Gorta was the first overseas development organisation to be set up in Ireland. It was established by the Department of Agriculture in 1965 at the request of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). Since its inception, gorta has channelled the contributions of Irish people to almost 2000 projects in the developing world.

Implementing innovative and effective strategic partnerships with some of the world’s poorest communities gorta focuses on:

• food and water security that sustains life
• healthcare that saves lives
• education that empowers
• livelihoods that create prosperity

In a manner that strives to achieve social, environmental and economic justice for all.

Programmes and projects supported by gorta are located predominantly in Sub-Saharan Africa where the need is greatest. gorta focuses on tackling problems before they develop into emergencies. For gorta, development is seen as a process enabling people to reach a position where they can provide for their own growth and protection without relying on outside help. Rather than imposing solutions on people, gorta seeks to give people the tools to create their own solutions.

Gorta has ten charity shops operating in Capel Street and Liffey Street – Dublin, Cork, Carlow, Limerick, Portlaoise, Skibbereen, Mallow, Macroom and Bandon.

For further information check out www.gorta.org