buddies

Dear all, I need to once again put a call out for funds. Attached are details on donating. So far this year we have managed to provide at least one phone card each month for all men since the Sri Lankans arrived to join the Burmese men six months ago. When I was in Nauru last month I was able to purchase 2 x phone cards for each person. Many of the men asked if we could keep assisting them in this way, particularly those with wives and children. I told them that we would try our best to help them as much as possible. It goes without saying that for as long as they remain in Nauru they will need as much assistance as we can provide with phone calls. The cards they receive from IOM provide less than one hour of talk time to Sri Lanka each month, and similar timing for the calls the Burmese men need to make. I also need to ask again for assistance with my own travel expenses. Which ever way I look at the situation, including the possibility of a change in government, it seems inevitable that I will need to return to Nauru at least one more time. Seven people remain with unresolved issues to be sorted out before they can even receive their decisions, their circumstances may take some time to resolve. One person has also been rejected and at this point the 7 Burmese men are still without decisions. This does not include the problems of the 72 who received positive decisions this week but who still face an uncertain future. It can be extremely difficult to assist people from such a distance and if possible I would like to try to get back to Nauru by the end of next month. I am always one trip behind in raising funds and still have not covered expenses from last month’s trip. Donated funds only go towards my travel expenses (travel, accommodation) which amount to between ,000 and ,000 for each trip. I personally also need to cover numerous other expenses including my phone bills -regular calls to Nauru alone are obviously difficult to manage, particularly when developments occur for the group or when individuals are experiencing problems. I currently have no income so it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to continue. Any assistance with my travel expenses will be gratefully accepted. Thank you so much to those who continue to assist, I couldn’t have kept going without your help. As always, please do not feel any obligation to donate just because you are on this email list, we all do what we can. Many thanks, Susan Metcalfe