At 3 sixty, we believe it’s important to help those less fortunate than ourselves, not just with words, but with actions. That’s why we support the St Theresa Orphan Foundation, in Obera, Argentina.

We can all name some charities easily when we think about it… Oxfam, Barnados, the NSPCC. But there are over 169,000 registered charities in the UK alone, and whilst the generosity of individuals and businesses meant £26bn was raised for charities in 2003-04, over two-thirds of that when to just 2% of charities.

Because the St Theresa Orphan Foundation is not one of the 2%, every penny really counts. So far we’ve swum in the Irish Sea (in December!!), conquered the Three Peaks Challenge as well as visited the orphanage to provide practical assistance as well as see how our funds are making a real difference.

Misiones is a remote province in Northern Argentina, bordering Paraguay, Brazil and Uruguay. The landscape is lush sub tropical rain forest, but it is inhabited by some of the world’s poorest people. Father Liam Hayes runs two homes for abandoned children in the town of Obera. The first home was opened in 1993 and the second some years later. Due to the economic state of the country these remote areas are forgotten by the government and given little state aid.

Poor families here, who are unable to care for their children, often hide them away or leave them on the roadside. Mostly Liam is made aware of the plight of these children by locals and he then takes the children into his care, giving them a new life. However with more aid and donations he would hope to be able to open more homes and give a brighter life to more children.

"Before I reached the homes in Obera I was expecting to find a lot of poor people living in desperate conditions. However the scene was much different. These people had come from absolutely horrific conditions, left in fields, sheds and make-shift homes, abandoned by their poverty stricken parents, who could no-longer cope. In the homes these people have found a safe and happy environment to live in. The homes are basic but clean, with regular meals, something many of the residents have never experienced. The residents have found a place of happiness, where they are loved and where they feel like human beings, regaining their human dignity."

Brian Keegan, MD, 3 sixty Group

The home needs a lot of money to continue its good work. Medication, food, staff and nappies are just a few of the vital items needed for the daily survival of these abandoned children in their new home. You can help by:

• Donating any amount from as little as £1
• Donating medical supplies or equipment
• Volunteer to assist in any way you can, from one month to one year