About Shirley Bowman

Mother to the gorgeous Richard Bowman - soccer goalie!

Volunteer - Nusa Tenggara Association

The Nusatenggara archipelago or East Indonesia - including Flores and Timor - is one of the poorest regions of Indonesia, and the closest to Australia. The NTA - East Indonesia Aid - was started by some Australians who had been working in the area and who were told by local leaders how some of the desperate poverty could be lessened with aid targeted at key projects in particular villages: for example wells, business and agriculture initiatives, support for teachers and schools.

In Australia the project is run by volunteers; almost 100 percent of the donations go to East Indonesia, just about the only expenses here being for costs of paper and postage. Indonesian field officers are paid to keep an eye on developments and help with accountability. In many instances funds are recycled once a project is up and running and able to repay the 'loan'.

The main two goals of the NTA are:

Poverty Alleviation
To alleviate poverty by providing assistance in developing self-sustaining means of improving standards in poor rural areas of the Nusa Tengarra.

Strategy Testing
To test certain proposed development strategies on their workability, value for money, and longer term, sustainable effectiveness of their outcomes.
To effectively carry out grassroots assistance in eastern Indonesia and Timor, the NTA focuses on poor rural communities, while emphasising the participation and group commitments of the community members as preconditions for assistance. NTA operates around Semau, Kupang, Flores and Besi Pae.

Interested in making a difference? You can either offer your talent or dollars, contact Shirley Shirley@shirleybowman.com.au or visit http://nta.org.au/

Supporter of Breast Cancer Network Australia

I, my friend Genia, and 11,498 women and 100 men brought the breast cancer statistics to life in powerful and stunning visual display at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, 6 May 2005 in the FIELD of WOMEN event.

Can you spot us?

I support the Breast Cancer Network Australia because it supports people and their families who are coping with breast cancer in their lives.
http://www.bcna.org.au/

Other organisations that light up my life or have been important to me at different times!
http://www.hai.org/
http://www.results.org
http://www.thp.org.au