws.org.au
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