SUMMARY
OF 92nd MEETING OF SUSILA DHARMA (BRITAIN)
India
Lorena de Silva reported on the extended visit by Suren and her to the
Mithra school near Bangalore. The possibility of raising funds for the
rebuilding of the primary school and Vocational Training Centre, in
liaison with SD Germany, was considered. More information on the
projected budget was requested. Lorena and Laura will make a
visit to the SDG meeting in Hamburg to discuss the situation with
Lawrence Fryer.
The
project in Bellur and 2 other villages is in process of reorganisation
following a feasibility study funded by SD(B) and SDG. Future
funding will depend on this being completed satisfactorily.
Kalimantan
Michael Wisnom had been working on a further application to the
Community Fund for the TSLICK (Towards Sustainable Livelihoods in
Central Kalimantan) project in Kalimantan. He has been liaising
with Lorna Dowson-Collins who has been working in Kalimantan. The
Blond Trust has agreed to make a grant of $10,000 for a social
entrepreneurship project producing patchouli oil for perfumes.
An
application had been received for a small pilot project to tackle the
problem of mercury use in artisanal mining in Kalimantan. KSG had
agreed to fund £1,000 towards it and SD(B) agreed to give the balance
of £422.
Artemesia
The Board agreed that a memorial fund for Maia Nauen totalling £280
should be donated to the artemesia project. This project hopes to
proliferate the growth of a strain of artemesia for the treatment of
malaria. A complete kit for growing artemesia has been sent to
East Timor.
Clearpath
The Board agreed to send $3,000 to Clearpath International in
response to an application circulated by SDIA towards a vocational
training programme for victims of land mines in Cambodia and their
families.
Manike
Appeal
Manike’s third operation – to reconstruct her left and right
jawbones – took place on 9th March. It was successful and
Manike is now convalescing. The surgeon is consulting with his
colleagues about the fourth operation to give Manike a new jaw made out
of one of her leg bones.
Wisma
Mulia
Patricia Lacey is looking into a PA system to enable those
residents who are hard of hearing to participate in events held in the
meeting room, the cost to be met from the balance of funds raised to
contribute to the assisted bath and other amenities.
Congo
The Board is grateful to Laurence Shorter for taking $1,500 to R.D.
Congo on his recent visit with the International Helpers. This
sum is to pay teachers at the Complexe Scolaire Susila Dharma in Inkisi.
Conflict
Prevention and the Arts
SD(B) was asked to draw attention to an exciting project in Kalimantan
initiated by Simon Dick and Riduan Tomkins called ‘Conflict
Prevention and the Arts’ which is receiving funding from the World
Bank and the Indonesian Government. There is a shortfall for
consultants’ fees, and SD(B) is not able to help at this time.
Treasurer
Stephen Weil will take over the job of SD(B) treasurer from Mark
McElroy at our next meeting.
Next
Meeting
The
next meeting of the Board will be on 23rd May at Wisma Mulia.