Eden Valley Academy to continue independently

Eden Valley Academy (EVA) will continue to run independently following a mutual agreement between EVA founder and director Helen Hall and ADRA Australia which ends ADRA’s partnership with the project.

ADRA Australia’s involvement with EVA commenced shortly after the Academy was established in 1983. The Academy provides education and vocational training to refugees along the Myanmar-Thai border.

Each year the school has provided quality education and vocational training to more than 800 refugee children living in Mae La refugee camp.

“We would like to thank all those who have supported ADRA Australia’s READ project in Thailand,” Programs Director Murray Millar said.

“By partnering with Eden Valley Academy, you have given refugee children a chance to access world-class education opportunities – something which is often beyond the reach of displaced children.”

The joint decision to part ways was made recently, and will not affect the Academy’s ability to operate. However, ADRA Australia will no longer accept donations for EVA.

Those wishing to continue supporting Eden Valley Academy can contact Helen Hall via email. Please note these donations will not be tax-deductible.

ADRA Australia continues to provide support to refugees through the Syrian refugee education project in Lebanon.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Will the project close for lack of financial support?

No. The project receives generous support from a significant number of donors in Australia. This, along with Helen Hall’s desire for Eden Valley Academy to grow and operate independently, has prompted a mutual decision by both parties to cease ADRA Australia’s involvement in the Academy.

What will happen to the school?

Eden Valley Academy will continue to function as it has until this time. By giving directly to the Academy, supporters will continue to help with the activities associated with running the school. Please note, by donating directly to Helen Hall, your gifts will not be eligible to receive Australian tax-deductibility.

What can I do if I want to continue supporting this project?

If you wish to continue to support Eden Valley Academy you can do so directly by emailing Helen. We take the protection of ADRA donors’ privacy very seriously and cannot disclose donor information to third parties, including Eden Valley Academy. Donations made directly to the Academy will not be tax-deductible.

How will donations received from now on be processed?

Any donations received for Eden Valley Academy from 1 August 2018 will be processed to ADRA’s Syrian refugee education project.

Why can’t ADRA provide tax deductibility even if ADRA is not involved in the project?

By offering tax-deductibility, ADRA Australia takes on the responsibility of ensuring that the project complies with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) requirements. With Eden Valley Academy becoming independent, ADRA Australia will not be able to monitor compliance with these guidelines.

I am disappointed by this decision. Who can I talk to at ADRA Australia about this?

You can email us or call us on 1800 242 372 and we can provide further clarity.

I would like to continue my monthly donations. What projects should I support?

ADRA Australia will continue to support refugees through the Syrian refugee education project in Lebanon. To support this project via one-off or regular monthly gifts, click here. Alternatively you can email or call us on 1800 242 372