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!!

Good News From I Protect Me!!

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.

Update from Amanecer

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.

Crestone, Colorado  July 7-15

You are warmly invited to attend Human Force Camp this summer in beautiful Crestone, Colorado. Experience life on a working community farm, learn about environmental challenges of the region, help the project expand their existing infrastructure. Take excursions to Great Sand Dunes National Park, hot springs,Taos Pueblo, and learn about regional history and culture in the beautiful Sangre de Cristo mountain range.

Only 10 spots open. Scholarships available. Register today.

Register today at Humanforceprogram.com.

Super good news from Sequoia Community Center

SD USA began supporting this project 3 years ago with a $500 donation from the Melinda Wallace Grant. It’s so nice to hear about their success in meeting the needs of their community.

From Amelia Williams, Project Director:

I want to share our super good news. Yesterday we were informed that our application to Tulare County for the $46,000 sliding accordion wall has been awarded!!!
This is through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funds they received and they dedicated a chunk of this specifically to Community Center Improvement.
As if that’s not enough to crow about – they awarded our full proposal of $107,000 which means we are getting a large generator for our ever-increasing power outages, a new heating/cooling system AND Starlink internet since it’s a challenge getting reception in this area.
AND as if that’s not enough – yesterday at our Fire Fair our dear county supervisor also said – BUT YOU DIDN’T ASK FOR ENOUGH!!!! Only one other community center applied so they have funds that they will have to return if not spent soon.
We have been asked to come up with a DREAM PLAN, asap this week.
We are crunching away.

This shows that the support from SDUSA has not only been well invested, you have helped provide an anchor from which we are now about to really fly.

At our Fire Fair yesterday we launched the tool library – which has now become “the Library of Things” including medical equipment (although those lightly used crutches & walkers).

THANK YOU SDUSA!!!
Amelia

“Indeed, generosity and charity go hand-in-hand with the worship of God. Why is that? It is because the fruit that comes from human beings worshiping God is generosity.”
Bapak Muhammad Subuh (63 WAS 2)

We pray that everyone observing the Ramadan fast receives God’s grace and blessings.

For those wishing to give Zakat* through SD USA, please indicate with your donation which project you want your funds sent to.

All un-earmarked donations this year will be given to Quest to support nutrition and community building.

Quest

Quest is our oldest and one of our most successful projects. It provides integrative healthcare services, community and education to all people seeking a wellness-focused approach to living. SD USA supports their Community Nutrition Night.

Lusijah Marx, founder of this project, shares the following:

“I feel filled with the blessings that the latihan has given me and how my participation in Ramadan and my Subud community helped me trust what I receive and create an SDUSA project. Over 35 years ago I received the guidance in a dream to begin an integrative health center to serve all people seeking healing regardless of their capacity to pay. I was working with people with AIDS in the 1980’s when most who were infected, died. From the dream, which I shared with a young man named Lucas Harris who was living with AIDS who had the same dream, we started Project Quest.

Later, as our services expanded, our name became Quest Center for Integrative Health in Portland, Oregon. We have been a safe health care/healing center for the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups. Building a sense of safety and belonging has always been part of our mission. We provide mental health, addiction treatment, medical, naturopathic, and Chinese medicine services. SD USA has supported Quest in having a weekly anti-inflammatory, organic dinner.

A wonderful chef and nutrition coach teaches how to shop and cook and eat really good affordable food. We share in a community circle before each meal. Cooking and eating together and sharing what is left over is the essence of Quest. The latihan from the Subud community nourishes the staff at Quest and the community we serve. My gratitude for all the love, inspiration and funding that supports our work.”

* Zakat

Zakat is a charitable donation traditionally given at the end of Ramadan. Unlike regular donations to SD USA during the rest of the year (disbursed annually as grants to projects), zakat donations are passed on immediately.

Please indicate the project you wish your Zakat donation to support when you send your payment.

For most of us, December is a busy month filled with family, gifts, lights and worship. But for those of us on the Susila Dharma Board, December brings an extra special gift. This is the month we receive yearly reports from the projects that your donations support. Besides the usual financial reports documenting how the funds were spent, the reports also include photos and stories of how their project made a difference in the lives of those who have been helped by this funding. Our holiday gift to you is to share a few of these stories.

Human Force Camp at Atalanta 2022

An update from Hillary Clayton: In the garden, the participants helped finish all the planting for the season and took an edible tour of the plants! They planted carrots, beets, and squash with garden members and learned about the growth cycles of the garden. They also replaced the old gate to the garden so that garden members can enter and exit more easily, as well as transport wheelbarrows in and out with more ease… Finally, participants created a beautiful mural on one side of the work shed to give the interior of the garden a facelift and add their legacy to the space. During our mornings and lunches throughout the week, we engaged in conversation together on a variety of topics including the challenges of living and running a garden in the valley, Subud and interconnectedness, education, diversity and the history of the valley, and our past Human Force projects.

Beautiful Portland

An update from Jennifer Skyler: We know that the people we serve are in dire need. One night, several nights ago, a fella we serve twice a week, stopped me in the street. “You’re keeping us alive down here.” (downtown Portland) I smiled and kind of gently brushed it off, because we were in the middle of unloading food. In the midst of the hubbub, he held up his hand, stopped me, looked me in the eyes, and said it again, slowly. “You’re keeping us alive down here.” We both teared up a little as I nodded back. I assured him that it is a joy for us to do what we do. Thank you so much for helping us help the people who need us so much.

Greeting Cards for the holidays and beyond

Beautiful greeting cards, featuring photos by Benedict Herrman, are available for purchase. All profits go to Susila Dharma USA.
$5 each or $40 for a box of 10 cards.
Click here to order.

We wish you a very happy holiday season!

Love from all of us at Susila Dharma USA:
Fauziyah, Myriam, Michael, Jane, Kailani, Rifka

Support Susila Dharma projects

There’s still time left to support SD USA’s Fall Fundraiser! Your gift helps Susila Dharma projects serve those in need.

Thank you!