The Mission Objective

To give stability and opportunity to the lesser privileged children throughout the world. Supporting them from childhood to independent adults integrating them with their natural communities. To give these children opportunity and life teachings through wisdom of the elderly in return for adding purpose and dignity to the lives of these elderly.

Profile

The Generation Journey is a UK based charitable organisation (British Registered Charity Reg:1109272) created to support the lesser privileged children throughout the world. Offering opportunity and stability for `parentless' children, both for orphans and those trapped in families of neglect or abuse. The GJ will establish an international network of Institutions (Journeys), each comprising of an adopted orphanage (an existing NPO, a locally registered non-profit organisation), a retirement facility and a commercial sponsoring company specialising in the worldwide exploration of indigenous arts, crafts and resources. This first venture in Cape Town will become the model journey for development of this concept throughout the needy areas of the world. Each will be encouraged to adopt the local culture of its community, whilst recognising and maintaining awareness of each individual's origins, free from political or external religious influence.

Values

1. To offer `parentless' children life teachings through the wisdom of the old. At the same time giving dignity and purpose to the elderly through their teachings of the young.
2. Offer support to children who are trapped in families of abuse or neglect
3. To show children the importance of appreciation, the experience of having and also that of sharing resources, including time.
4. To assist in the funding, creation and development of schemes for rehabilitation of homeless (street) children.
5. To limit cash funding to commercial means and legacies only and not by public fund raising(services, material and food donations excepted)
6. To establish a system of employment opportunity for all journey children.
7. Support local NPO's associated with the mission of GJ and each local J.
8. To ensure all dedicated staff and volunteers have respite care
9. To link and engage children from contrasting walks of life throughout the world
10. To strive for professional training of all staff and volunteers
11. Establish a fair wage structure for all paid journey staff
12. To offer ongoing support to journeys after creation
13. To reintegrate children into stable homes within their communities
14. To conduct all our affairs with an element of innovation and fun

Actions to Achieve Values

The Generation Journey (GJ) will aid the set up of an international network of journeys for the fulfilment of its values. This will be achieved through a combination of direct funding, training and development programmes, business knowledge transfer, development of local funding resources and organisational support. We will achieve our values by

1. GJ will first look to identify local global NPO partners (orphanages or other child welfare institutions) in selected regions of poverty, obtaining their acceptance of the GJ profile and actions document and subscribing to its values. Those with proven skills, experience and achievement in child care, development and re-integration.
   • Establish Journey location in conjunction with local NPO, local social services (if existing) and journey needs.
   • Evaluation of the resources and financial requirements of the local NPO(journey), establishing a programme of needs
   • Research and assist in setting up a commercially operated or charitable residential home for the elderly, this will be used to fulfil a fundamental value of the GJ which is to give children the wisdom of the elderly, whilst giving the elderly purpose and life value. Introduce schemes of integrating old and young for education, leisure and support. Offer betterment programme with the support of the GJ operational network of friends. The retirement facility will be based on principles of self care and management, initially any medical care required will be from the National Health Service or self-funded.
   • Projects will also be created for the children to assist, entertain and integrate with the elderly.
2. Increase the awareness of children in abusive or neglected homes through presentations and promotional material. Offer these children the refuge of the journey.
3. To give the gift of time and sharing in return for all donations and sponsorships. Through personalised letters, pictures, emails, invitations, visits, home-craft gifts, etc.
4. Projects will be developed in conjunction with established and experienced organisations in the field of homeless child care and rehabilitation. The Journey can assist with project funding and sharing of resources (non-disruptive). Offering part time employment schemes and work experiences. To introduce and support real-life training schemes for unguided children through domestic and street projects. Setting up of communication centres (PO boxes, internet cafes, charity shops, etc.).
5. Research and source local commercial funding companies, by using the GJ network of sponsors to assist in the development of this business to sustain the level of Journey funding required. GJ will offer grant assistance to the Journey in making a transition from public to commercial sponsorship status. GJ commercial sponsors will set up an independent commercial company to raise funds for each J. A profit share of which will be donated to the J to cover running costs, other profits will be shared between company reinvestment and future J`s via the GJ central fund. Start up management expertise and business support will be provided by the Friends of GJ and the network of commercial sponsors. The trustees of the local NPO and members of the GJ network will have representation on the board of each company.
6. Set up work experience and work-start training programmes with local commercial sponsors. Support children into further education.
7. Establish operating partnerships with all related institutions including website links, encouraging transfer of knowledge and experience. Look to establish quarterly forums for local partners.
8. Advise on legislation, control of working hours and staff to be given 6 monthly reviews
9. Establish a commercially sponsored communications module in each journey with broadband access where possible. Set up video conferencing links with twinned UK schools, local private schools, handicapped institutions, etc
10. Guidance given for staff assessment, improvement, and screening, etc. Introduction of GJ/sponsor training support grants. Use of friends of the journey to support in correspondence and hands on training
11. Review salaries and establish minimum wage threshold and a programme and timescale to achieve this. Financed by the commercial sponsors of the journey
12. GJ will manage a centralised support centre forming the hub for a network of journeys throughout the world, creating website tools for the network to integrate. Establish an international network of friends who will offer many kinds of support for the needs of each journey during its growth.
13. Support Social services department and maintain a communications link with each child through their brothers and sisters in the orphanage.
14. The mascot will be the leprechaun, a fun and mischievous character in itself. Trustees will have a leprechaun identity. The charity will be launched with a music video depicting the Generation Journey with its theme song, a greeting and a dance routine. Music will play a big part of each journey and all will be encouraged to develop the musical skills to a maximum. The vehicles of the journey will be decorated to express fun. The behaviour of the elderly will be a statement of fun. Playing and singing with young and old will be a feature of our excursions. Humour and wisdom will be active in all the journey communications and the website structured to encourage the exchange of humour. Our procedures and ideas will be alternative and creative