Association noon.ch
The wealth-difference between developing countries and our own European standards are so extreme and hurtful, that it encourages one to act: One realizes that even a little European money can improve the lives of those in these countries. Therefore, we have decided to undertake something personally: Generating small impulses by collecting contributions and revisiting these countries to provide our active on-site help.
In March 2005 we founded the association Noon.ch. This association purposes the provisioning of financial and other funds to support private organisations (NGO's) in India, which fulfill the following criteria:
a. They campaign for schools, hospitals, communities or countrymen
b. Their activities are focussed on congested areas and neglected rural areas in India
c. We keep in touch with these organisations
The association is independent, politically and confessionally neutral and not profit oriented. All members act honorary and unsalaried.
Byelaws of the association noon.ch (German Only)
Approved aid association, tax exemption
noon.ch has been approved as a public utility and non profit aid association: Donations to noon.ch from private individuals and companies can be abstracted from the tax declaration as "volunteer donation"!
Decision of Tax Department FR (German only)
Vision
We want to plant a seed and enable small but long-term improvement, thereby supporting a local Indian organisation which attends to street children rather than handing over 5 USD to many of them. By means of regular visits in India, we want to share everyday life with these people to understand their problems and help them by applying our experience and knowledge.
Aims
We want to enable long-term help. It is our ambition to provide something for people in need rather than simply distributing money to them. Thus, supporting schools (books), farmers (tools), smaller local organisations (like day-care for street children), communities (provide drinking water) or hospitals (medical care). On site, diverse aims (small and medium-scale) are our favorite aims.
With YOUR and our direct financial support and active help, diverse aims (small and medium-scale) may be realised. Assistance and internal activity is stipulated and contributions in kind have priority.
Where do we want to help?
India is a huge country! We will concentrate on congested areas (like Dehli and Mumbai) and untended, less frequented rural areas.
Control and Sustainability?
This help takes place through direct support. Trustworthy local organisations will receive some donations; direct and measurable aims shall be realised with individuals. We want to hold up the contacts made and carry out monitoring (as far as possible). By demand and possibilities, the support may be extended and enlarged in future.
Why India?
As a matter of fact, there exist many poor countries in this world. But the poverty in India was one of the most heartstricken on our travels. The cultural attractiveness of this land and its people encourages us to act personally.
Dangers and Problems
The dignity and honour of the supported people must remain protected. Cautious and deliberate exposure to goods and money is fundamental. Jealousy may be provoked easily and malevolence of disregarded people like friends or neighbours rises rapidly. Thus, it is better to provide help through neutral and independent institutions or community heads and leaders. Persons with a necessary distance and overview to the prevailing problems can act as mediators. Exemplarily, priests or social and medical people may be such people. A guarantee that the money is being used purposefully or that goods will not be re-sold after my departure cannot entirely be given. We have to rely on consulting third parties, our knowledge of human nature and my ability to assess given situations. By periodic personal contacts and further travels to India we hold up the faith in our contacts and project responsible persons.