We hope everyone's New Year got off to an exciting start! This second edition of DiA's bi-monthly newsletter is crammed with the latest committee news,  events and volunteer updates especially to keep you informed with our exciting developments. 
If you would like to publicise events or other opportunities, appear in our bi-monthly supporter feature or share information with our network please get in touch with Priya at communications@developmentinaction.org.

DiA UK News Update

• Since the last update, we've held two committee meetings and our main priorities have been to action new fundraising ideas and strengthen our recruitment drives. Our last meeting took place on Saturday 13th February at the cozy residence of our two newly-wed committee members Tom and Sarah. Thanks to an influx of applications for our 2010 India volunteer placements, most of the day was spent shortlisting candidates and planning the first selection weekend. Tom and Ben (a past DiA volunteer) however were busy in the kitchen preparing an array of culinary delights for the first DiA committee 'Curry & Quiz Night' fundraiser of the year! Hats off to the chefs who cooked up a feast for 15 people and to the quiz masters who prepared a rigorous quiz! Thanks to everyone involved we managed to raise £150!
• Following a successful debrief for our returned Summer Volunteers, we are looking forward to planning a similar session for the 5 month volunteers who have recently completed their placements. Volunteers are the crux of DiA, therefore receiving feedback is so important for improving future volunteer's experiences.
• Co-ordinator Kate conducted a training workshop in Cambridge for our new group of UK volunteers. The training enables these volunteers to go on and deliver talks to schools and universities about responsible volunteering and global citizenship.The group is moving from strength to strength and have recently secured further workshops with Engineers without Borders, a Cambridge School’s International Development Day and at a Conflict Resolution Course in London.
• The Committee are planning to hold a 2010 fundraising raffle and are currently sourcing prizes. If you would like to donate a prize or have any good contacts with companies that might be able to assist email the committee at committee@developmentinaction.org.

This section gives our supporters the opportunity to offer their own personal insight on India. If you have an interesting story to tell and would like the spotlight to be on you next month, please email Priya at communications@developmentinaction.org. This month recently returned summer DiA volunteer Joe Mitchell shares his placement highlights with us:

• "I undertook a placement with DiA at the St Gonsalo Garcia Orphanage, Vasai, just north of Mumbai. Although my main purpose at the orphanage was to teach, my role there ended up being significantly more varied than this!
   
  As I lived on site, I found myself involved pretty much straight way with the day-to-day running of the orphanage. It was very much left up to me how involved I wanted to be, and I was given a lot of freedom to provide a range of activities for the boys there. This ranged from art lessons down by the sea front, exercise classes, a mini sports day, as well as the odd bit of football and cricket. I was also given considerable freedom in the lessons I taught, and the staff there were very helpful and supportive with any issues that I had. My assigned class were all around 14 years old and "appeared' to really enjoy most of the lessons I taught them! Although I had limited teaching experience, this did not matter in the slightest and I slipped into the role very quickly.
   
  The surrounding community people were very welcoming of me and I quickly became on nodding terms with a number of the local fishermen and tradesmen, even playing football! This resulted in many evening meals and Chai invitations from local villagers, who cooked the best fish I've ever tasted. The children that live in the orphanage had come from a range of different backgrounds and you could see the impact that these experiences had on on many of them. However, I have never met a more cheerful and appreciated bunch of children in my whole life. Although the time I spent at St. Gonsalo was one of the most challenging and humbling experiences I've ever had, it was also the most rewarding and inspiring."

Development Events/Lectures/Workshops

• Vulnerability in Developing Countries| Book Launch|26th February 2010 12.30pm-2.30pm|Overseas Development Institute| 111 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JD
  

The developing world has witnessed a number of natural and human-made disasters that have had devastating consequences. Climate change and ever increasing urban populations may further increase vulnerability to hazards in developing countries. Women and children are especially at risk. Following a multi-year project on fragility in development, the United Nations University is pleased to announce the publications of Vulnerability in Developing Countries. The book launch will consist of the editors and discussant scrutinising how to reduce vulnerability to various hazards and fostering greater resilience in global development.
 
*Free of charge.
To register to attend or to watch the launch live on the day: Click here

• "Anyone here been raped and speaks English?"|Panel Discussion|8th March 2010, 7.00pm| Human Rights Action Centre, 17-25 New Inn Yard, London, EC2A 3EA
  

Why do media stories about womens rights tend to focus on issues relating to their sexuality such as rape, sexual slavery, trafficking, child bearing (whether old or young) or prostitution? Whilst these are all important human rights issues, why is it that we so rarely see stories about womens labour rights, freedom of speech or women imprisoned for their political beliefs?
Is there pressure to feature women who fit a particular profile, and if so, is this coming from readers, or from news editors? How much does the media attempt to set the agenda when it comes to featuring stories about women, or are they just giving the public what it wants? These and many other issues will be debated by a panel of women journalists which will include Samira Ahmed, reporter for Channel 4 News and Jenny Wood, Features Editor at Look! mage.
*Free of charge. Book this event 

• Where Three Dreams Cross: 150 Years of Photography from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh|Exhibition|Now until 11 April 2010|80-82 Whitechapel High Street, London E1 7QX

A fascinating show, both for the beauty of the images on show and for what they represent in terms of social and political history.

Tickets: £8.50/£6.50 Concessions
*Free on Sundays

The Wider World...
 

• On Saturday 13th February, a bomb blast devastated India's western city of Pune, Maharastra killing nine people and injuring more than 50 others.The explosion destroyed the popular German bakery that was frequented by past DiA Pune-based volunteers. Thankfully DiA volunteers still in India are all safe and well and our local partners Deep Griha Society have been contacted. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those left devastated by this atrocity. 
• Solarising India's farming: International Development Enterprises, India (IDEI) are investing in new and cheaper irrigation systems to reduce the devastation left by drought and in turn promote a sustainable livelihood for India farmers.

That's all from us this month!

Your Committee:)