Exciting New Partnerships: The Future of Diaspora Organisations involvement in International Development

Here at Basti Ram we have some exciting developments happening with our network organisation the Diaspora Volunteering Alliance (DVA) and their new partnership with Bond for International Development.

Here is a little intro into the two organisations (if you don’t already know): 

The DVA help by bringing together UK organisations with a common interest in engaging and sending Diaspora volunteers to support projects in their countries and continents of origin.

Bond is the UK membership body for organisations working in international development or supporting those that do through funding, research, training and other services. 

http://www.bond.org.uk/annual-conference

This all started with myself (Rachel Stovold) attending BOND’s annual conference "The Shock of the New: Bringing Innovation Back to Development". This conference is the largest of its kind in Europe with some of the best speakers in the international development sector. Sessions I attended were

1. Where is the public heart and mind on international development?
2. New collaborations: engaging diaspora communities 
3. Six new ideas to transform your approach to funding

So why is this partnership important?

Firstly, on an international level diaspora organisations can provide:

1. Connections: to local grassroots international development work. 
2. Diversity and Inclusivity: talking to a range of people and specifically those with a local knowledge of that country and area rather than a focus on just large international aid agencies.
3. Sustainability: by gaining information on local needs from local people this leads to local ownership and in the long term sustainability. 
4. International aid agencies can also learn from diaspora organisation in relation to doing things on a budget. Many diaspora organisations are commonly small organisations who have a big impact but on a small budget.

Secondly, diaspora organisations don't just work in their home country but also with diaspora communities in the UK.

This partnership is important because the positive contribution of UK diaspora communities in tackling poverty and inequality often receives very little acknowledgement, with diaspora-led organisations tending to sit on the margins of the development sector. Recently established NGOs are beginning to understand how stronger, strategic links with diaspora-led NGOs and communities could be of real benefit to both parties, but often neither party has the confidence or knowledge to take it further.

So what might we expect from this?

So Basti Ram will receive a 1 year free membership with BOND that will provide us with:

• Improving the capacity of a small organisation like ourselves. 
• Links to larger aid agencies and support around working in partnership with them. 
• Involvement on global campaigns and a working group will be set up for diaspora organisations around Post-2015. 
• Provide research around diaspora involvement in development.
• A chance for a national organisation to show public support and value the diaspora communities’ role in international development.

From this you can see why we are excited! We will keep you posted about future updates and look out for our future campaign around Female Infanticide in India.

If you would like to know anymore information please do not hesitate to email me at rachel.bastiram@gmail.com.

Thanks for reading

Rachel, Fundraising Officer/ Project Leader =)
 

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Basti Rams new home

Hello! We are now officially in our new office yay!
 

It has definitely lived up to expectations and we are all so happy in Basti Rams new home :)

We are sharing offices with the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS). NCVYS work with and support many voluntary youth organisations. All work done by members of NCVYS is for the benefit of Young people in England. Basti Ram are members of NCVYS along with almost 300 other voluntary or charity organisations – sharing an office with them means we will have access to some exciting opportunities and contacts for the future.

 Everyone here seems lovely - We have already made some new friends! :)
  

 

Although we were sad to say goodbye to Ilford, being in Old street has its perks – We can’t wait to explore the area. Pop in and say hello if you are around…You might even get a cuppa out of us!

Sumeet :)

DVA Meeting and so much more!

Hello everyone!

Sorry I've been a bit quiet since my first post, I've been busy with a tonne of uni work and I'm still learning the ropes here at Basti Ram HQ.

Last week, Cassie and I attended the Diaspora Volunteering Alliance (DVA) annual general meeting in Holborn.

The DVA are an organisation set up to bring together UK organisations with a common interest - aiding diaspora volunteers to support and partake in projects in their countries of origin. Essentially, they are an umbrella organisation which aims to support smaller charities and NGOs interested in working towards projects abroad - Basti Ram are members of the DVA, along with a number of other charities.

The meeting was an experience for me, mainly because this was my first ‘professional’ meeting since being with Basti Ram. It was interesting to hear from other charities with similar aims to Basti Ram, as well as getting a bigger picture of challenges faced by charities, presented by chairmen of the DVA. We were also given an hour or so to mingle, which gave me and Cassie a chance to network with potential organisations to work with, in the future.
One of the things I really liked about the day was the experience of working outside the office and hearing about similar aims other organisations have. Charities often struggle due to a number of difficulties, like funding, staffing etc. I felt that the DVA meeting boosted some morale and helped us all throw some ideas around. It was a pleasure meeting so many people from all different backgrounds and I have to say, it was such a nice feeling to introduce myself as 'Sumeet from Basti Ram'! 

Overall, it was an enjoyable day which got even better by lunch time! We were given a variety of meat stews, some gorgeous rice (which Cassie particularly enjoyed!), potatoes, plantain (my favourite!) and loads of side dishes - definitely the highlight of the day!

Happy belated Diwali to those who were celebrating over the weekend J We have been invited to a Diwali event run by the Asian Peoples Disability Alliance (APDA) later on this week which is looking to be great. APDA are also members of the DVA so the meeting was a great opportunity for me to meet some key workers prior to the Diwali event on Thursday.

In other news, we’re moving to a new office! We’re moving from Ilford to Old Street. We’re all really looking forward to the move and can’t wait to be there in a couple of weeks. My next post will be from the new office...exciting stuff!

Sumeet

Summer update

It's been a while since we did our last blog post and we've so much to catch up on! 

Beyond Boundaries

Firstly, we are so thankful of everyone who has been involved in our Beyond Boundaries project. From all of the young people, the staff, the local authorities, those that believe in the project and the Basti Ram team for making it happen. 

This year has been a fantastic year with Lewisham and Hackney coming on aboard. On the 11th July Lewisham had their celebration event to celebrate the fantastic work of all of the young people. A lovely evening with all of the young people dressed in their Indian outfits. On the 29th July the 7 young girls from Hackney set off for India, along with staff Neeraj Kumar, co-founder of Basti Ram and Katherine Eveleigh, youth development officer. To keep up-to-date with the project visit our new dedicated blog: http://bastirambeyondboundaries.blogspot.in/ This will cover each new project and quotes and posts written by the young people involved. 

Beyond Boundaries 5 Hackney: Arriving in India

'Life through the Lens' A Participatory Photography Project  

This has focused on promoting the boy's photographs and recruiting for new volunteers. Currently, the photographs are on exhibit in the US at the Ice Cream Renaissance, 1925 Main Street, Vancouver, WA, thanks to Julie Kuhlman, the project leader for July 2012 group. On the 8th June Katherine Eveleigh and our ex-photography volunteer Niall volunteered at the PICS festival at the RichMix in Shoreditch. This festival showcases similar organisation who are using photography for social change.  

'Autumn Years': Teaching Project for the over 50's

We've recently designed a new project aimed at the over 50's. Over the years having attended fairs and events we noticed many people interested in our work but felt they were too old or there would be too many youngsters around; because of this we decided to organise a 50 plus group. To find out more, visit: www.bastiram.org/autumn-years-teaching-project-for-the-over-50s

Redbridge presents the 'Holi' Festival organised by your Young People

Our UK focus has been organising a 'Holi' festival in the London Borough of Redbridge for next March 2014. This has involved a lot of research, fundraising, recruiting an events intern and project planning. 

On the 21st June, our fundraising officer Rachel Stovold and our new volunteer Silvina attended The Foyer in Redbridge to gain some research. For more information, click here.

Silvina, Basti Ram volunteer, at The Foyer in Redbridge collecting some research.  

UK Volunteers 

This year we've seen some new faces at Basti Ram. We want to say a big welcome and thank you for all of your hardwork and for believing in Basti Ram. We attended the Media Trust's media speed matching event in May and are really looking forward to working with the two media professionals. Cassie and Silvina have also joined the Basti Ram team this year. They've been helping with research, setting up school links and corporate sponsorship. Thank you so much for your hardwork.    

Policy 

This year has seen Basti Ram branch out into the field of policy work and campaigning. On the 23rd April, the co-founders, Rachael and Neeraj both attended the The Global Poverty Project's Parliamentary Polio Diaspora Event where Neeraj also gave a talk on his experience of eradicating polio in India. We are delighted to announce that the UK Government has committed to pledge an extra £300 million over 6 years towards polio eradication, helping to vaccinate more than 360 million children against polio. The announcement came at the Global Vaccine Summit, in Abu Dhabi.

 Rachael and Neeraj are with Mayoor Patel, Trustee of Polio Children and Dr. Keith Barnard Jones, Former Director of Rotary International.

On the 4th June Rachael, Rachel and Cassie attended the Asian Diaspora & IF Policy Debate at the Houses of Parliament organised by the DVA. 

Consultancy 

We received funding from the VSO: Big Lottery Diaspora Volunteering Programme Capacity Grant and used this funding to hire an external consultant.  On the 14th March Rachael and Rachel both attended the consultancy meeting with www.charity-fundraising.org.uk/. The focus of the day was Basti Ram’s fundraising strategy and grant applications.

Thank you for reading!

Rachel, Fundraising Officer/ Project Leader =)

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A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Basti Ram Team!

December has been a busy month at here at Basti Ram, with the majority of the team working in India.

Rachael Kumar, Founder and Trustee of Basti Ram, recently visited the home of the late Basti Ram. Our organisation is named after Basti Ram, who was an ordinary man who achieved extraordinary things for his Punjab community. It is in the sprit of Basti Ram that we as an organisation follow in his footsteps.

Basti Ram's bedroom

Rachael Kumar, Founder & Trustee of Basti Ram, visiting the Orange Tree, home to the late Basti Ram.

This month we very excitingly began our work with Big Wide World India.  We are supporting a group of inspirational young people from Lewisham to volunteer with the children attending our projects in India. The second cultural awareness workshop took place last Saturday and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves! The volunteering venture will take place in the spring, please watch this space for updates on their fundraising and progress...

Big Wide World India, young people from Lewisham will be volunteering at our linked projects in India in the spring. Their preparation workshops are underway...

In India, Rachel Stovold, our Fundraising Officer, visited the volunteer's house over Diwali. To celebrate this Indian festival of light the volunteer's decorated the house with rangoli. Rangoli is an Indian art form which uses coloured powder into decorative forms on the floor. A priest came to bless the house and project ground staff held a firework display from the rooftop terrace.

Volunteer's in India celebrating Diwali at the volunteer's house!

Back in the U.K. we were lucky enough to receive a £500 capacity building grant from the VSO Big Lottery Diaspora Volunteering Programme. This funding will go towards hiring an external consultant to support us in developing a fundraising strategy, with a specific focus on grant applications for our work in the U.K. and internationally.

 Basti Ram has seen many other highlights throughout 2012, including an inspirational puppetry project delivered by volunteer Kellie Rickell and the Beyond Boundaries III project. We also saw another cohort of boys at our linked destitute children's home learn how to use a camera for the very first time in our participatory photography project 'Life Through the Lens'.

The Basti Ram team would like to offer our sincere and heartfelt thanks to  all of our followers, our dedicated and passionate volunteers, our colleagues and friends in India and the U.K, our partners, and most importantly the children and young people who attend our projects. Without you Basti Ram could not have achieved so much throughout 2012. We look forward to your continued support into 2013 and wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year.

If you would like to know more about the work we do or how you could get involved please visit www.bastiram.org or email info@bastiram.org



New volunteers, grant applications and summer fairs

Namaste!

Since our last post we have a lot to fill you in on. We want to say a big hello to our two new volunteers Frances and Vivine from the University of East London.  We are extremely grateful for the help you giving to Basti Ram.

We also took part in the Redbridge Green Fair and the Celebration Day at Russell Square for Small Charities Week. Although both these days the weather was a little a bit rainy :( this didn't stop us! With live music at both events and interesting people to discuss the work we do it was a fab day out!! 

Our new banner at the Redbridge Green Fair

Our stall at the Redbridge Green Fair

You can just about see us in the background

We've also been spending the time building up our online presence. This has involved Volunteers Week run by Volunteer England which celebrates the fantastic work volunteer do. Basti Ram took part in the twitter chat discussin exactly that! Katherine and Rachael also took part in a meeting with the East London Business Centre to discuss the work we do and how to reach more people. 

Our main focus over the next few months is going to be grant applications and getting 1-to-1 advice on our bids. We have so far designed one project; working with the boys from the desitute home to provide business, IT and english skills; this will give the boys the opportunity to find decent employment once they are 18 and leave the home. We are also currently designing a project, with the help of our new volunteer Frances, the Womens Empowerment Project. This project will teach the women a new skill so they can provide an income for themselves and their family. This project will have a specific focus on gender equality and development. By accessing some specialist advice we aim to make our applications perfect and hopefully bring these projects to life!

We are still looking for participants on our 'Life through the Lens Participatory Photography Project - get in touch if this is for you! 

Thank you for reading our blog and showing your support for Basti Ram. If you would like to find out more about the work we do or how you could get involved please contact  info@bastiram.org or +44 (0) 7515857865.

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'Spring' Round Up!

Welcome to Basti Ram's latest blog. As we venture from a monumentaly wet spring into a busy summer we are hoping this rain clears up for our upcoming events, many of which are taking place outside!

Since our last blog in February we have been lucky enough to have Rachel Stovold join us for two months through the Vodafone World of Difference programme. This funded Rachel's position as a fundraising officer and she has been working hard writing an exciting project proposal aimed at boys living in our linked Rajasthani destitute home for children and young people. In between writing Rachel also found time to promote Basti Ram as a Duke of Edinburgh Approved Activity Provider at the South East Duke of Edinburgh Regional Conference. We can't thank Rachel enough for her dedicated hard work, we wish her every luck for the future as she ventures to Delhi but will miss her (come back soon Rachel!).

Rachel at the South East Duke of Edinburgh Conference, Windsor.

The March 2012 photography project was a complete success and a further eight young men from our linked destitute children's home very enthusiastically learnt how to use a camera for the very first time. A UK volunteer from this project is currently displaying a selection of images from this project in Watford, if you are in the area please do show your support by checking it out: http://www.facebook.com/Space2Watford 

The team have been busy recruiting young people for the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Beyond Boundaries III Project, 2012. This amazing 6 month opportunity is open to young people whom are resident of Barking and Dagenham, aged 16-18 and not in employment, education or training. The closing date for applicants is fast approaching (17th May 2012), so if you or anyone you may know who meets this criteria and is interested in getting motivated and inspired please email bastiram.katherine@gmail.com We are very excited to soon be getting immersed in one of our passions, group work!

Basti Ram is pleased to announce we are now set up on JustTextGiving. You can donate as little as £2 from your mobile phone by texting BARA04 to 70070 and kindly help towards providing a mobile school library for the boys in our destitute children's home. This will contribute to our long-term vision of equiping the boys with the skills and knowledge to seek less-hazardous, decent employment once they are 18 and reduce the risk of them becoming exploited.

Basti Ram would like to thank all of our supporters for your generous donations

And as summer (ahem!?) is nearly here we are pleased to annouce we will be exhibiting at the following upcoming events:

19th May 2012, 11am to 5pm: Basti Ram are looking forward to exhibiting at the PICS Festival. This one-day festival will feature a photographic exhibition showcasing projects that aim to bring about positive social change through photography, alongside a programme of talks, panel discussions and workshops (including Sensory Photography and Visual Literacy). The festival will feature examples of photojournalism, participatory photography, citizen journalism and sensory photography, among others. Register your FREE place for this event at http://www.photovoice.org/events/article/pics-festival-2012.-photographic-images-changing-society and don't forget to come and say hi to us at our stall! 

4th June 2012, 11.30am to 7pm: Basti Ram will have a stall at the family friendly Redbridge Green Fair, held in the lovely Valentines Park, Ilford. Come down and eat samosas and drink chai with us at our stall or if you are feeling generous give us a helping hand! 

9th and 10th June 2012, starting at midday: The London Green Fair is the leading free environmental festival held in Regents Park. The festival provides a platform for organisations like us to come together and celebreate all that is good about our city! We can't wait and we hope to see you there!

15th June 2012, 12pm to 6.30pm: Celebration Day! As part of Small Charities Week Basti Ram will be celebrating the work and impact of small charities on communities across the country. There will be showcases, performances and demonstrations from a range of small charities. Based in Russell Square, London please come and say hi! http://www.smallcharityweek.com/

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Amongst all of the above we have squezzed in some valuable staff training on 'Being Prepared for International Volunteering' and 'Supporting and Advancing Volunteers', given talks and presentations at linked educational establishments in the UK on the possibility of NGO Management students spending their placements with Basti Ram, have undertaken a massive volunteer drive and are working to achieve the PQASSO Standard and the Fairtrade Volunteering accreditation.

The PQASSO Quality Mark, is a nationally recognised award that offers users as well as commissioners and funders external verification of the quality and credibility of an organisation. The Fairtrade Volunteering accreditation is to evidence to our past, present and future volunteers that their money and presence benefits the local community when they volunteer with us - so please keep a look out for their logos on our website soon!

Thank you for reading our blog and showing your support for Basti Ram. If you would like to find out more about the work we do or how you could get involved please contact  info@bastiram.org or +44 (0) 7515 857 865.

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Spring 2012 Update

It's a very busy time of year here at Basti Ram headquarters. Since our last blog we have seen the successful completion of our 2011 'Beyond Boundaries' and 'Life Through the Lens' Projects.

Young people from the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham celebrated their outstanding achievements in style at a lively presentation ceremony. A huge well done to all participants who accepted their ASDAN Awards, proudly presented by local councillor Rocky Gill.

As a ticketed event and with fun activities such as a raffle and disco, young people kindly raised money towards our 'Fund a Mobile School' campaign. Our aim is to take education to children living in isolated Indian villages. You can follow this campaign at http://www.globalgiving.co.uk/pr/8200/proj8108a.html

The Beyond Boundaries celebratory event was the perfect opportunity to display the high standard of photographs taken by boys from a local Rajasthani orphanage on our 'Life Through the Lens' 2011 project. Fantastically, summer 2012 will see these boys progress to the intermediate stage of our participatory photography projects, equipping them with valuable skills that can help towards improving their life chances!

We are very excited about a new cohort of young men from the orphanage who will be learning to use a camera for the first time ever in March 2012! We will be updating a daily blog with photos and stories from the young people, so if you'd like to see how we're getting along you can follow us at http://bastiram-photography.blogspot.com/.

Other activities keeping us busy have included exhibiting at The Outdoor Show in EXCEL Docklands. This was an excellent platform to promote the worthy work of all participants of our projects and recruit future volunteers. Upcoming in 2012 and 2013 is the progression of the hugely popular 'Life Through the Lens' project, 'Duke of Edinburgh Residentials' for young people in need of a challenge, 'Combined Yoga and Teaching Holidays', 'Construction and Renovation' project and our year round 'Teaching in Rural Villages' programmes. There is something for all ages/families/individuals/groups who are seeking a unique and worthwhile travel adventure! For detailed project information please visit our website www.bastiram.org

We also need volunteers to assist with our UK operations, if you are interested in any of the above please contact info@bastiram.org or +44 (0) 7515 857 865.

Katherine

Beyond Boundaries 2011 project participants collecting their ASDAN Awards. Well done all!

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Basti Ram get blogging!

Hi all,

This is our first foray into the exciting, though at times slightly intimidating, world of blogging. Please forgive us for any technical hitches as we get to grips with the no-how needed to transform this little blog into a place where you can find out everything that's going on both in India and the UK.

We aim to keep you updated with news from the project in India, fundraising events in the UK and abroad as well as exciting ways in which to volunteer with our organisation. 

Thanks,

The Basti Ram Team

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