ROTARY CLUBS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA District 9600
| Main | Clubs In PNG  | Projects in PNG | Email Rotary PNG |

The following is an extract from a letter of appreciation received from a physiotherapist in Madang, Papua New Guinea.

'Yesterday seven boxes of physiotherapy equipment were delivered to our Department here in Madang. I wish that you could have seen the intense excitement displayed by my National staff. Every patient who could walk or hobble crowded around as they were opened. Previously, I have worked in Zimbabwe and Botswana and compared with PNG they have a wealth of both Doctors and equipment. Previously we had nothing but our bare hands and hot packs made from the discarded N bags filled with water and heated in a saucepan. Sometimes, whilst working in Australia., I have wondered what happened to the donations we gave towards a certain project -I shall wonder no longe1; it is a great pity that your Rotarian colleagues and the people who have contributed, could not see the overwhelming response from the people here.'

The appreciation expressed in the above letter is typical of the response shown by the recipients, particularly in the South Pacific Region, of donations forwarded by a relatively new Activity of Rotary Australia World Community Service Limited - DONATIONS IN KIND.

Donations In Kind (DIK) is a program supported by Rotarians, Rotary Clubs in Australia and the public. It grew out of the compassion and concern of returning FAIM volunteers from the Solomon Islands School Rebuilding Project in 1988, who saw an urgent need for equipment and materials to be used in the buildings that they were constructing.

Although there are similarities with the Rotary International Donations-in-Kind Information Network (DIN), RAWCS Donations In Kind (DIK) should not be confused with it. DIN is a reference service only, and takes no part in the collection, sorting, packing, dispatch or distribution of donations. RAWCS DIK is involved in all these activities.

There are several advantages in channelling goods to recipient countries through DIK rather than directly from individual Clubs. A much greater efficiency of operation is achieved through:
* Grouping similar donations from several donor sources for batch transport to the designated recipients,
* Consistent screening of goods.
* Proper liaison with recipient groups or Rotary Clubs, and
* Good understanding of transport arrangements and custom facilities for the consignment of donations to specific locations.

Rotary Clubs should be extremely careful about sending donations to new destinations. Unless the Club has reliable contacts with a network in place in the recipient country to guarantee clearance of the goods through customs and to arrange the distribution of the donations to the areas of need, it would be advisable not to even consider sending to that country. RAWCS DIK in Australia has established these contacts in various countries with the Western Region concentrating on countries in the Indian Ocean region and all other Regions concentrating on countries mainly in the South Pacific region. DIK is working in the countries where contacts are established and it is doubtful whether we will ever satisfy their needs.
Clubs wishing to handle their own consignment of donations to a specific destination should liase with the Regional DIK Co-ordinator for advice.

Freight costs of containers are always a problem. Funds are required on an ongoing basis. DGs and DGsN are asked to promote to the Clubs within their District the urgent need for funds to support DIK within their Region. If each Rotary Club in Australia was to fund the cost of the freight of one container (approx. A$I,500 ex Brisbane, more from other capital cities) every eight years, we should have enough funds for our needs.

An Operational Plan Manual for DIK has been prepared setting out procedures which have been proven over the past few years. The manual is available from your Region or District Chairman on request.
RA WCS Donations In Kind (DIK) is yet another way to enjoy Rotary World Community Service catering for the needs of others. Join us for that experience.

PDG Bill Waterfield,
Chairman
RAWCS National Donations-in-Kind Committee, 15 Nerrina Court,
KARANA DOWNS QLD 4306
Ph: H (07) 3201 0741 Fax (07) 3201 1810
Email: billannw@logicworld.com.au

PNG Southern Region: David Conn
PNG Northern Region: Paul Miller
General Requests etc: Bill Waterfield
Shipping Documents: John Paskin