The Inspire Foundation took all 50 basketballs and distributed them amongst a variety of youth projects in Sydney including Marrickville Youth Centre, Macquarie Fields Outreach Centre and Don Bosco House.

“All of the above organisations are very thankful for the Basketballs” said a representative from Inspire Foundation.

“Our Young People really did feel like it was Christmas and were excited to receive the balls to be able to play a bit of B-Ball”.

So thanks to our donor “Michael” for spreading a bit of “bouncy” joy!!

The Inspire Foundation help millions of young people lead happier lives. For more information visit www.inspire.org.au

Those of you who purchased Candles from Zulu’s Candles for Community at the end of 2008 will be pleased to know that over $250 was raised – with $1.50 from each candle pack sold donated to Lucy Hobgood Brown and Handup Congo.

Others also donated directly to Lucy – and we THANK YOU for your support and generosity with helping us raise awareness for HandUp Congo and contributed to community projects in this very troubled country.

SUPPORTING MATERNITY SERVICES IN THE CONGO – LUCY’S REPORT

As you know Sue, I was born in the Congo and my father was also born and raised in Lotumbe.

I return at least every 18 months to work on a range of capacity building projects with a Congolese women’s NGO. This community based organisation focuses on women and children, and provides such basic necessities as insecticide treated mosquito nets, new baby outfits and free pre-natal checks for women who give birth at the hospital (or in canoes!). The NGO makes a huge difference to infant survival rates, reports Lucy, adding, “Mum and babies are doing well.”

Birth on the river - woman gives birth to twins in a canoe in the Congo

You will be pleased to know that the funds raised through Zulu’s Community will go towards Lotumbe’s maternity ward.

Located in a remote village more than 200 km from the provincial capital of Mbandaka, Equatorial Province (Democratic Republic of Congo), this maternity ward is only accessible on foot over jungle paths or by dugout canoe.

Birth on the River

Under the scorching African sun, I saw a woman give birth to twins…in a canoe. I heard the excited chatter of village children who happened to be swimming nearby when the canoe was paddled to shore.

The children told the woman’s husband where the hospital was located, and as he ran for help the woman lay stoically in the bottom of a dugout canoe, shielding her eyes from the sun’s glare. Her husband returned with a midwife, who helped deliver the babies.

What a miracle that the mum and babies survived the canoe trip and the filthy birthing conditions!

ABOUT LUCY HOBGOOD BROWN and HandUp Congo

Lucy lives in Sydney and is a co-founder of HandUp Congo (www.handupcongo.org). She and her colleagues Anne Zolnor, Betsy Brill and Roma Mehta work pro bono on a variety of DRC projects.

Read more about Lucy’s activites in the Congo – in Zulu’s Community

The volatile political situation in Sri Lanka means that the tourism industry fluctuates and Bruno is often not able to work for lack of tourists.

I have been mentoring Bruno since 2005 to help him realise his dream of buying a building and setting up a business in his home town of Haputale in the hills of Sri Lanka. Our mentoring has included giving advice on business planning and the practicalities of running a small business, a small business loan to help Bruno secure the premises and the collection of some computer bits, pieces and software to help him get started.

In October 2007, Bruno proudly opened the JBS Liu Computer Centre in Haputale, Sri Lanka

Fundraising efforts have been led by some very dedicated supporters at the hosptial. Special thanks is due for Ros Berryman ( with Geraldine Cox- right) for her dedication and support with organising the raffles and sales of the  7 New Hope quilts.

Geraldine Cox paid a visit to St George Private Hospital on Valentine’s day  2008 to meet and thank staff for embracing Sunrise Children’s Village as one of their special charities to support.

St George Private Hosptial is one of Zulu’s most treasured clients. Sue has worked closely with CEO Tracey Burton to incorporate Social Responsibility programs supporting a select group of organisations working to help communities overseas.

The hospital’s Christmas 07 campaign included a substantial donation to Sunrise Children’s Village – as a gift on behalf of the Doctors at the Private Hosptial – which went toward feeding 300 children 3 meals a day for a month. The hospital also bought calendars for all their staff and suppliers for Christmas, embracing the spirit of giving and generosity in the truest sense.

Zulu applauds the leadership and generosity of the hospital’s Executive for their contributions and support.

In March 2008 – Zulu’s Community donated 500 caps to the homeless people of Sydney through Rozelle charity Just Enough Faith.

So if you happen to see a collection of people keeping their heads warm under navy blue baseball caps – think of Zulu’s Community.

Thanks to Lynda Musty for her kind and generous contribution.

The communities that Sarah is supporting have settled in Wagga Wagga in Country NSW after settling in Australia after suffering various forms of political, physical, religious or cultural persecution.

Zulu’s Community collected 7 boxes of pre-loved toys, books, clothes and shoes and some new caps and gave them to Sarah who took them down to Wagga in early April to distribute them to people in this new refugee community.

Thanks to: The Loo Family & The Lollback Family for generously clearing out their children’s toy cupboards and libraries, and also Lynda Musty for the donation of caps.

If you are interested in donating toys, books, clothes and shoes for the children in these families and blankets, warm bedding and clothes for the families to survive the autumn and winter months, contact Sarah at sarahgillis@aspireaustralia.com.au