Check out the video we presented at the SD AGM during the recent SUSA National Congress!
Click here to watch the video.
And, of course, thanks to the members of the Portland group for their unwavering support!
We invite all those who are attending the National Congress (September 7th – 11th) to join our SD annual meeting Sunday morning, right after latihan.
The meeting will include:
o A video presentation of the projects we support
o Meeting and voting for new board members
o Approving our updated bylaws.
Also, we have room for more board members so please pre-test if you are interested in becoming a board member.
If you are unable to attend the congress the video, bylaws and new board members will be posted on our website, susiladharmausa.org.
Terkemuka is a project at Amancer, Colombia that brings together children ages 7 to 12 years in an afters-chool program for social, cultural and creative growth. The program was founded in 2018 but had to stop during the Covid crisis. With help from your donations, the project began again this July. Below is a brief report from Francisca Bonilla – Director and R.
“We made the decision to start working with the children after the Zone 8 meeting, (July 21 to 23) that was held at the Amanecer International Center.
There are already 20 children registered and their families are very satisfied. We believe that this project can be combined with activities with much emphasis on environmental awareness. For now, we are and we are going to enjoy working with the children.
We plan to finish the project in November, to match the Christmas holidays and hold several meetings with the community and children.”
Here is a report from the directors and staff of YUM:
“Dear Sisters and Brothers,
In 2022, we slowly came out of the pandemic, and this meant that YUM was once again able to fully open all of our learning facilities and work within bigger groups in the communities. Our work in stunting prevention remains successful in reducing the stunting prevalence, one health post at a time. Throughout the year, we were blessed with generous donations that were vital in the running of various projects that supported more than 22,000 people. Many of you also immediately responded to our earthquake relief efforts in Cipanas, and we are immensely grateful for your support to those affected.
Please read our annual report:”
This year, 2023, marks the thirteenth year that Subud Portland has offered up a matching fund for Susila Dharma USA. They have generously offered a $5,000 matching fund for Susila Dharma USA!
Starting today, they will match all donations made to SD USA, dollar for dollar. Which means:
Marilyn Shirk from Subud Portland shares what her group did to raise the funds:
Subud Portland has had a busy year raising the money for its annual Subud Portland/SD USA Matching Fund. We had a wonderful Silent Auction at Menucha last November with many “little treasurers” donated for the event. The funds generated at Menucha, combined with personal donations from some of our dedicated Subud Portland Members, and the money raised at our spring fundraiser, a Cinco de Mayo Celebration Potluck and Special Items Raffle, added up to our target goal of $5,000 for this year’s Match. Raising the seed money for our Annual Match is not an easy task, but it becomes fun and revitalizing when we have such a dedicated group of Center Members and SD Volunteers.
Now the rest is up to all the Members of Subud USA. Please dig deep and make a donation to double your donation through this year’s Portland Matching Fund for Susila Dharma. This is one of the most important fundraisers for Susila Dharma USA all year long, and we hope that you will embrace the spirit of SD as you show your support for its inspired work in the world.
Deepest thanks,
Subud Portland and its Susila Dharma Volunteers
SD USA welcomes two new Directors to our board: Oswald Norton and Mary Salisbury. Both Mary and Oswald bring sincerity, ability, capacity and willingness to serve.
Thank you!!
SD USA has supported I Protect Me for 4+ years. In that short time, we have watched the project blossom and expand. IPM takes on the huge problem of gender-based violence in South Africa by working with school-age boys and girls, teaching strategies for self defense and changing the climate of abuse that exists in South African schools.
Staff at schools where IPM has given trainings are enthusiastic about the good impact of IPM on the general ambiance of the school. IPM shared the following:
S. has reported this story: She was approached on the path in a rather isolated area, by a stranger, an adult guy, who gave her 30 rands and wanted to invite her to his home. She refused so he started to grab her and force her. She remembered from the IPM training that she has a voice and she had to scream as loud as she could. Nearby neighbors went out to see what was happening and eventually chased the guy away.
Teacher, Mrs Govin of 8th grade says that in the classes which have had IPM training, there is no more bullying, compared to the other classes. Bullying is one of the 10 lessons of the IPM program.
P. a teenage girl from grade 8 who has had the IPM training is proud to say that she is much more self-confident when she walks in her community and in groups of youngsters. She knows what situations to avoid.
Please visit iprotectmesouthafrica.org to learn more.
For many years Amanecer has been home to projects that support children from struggling families in that area of Colombia. Covid closures and problems with the bathrooms and plumbing forced the projects to be put on hold.
Thanks to support from SD USA and SDIA, a rebirth of an after-school program, Terkemuka, will begin in July. This program will serve children in after-school activities that allow them to learn new ways of sharing in a healthy and peaceful environment.
A formal announcement of the opening of Terkemuka Project will be delivered at the Zone 8 meetings in July.