Issue 10 Spring 2012
The Value Of A Sponsor On a humid Sri Lankan summer afternoon, Rebecca Hunter and I (Sonja Larsen) had the privilege of sharing a meal – and ice-cream – with the Asian Aid sponsored children at Lakpahana School. The school grounds are spacious, neatly kept, and surrounded by luscious jungle hills. Here, in the safety of the campus boundaries, live a multitude of children who come from different religious and ethnic backgrounds, speak a mixture of Tamil, Sinhala and English, and have unique dreams and aspirations. It was here that we were reminded again of the very important role that a sponsor plays in the life of a sponsored child. “Who here has heard from their sponsor?” asked Gary Wilson, the principal of Lakpahana. Only four children out of forty or so present raised their hands. “Who would like to hear from their sponsor?” Every hand shot up. One of the hands that shot up was Isaak’s (not his real name), a 19 year old Sinhalese young man from Colombo. Isaak first came to Lakpahana in 2006 from a community where many people – young and old – were involved heavily in drugs. Since attending Lakpahana, Isaak admits he has changed in many ways. “Before I came I didn’t know how to play any instruments. I’ve also learnt about good morals, social skills, and service – part of our school motto.” His polite manners, conversation, and leadership in the boarders’ evening worship time showed he meant what he said. Due to finish his high school education at the end of this school year, Isaak hopes to become a mechanic and to make a positive impact in society. “I want to help society become a better place,” says Isaak. “I can make a positive contribution to society.” Despite the array of hardships society has thrown his way, he remains positive and believes education is empowering him to help others. “Receiving an education and sponsorship means that I have a future,” he says. “Because of you
Isaak, a sponsored child in Sri Lanka, is determined to make a positive contribution to society.
I also want to help another student in the future. Because of you I am where I am today.” Children love receiving mail from their sponsors. Letters are often the only physical objects that connect a child to you, their sponsor. Research has shown that something as simple as writing a letter to your sponsored child can make a world of difference to them. It seems sponsored children who receive letters from their sponsors have higher self-esteem and perform better at school. Brad Watson, an Asian Aid supporter and lecturer in International Development Studies at Avondale College who has conducted in-depth research into child sponsorship says letter writing is a very significant part of sponsorship. “Children who are sponsored are tremendously curious about the kind donors who help them,” says Brad. “During my travels in India I have met sponsored children who have kept letters and gifts for years.” Brad’s research revealed how unequal the sponsor and child relationship can be, and asks us to imagine what it would feel like to be supported financially by a mysterious person – where the money goes one way while personal letters and information goes the other. “They just love to receive a little personal information about you, your family, why you are helping, and what your hopes are. It really does mean a lot to them.” But writing to someone whom you might not have met and who comes from a different culture, language and family background is not always easy. That’s why we have developed a few guidelines – see inside newsletter – to help you navigate some sensitive topics and make your letter-writing experience simple and enjoyable.
Annual General Meeting 2012 Hope-Inspired: AGM Overview Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow: Hope-Inspired. This was the theme of Asian Aid Australia’s annual report (2011-2012 period) and of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 19 August at the Fox Valley Seventh-day Community Church in Sydney. Nearly 40 Asian Aid supporters, members, staff and board members came together to celebrate Asian Aid’s yesterday and today, and to look forward into where Asian Aid hopes to move into the future. “God takes our dreams and turns them into a reality,” said Peter Sandy, one of the keynote speakers of the AGM. Peter challenged AGM attendees to dream big and continue giving hope to others in need. Peter’s sponsorship story began when he was 22 years old – although his parents had supported him in sponsoring a child when he was only eight years old. This early tradition of service led to Peter sponsoring Nepali Rajendra in 1986. Now, 26 years on, Rajendra runs his own aid organisation (Three Angels Nepal) to help impoverished Nepalese children, and vulnerable women and girls.
Quentin Campbell, Asian Aid’s international programs manager, launches the campaign: Hope-a-thon for Bangladeshi Children.
During the AGM, Quentin Campbell, international program manager, launched Asian Aid’s first sponsorship campaign: Hope-a-thon for Bangladeshi Children. Through the campaign, which will run from 1 September to 24 December this year, Asian Aid hopes to find sponsors for 115 Bangladeshi children. We have included a copy of the campaign card in this newsletter for you to share it with others. Together, we can impact 115 lives for lifetimes through the Hope-a-Thon. “The needs in Bangladesh are great, and statistics of poverty disturbing,” says Quentin about the 50% of Bangladeshi children under 18 years of age who live in abject poverty, and are riddled with malnutrition, illiteracy and infectious dis-
News in Brief Ocean Full Of Joy Tuesday 17 July was a special day for our small Asian Aid family in Wauchope. International Programs Manager Quentin and his wife Kelly welcomed their baby boy Ocean into their family; a cute, little brother for sister Skye (6) and brother River (4). “He was born fit and healthy – 4kg – and we have named him Ocean Campbell – as he has brought a vast expanse of joy to our lives,” says proud father Quentin.
Communication Intern – Brittany McNitt Avondale College Communication student, Brittany McNitt, joined Asian Aid’s Communication team from 17 June to 12 July as part of her professional internship.Thank you Brittany for the wonderful assistance and skill you brought to the team.
First Time to Sri Lanka and India – Sonja Larsen From 13 May to 10 June, Rebecca Hunter and I (Asian Aid Australia staff) travelled together for the first time to Sri Lanka and India.
gram with staff at Helping Hand Welfare Society (HHWS) in India. And what welcoming people and places! From being welcomed into India at Bangalore airport by a partner staff member playing a practical joke on us, to being announced to a church full of children as ‘spinsters’, there was never a dull moment. We tasted authentic Sri Lankan and Indian cuisines – in some cases a rather fiery and eyewatering ordeal – and grew to appreciate many exciting new flavours. While our senses were aroused in our travels, our hearts were especially stirred by the testimonies of empowerment and hope received by the sponsored children. Keep an eye out for a story or two of children we met in India and Sri Lanka in the next issue of the newsletter please.
Asian Aid at South Queensland Big Camp Asian Aid will have a booth at the South Queensland Big Camp, 21 to 30 September. You can find out more about Asian Aid or show your support by visiting our booth at the expo hall. We would love to meet you in person.
What an experience! During this time we had the privilege of meeting hundreds of beautiful children while visiting seven Asian Aid schools and projects, and helping coordinate and participate in a partner capacity building pro-
Special Projects Fund Your generous gifts sometimes mean that we receive more funds than we need for a particular project. In such rare but possible cases, the additional money will be placed in the special projects fund – unless said otherwise – and will be used for a specific project/projects depending on pressing needs.
A Gift-Enabling Partnership with People and Planet
Kerryn Patrick presents Peter Truscott with a gift of appreciation for the sixteen years of service he has so generously given to Asian Aid as a board member.
diseases. “The Hope-a-Thon is our way of responding to these needs with your help.” Current Asian Aid supporters are encouraged to sponsor a child in Bangladesh themselves or to help friends and family see how easy it is to give hope through sponsorship. The AGM also voted in Alan Bates, re-elected Stephen Baxter, Dr John Hammond and Anne Norman to the Asian Aid Australia board and paid tribute to retiring board director Peter Truscott for his 16 years of committed service to the organisation.
Blessings Beyond Measure: 2011-2012 Figures
Asian Aid has partnered with People and Planet, a social enterprise that raises funds for and promotes the work of over 50 Australian organisations that advocate for social justice and/or environmental sustainability this year. The partnership will see Asian Aid featured in the People and Planet 2013 diary and calendar. Both items include amazing images of people and places around the world and depict stories about social or environmental challenges. Asian Aid has ordered a small quantity of People and Planet 2013 diaries and calendars. Profits from their sale through Asian Aid’s website or office will support the Youth Empowerment Slum (YES) Project in India.These items will be available to purchase in early October 2012. Diaries are $22.95 and calendars $24.95 each. Contact our office to buy these items. This will be a first in, best served opportunity, so we encourage you to buy your copies early.
Richard Greenwell, Asian Aid Australia’s CEO, reported an increase of 15.1% in donations for the 2011 to 2012 period due in part to the expansion and diversification of Asian Aid’s program and to a more concerted effort to promote the organisation’s work. “This is an amazing result and a testament to the dedication and sacrifice of our sponsors and donors,” says Richard. ”We are grateful for your support, and praise God for His abundant blessings.” A copy of the 2011-2012 Annual Report is available to download at www.asianaid.org.au Call our office on 02 6586 4250 if you need a printed copy.
Peter Sandy, a keynote speaker and Asian Aid supporter and ambassador, shares his sponsorship story.
Boys from the slums of Bangalore participating in the soccer program that is part of the YES project.
Robyn Raymond, a keynote speaker, shares her hope story for tomorrow. “I prayed that God would show me how I – a middle aged woman – could make an impact. God provided in an incredible way. We mustn’t limit God.”
Did you know that Asian Aid Australia is on Facebook and that our online community is growing? Since the launch of our Facebook page in February this year, some 300 people have ‘liked’ the page, 48 discussions have been started, 5 polls have been conducted, 11 photography albums have been posted and 766 people have engaged with the posts. Thank you for continuing to tell your friends to join us on Facebook.
Development and/or Welfare: The HELP Case Study Development and welfare are two words that we use often at Asian Aid. The words describe two different concepts that interconnect in the way that Asian Aid fulfills its mission. A case study – the Health and Lifestyle Projects (HELP) in Indonesia – may help explain what each concept means. Partnering with Advent Indonesian Initiatives, Asian Aid is helping to bring health education, English language classes and lifestyle programs to students and teachers in two of the most under-resourced schools in Lombok, one of the poorest islands in Indonesia, and to 300 people in the local village community. HELP allows positive messages to influence the communities. Issues like smoking, hygiene and clean living are shared while excited children learn English so they can find employment in the booming tourism industry. Our team of experienced Australian, American and Indonesian volunteers and staff are especially trained to work in Islamic schools. The staff and volunteers live and work amongst the people of the community to learn about their ways, learn the customs and at the same time start to educate and train them in skills that will benefit their lives forever. Lombok has a growing tourism trade.The local education system lacks quality English teachers so our English speaking volunteers work in local schools to teach the young people English so that when they finish school they can get local jobs in the tourism industry. Asian Aid could have just paid the children’s schools fees – this is welfare work - but has now equipped them with a skill that benefits them and their families into the future – this is development work. The tourism industry can bring negative influences to these communities so the health and lifestyle elements of the program bring a balance of positive messages to outweigh the negative ones. HELP is also looking at teaching improved agricultural techniques for local farmers. We could easily buy the rice
for the village but isn’t it better to improve their skills so that they can grow their own? “Welfare work is not bad because it helps people when they need help the most, but it does not improve their skills, opportunities or access to a better life,” says Quentin Campbell, Asian Aid Australia International Programs manager. “Development is long term. In the work that we do, increasing our development focus is helpful not only in achieving full Australian Council for International Development membership, but also in giving hope to those in need in a more meaningful way." An overview of development and welfare characteristics Development
Welfare
Definition:
The act or process of improving skills and knowledge
Financial or other assistance given to people in need
Examples:
Anti-Human Trafficking project; Women’s Health project etc.
Hungry Money; (former) Leper Colony Fund
Time frame:
Long-term
Immediate
Deliverables:
Skills; Knowledge; Improved opportunities
Financial assistance; Food; Clothing
“Give a person a fish and they will eat for a day. Teach them how to fish, and they will eat forever.”
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Sponsor to Child Communication Guidelines: To get started, we’ve created a letter template – there should be one enclosed with this newsletter, but they are also available online at www.asianaid.org.au – for you to fill in and send to the appropriate partner office (please see addresses at the end of the article). As the Christmas season approaches and you begin thinking about sending letters or small gifts to your sponsor child/children, can we encourage you to allow for at least six to eight weeks for your mail to reach your child/children? While postage to Asia usually takes about three weeks, we allow extra time for our partner offices to receive the mail, and send it with field officers to the respective schools.
What To Include: • Your sponsored child will be interested in hearing about your family and your daily activities, about your pets, your hobbies, your garden, your job or school, etc. If you have children, encourage them to write or draw too. • Ask about their hobbies and interests, as well as their school and family. • Send them photos, if you would like. Sponsored children treasure photos of their sponsor.
Sensitive Topics: • If possible, refrain from commenting on the child’s religion, culture or political system. • It is best to avoid obvious expressions of personal wealth. • Only make promises you can keep. And if you would like to do more for your child/children, please contact us for ways to do this. • Although most Asian Aid boarding schools will celebrate Christmas, your child may be from a non-Christian background and may feel uncomfortable with too much emphasis placed on the holiday.
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Sending Gifts: Many sponsors like to give gifts to their sponsor child, especially around Christmas or their birthday.This is a lovely gesture, but Asian Aid encourages sponsors to keep it simple. • Small, personal gifts are best. A framed photograph of yourself or your family, or gifts that your child can share with other children like, a ball, hair bands, coloured pencils or a packet of balloons are wonderful expressions of your care. • Although we do not send money or gifts directly to children or their families, many sponsors choose to make a $25 to $30 annual donation to the Asian Aid Gift Fund. This Fund ensures that each child will receive a Christmas present, a new uniform and textbooks. • Unfortunately, we cannot pass on gifts sent to our office.
Please write your child’s ID number on correspondence or parcels, and send them to the address(es) below: If your child is sponsored in India, write to: c/– Helping Hand Welfare Society, Post Office Box 4311, Kalyan Nagar Post, Bangalore, 560 043, India
If your child is sponsored in Bangladesh, write to: BCSS GPO Box 80, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
If your child is sponsored in Sri Lanka, write to: c/– Lakpahana Adventist College Mailapitiya, Sri Lanka
For children in Nepal: please refer to the child’s profile to get the Asian Aid partner address, or if you know what school they attend, refer to the following:
For children at 3 Angels International Mission School, write to: c/– 3 Angels Nepal PO Box 268, Pokhara, Kaski, Nepal
For children at Zenith Academy, write to: c/– Rama Basnet PO Box 10279, Kathmandu, Nepal
SPONSORS DESPERATELY NEEDED One of these children would love to be sponsored by you These children are from Bangladesh and can be sponsored at $40 per month.
Azima, 12
Bipon, 12
Bishojit, 12
Bobita, 12
Emoshai, 8
Fuloni, 10
Hasina, 12
Jahid, 12
Kinguai, 7
Krong Pong, 8
Lima, 13
Menwai, 7
Nicolash, 12
Porshiya, 12
Prity Das, 12
Rana, 12
Rikhon, 12
Ritu, 7
Rupali, 12
Shorot, 13
Singrual, 6
MY DONATION TO ASIAN AID ORGANISATION LTD
ABN 98 002 286 419
YES! Please find enclosed my gift for the following special needs Women’s Health
$
HELP Project
$
Anti-Human trafficking
$
Children’s Homes
$
Yes Project
$
Special Projects
$
Bethel Home
$
Administration
$
I would like to sponsor a child at Day school rate $25pm Day school PLUS $30pm Boarding school rate $40pm Boarding PLUS $50pm
Somvu, 12
Suresh, 11
Suvo, 13
Sweety, 12
Tumdon, 5
Tummum, 7
Usainu, 8
Uthowai, 7
Tertiary rate $100pm
Mr/Mrs/Miss Address P/code Phone No (
Email )
Payment Method
Cheque
Credit card (as below)
$Au $NZ
Internet transfer (we will send you details) Card No: Mastercard
Visa
Go to asianaid.org.au for more children waiting to be sponsored.
Expiry Date:
Amount This payment is to be
a regular monthly payment
a single payment
Card Name Signature Donations over $2 to approved projects are tax deductible in Australia I would like information on how to include Asian Aid in my will
Date
Australia PO Box 333, Wauchope NSW 2446 New Zealand PO Box 97-357 Manukau City Auckland NZ P 02 6586 4250 F 02 9012 0827 E contact@asianaid.org.au W asianaid.org.au ABN 98 002 286 419 ACN 002 286 419