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

Interning at Basti Ram

Hello!

My name is Sumeet and I am a new office intern at Basti Ram.

I am currently in my final year studying Sociology at the University of Roehampton. As part of my course, I am required to do a placement for three months at an organisation of my choice. I have volunteered in the UK and abroad for many years and have a keen interest in projects run by Basti Ram, such as Beyond Boundaries, which attracted me to volunteer here.

I will be assisting existing staff with general administration duties (well, I’ll try to!), as well as attending fairs and events.

You will be hearing a lot more from me with new blog entries being posted as much as possible; I’ll keep you all updated on my progress in the office, as well as more information on upcoming projects from Basti Ram.

Sumeet :)

Emails, Emails, Emails!

Hi y'all!

The other week Rachel and I walked over to Valentines Park (Where we want to hold our festival) and had a brief chat about the layout and the way we're use the space. It's even more exciting now I've got an idea of what it'll look it in my mind's eye.

For the last couple of sessions I've been collecting information about our local MP's and Councillors within the Redbridge area and then sending them emails about who we are, what we do and to invite them to our Holi Festival. Lots of emails and copying and pasting!

The Mayor of Redbridge, Felicity Banks has already responded to my hand written letter saying she'd love to attend our festival which is great news! I love to see results :)

Until next time!

Brand New Office!

Hey guys,

For the last week I've been sick so haven't been able to come into the office, but I'm back now!

So far I've contacted several local newspapers on covering a story on the charity and the Holi Festival in March 2014. I've also contacted St John's ambulance on if they can supervise our event and drafted a letter to Ilford's local MP and the three local councilers for Redbridge to introduce our charity, our project and to get them on board.

I've also moved into our BRAND NEW OFFICE! The space is perfect and much closer to the station (Less walking for lazy me)

Busy busy busy!
Happy happy happy!

First Day

Hi there!

My name is Jessica and I'm the new Events Intern working with Basti Ram. I'll be assisting on the setup of the Holi Festival of Colours in Redbridge, Basti Ram's newest project in March 2014.

This blog will outline my progress working with the charity and of the event itself.

Tasks I've completed so far:

- Successfully located Rachael's house and settled into the office.
- Recieved my Action Plan
- Created a Gmail account and started this blog to record my progress.
- Had lunch. (Very important)

I feel very happy to be apart of something so amazing and I am looking forward to getting stuck in.

Watch this space!

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 =)

Follow @BastiRamUK

"Brain Circulation" The buzz word for Diaspora volunteering

Last Friday (22/02/2013) I attended the Diaspora Volunteering Alliance annual conference on behalf of Basti Ram. The day was a chance to discuss the challenges of international development and the role of international aid agencies in supporting diaspora communities. Some of the key speakers were: 

• The Commonwealth Foundation
• DFID
• BLF
• Comic Relief
• London Met University 

There was an inspiring start; with a few selected diaspora organisations sharing their experiences and successes of diaspora volunteering. Speakers from Hirda UK, ZDDN, Wheat, AFFORD and Word Trust. 

The main focus was the benefits that diaspora organisations can bring towards international development and the many aspects of development. For example, the importance of investing in small and medium enterprises (SME's), that development doesn't just mean a traditional view of a "North-South transaction"(Vijay Krishnarayn, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation) and the impact of remittances on development. For example, the Kenyan Central bank estimated that by the end of 2012 over $100 million was sent in remittances! This is a staggering amount and doesn't just stop at Kenya this can be found across the world due to diaspora communities sending money back home. 

So what were the common areas of discussion? The day looked at how diaspora organisations are:

• Advocates for development; providing better quality aid and more. 
• Interlocutors in development; by advising the best ways to spend the money and ending the traditional view of a north-south transaction. 
• Agents of commerce; using business as an agent of development. 
• Cultural Influences; diaspora communities sharing ideas and knowledge of gender equality and healthcare. 

The buzz word of the day was "Brain Circulation" with many agreeing the role of diaspora organisations was circulating knowledge and skills around the world. 

Some other interesting issues that came up was:

• Resources; the importance of a space to discuss, for more research around the diaspora's role to play in development. 
• For aid to be given out similar to a loan; with targets to reach etc... 
• Capacity building for diaspora organisations. 
• The advantage diaspora organisations can have in politically difficult countries. 

We really enjoyed the day and thank you DVA for holding the conference! 

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

Thanks for reading!

Rachel =)

Follow @BastiRamUK