1. At the request of the overseas community they are working in. In this case Uplift supply the bras to the local DIK depot or the packing Rotarians and have no further input, other than to encourage use of the guidelines on our website regarding distribution, fitting and photos. If Uplift is aware that bras may be problematic in customs in the country receiving, we will advise before supplying, and seek assurance that the situation is in hand.

2. To help transport the bras to Uplift's overseas receivers. In this case Rotary's receivers get the bras in through customs, and Uplift's receivers collect the bras once the container is released from customs into the country concerned. This may incur expense to the Rotary club (or other organisation) receiving, and Uplift should negotiate with them before the container is packed. In some instances receiving clubs have been happy to cover this cost, in others Uplift will need to reimburse the club. Rotary PNG cannot receive bras.
   
   (This latter system is particularly of value in Fiji, where Uplift's receiver has a suitable distribution network, but is not yet skilled at getting stock in through customs).

Please be aware that this is not a Rotary project. Rotary assist Uplift with collection and shipping. See letter below. In donor countries, Uplift coordinates the collection and dispatch, and does sorting and packing.

Uplift will receive bras, sort, box and label for dispatch. We store our own collections where possible, and will endeavour to deliver to DIK bases just in time for packing.

Uplift consigns bras to recipient organisations, who will agree to a pick up before Uplift dispatches.

Uplift supplies bras only where we have had requests for them, and supplies to NGOs in the receiving country for distribution and fitting.

Uplift has a coordinator for each recipient country who should be advised of any possible dispatch. Receiving organisations must be able to store the volume you send when it arrives. A few small shipments from different sources in a short time can be problematic. Coordinators can also advise on the import duty situation, the contacts on the ground, and the sizes and types of bras required. (Never send a precious size 20 where it is not needed.)

In recipient countries we aim for fair, thin distribution of bras. We do not wish to damage local businesses by providing regular supply. We wish to provide basic supply only until the local businesses can do so. There is a narrow band of places where this project is appropriate.

If accompanying your shipment, please see our Photo policy. 

In Fiji we work with the Fijian Women's Society, Soqosoqo Vakamarama, World Harvest Church and Bayley Welfare.
In PNG we work with the PNG YWCA.
In The Cook Islands, we work with the Red Cross.
In Vanuatu, we work with the Red Cross.
In Tonga, we work with the Red Cross.

Please contact our state coordinator before starting a collection, for tips and local contacts. It is very easy to get donations. A one-off article in a suburban newspaper will produce about 2,000 bras, 20 apple boxes, 200kg, in the subsequent month. These are a storage and transport consideration. This project runs on donated transport both in donor and recipient countries. Please consult with the state coordinator about how you are going to get your collection to her/him. It may not be possible to give large volumes of stock to our regular drop off points, or for the coordintor to receive large amounts at short notice.

If you are sorting and packing your collection please see our sorting instructions.  These cover points such as categories of bras to sort into and biodegradable packaging. We also include  fitting instruction sheets  in bra boxes.

	ROTARY AUSTRALIA WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICE Ltd ACN003444264 DISTRICT 9780 - R.A.W.C.S.
		Chairman 2006-7 Ron Smith St. Georges Court Highton  VIC  3216 12th March, 2007.
Dr. Liz Baker, 9 Steven Street, Hurstbridge  VIC  3099

Dear Liz,

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your valued and on-going support for our Rotary “Donations in Kind” program, and in particular for your own “Uplift Fiji” Project.

As you know, we regularly forward many “donated” goods such as :- Hospital equipment, medical items, dental equipment, school equipment, desks, chairs, computers, books, household goods, clothing, etc. to Fiji, and other South Pacific Nations.

These goods are only forwarded to villages who provide us with a “wish list” of items required, so we know that all goods are needed, are distributed by our local contacts, and are well received. Your “Uplift Fiji” Project fits well with requests we receive.

All goods forwarded are sent on the basis of “second hand donated goods, not for re-sale.”

We will be forwarding a further container of goods to Fiji in the near future.

Thanks for your support.

Regards,

Ron Smith.

In Fiji there are timber mill workers working barefoot with chainsaws, farmers working barefoot with hoes, and women standing barefoot on coral reef fishing.

Disadvantaged Fijians often cannot afford footwear. In rural areas there is limited access to wound management. Your used footwear may prevent an injury. Rotary Australia World Community Service Donations in Kind scheme collects second hand goods and ships them to Fiji, among other places.

Any boot, runner, sandal, or water shoe.
Size 10 is the minimum shoe size for Fijian adults.
Kids need shoes too, but 10+ are urgently needed.
What condition? If it is better than being barefoot it'll help.
Tie the laces together and drop off footwear.

For enquiries and other drop off points please contact:
Ron Smith
2 St Georges Crt, Highton (Geelong) Vic
03 52 419 360

Left: A snippet from the September 2008 Rotary District 9830 Newsletter. Click to view the complete newsletter as a PDF (815Kb - opens in new window)

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