Dear Community Members,
Indian Society of Western Australia (ISWA), in an unprecedented measure, has been joined by forty five (45) of its member associations in a joint appeal to support Indian origin people in the current COVID-19 situation.
ISWA in collaboration with SEWA Australia, is working with the member associations, and has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SEWA Australia for the purpose of raising funds jointly. SEWA Australia having deductible gift recipients status will collect donations from public and members of associated organisations of ISWA to provide assistance for Australian temporary residents of Indian origin living in Western Australia who are affected by COVID-19.
All the donations are tax deductible. Donations can be made through credit cards online, or by direct bank transfer, as per the following link:
https://indiancommunityperth.com.au/covid19-appeal/
Context - Why the Appeal?
Over the past few weeks, ISWA has taken up a number of initiatives in collaboration with Indian associations in WA, Consul General of India in Perth, Department of Home Affairs, Department of Jobs, Office of Multicultural Interest, Universities and Colleges, Leaders of the various student bodies, and wider community to provide support to the Indian origin people in WA who are affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Some Key Highlights are:
- A registration link created and widely circulated in the community, to develop a database of the people who need
help - https://indiancommunityperth.com.au/coronavirus-help/
- A regular live video conference forum established - bringing together students in need with WA Govt officials, CGI Perth, Education experts and community leaders to address the issues quickly
- Communication channel established with Study Perth, universities and other institutions to discuss opportunities and avenues to help students.
- A central Covid-19 Support Team established comprising representatives from various associations. 500+ help seekers have been assisted so far by ISWA and association members working closely, through food, groceries, online yoga and other mental health initiatives, live student forum, accommodation support and so on.
- Push bikes organised for students to commute to jobs / delivery services.
- Some accommodation organised with the help of associations and individuals for students and parents
- In collaboration with Australian Indian Medical Association (AIMA), medical help extended to Indian origin students & visiting parents of Indian Origin people with No Medicare Card who are in Perth during this challenging Covid-19 time
- Special information sessions by experts being organised for small businesses affected by COVID19.
Through this well-coordinated effort we have been able to fulfill the basic needs so far, with the help of our volunteers, community members, grocers and restaurants. However, a number of gaps identified, e.g. wider rental and accommodation issues, lack of jobs and income, education loans, and other needs of the temporary residents of Indian origin which will require significant fund to provide any meaningful solution.
How We Will Use the Fund?
ISWA and participating 45 member associations have jointly established a Project Team that will define the scope and criteria for disbursement of the fund to some key focus areas such as accommodation, job support, urgent relief situation, domestic violence, mental support etc. We believe this fund is very critical to provide a sustainable support to the affected students and families, work permit holders, and other temporary residents of Indian origin to come out of this situation and continue on with their life.
Member Associations of ISWA Participating in the Appeal
1. Agrawal Association of WA
2. Ambedkarite Buddhist Community
3. Anglo Indian Association of WA
4. Art of Living Foundation
5. Assam Association of Western Australia
6. Australian Indian Club Inc
7. Australian Indian Medical Association
8. Basava Samithi of Australasia Perth Chapter Inc.
9. Chinmaya Mission Perth
10. Goan Overseas Association (WA) Inc
11. Gujarati Samaj Of Western Australia
12. Haryana Society of Western Australia
13. Hindi Samaj of WA
14. Hindu Priest Services
15. Hindu Swayam Sewak Shangh WA
16. Indian Ocean Performing Arts, Culture & Commerce
17. Jain Community of Western Australia
18. Kashmiri Pandit Cultural Society of WA
19. Kerala Hindu Samajam
20. Maharashtra Mandal of Perth WA Inc
21. Malayalee Association of WA (MAWA)
22. MAST Cultural and Language Association
23. Mata Amritanandamayi Association of WA
24. Odia Samaj of Western Australia Incq
25. Orioz WA
26. Panchajanya Inc
27. Perth Malayali Cultural Forum Inc
28. Perth United Malayalee Association Inc
29. Probasee Bengali of Perth
30. Probashi Bengali of WA
31. Punjabi Sath Perth Association Inc.
32. Purobi Association of Western Australia
33. Rajasthani Kutumb of Australia Inc
34. Rangmanch Incorporated
35. Samskruthi Perth
36. Sanskriti Seniors of WA
37. Shri Shirdi Sainath Perth Inc
38. Sikh Gurudwara Perth Inc
39. South West Indian Group, Bunbury
40. Tamil Association of Western Australia Inc
41. Telugu Association of Perth
42. The Vedic Training and Cultural Services of WA
43. United Indians of Western Australia Inc
44. Western Australia Sindhi Association Inc
45. Western Australia Telugu Association
On behalf of ISWA, SEVA Australia, and all the 45 member associations of ISWA who are participating in this appeal, I request you all to come forward and donate generously. Let us stand together as a community.
#TogetherWeWin
Warm Regards,
Supriya Guha
President, ISWA
Mobile: +61 412 977 552
Email: president@iswa-perth.org