News
AMERICAN EXPRESS DONATES TO ASTI
Grant from American Express Helps Acid Survivors in Bangladesh
London Last year, Marketing Manager Lola Askarova nominated a charity where she volunteers her time and marketing expertise, for a grant under a scheme run by her employer, American Express.
In January, Acid Survivors Trust International (ASTI), the UK based charity that supports the rehabilitation of survivors of acid attacks while working to eliminate acid violence around the word, received a grant of $800 from the financial services and travel company.
The donation, awarded under American Express’ Global Volunteer Action Fund programme, will go towards flying veteran ASTI supporter and volunteer plastic surgeon, Ron Hiles, from the UK to work with the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) in Bangladesh.
In the past ten years the ASF has treated thousands of survivors of acid attacks – most are women who are attacked due to domestic disputes, dowry demands or simply revenge.
On arrival in Bangladesh, Ron will operate on survivors of acid attacks, train local surgeons and medical staff, and will take with him some essential medical equipment.
Speaking about the trip, Chairman of the Acid Survivors Trust International, John Morrison said ‘ This grant will help us to continue our work rebuilding survivor’s lives and enhancing local medical expertise. Donationations like this are making a real difference to survivors of acid attacks in Bangladesh.’
Each year, American Express Philanthropy’s Global Volunteer Action Fund recognises employees for their volunteer service by contributing money to nonprofit organisations based on individual employee or employee teams’ volunteer efforts.
Posted on April 08th 2010 by Rick Trask in ASTI news
