Action on Poverty - Making hope possible - Celebrating 50 years in 2018

Three Ways to Increase Your Happiness

1. Giving Did you know that giving not only reduces stress and boosts self-esteem, but can also increase your lifespan? When you help others, whether by volunteering your time or donating to causes you’re passionate about, you boost your physical and mental health. Studies show that giving: connects you with others reduces stress and depression lowers blood pressure increases life expectancy Giving activates the pleasure centres of your brain, producing more feel-good chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. This is so well-documented that it’s known as the ‘helper’s high’ – a good kind of addiction! Inspired? You can give a tax-deductible gift today to help struggling families in Vietnam lift themselves out of poverty. 2. Gratitude Do you take things for granted? We all do – it’s easy to forget how lucky we are. But pausing to reflect on all the gifts you’ve been given – from family and friends to health and prosperity – can improve your mood, mindset and relationships with others. There are many different ways to express gratitude. Some common ways include: writing thank you notes keeping a gratitude journal praying or meditating reflecting on positive experiences or memories When you practise gratitude, you recognise the goodness in your life. This can help you deal with adversity, connect with others and experience more positive emotions. 3. Growth When was the last time you really challenged yourself? By doing something outside your comfort zone, you develop new skills, boost your confidence and expand your own ambition. You don’t have to jump out of airplane or start training for a marathon to achieve personal growth. Meeting new people, learning an instrument or travelling can all contribute to a sense of progress and achievement. If you find that you hold yourself back, remember that you don’t need to justify your goals to others. The important thing is to focus on things that are important to you. And you don’t have to succeed at everything – remember to focus on the journey, rather than the destination. Ready for a challenge? You can Trek Vietnam with us over six days from 26 Nov – 1 Dec and see our life-changing projects in person. References: Cleveland Clinic – Why giving is good for your health Harvard Health Publications – Volunteering may be good for body and mind Harvard Health Publications – Giving thanks can make you happier Coaching Positive Performance – 7 Tips to Develop Personal Growth Mindset

Luyen and the Community Development Fund

Luyen was trying to support her family on just $3 a day. A small loan from the Community Development Fund transformed her life.

How it works: Community Development Fund

Our Community Development Fund is helping hundreds of families throughout Vietnam. So how does it work?

Our Legitimate Rights

Ms Hong learned about her legitimate rights through Action on Poverty's Governance program. Now, she's a confident leader in her community.

African mother with child, preparing a meal

Trekkers rest on top of a mountain in Da Bac, Vietnam - Action on Poverty

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Trek Vietnam in 2019

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50 Years of Action on Poverty

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Welcome!

Action on Poverty is an independent, secular, not-for-profit Australian non-government organisation founded in 1968. We are a membership-based aid organisation that takes Action on Poverty in Asia, Africa and the Pacific, primarily through a partnerships-based approach that sees us engage with in-country NGOs that have proven experience, skills and local understanding. This ensures that our aid interventions are locally appropriate, efficient, and sustainable over the long term.

Action on Poverty is fully-accredited with the Australian government, holds DGR-1 status, and is an authorised member of the Overseas Aid Gift Deduction Scheme (OAGDS), which enables donations to Action on Poverty to be tax-deductible and for those donations to be transferred overseas. We are also a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and a signatory to its Code of Conduct, which guarantees good practice in terms of organisational integrity, transparency, and accountability.

We take a rights-based approach to poverty reduction, believing that all people should be able to live with dignity and have their basic needs met. This approach means we work towards addressing the underlying causes of poverty: not only the direct effects of it. It is our belief that community-based development, underpinned by work aimed at strengthening local civil society organisations and community groups, is the most effective and sustainable way to create opportunities for people to meet their own development aspirations in the long term.

Simply put – we help people to help themselves.

Beth Sem: Building a better life in Cambodia

April 18, 2018

Beth Sem lives outside of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This 48-year-old mother has worked hard to overcome the crushing weight of poverty and discrimination.
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