A BRIEF HISTORY

The Communications Workers Union Humanitarian Aid Society, (CWUHA) is operated by volunteers who are employed by The Post Office and British Telecom, supported by their friends and families. It began in 1995 in response to the plight of vulnerable children in Eastern Europe.

The unique nature of CWUHA is in its PRIME DIRECTIVE that is to deliver Aid directly to where it is needed and not to leave it in the hands of a third party for distribution. In order that every penny that is donated is used towards this goal, the volunteers eat and sleep in their vans.

The first appeal for help came from trade unionists from Tuzla in Bosnia during their terrible war. CWU volunteers, their friends and family, regardlessof the recipients, colour, religion or politics, gave this help freely.Two convoys were sent to Bosnia and two to Croatia in 1995 establishing CWUHA as a serious Humanitarian body within the International Community.

Again in 1996 Aid and money was raised to send a further two convoys to Bosnia and to bring to England, two Bosnians friends for a holiday, and to say thank you to all the good people who had tried to help them in their hour of need.

By the end of 1996 the situation in Bosnia had improved, and so CWUHA, acting on professional advice decided to turns it's efforts to helping unfortunate orphans in Bulgaria.

This began a very successful three-year period, 1997-1999, during which with the help of the Bulgarian government and people, CWUHA was able to deliver many tonnes of vital Aid to needy children. Also during 1999 an emergency convoy was sent to Albania to help the people of Kosovo who became refugees due to a conflict in their homeland. CWUHA applied for, and was granted: CHARITABLE STATUS A proud moment and a unique situation within the Trade Union Movement!

TO DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THE CWU HUMANITARIAN AID, AND HOW YOU CAN BECOME INVOLVED CHECK OUT THE CWHA WEBSITE: WWW.CWUHA.ORG

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