International Report 2023-24
Director: Peter Stanton
Committee: Tony Makin, Tony Coote, Andrew Little
Committee: Tony Makin, Tony Coote, Andrew Little
Background:
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Training.
Education & Schooling resources
Women empowerment through income based on Weaving.
These projects improve the quality of life and ensure that the essentials of clean water, better schools and productive agriculture are possible for everyone.
- Our club continues to engage with Nusa Tenggara Association (NTA) over the past 7 years, as our principal in-country international partner.
- NTA programmes are authentic and meet the criteria we had set for a sustainable relationship and our requirements for strong governance and to ensure our Rotary profile is displayed and acknowledged.
- NTA takes a grassroots approach to supporting the well-being of the people of East Nusa Tenggara.
- NTA programs builds on a 30+ year history in Flores and West Timor, providing small-scale funding and loans to local farming collectives, schools, and families to invest in:
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Training.
Education & Schooling resources
Women empowerment through income based on Weaving.
These projects improve the quality of life and ensure that the essentials of clean water, better schools and productive agriculture are possible for everyone.
Priorities:
Global Grant: Following ongoing club support and two district Grants in Flores, we desired to make a continuing impact in one village- Ian Tenna, in Flores.
This resulted in a Global Grant submission, subsequent technical review, and approval. Overall, this was a lengthy process.
Global Grant: Following ongoing club support and two district Grants in Flores, we desired to make a continuing impact in one village- Ian Tenna, in Flores.
This resulted in a Global Grant submission, subsequent technical review, and approval. Overall, this was a lengthy process.
G2347745: WASH Project for Ian Tenna Village, Flores, Indonesia
Our target is 70 Water Storage Tanks, 70 Wash Toilets and Hygiene Training. Funding is via USD 50,000 (AUD 76,000). Rotary funds 50% of the cost, the balance is met by individual families and the village.
New Operations personnel at NTA-Indonesia.
Stephanie Heighes- Operations Manager NTA resigned from NTA and has joined another NGO. The loss of her knowledge and continuity was a concern, however the appointment of new Field Officers based in Indonesia, Simon Field- Program Coordinator and Laura Kola- Program Manager has proven to be a major asset to the relationship. Laura is based in Flores as a local. Her CV is impeccable, with many years working for NGO’s. Laura is the key contact for the WASH Grant project and is a native speaker who is very familiar with the locations of our project.
We have engaged in detailed discussions to re-align and revise the project timeline and budget details. This obviously took some time. All members are very supportive and I have confidence in the success of the program.- The WASH Project is back on track.
New Operations personnel at NTA-Indonesia.
Stephanie Heighes- Operations Manager NTA resigned from NTA and has joined another NGO. The loss of her knowledge and continuity was a concern, however the appointment of new Field Officers based in Indonesia, Simon Field- Program Coordinator and Laura Kola- Program Manager has proven to be a major asset to the relationship. Laura is based in Flores as a local. Her CV is impeccable, with many years working for NGO’s. Laura is the key contact for the WASH Grant project and is a native speaker who is very familiar with the locations of our project.
We have engaged in detailed discussions to re-align and revise the project timeline and budget details. This obviously took some time. All members are very supportive and I have confidence in the success of the program.- The WASH Project is back on track.
We have engaged in detailed discussions to re-align and revise the project timeline and budget details. This obviously took some time. All members are very supportive and I have confidence in the success of the program.- The WASH Project is back on track.
Global Grant Project Review:
The communications with Laura Kola, Program Manager, Nusa Tenggara Association are going well.
A team meeting in Maumere, held mid-way through February to tighten up plans for hygiene training- planned for the second week of March. Construction training will be conducted once the rains ease. We are all eager to get the project going.
Dedicated Bank accounts
First tranche of AUD20,000 has been successfully transferred.
AUD35,000 has been invested in a safe Term Deposit.
Interest earned will be available for project contingency or further toilets.
Training Modules –
Hygiene training has been completed, following a meeting with the Government Health Clinic. This resulted in a formal agreement for hygiene training support and implementation. We envisage a follow-up refresher in 2025.
Community Technician “master” training will occur, to achieve Tank and Toilet construction to be uniform in quality and best result.
Global Grant Project Review:
The communications with Laura Kola, Program Manager, Nusa Tenggara Association are going well.
A team meeting in Maumere, held mid-way through February to tighten up plans for hygiene training- planned for the second week of March. Construction training will be conducted once the rains ease. We are all eager to get the project going.
Dedicated Bank accounts
First tranche of AUD20,000 has been successfully transferred.
AUD35,000 has been invested in a safe Term Deposit.
Interest earned will be available for project contingency or further toilets.
Training Modules –
Hygiene training has been completed, following a meeting with the Government Health Clinic. This resulted in a formal agreement for hygiene training support and implementation. We envisage a follow-up refresher in 2025.
Community Technician “master” training will occur, to achieve Tank and Toilet construction to be uniform in quality and best result.
By establishing new skills within the community, we aim train more community members and increase their job possibilities.
Village Committee, will strengthen the commitment of hygiene standards as we influence a behaviour change within the community, from school children to family and village.
Training Materials need to be shared at the village level and for every family. This includes: Manuals, Posters, Handouts.
Project Timeline: A revised plan has been agreed, reflecting the new personnel at NTA-Indonesia and the late monsoon, causing construction delays.
Village Committee, will strengthen the commitment of hygiene standards as we influence a behaviour change within the community, from school children to family and village.
Training Materials need to be shared at the village level and for every family. This includes: Manuals, Posters, Handouts.
Project Timeline: A revised plan has been agreed, reflecting the new personnel at NTA-Indonesia and the late monsoon, causing construction delays.
Donors Trip November 2023. (Fourth annual surveillance trip)
We met with Rotary Club of Bali Seminyak who are the Host Rotary Club for the grant. Andrew Little and Janelle Craig met with Anita Lococo (GG contact), Indra Butschka, Marie Francoise, other club members.
A dedicated Bank Account for tracking the funds is established. RC Bali-Seminyak will release funds to NTA-I based on project progress reports, Annual field visits and Combined Donors visits. A dedicated bank account is in place for each party and the funds will be fully auditable- from Sponsor/ Host /NTA-I village recipient.
We have established a solid relationship, reviewed the MOU and other agreements to support the proposed Global Grant application with our partner, NTA.
The hospitality was outstanding; the meeting was very successful and set the relationship for a Host Rotary club in support of the proposed Global Grant.
A dedicated Bank Account for tracking the funds is established. RC Bali-Seminyak will release funds to NTA-I based on project progress reports, Annual field visits and Combined Donors visits. A dedicated bank account is in place for each party and the funds will be fully auditable- from Sponsor/ Host /NTA-I village recipient.
We have established a solid relationship, reviewed the MOU and other agreements to support the proposed Global Grant application with our partner, NTA.
The hospitality was outstanding; the meeting was very successful and set the relationship for a Host Rotary club in support of the proposed Global Grant.
Field Visit Mamamare November 2023.
The program was extensive, covering separate meetings to cover WASH programs, meet Ian Tena Village Head - Baobatung Tomas Alva Edison and the local Health clinic.
They have personally committed to the WASH project, as he can see the benefits to their community.
The opportunity to see, discuss and experience has no substitute to the personal experiences from an infield donor’s trip. It is important that future International Directors make this commitment.
The program was extensive, covering separate meetings to cover WASH programs, meet Ian Tena Village Head - Baobatung Tomas Alva Edison and the local Health clinic.
They have personally committed to the WASH project, as he can see the benefits to their community.
The opportunity to see, discuss and experience has no substitute to the personal experiences from an infield donor’s trip. It is important that future International Directors make this commitment.
“Teacher in a Box”
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This programme is expanding, with a major effort to provide a library of Indonesian language resources.
Most schools in Flores & West Timor don’t have internet accessibility. TIB provides a large volume of educational material from Primary, Secondary and some University resources. There is no expense to the school & includes Indonesian school curriculum and Story books in Bahasa Indonesia. We are current adding more copyright free content in Bahasa Indonesia and will soon add a package aimed at new mothers- “First 100 days” TIB Installed: 2022 1 Flores & 1 West Timor 2023 2 Flores & 2 West Timor |
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We are developing experience with these initial schools, and we will develop a larger project to roll-out TIB to many more schools. This will be undertaken by the incoming International Service Director - Andrew Little.
Overall, this was a challenging year. I appreciated the generous support from our committee members- Tony Makin, Tony Coote and Andrew Little. This coming year will be equally challenging. The Global Grant will require project management, and a best course for TIB needs selection. I look forward to supporting Andrew in his new role and accompanying the upcoming Donors Trip October 2024. Peter Stanton International Service Director. 2017-2024 |
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Our Application for a Global Grant has been approved
We are pleased to inform you that the Application for the Global Grant has been Approved !!
“WASH Project for Ian Tenna Village, Flores, Indonesia”
The project has a target for 70 Rain Water Tanks and 70 Wash Room Toilets
Included in the grant is a Comprehensive Hygiene Training package, aimed at understanding and behaviour change.
Our compliments to our partners- Rotary Club Bali Seminyak, who will be instrumental in the execution of the program (the Host club).
We appreciated the financial support of 7 Rotary Clubs: Hills - Kellyville, Kincumber, North Sydney Sunrise, Lane Cove, Daylesford, Beecroft, Queanbeyan, and Burley Griffin.
Our Co-operating Partner: Nusa Tenggara Association (NTA- Indonesia) expands on a long association and will be fundamental in delivery of training modules and providing on-ground support.
The global grant team has been invaluable in the preparation of the numerous documents and supporting material required.
“WASH Project for Ian Tenna Village, Flores, Indonesia”
The project has a target for 70 Rain Water Tanks and 70 Wash Room Toilets
Included in the grant is a Comprehensive Hygiene Training package, aimed at understanding and behaviour change.
Our compliments to our partners- Rotary Club Bali Seminyak, who will be instrumental in the execution of the program (the Host club).
We appreciated the financial support of 7 Rotary Clubs: Hills - Kellyville, Kincumber, North Sydney Sunrise, Lane Cove, Daylesford, Beecroft, Queanbeyan, and Burley Griffin.
Our Co-operating Partner: Nusa Tenggara Association (NTA- Indonesia) expands on a long association and will be fundamental in delivery of training modules and providing on-ground support.
The global grant team has been invaluable in the preparation of the numerous documents and supporting material required.
The Global Grant Team
Prenter School Vanuatu
In May 2014, a party of twelve (Rotarians, their partners and volunteers) took part in a project to assist the kindergarten children of Prenter School, Vanuatu. This project involved installation of louvre windows in two classrooms – previously there were just openings which led to class disruption every time it rained .
Having made the rooms watertight, the project team proceeded to paint the classrooms. After this, they painted murals and an Alphabet on the walls of the classrooms.
Having made the rooms watertight, the project team proceeded to paint the classrooms. After this, they painted murals and an Alphabet on the walls of the classrooms.
Vanuatu Tropical Cyclone Pam
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In March 2015 Tropical Cyclone Pam was one of the worst disasters to ever hit the Pacific region. Packing winds of up to 250 kilometres per hour, the category-five system caused widespread devastation in Vanuatu's leaving 75,000 people in need of emergency shelter, and 96 per cent of food crops were destroyed.
Our club has long standing ties with Vanuatu and through Miriam Jacka the club donated $2,500 towards cost of a container loaded with all sorts of aids material. |
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International Service - Note from Tony
- As announced at the last meeting, after trying to identify an alternative location for a volunteer event, the committee has decided that the only realistic opportunity is to go to Vanuatu again.
- We were not avoiding Vanuatu because of any lack of need; it is just that a few of us have been to Vanuatu before (some more than once).
- The project in Vanuatu is to put a roof on a school block in the hills above Hogg Harbour, Espiritu Santo. Another team have recently returned and are expected to have completed the blockwork structure.
- There are great advantages in working in Vanuatu:
- We have been before and know what we are in for.
- Vanuatu is safe.
- The accommodation is good by the standards of impoverished nations (if they weren’t impoverished we wouldn’t be going). The cold water is not really cold and the food is good.
- The materials will be organised for us. We just need to contribute to the cost.
- There are two hardware stores within reach for anything we don’t have at the site.
- The resort is in a perfect location within a stone’s throw of the sea and right next to Champagne Bay which is where many luxury liners stop to enjoy the beach.
- We work to about 4.00pm then relax and enjoy the sea and a long Happy Hour before dinner.
- They fly big planes into Espiritu Santo (for the benefit of Mr Coote).
- Cost is minimal – likely to be about $2,000 which can be reduced by tax deductions under special circumstances (please see me if you want to know more about this).
- I am waiting for photos and a report on the project from the returning team so that I can give the club more detail.
- The critical issue is that we need to know that we have enough people to make this work. This has been a problem in the past and has been terminal in two previous attempts to organise a trip. Also two of the likely team have already indicated that they are not available in May next year which is the preferred time.
- Please email, text or phone me to log your enthusiasm. The people of Vanuatu need us and you need to do a bit of Service above Self. It is guaranteed to be memorable.
Shelterbox - Earthquake in Nepal
We sponsored two Shelter-boxes each costing $1,000 including delivery providing emergency shelter and vital supplies to support the local community overwhelmed by disaster and humanitarian crisis.
Each box bears its own unique number so a donor can track their box all the way to its recipient country via the website. Highly trained Shelter-box Response Teams distribute boxes on the ground, working closely with local organisations, international aid agencies and Rotary clubs worldwide. Box Number Destination Donation Date
3221 Chengdu, China 23 May 2008 3970 Mbabane, Swaziland 24 Jun 2008 3971 Mbabane, Swaziland 24 Jun 2008 9314 Japan 23 Sep 2010 9502 Colombia 01 Oct 2010 9530 Colombia 01 Oct 2010 12483 Nepal 12 Dec 2013 14950 To be deployed 21 Jun 2016 14955 To be deployed 21 Jun 2016 Note: 3221 is Bob Davison, Rest RCWPHC |
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Donations in Kind
This is a Rotary scheme to package unwanted hospital equipment, clothes, wheelchairs and other essentials and to send this material in containers to under-developed countries. The Club takes part in packaging sessions throughout the year .
On 7th April, bristling with muscles and enthusiasm, a band of our members joined members of a Penrith club at Donations in Kind.
We were there to fill a container with the usual DIK stuff – beds, mattresses, wheelchairs etc. We soon found out that we were to stuff a 40 foot container with hospital beds. We also filled any spaces with boxes of bandages, blankets (lots) and other hospital supplies.
We put 50 hospital beds into the container. Anyone who has been to DIK would know that the beds are so heavy they feel like they are bolted down. However, we soon got into a system and, by the time we passed the 40th bed, we could throw them around with no difficulty.
Here is an action-packed photo of the (full) container, ready for pickup.
A big effort from the team of John, Larissa, Jaswant, Douglas, Anne Sharpe, Pamela, Chloe Inglis and me plus Paul Laroumanie who was drenched with sweat and then set off to assist at the Barbeque.
Thanks team – a job very well done.
Tony M
We were there to fill a container with the usual DIK stuff – beds, mattresses, wheelchairs etc. We soon found out that we were to stuff a 40 foot container with hospital beds. We also filled any spaces with boxes of bandages, blankets (lots) and other hospital supplies.
We put 50 hospital beds into the container. Anyone who has been to DIK would know that the beds are so heavy they feel like they are bolted down. However, we soon got into a system and, by the time we passed the 40th bed, we could throw them around with no difficulty.
Here is an action-packed photo of the (full) container, ready for pickup.
A big effort from the team of John, Larissa, Jaswant, Douglas, Anne Sharpe, Pamela, Chloe Inglis and me plus Paul Laroumanie who was drenched with sweat and then set off to assist at the Barbeque.
Thanks team – a job very well done.
Tony M
Operation Food for Life
Toys for kids in Port Moresby, PNG
They provide physical, emotional and spiritual support, bringing dignity and hope to the poor, the forgotten and the disadvantaged. They undertake various programs such as feeding and clothing 500+ people living on rubbish dump on the outskirts of Ports Moresby. In PNG they feed patients dying of HIV/Aids or TB in hospitals, feeding prisoners in jail, assisting various local institutions for physically and mentally challenged providing them with mobility and by providing a school food and learning resources and a Care Centre for up to 35 disadvantaged children.
From: Dennis Perry [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Sunday, 19 June 2016 1:50 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Note of Sincere Appreciation
Dear Robert I am writing a personal note to request that you please express our charities sincere and grateful appreciation to the officers and members of the Rotary Club of West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook for the kind donation of $1000 to help our humanitarian work in Papua New Guinea.
Our current project is building a sanctuary to provide a safe, secure 24/7 accommodation for abused, poor, neglected, children, youth and teens in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Work with them to repair their broken hearts, restore their dignity and give them hope and confidence in moving forward.
Amongst our many programs and projects, for over 3 years we have been caring for over 30 children in a less than satisfactory environment.
More photos are on our web site. www.offl.org.au
We have extended a house in Port Moresby to provide a more welcoming facility. Now with your donation we can continue to complete the facility.
I have attached some before and after photos of the current project.(New photos at top.)
You will note children living in cramped conditions. Some in tents and some wherever there was space.
The new facility is life changing.
We will never turn a child at risk away.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, once again for your kindness and compassion.
With Kindest Regards and Personal
Best Wishes
Dennis Dennis Perry - President/Chief Servant - Operation Food for Life - Cherrybrook.
Didi Foundation Update
Sent: Sunday, 19 June 2016 1:50 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Note of Sincere Appreciation
Dear Robert I am writing a personal note to request that you please express our charities sincere and grateful appreciation to the officers and members of the Rotary Club of West Pennant Hills and Cherrybrook for the kind donation of $1000 to help our humanitarian work in Papua New Guinea.
Our current project is building a sanctuary to provide a safe, secure 24/7 accommodation for abused, poor, neglected, children, youth and teens in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Work with them to repair their broken hearts, restore their dignity and give them hope and confidence in moving forward.
Amongst our many programs and projects, for over 3 years we have been caring for over 30 children in a less than satisfactory environment.
More photos are on our web site. www.offl.org.au
We have extended a house in Port Moresby to provide a more welcoming facility. Now with your donation we can continue to complete the facility.
I have attached some before and after photos of the current project.(New photos at top.)
You will note children living in cramped conditions. Some in tents and some wherever there was space.
The new facility is life changing.
We will never turn a child at risk away.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, once again for your kindness and compassion.
With Kindest Regards and Personal
Best Wishes
Dennis Dennis Perry - President/Chief Servant - Operation Food for Life - Cherrybrook.
Didi Foundation Update
