Oxfam (India) Trust

Background
The Oxford Committee For Famine Relief met for the first time on 5 October 1942 in UK in order to counter the famine that was taking hold of Greece during the Second World War. Oxfam has since spread to over 100 countries the world over. Oxfam set up in India in 1951, and today operates through a network of 6 offices in the country.

Activities
Gender equality, disaster preparedness & response, girls' education, response to conflict & peace-building, and HIV/AIDS are some of Oxfam India's priority programs. Apart from these, they also run campaigns from time to time.

The Make Trade Fair campaign lobbies governments to change the rigged trade rules for developing countries. In India, the campaign focuses on TRIPS, public health and food security, among others.

The "Campaign To End Violence Against Women" (CEVAW) aims at bringing about attitudinal & behavioral change in men and women so as to mitigate domestic violence against women in the Indian society. The campaign is poised for expansion into five other countries in South Asia.

Volunteer Opportunities
Cash donations can be made in favor of "Oxfam India Trust, New Delhi", and mailed to the branch office here. Oxfam employs only full-time members for its programs, and job opportunities are advertised for in the local newspapers. However, volunteers are welcome for its disaster management programs - details of which can be obtained from the office.

Oxfam International is a worldwide movement of 12 NGOs, and its reach is only growing with time. Visiting the office will not give you an inkling of the magnitude that it operates on. It's tucked away in a corner, and things go about in a crisp, business-like manner - so take an appointment before you visit. Another word of advice - before you decide to participate in its activities in any way, be sure to do a good job of perusing its website and familiarizing yourself with the organization.