Oxfam GB :: Oxfam in action

What we do: Campaign for change; Emergency response; Development work; Why we do it

Issues we work on: Climate change; Conflict and natural disasters; Health; Education; Debt and aid; Gender equality; The right to be heard; Global Food Crisis; Trade; Private sector

Where we work: Countries we work in

The impact of our work: In words and pictures; On video

Special features: History of Oxfam; Oxfam myths exposed; Take the Oxfam Quiz; Reshaping our world

Bin the Myth

Sort fact from fiction about Oxfam and poverty

"Poor people are just lazy!" Amazing what rubbish some people come out with, isn't it? But there are other stereotypes and urban myths out there that aren't quite so obvious. If you've ever found yourself wondering who and what to believe, this handy guide should help clear up any confusion.

Be surprised

How well do you know Oxfam? Prepare to find out:

Oxfam in action

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This one's definitely not for recycling! The fact is we spend just 11p in every £1 donated to Oxfam on support and running costs – money vital to keeping an effective, professional organisation going. Everything we do depends on it – running efficient projects, getting people, equipment, supplies and funds to where they're needed. The whole life-saving shebang.

Photo: Anisa Draboo

Rubbish! We couldn't wait to bin this one. Because everyone we work with toils hard to survive, and harder still to overcome poverty and make better lives for themselves. OK, some poor people are lazy of course. Like some rich people are lazy. So let's go easy on the stereotypes. Unless you can't be bothered.

Photo: Jane Beesley

Let's clear this one up, shall we? Oxfam doesn't give money to governments. And yes, corruption exists – everywhere. We do work with governments sometimes, but we spend our own money, on our own projects, run by our own staff. And we're committed to accounting for every penny!

Photo: Annie Bungeroth

Rubbish! It really is time to get shot of this. First of all, in lots of poor countries, families are getting smaller, not bigger. This is because people have fewer children when they begin to prosper – which is good news, all round. And the bad news? Millions of kids are still born into poverty, and don't even make it past their fifth birthday.

Photo: Shailan Parker

Sticky subject? We don't think so. Because aid recently got two million kids in Tanzania into school. And aid just helped millions of people in Zambia get free healthcare. And after the Asian Tsunami? Aid gave millions of people the cash and materials they needed to rebuild homes and lives. The list goes on and on, so we won't.

Photo: Geoff Sayer

Rubbish! Bin it! Oxfam wouldn't bother campaigning if it didn't work. But it does work – from helping Ethiopia's coffee farmers get a fair deal with Starbucks, to securing billions more in aid and debt relief for poor countries, as part of Make Poverty History. And in 2006, we helped persuade the UN to begin work on the first-ever treaty on global arms controls, too. Not exactly a catalogue of failure!

Photo: Kate Raeworth

You thinking of moving?

Ask some of the world's poorest people – who we work with – if they'd rather we sold a top for a fiver, or a pound. Because that money directly funds what we do. So what's a nice top worth if it helps someone break free from poverty? Glad we've got that one sorted out.

Photo: Crispin Hughes

Okay, this is definitely rubbish – it was well past its sell-by date. Rather like the hairy old helpings of humbug you've helped us dispense with here. We hope they've been food for thought.

Now wash your hands. And go spread the truth about Oxfam!