Progress Report - June

Dear Team Members and Readers,

June has been a good month for the Empower Project with many exciting developments to report.Most pertinent amongst our announcements from the Australian end pertain to funding commitments.

First, let me publish our accounts for the month of June.


The Funding Front

- The project has received as recommendation of AUD $ 4200 as a grant from the ARC Student Development Committee. Upon University approval (within the next two weeks i'm told), this sum will be transfered to our account.

- The Australian School of Business (ASB) has offered AUD $1500 through reimbursement. The ASB also did a media release on the project which subsequently made the front page of the University website.

- The team is also awaiting word from Simple Wisdom with regard to it's contribution to the project, AUD $1000-2000 depending on how its on-going projects in Sri Lanka fare.

- I am also in the midst of making stronger attempts rally the Sri Lankan community behind this effort.

- Leesa and Dev are in the process of developing a specialized funding application for the Randwick City Council who have demonstrated interest in our project.


News from Sri Lanka

We also received the results of the initial survey conducted by Energy Forum trained mobilizers (villagers trained to conduct surveys). The results offer a good initial overview of the socio-demographic structure of the village and some of the opportunities that lie ahead.

"The Asvadduma and Pitawala village hamlets were selected for establishing the first two biogas units."

Each hamlet consists of 9 (35 people) and 6 households (33 people) respectively (Total is 68). Participation in the biogas pilot was strictly voluntary and the majority of the households gave their consent. Research into the specific reasons cited by those who opted out, is under way. The moderate sample size for the pilot project (under 100 people) is ideal as it allows for a greater capacity of electricity to be used for income-generation activities.

Apart from Rice, Bananas were found to be the most popular agricultural crop. As mentioned in the previous update, Jak Fruit is in abundance and is currently our main focus with regard to income generation (over 600 trees reported in the area). Ownership issues are yet to be clarified with the Energy Forum.

Thushara, a colleague of mine from my time working for the NGO Simple Wisdom in Sri Lanka, has been enlisted to assist us. He has agreed to visit the village and provide an added layer of context to the ground situation in Kirigalpotha. Furhermore he will be researching the the demand for Jak fruit amongst local food processing firms. Or any other interested firms.


End of Semester Get Together

It was time to unwind after a hectic semester. Unfortunately the whole team could not make it, sadly we all have rather hectic personal lives. But it was nice to meet up and just enjoy each others company....free of serious business.


Looking Ahead

Recent developments in terms of funding and research results are very encouraging. We are still aggressively striving towards securing 50-60% of the project cost by August. We look on course to achieve this if we continue at this rate.

A donation drive is in the works as well as greater contact with the Sri Lankan community.

Furthermore, Haaris is looking into securing Empower's registration as a not for profit organisation. That could greatly help us when applying for grants (as it is a key criterion) and give an added incentive for corporates to contribute to our cause (tax deductibility).

Thank you all for your continued support! That is all for now.

Over and Out,
Shanil