Project Spotlight - June '99

Welcome to Givewell's Project Spotlight. Each month we highlight a project for which a charity is currently seeking funds. We also provide details on how to give directly for this project.

Organisation	Aboriginal Children's Advancement Society Limited
Project Name	Kirinari SHED Appeal

Project description
It is intended to build a Students' Handcraft and Exercise Den (SHED) at Kirinari Aboriginal Students' Hostel, Myall Road, Garden Suburb.

The building will provide equipment such as lathes, drills etc. and space for completion of school projects together with safe storage a nd it also includes a gymnasium complete with showers and toilets.

Funds are to hand, but $20,000 is still needed to complete and equip the facility.

The project objectives:

To provide a facility for Aboriginal students to use in their spare time.
To reinforce the knowledge and skills obtained from High School in a safe and supervised environment.
To prepare students for the workforce.
To use the project as an alternative to anti-social behaviour.

This will be achieved by:

The students will be able to use tools and equipment under tuition.
Students are involved in the planning of the building, giving them additional design skills, e.g. occupational health and safety and project planning skill.

The SHED has been designed so as to fit into the landscape, to complement existing buildings and incorporates safety features such as anti-strobe lighting.

The project will be evaluated by:

Utilisation of facility.
Responses from students.
Perceived enhancement of students at school.
Responses of teachers and supervisers.

A sub-committee of the Board, experienced in evaluation, will evaluate the project.

Can donors/grantmakers give directly for this project? Yes.

If so, how?
Writing cheques to Aboriginal Children's Advancement Society Ltd Kirinari SHED Appeal. The appeals account is held by the Commonwealth Bank, Gymea, account no 062 177 1007 4722.

Is there an allowance for administration costs?
No. These will be met from the Society general account.

Contact details for further information:
Francis R. Gorrel, General Secretary, Aboriginal Children's Advancment
Society Ltd, PO Box 277, Sutherland 1499. Phone (02)9522 6241, Fax: (02)9522 4085.

This month's nomination is by Givewell's Michael Walsh, who has made a personal donation to the project which has been matched by Givewell.

Michael says
"I like this project because it is tangible. I can see where the money is going and it makes sense. My donation is also a small drop in a small bucket, so I feel like I am making a worthwhile contribution.

There are also very few charities dedicated to the social needs of Aboriginal people, so I also think they deserve encouragement and support."