Project Information

Just a little bit about how an organization in Kupang ends up with me!
Last December, INCREASE submitted a proposal request to CUSO-VSO with all of their details of the type of person they require to work with them to adddress an identified need in the communitites in which they work. CUSO had my profile; I had undergone a phone interview and a day of assessment in Vancouver and they thought I would be a good match for this organization and their work in the disability sector. Once matched, I completed more detailed forms so that the organization could determine the best "fit" and whether I might be it.
Guess what? they did!
I am so glad that they had plenty of detail on my background and experience because the last thing anyone wants is to have me there if I can't be of use or the organization feels they were "given" me without their input.
Here is what I know so far from their proposal. Once I arrive there, we will see how it looks on the ground!

Position:

Disability Inclusion Advisor

Where:
Kupang and surrounding villages, West Timor, Indonesia

Organization:

INCREASE Institute of Cross-Timor For Economic and Social Development.

· Non governmental organization involved with Desa Siaga or Alert Village, a Government community empowerment programme which was part of the Making Pregnancy Safer initiative (2007-2010), with the aim to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.

· Village communities are mobilised to prepare themselves during emergency/high risk delivery through formation of five networks

§ Notification, Transport, Health Saving, Blood donor, Family Planning.

· Some villages in the community added another network. Ex. Nutrition network.

· Now want to include disability issues including early detection, disability prevention, and care for children with disabilities (my area of work).


Why:
INCREASE started to look at disability issue and found some babies were born disabled, there are people with disabilities being discriminated by the community and their basic rights are ignored. INCREASE needs assistance in supporting improvement in their staff capacity, reporting that they currently lack knowledge about disabilities and in promoting disability issues in the community. This will take place through regular village discussions as well as through partnership with other stakeholders in the villages.

Welcome to my blog

...and my communication hub while I'm away in West Timor. For those of you who weren't aware, I'm heading to Kupang, West Timor at the end of October for two years with CUSO-VSO. I'll be working on a project in the disabilities sector in local villages in the surrounding area.

I'd love to stay in touch with you while I'm away, provide more information on the project and thank the people who've generously sponsored me. There are 3 ways I'll be doing this:

1. My CUSO-VSO sponsorship webpage
   Thank you to everyone who has financially supported me in this project. 35% complete towards my fundraising goal!
   
2. pamralston.blogspot.com
   I'll be posting on this blog pre departure and while away. I welcome all comments, notes, and frequent readers to keep me connected to home.
   
3. pamr4810@gmail.com
   I love to read emails from home that maybe don't fit into the blog setting. Please keep me updated on your life, whether it be the daily grind or special events, your personal emails will connect me to the love at home. 
of course I also need to say: "The contents of this blog are mine personally and do not reflect any position of CUSO-VSO or VSO.”

Happy reading!