Selamat datang – welcome! Executive Officer, Phil Domaschenz, presented a very interesting talk about the work of the Nusa Tenggara Association (NTA), a non-governmental organisation that has been working in eastern Indonesia for over 30 years to help alleviate poverty in one of the poorest provinces in the country.

 

NTA’s philosophy has always been to provide small-scale funding to grassroots activities which can be led by the local community and will make tangible improvements to their quality of life. This gradual but sustainable approach in targeted communities on the islands of West Timor and Flores in Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) has seen local leaders take ownership of implementation, resulting in positive longer-term outcomes.

 

The NTA focusses on three thematic areas:

 

NTA provides cattle, pigs, and goats for breeding and fattening. It finances the supply of nylon long-lines for growing seaweed, water-pumps for irrigation, engines for fishing boats and thread and dye for the making of traditional textiles. It also helps farmers improve the qualities and yields of tree crops such as cocoa and cashew nut through training, extension, and the supply of modern inputs. It provides barbed-wire fencing so that vegetable and crop farmers can protect their crops from roaming cattle, pigs and goats. Selected small farmers are trained in best practice agricultural techniques that they can then introduce to their local communities.

 

Since its founding, NTA has worked with primary and secondary schools in target areas of NTT to improve their facilities and teaching resources, and to make them places where young people are equipped to learn and grow. The NTA helps schools through training teachers, establishing and improving libraries, facilitating the construction of new buildings, providing books and teaching materials, assisting with water supplies and toilets, and supplying new furniture and equipment.

 

The frequent drought conditions and low rainfall in NTT mean families spend much of their time collecting water for household use, with little left over for animals or tending vegetable gardens. Limited access to clean water and toilet facilities means disease spreads rapidly, reducing the time children spend at school and the ability adults have to earn income.

 

NTA addresses this by providing 15,000 litre ferro-cement water tanks and permanent, well-designed toilet facilities that improve household hygiene, reduce time spent collecting water and provide much-sought dignity and privacy to families.

 

NTA has proved itself a sustainable, strong organisation over the past 30 years with many collaborative projects established with local communities and local non-governmental organisations. Significant donors include the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (provides matched funding for aid projects) as well as Rotary at all levels (international, district and individual members). Along with Rotary it also receives strong assistance from other community organisations in Australia, including Australia-Indonesia associations. The Indonesian Government also provides substantial help through seconding two scientific officers and four extension officers to support NTA’s work.

 

Members of the Rotary Club of Canberra Burley Griffin have been long time supporters of the NTA and this was sincerely acknowledged. The need for ongoing donations was paramount so that NTA could continue to receive matched funding from the Australian Government.

 

Saturday 13 April – NTA fundraising dinner in Canberra.

October 2024 (potentially 3^rd week) – Donor visit to NTT to meet community members, see projects at work and experience culture.

 

For those interested in learning more about NTA – membership, donations and events please contact Phil at enquiries@nta.org.au.

 

No to Violence against Women Peace Bell ringing: Sunday, 10 December

 

The Zonta Club of Canberra Breakfast welcomed over 65 people to the 6^th ringing of the Zonta Says No to Domestic Violence at the Canberra Rotary Peace Bell on Sunday 10 December 2023. The event was to remember the women and children who died thorough domestic and family violence in 2023.

 

The Zonta Club welcomed many dignitaries from the ACT and Federal governments as well as Zonta members, business members, friends of Zonta and Rotarians, all of whom rang the bell to acknowledge those who died in 2023.

 

Sadly, 58 women died through domestic violence in 2023, more than in recent years.

 

Attendees rang the bell and gave the first name and age of those who died. It was very confronting as the youngest was a baby of a few weeks and the oldest a 92-year-old grandmother.

 

Join Zonta and Rotary Members and say no to domestic violence throughout the whole year.

 

On Tuesday, 12 December I had the honour of presenting the Rotary Citizenship Award to two outstanding Majura Primary School students, Esther and Justin. The school thanked our Club for its “generous” sponsorship of the award and ongoing partnership. Sadly, I don’t have a photograph of the event to share.

 

If you are not able to perform your allocated duty, please arrange a replacement and President Warrick. Please advise Stephen of any planned absences to avoid being rostered on while away.

 

 

The next edition of News Notes will be sent out on Monday, 29 January.
Please send items for inclusion to sjmcmillan1974@live.com by 10 am on 29 January.