December in Action - Internal E-Bulletin

Welcome to the first ever internal e-bulletinfrom DiA, 'December in Action'! The new Committee has completely revamped the bulletin process as past volunteers have noted that whilst in India they felt detached from what was going on in the UK. We think there needs to be a way of keeping current volunteers, committee members, and trustees, updated on all that each other is doing; so, as a result, we've developed an internal e-bulletin that we hope will do exactly that. It'll help you get to know your committee and all that we get up to as every month we'll keep you posted on other India volunteers, UK-based activities, and anything else that takes our fancy.

Let us know what you think as this is the trial month so we're open to ideas! If you'd like to send an update on your placement, a photo or two, a link to a blog, or news of anything else happening over the next month then email Anna at secretary@developmentinaction.org.

But for December, here goes...

News from DiA in the UK

• The new Committee came together for a Future Directions meeting. They decided that this year DiA's main priorities will be: engaging volunteers, strengthening communications, and fundraising.
• The Committee attended the December meeting at Imperial College and held a Christmas Social at a local curry house. Their next meeting will be on 9th January at Imperial College London, time TBC. Anyone is welcome to attend these meetings and it's always great to meet returned volunteers (we have biscuits if that'll tempt you...)
• The Cambridge DiA Volunteer Group have been working hard over the last month facilitating a volunteering debate at Cambridge University and delivering an ’Ethical Volunteering Overseas’ workshop to group from a local sixth form.
• A big welcome home to DiA's 2008-09 IVCs Ruth and Emma who are back in the UK for Christmas after 6 months working in India. Both IVCs have done an excellent job and the Committee wish to thank them for their persistent hard work and motivation. Emma will be returning to India in January for a further month to research new placements and support current volunteers during their last month.
• DiA has just appointed a new trustee! Her name is Jen Hawkins and she works within the financial services sector for KPMG, is currently studying for her ACA professional qualification, and she holds a degree in Geography from Cambridge University. Jen has travelled independently in India and her volunteer experience includes a charity expedition to Ecuador, working with orphans and various fundraising events. Jen's financial expertise, enthusiasm and energy are going to make her an excellent addition to the team (We're all excited!)
• Last but not least, six members of the Committee attended 'The Wave' march through central London in support of a safer climate future for everyone. They were part of 40,000 people marching ahead of this week's international talks in Copenhagen on how to tackle climate change. Here's a montage of us all in blue for your amusement!

Spotlight on India

This is where we focus on those of you currently volunteering in India and this month we're off to Bhopal and Udaipur. Thanks to Philip and Alison for being in the spotlight this month, both of you raise important issues about volunteering and address the some of the key challenges NGOs in India are facing. Plus, it's great for those of us in the UK to get the chance to be nosey and find out what you're all up to!

• Philip Hadly, Action for Social Advancement (ASA), Bhopal. Volunteer September 2009 - February 2010.
  "I am now embarking on fieldwork to a tribal area of Madhya Pradesh to assess the feasibility of establishing a farmer's cooperative. I have found ASA to be an interesting organisation but it is hard to get a feel of what an NGO does until you meet some of the beneficiaries of their work. What i'm interested in most is how those beneficiaries can manage their own development in innovative ways; key to ASA's approach to date. If India is anything it is unpredictable and challenges your expectations, and I am hoping that all of this will happen with appropriate bafflement and humour in the field as it has done during my time in India so far!"
• Alison Berks, Seva Mandir, Udaipur. Volunteer September 2009 - February 2010.
  "I'm working on a project in Youth Resource Centres (YRCs) for the Education Department at Seva Mandir. The department runs 20 YRCs in rural areas of Rajasthan for young people aged 14-24. I'm working on encouraging the discussion of gender issues and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) using a module designed by a previous DiA volunteer, Lizzy Gunstone. However, no follow-up has been done since the module was distributed and they received their initial training. Some are using the module but not fully so we have planned a structured session for 6 YRCs to motivate them to use the module as well as giving Seva Mandir an opportunity to evaluate it. Training should have commenced by now but unsurprisingly things haven't quite gone to plan and at our session only 4 youths and a goat turned up to learn about gender and SRH! We've rearranged training for next weekend are planning on visiting the YRC the day before to encourage attendance. We'll have to wait and see what happens!"
  

The Wider World

• Last week saw the 25th anniversary of the Bhopal gas leak that officially killed over 3,000 people, unofficially nearly 8,000, and since then has affected close to 600,000. Over 40 tonnes of deadly gas leaked from the plant on 3rd December 1984 and the incident was the worst industrial disaster in history. For further information on how to help campaign for justice for the survivors of the Union Carbide disaster, visit http://www.bhopal.net/icjb.
• The 1st December was World Aids Day and saw worldwide recognition of the HIV virus which affects 33.4 million people. South African President Jacob Zuma promised more anti-retrovirals and announced he himself will take an HIV test. For more information on the HIV fight in India check out the Deep Griha Society, Pune and the Wake Up Pune campaign that DiA volunteers are involved in every year.

Finally, Merry Christmas everyone! The Committee hopes you'll have a very merry time wherever you'll be.

Until next month,

Your Committee
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