SUMMARY
OF 100th MEETING OF SUSILA DHARMA (BRITAIN)
This was the first full Board meeting sinceWorld Congress, and those of us who attended felt the need to look afresh at our way of working and grant-giving. We felt we needed a new approach to the work of SD(B). We spent some time talking about the difficulties of funding projects which don’t seem to have the capacity to become self-sufficient. Schools in poorer countries often fall into this category. We decided to give priority to capacity building and supporting sustainable projects, so that funding will produce a situation where we can eventually leave them to run themselves and we can move on to devote our energies to other projects. Nevertheless, we felt we should set aside a certain percentage of our funds for one-off grants to other worthwhile projects that send us proposals.
Members wishing to donate to the Subud relief effort in Pakistan can do so through SD(B). The donations will be forwarded to SDIA who are co-ordinating the payments.
The Board decided to make an extra payment to SDIA to help cover the shortfall in their budget.
Kalimantan The director of the project of Sustainable Livelihoods has resigned to take up a position with World Education, although he will continue to be involved to a small extent with a project to make biodiesel from palm oil. This leaves two field workers to carry forward the project, which is now becoming self-sufficient.
Artemisia Ruslan Morris and Daniella Bustillo are continuing their work with artemisia in Kalimantan. At World Congress, artemisia plants had been given to Eliana Garzon from Ecuador, and Illene Pevec from Brazil.
SRADHA The Board decided to grant £1,060 to SRADHA in India to cover a request for free school uniforms to an additional 5 villages, and supplementary nutrition to be extended from one to 7 villages.
Semillitas Amor y Fe The Board agreed to contribute £1,000 to this school project in Colombia to help offset the exceptional costs caused by relocation of the school following a landslide.
Clinic Ibu4Aceh The Board agreed to send $1,000 towards Lucia Cargill’s salary for November, on the understanding that this would be the last such payment.
YUM, Indonesia The Board agreed to send £500 for the repair of two school buildings.
Newsletter. Terms were agreed with Marcus Bolt for the production of our next News.
SD(B)’s next meeting will be on 7th/8th January 2006.