SAIL Program Newsletter

August 2002


Security
In the past month, the church has been broken into and one tutor’s handbag was stolen from within their car parked outside the church. We encourage everyone to bring anything that is or may look valuable with them into the church. We will gladly place valuables for SAIL times in a secret, locked cupboard we have exclusive access to.

The Party place
The big tutor bash (which is rumoured to be the most likely event for the International Party of the Year Award, the ceremony for which is held this year in Kazakhstan) has been granted a venue by our resident-barman/ manager-extraordinaire, David (SAIL Senior tutor). The Party will take place downstairs at Prince Alfred’s the pub (not the hospital) which is just opposite Melbourne University from 7pm on Friday 30th, August, 2002. We sincerely hope that everyone, young and (especially) old, will be able to make it.

It is noteworthy that without the Sudanese community being involved the SAIL Program would be named the AIL Program. In keeping with this theme, David has lined up cheaper drinks for us, $2 pots and $4.50 spirits.

The Birthday Bash
We are currently organising a series of guests for our first birthday celebrations on the 31st of this month. We will ask all tutors to break their session at 11:45am on the day for a short performance which will take place in the church itself.

Home help
We have become aware of two of our families who are having difficulty managing affairs in the home. Both are single mother families. We are looking for two SAILors who may be able to attend their houses for three hours mid-week and out-of-hours to help clean the house and care for the children. This will involve assistance with homework and general housework. Both families are enduring extremely tough circumstances regarding finances, mental health and general wellbeing. Any expression of interest would be most welcome. Interested people will be asked to undergo a police check that we will pay for.

Photo collection
We have a general request to anyone who has taken either photo or video records of SAIL at any stage to please provide us with negatives or copies. Of course, we will happily reimburse you for any related expense. Please be aware that, given the financial position of all the Sudanese families, almost none are able to have a functioning camera. As such, SAIL records are the only records of the growth and development of our students. We implore everyone to contribute every image they have of SAIL students as soon as they are able.

Very odd jobs
Please let us know via Can’t Come sheet or email, if you are keen to fill any of these roles. We would also gladly open them to anyone not currently at SAIL who can make their contribution to it during the week only. We will gladly grant an official title and / or a badge with this on it if necessary.

SBS
We are also keen to extend the resources in our library by adding a new video section. We are looking for someone to commit to indefinitely perusing the Green Guide for films in the upcoming week either in Arabic or featuring North Africa and recording them. We will reimburse all videotape expenses.

Newspaper
We are looking for one person to bring either The Age or The Australian from the preceding week each Saturday. We would like this person to be able to commit to bringing preferably Wednesday- Fridays newspaper each week they attend.

Cake
A call to arms for all bakers; with THE Birthday fast approaching we are calling for anyone willing and able to bake a cake for the big day to let us know.

Speakers
There will be a tutor only talk given by Sudanese community members on September 7, 2002 from 12:30pm for 45 minutes. The four speakers will detail their life in Sudan and their experiences making their way to Australia. It will be an invaluable opportunity to get an insight into the experiences of our Sudanese staff and students.

Database
We will soon be creating a comprehensive database of staff and students, all 180 of us! If anyone has any concerns with their details being included in this database please let us know. It will only be accessed by SAIL administrators for SAIL related purposes.

"A Hump Over Troubled Waters"- A charity theatre and auction night for the orphans of Nepal
Friday 1st November, 2002 @ 7pm
A special collaboration between Hunchbax Theatre Restaurant and World Youth International brings you a full night's entertainment featuring Melbourne's funniest theatre restaurant show "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Humpy" and a charity auction with many fabulous items up for grabs. All money raised will go towards the orphans of the recently opened Sapana Dreaming Children's Home in Nepal.

Tickets are $44 per person (the regular price of a Hunchbax ticket) which includes a full 2-part show, a three course dinner, auction rights, disco and a full night's entertainment. 50% of this ticket price goes directly to Sapana Dreaming, the other 50% to cover the costs of the night. We are aiming to raise in excess of $5000 at this event! To purchase tickets contact SAIL tutor, Rob, Saturdays 3-5pm on 9415 8519 or on 0405 487 930 during business hours or email november_one_2002@hotmail.com.

Total Trivia- More than a quarter of SAIL students have names starting with the letter ‘A’. Similarly, 17% of non-Sudanese SAILors names end in an ee/y/i sound.

Thanks for your commitment to SAIL and thanks also for your flexibility on Partner Day last week.
Smooth SAILing, Matthew and Anna Grace