WHAT IS DIK (Donations in Kind)
Donations inKind - (DIK) is a division of Rotary Australia World Community Service, (R.A.W.C.S.)anon Profit organization. DIK combines the efforts of two Rotary Districts in the Central region of Australia Districts 9500 & 9520.
These two Rotary districts cover the majority of South Australia, parts of Sunraysia in Victoria, Broken Hill in NSW and Alice Springs in The Northern Territory. This Central division handles all donations from Government, semi government and other various organizations and individuals who have for various reasons, surplus equipment and items that they no longer have a use for. These items are delivered to DIK at their Salisbury Store by numerous volunteers from a number of charitable organizations, mainly Rotarians. Freight costs into the warehouse being paid by both the donors and DIK.
These items include.
Hospital & Dental Equipment including, Beds, Tables Chairs, surgical and other medical equipment that is obsolete or surplus to their requirements.
Nursing Homes, Retirement Homes and Motels when refurbishing their premises provide beds, linen, towels, bedroom furniture, walking frames, crutches, age assistance equipment mattresses etc.
A number of Schools both private and government run, donate, desks, chairs, Library and other text books, stationery, pens, paper, writing books and pads etc.
In addition a number of Government Departments,Business firms, charitable organizations and other individuals donate Folders, stationery, old computers, office equipment, photocopiers, stationery, bedding, blankets, clothing,books, mattresses etc.
The goods are unpacked, categorized, cleaned and refurbished, repacked and kept for distribution to needy groups and other organizations in need of support. Rotary Clubs then repack the goods into Shipping Containers and finances the shipping of these containers of pre owned goods to underprivileged nations of the world.All of these items are stored in the meantime at the premises of DIK Salisbury, run and maintained by
RAWCS –Rotary Australia World Community Service..
In addition there are also a number of new goods donated or purchased by a number of charitable organizations as well as Rotary that are also stored and despatched to overseas countries as part of various aid programs.
These include Solar Water Purifiers - through Safe Water Saves Lives.
Anti Malaria treated Bed nets - through Rotarians Against Malaria (R.A.M.)
IMOG project to Timor Leste –This is a training program to help train Medical Staff to assist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology programs.
The ALOLA Project – Started by Kirsty Sword Gusmao – wife of the President of Timor Leste herself an Australian to assist the people of Timor Leste with clothing, medical supplies, teaching aids etc for the many younger members of the Community. 40% of the people are less than 20 years of age in Timor Leste.
Goods are also supplied to other charitable organizations to assist them where DIK has access to the goods that they can use for the benefit of the overseas communities that these other organizations have specific contacts with. In all cases however a Rotary Contact at the other end is preferred to follow up and ensure goods are actually delivered to the intended recipient.
We send goods to Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Other African underdeveloped countriesTimor Leste, Papua, New Guinea, Solomon Islands. Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Pacific Rim Countries, Samoa etc.
What does our committee provide:-
Organization,
DIK Provides assistance to transport goods, technical assistance to check and repair equipment and supplies as well as repacking and cleaning. We urgently need volunteers to help sort, repack etc all the many goods we have in store at Salisbury.
If we had sufficient money we could send a further 15 – 20 containers out to these countries. However we do not have the funds or the manpower to complete all these projects.
If we had another $100,000 we could send 15 - 20 or more containers with goods valued at replacement values in excess of $5 Million Australian Dollars.
Rotary International is able to subsidize some of these projects through its humanitarian Aid Programs which can subsidize amounts raised by 50 – 100% depending on the circumstances of the projects initiated. This helps tremendously when the cost to send one container can be anything from $4,000 to $12,000 depending on end location and size of the container.
Have you been overseas and seen an area that is poor and can do with some new equipment or other goods. DIK can help. If you first make a contact with a local Rotary Club and have them join in you may also be eligible for a district grant. That way the actual cost to you is reduced by one third. i.e. you get a 50% subsidy from Rotary International. If you club can convince the DG that the project is worthwhile and he has some DDF funds available that can be added to your contribution this also qualifies for a 100% subsidy from Rotary International. So all in all you can achieve a great result if youand your club wish to take on a challenge to help that community that you consider as deserving of DIK assistance. Also all deductions from Club Members who may wish to assist can contribute through RAWCS and get a Tax Deduction for monies donated.
Church Groups, Probus Clubs, Retirement Clubs, Innerwheel clubs, Women’s Groups, Cubs, Scouts, Guides etc, other Service Clubs, in fact any other charitable/service groups wishing to assist are welcome at all times.
Have a fun day at DIK, have a BBQ lunch and enjoy the fellowship of the various groups. There is someone at DIK on Thursdays and Fridays as well as most Weekends, but check by telephone before coming out or if you wish to donate goods or time and most importantly cash to assist in payment of freight to overseas countries. All donations through RAWCS Overseas aid fund are fully tax deductible contributions for Australian Residents
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