(This RAG is not an agency of or controlled by, Rotary International)
A New Name and a New Look!
We are pleased to advise our Action Group has a new name – Rotarian Action Group Against Slavery (RAGAS). The name change is purely that. We have only changed the title, not the way we work.
Our emphasis is still on Child Slavery but our work is expanding into other areas and we work with some NGOs that do not specialise in child slavery, and some that do.
Although the old link will still take you there for the time being, we encourage you to put the new link in your “Favourites” now.
And we are excited to announce our new format, using Mailchimp, which opens up new possibilities for reaching a far wider audience, and enables us to include videos as well as links. We hope you will find it a big improvement!
We are delighted to welcome two more new members of RAGAS in Victoria; Gaynor Schols and Ian McKay. We now have 14 in Victoria, so plenty of scope for more!
RAGAS coordinator for Victoria, Australia:
Tony Stokes: tony@ragas.online
Great 'End Slavery' Projects
for your club to support in 2016/17
all with International District Grant applications already drafted
get in quick - email tony@ragas.online
Miraj Boys Home INDIA
Miraj Boys Home provides an education, school uniforms and books plus nutritious food, clean water and medical care for around 24 boys whose mothers are sex workers, thereby giving them a chance to escape a life of abuse and neglect.
Needed from clubs
Potential District Grant (varies by District)
Budget:
For details, visit
The Sangli Education Centre is a place where the daughters of sex workers can escape the danger, violence and abuse of the brothel environment. It is a place to sleep while their mothers work. It also provides food, medical care, clothes and toiletries to around 25 girls.
Needed from clubs
Potential District Grant
Budget:
Two projects available. Two schools. Same budget. Entrepreneurship training and microloans for 25 widows, leading to community empowerment. Education support for orphans and other vulnerable children, helping them to dream of a better future and protecting them from child labour, early marriage, domestic trafficking.
Bring life changing impact to the lives of the poor in north India, by providing sustainable supplies of fresh water through provision of five wells, sunk deep into the aquifer, supplying safe water throughout the year.
Needed from clubs
Potential District Grant (varies by District)
Budget:
Children in Karnataka, India, are caught in a cycle of inter-generational poverty, exploitation and abuse. Parents must take them with them to work in dangerous conditions such as rock quarries.
This program provides an alternative safe environment with child care, medical services and nutrition plus ongoing support for the mothers.
Budget: AUD 9,370
Save The Girl Child INDIA
The Banchara people believe their god wants their daughters to work as prostitutes. However, a small number are seeking a better life for their girls, and have placed them in a home away from family pressure from where they are sent to school and taught to dream of a better life.
The school currently supports 46 girls
Budget: AUD 15,600
You may recall that we introduced you to this exciting program in the End Slavery Newsletter Issue #1.
Well, it is back on again this year, bigger and better than ever!”
We urge Rotarians and Clubs
Form a team or teams of members, family and friends, find a local venue and seek sponsorship. Ask your Rotary Club to match your sponsorship dollar for dollar.
Introduce the project to your local school’s Interact Club; the students will have a lot of fun while doing something worthwhile and gaining some awareness of the issue of slavery.
Gary Haugen, CEO and Founder of International Justice Mission, urged Rotarians to take action to put an end to slavery during his presentation at the Rotary International Convention in Seoul.
The Global Slavery Index says there could be thousands of people in Australia living in conditions amounting to slavery, but ,....... prosecutions are rare.
Australian cyber predators using live streaming technology to abuse children overseas.
The AFP is warning of an alarming trend where Australians are sexually abusing overseas children without leaving their own home, using live-streaming technology to groom victims and direct the abuse.
A special edition providing a briefing paper, entitled Just One+, showinghow we can address slavery by supporting Rotary International’s Areas of Focus
