OXFAM
1.
Watch the video podcast about Oxfam and fill in the gaps with the appropriate
word(-s).
1. Oxford,
which is famous for his __________ __________, is also the birthplace of Oxfam –
a charity which has been helping people __________ __________ since the 1940s.
2. The
charity was set up in 1942 and encouraged people to donate __________ and __________
to help the people of Europe during World War II. After the war, Oxfam
continued to __________ __________ to
relieve suffering caused by wars and disasters.
3. The
Oxfam shop at 17 Broad Street, Oxford, became the first __________ charity shop
in the UK.
4. Charity
shops are full of cheap __________
__________, books, music and many other things that people have donated.
5. Today
Oxfam has more than __________ charity shops all over the world, and __________
of them are in the UK.
6. People
usually donates clothes and __________ goods. Some years ago, a __________ was donated and it was sold in just 10
minutes.
7. Oxford
GB, the British division of Oxfam employs about __________ people in the Oxford
headquarters and almost __________ employees in __________ different countries.
8. Oxfam’s
work wouldn’t be possible without the help of its volunteers, the __________ of
individuals or even people who like shopping for __________.
2.
Listen again with the audioscript to check.
Oxfam – answer key:
1. historic university / in need
2. food / clothing / raise money
3. permanent
4. second-hand clothes
5. 1,200 / 750
6. households / donkey
7. 700 / 6,000 / 70
8. generosity / bargains
Audioscript:
Hi, I’m Louise,
and this is Oxford. Oxford is a beautiful city that’s most famous for its
historic university. But there’s a lot more to Oxford than just an old
University. The city is also the birthplace of another world-famous
organisation: Oxfam – a charity that has been helping people in need since the
1940s.
The Oxford
Committee for Famine relief was set up in 1942. The charity, which soon became
known as Oxfam, encouraged people to donate food and clothing to help the peopl
e of Europe who were suffering during the Second World War.
The British
people were very generous and after the end of the war, Oxfam continued to
raise money to relieve suffering caused by wars and disasters around the world.
This is the
Oxfam shop at 17 Broad Street, Oxford, a small shop on one of Oxford’s busiest
streets. In 1947, this shop became the first permanent charity shop in the UK –
and it’s still going strong today.
Charity shops
are great when you haven’t got much money and you need to give your credit
cards a rest. They are full of cheap second-hand clothes, books, music, and
many other things that people have donated. For someone like me they are the
perfect place for a low-cost shopping spree. And, most importantly, none of the
money you spend here is ever wasted – it all goes to support a very good cause.
Today Oxfam
has more than 1,200 charity shops all over the world, and 750 of them are in
the UK. Today I’m meeting Joan Massey, who has volunteered at Oxfam for 15
years, since she ret ired. 'What kind of things do people donate?' 'Well,
mostly clothes, household goods, and, er, some years ago there was a donkey
donated. Er, it had a tag around its neck saying ‘I’m for sale’ and it had been
sold within ten minutes. '
Oxfam has
changed a lot in seventy years and the small charity that started in this tiny
shop now has its headquarters here – just outside Oxford on the Cowley Road.
Today Oxfam is an international charity working in more than 92 countries
around the world and helping over 15 million people every year.
This is the
headquarters of Oxford GB, the British division of Oxfam. About 700 staff work
here, but Oxford GB also employs almost 6,000 employees working in 70 different
countries.
Oxfam does
amazing work around the world, and none of it would be possible without the
help of its volunteers, the generosity of individuals donating money and goods
to the charity, and even people like me who love shopping for bargains!
