While URBIDIUM – a kindergarten/crèche centre
and 23 apartments - moves forward to construction next month
(May), project developer, Joshua Tree Projects will simultaneously
fund the completion of a kindergarten in Herat, Afghanistan
through War Child and OXFAM international aid activities in
Cambodia’s Strung Treng province.
Brendan Wenke - a former champion triathlete and the man
behind Joshua Tree Projects says his first hand experiences
with OXFAM in Cambodia have led him to incorporate his property
development work with humanitarian aid.
“After undertaking the OXFAM Challenge – an approximately
500 kilometer cycle through Cambodia and Vietnam – I
decided the most effective way to make a difference was to
inject funds to needy communities in developing countries
around the world,” Mr Wenke said.
“I chose War Child and OXFAM because of their synergies
with the property projects I undertake here in Australia –
for example our kindergarten development in Fortitude Valley,
Brisbane which will coincide with us funding the completion
of construction of a kindergarten in Herat, Afghanistan.
“While the donations to these charities are personally
funded, I want buyers of my property projects such as URBIDIUM,
to feel through association, their own sense of social responsibility
with being associated with international aid charities,”
he said.
Author and Chair of War Child Australia, Nick Earls says
it is a very unique concept – a Queensland property
developer involved with the construction of kindergartens
in Brisbane and Afghanistan.
“It is very commendable that a developer like Brendan
is making such generous contributions to international aid
efforts – and ones with such definite synergies to his
own property projects,” Mr Earls said.
“Due entirely to Brendan’s donation, War Child
Australia is extremely excited about being able to fund the
final construction completion of the Herat Kindergarten in
Afghanistan,” Mr Earls said.
War Child provides immediate, effective and practical aid
to children of all ages and ethnic backgrounds affected by
war.
In its final throws of construction, War Child’s Herat
Kindergarten needs a large-scale security wall to protect
the 750 children who attend there each day – which will
be funded by Brendan Wenke of Joshua Tree Projects.
OXFAM Challenge Coordinator, Terrence Robb says he is extremely
grateful to Brendan Wenke’s generous support, which
will go a long way to providing schools and other infrastructure
for children and adults in Cambodia’s Strung Treng province.
“It is estimated that 36 percent of Cambodians live
below the poverty line, which is why donations such as Brendan’s
can make an incredible difference to our international aid
efforts in the region,” Mr Robb said.
In Cambodia, OXFAM Community Aid Abroad works with rural
communities to reduce poverty and help people build a better
life. Activities range from ensuring people have enough food
to eat through improved agriculture and building rice and
buffalo “banks” as well as improving access to
education, sanitation and health care; and ensuring that women
and the poor are involved in making decisions that will affect
their future.
Construction of URBIDIUM is scheduled to begin in May 2004
with completion expected around December 2004/January 2005.
Based on the Sunshine Coast, Joshua Tree Projects is a property
development company which for more than 11 years has been
behind a string of successful boutique unit, land and commercial
development projects throughout the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane
(Queensland).
Further information about URBIDIUM is available by telephoning
marketing agents, PRD NATIONWIDE NEW FARM – THE PROPERTY
WAREHOUSE on (07) 3358 6399 or visit www.urbidium.com
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