News.com.au Adopts a Village

News.com.au Adopts a Village

 National news website partners with Little and LOUD to raise money for children

David Higgins, editor of news.com.au today announced the launch of its ‘Adopt-a-village’ initiative for Christmas.

news.com.au has partnered with Little and LOUD to raise money for needy children in the remote village of Fote in the Solomon Islands by using the networking powers of the web to “crowdfund” a series of projects. O

Over half of Fote’s 600 inhabitants are children of primary school age. Little and LOUD is an Australian non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering marginalised children across the Asia-Pacific region.

Funds raised by Little and LOUD are used to provide needy institutions with quality tools and environments for learning and playing.

Mr Higgins said this was a fantastic opportunity to spread some goodwill in the Asia-Pacific region through the work of an energetic and growing Australian charity founded by three young women earlier this year.

“With the financial crisis, we’re all feeling a pinch this Christmas but these are kids whose school is literally falling apart.

 “By ‘adopting a village’ this Christmas, news.com.au readers can help bring the children of Fote a brighter future.

“All of us at news.com.au are impressed with the drive and enthusiasm of Little and LOUD and believe they can make a real difference.

“We can’t save the world all at once but we thought we’d use the strength and reach of our audience to help save one very worthy village.”

The method of crowdfunding has been effective in - amongst other things – helping to raise money to put Barack Obama in the White House.

It uses the power of the Internet to bring people together so that even the smallest donations can make a big collective difference. news.com.au aims to raise $10,000 in the lead-up to Christmas and will be tracking reader donations through its interactive charity gauge.

 The money raised will provide Fote with sporting equipment, art supplies, library books and school repairs. Michelle Roldan, co-founder of Little and LOUD thanked news.com.au for their support during the festive season.

 “The stories from the children of Fote and their innocent enthusiasm inspired us to begin the Little and LOUD organisation. I hope news.com.au readers will be as touched and inspired by the story of these children.

“From the bottom of our hearts, we thank news.com.au and its readers for getting behind our organisation in helping enrich Christmas for these children.”

news.com.au readers can donate using the safe and secure PayPal system on news.com.au.

 For more information on the initiative including photo galleries and videos from Fote or to donate, please visit: http://www.news.com.au/adoptavillage