Fwd: placement details

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: cheryl caldwell
Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2005 13:30:40 +0000
Subject: RE: placement details
To: frank.s.walker@navy.mil
Cc: sous551@hotmail.com, bri.che@btinternet.com,
tsarsearch4u@yahoo.com, foconn_ms3@hotmail.com, mushnik@onetel.com,
di_wells@yahoo.com, sharin112@yahoo.com.hk, lingo@pacific.net.sg,
shuvee@aol.com, jhwaterman@aaahawk.com, cncilker@yahoo.com,
youcantteachthat@hotmail.com, lwhur1@student.monash.edu,
jenniferlynnsherman@yahoo.com, km888@nyu.edu, epo246@aol.com,
lstegeman@globetraveler.com, Jengle0007@aol.com, sjdoucet@shaw.ca,
ruthiegc@yahoo.com, drivethatfast@hotmail.com, ulundi@aol.com,
mattbrandon@writeme.com

Hi Frank and all

If it makes it easier for people to want to meet up, if they are
arriving around the same time every airport has an information desk or
a bar/restaurant, if we have a chart set up on the net stating what
day and time we arrive, we could meet at one of the above suggestions,
I do think your idea of an arm band is good aswell.

I'm not the best on computers, so I wouldn't know where to begin with
the chart so I am hoping there will be a volunteer who can set up such
a thing.

I will also post this on the forum as well!!

Thanks guys.

Cheryl

>From: "Walker, Frank S CIV FTSCLANT, 0105"

>To: "cheryl caldwell"
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

>Subject: RE: placement details

>Date: Fri, 25 Feb 2005 13:23:07 -0500

>

>If everyone will provide their arrival details into Colombo I will
group them together and forward a completed list back to everyone.
Provide the Airline and flight number, your arrival time and date to
Colombo.

>

>Any suggestions or ideas regarding a way to identify ourselves upon
arrival in Colombo? Would you consider maybe a yellow arm band or
something brightly colored on our luggage?

>

>Frank

>

>-----Original Message-----

>From: cheryl caldwell [mailto:winslet14@hotmail.com]

>Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 5:11

>To: sous551@hotmail.combri.che@btinternet.com; tsarsearch4u@yahoo.com;

>foconn_ms3@hotmail.com; Walker, Frank S CIV FTSCLANT, 0105;

>mushnik@onetel.com; di_wells@yahoo.com; sharin112@yahoo.com.hk;

>lingo@pacific.net.sg; shuvee@aol.com; jhwaterman@aaahawk.com;

>cncilker@yahoo.com; youcantteachthat@hotmail.com;

>lwhur1@student.monash.edu; jenniferlynnsherman@yahoo.com; km888@nyu.edu;

>epo246@aol.com; lstegeman@globetraveler.com; Jengle0007@aol.com;

>sjdoucet@shaw.ca; ruthiegc@yahoo.com; drivethatfast@hotmail.com;

>ulundi@aol.com; mattbrandon@writeme.com

>Subject: RE: placement details

>

>

>Hi guys

>

>Are you all looking forward to going now, it's only two weeks away Yippee I

>can't wait to start helping out.

>

>Below I have put my flight details if anyone is due at colombo round about

>the same time I would like to meet up if possible.

>

>I also will be taking the rest of the fee out with me to give to the

>co-ordinators once I know that it is fairly organised.

>

>Traveller summary

>Ms cheryl caldwell

>

>Outbound: Sat. 12 March 05, 1 stop(s) Trip duration: 11h55

>

>Dep 14:05 Sat

>Terminal 3, Heathrow (LHR), London, United Kingdom

>Arr 23:45 Sat

>Doha (DOH), Doha, Qatar

>

>Non-stop

>Qatar Airways (QR 6)

>Airplane type - 333

>Economy

>

>Connection

>

>23:45 Sat - 00:20 Sun

>Change plane

>Stop-over duration: 0h35

>

>Dep 00:20 Sun

>Doha (DOH), Doha, Qatar

>Arr 08:00 Sun

>Katunayake (CMB), Colombo, Sri Lanka

>

>Non-stop

>Qatar Airways (QR 300)

>Airplane type - 332

>Economy

>

>Can't wait to meet everyone

>

>Cheryl

>
>

--
Travel Contacts : lingo@resortsofasia.com
Global Roaming Mobile : +65-96179355
Sender : Ong Ling Ling
www.resortsofasia.com

Microcredit Summit Campaign:

Microcredit Summit Campaign: FAQs/Get Involved

What is Microcredit?
Microcredit is programs extending small loans, and other financial services such as savings, to very poor people for self-employment projects that generate income, allowing them to care for themselves and their families.

Global Cross Roads : By Frank Walker

From: F Walker
Date: Sun, 20 Feb 2005 14:07:50 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Questions Answered
To: F Walker , BRIAN CHEATER , Fiona O'Connor , frank.s.walker@navy.mil, sous551@hotmail.com, mushnik@onetel.com, di_wells@yahoo.com, sharin112@yahoo.com.hk, lingo@pacific.net.sg, shuvee@aol.com, jhwaterman@aaahawk.com, cncilker@yahoo.com, youcantteachthat@hotmail.com, lwhur1@student.monash.edu, jenniferlynnsherman@yahoo.com, km888@nyu.edu, epo246@aol.com, lstegeman@globetraveler.com, Jengle0007@aol.com, sjdoucet@shaw.ca, ruthiegc@yahoo.com, drivethatfast@hotmail.com, ulundi@aol.com, winslet14@hotmail.com, info@globalcrossroad.com

Hello All,

I spoke with Mohan in length on Friday and am happy to report the following:

I feel Mohan was honest and sincere with answers to my questions and concerns. He shared that Global Crossroads (GC) staff has been over whelmed with the number of volunteers contacting them. I shared that as a volunteer, I became anxious after paying money to a company for an advertised service, and felt a little suspicious with the lack of information. I am satisfied and THANKFUL that GC is making every attempt to provide support, assistance, and especially an opportunity for us to volunteer. I am confident we will be better people because of this experience

My intentions:
I intend to pay Global Crossroads the additional $699.00 tomorrow for lodging, meals and construction materials.

My request to Global Crossroads:

I established a non-profit account four weeks ago and initiated a fund raising effort at work. Mohan estimates $2500.00 US for materials to complete each home in Sri Lanka. My goal when I started was to raise $10,000.00 US. I am a little over half way there and requested GC allow me to utilize these donations and purchase the building materials required to construct four (4) homes.
He indicated they could support this request and would provide volunteers to build these homes.

My request to you:

I respectfully request you join me March 15-28, 2005 and completely construct at least one home. We will dig and pour the footing, construct the foundation, frame the floor, walls, and ceilings. Install windows and doors. I know this may sound unimaginable; however, nothing would bring greater satisfaction than seeing a family once devastated with the loss of their belongings, to once again have a safe place to sleep and call the structure we built as a Team, their home.
As a TEAM we can accomplish this task. Together Everyone Achieves More!

Respectfully,

Frank

F Walker wrote:


Brian and All,

I have copied Global Crossroads with every e-mail I sent and have yet to receive a reply. I have left voice messages and only once talked to a Global Crossroad employee. I have asked the important questions directly to their staff via e-mail. Not one reply. Let us remember that Global is a for profit organization. These are not volunteers, they are paid staff. It is difficult to manage an efficient operation from another country, however Global has advertised their credentials and so far I have only heard of poor performance. Now, they request personal checks or bank transfers for payment of services required in Sri Lanka. We all know that a credit card company can stop payment if a company fails to comply within the rules. The previous volunteers had that on their side and many requested refunds and only received some of their money. Personally, I believe our reconstruction donations belong in Sri Lanka and not spent on administrative fees in another country and only pennies going to the people.

I’m not the only one who is suspicious. I have received numerous replies from other concerned volunteers and several who have canceled due to lack of feedback from Global Crossroads. I received a call today from a UK volunteer who indicated he has paid all the fee’s and not received a single reply from Global Crossroads regarding his own questions and concerns.

Again, I will ask the questions to Global Crossroads. I respectfully request an immediate reply to all members on this e-mail.

Why has the Global Crossroads volunteer fee's increased from $899.00 in January to $1099.00 in February?

Has Global Crossroads started and/or completed any reconstruction projects? If so, how many, what type, and where?
What changes are currently being made to ensure current scheduled projects will be started and completed on time?

Who is the Project Manager with Architectural design, building/construction experience who will manage these projects?

Who is providing the additional funds to complete construction of these projects? 15 volunteers paying $6000.00 for construction materials is far below the estimated reconstruction costs associated with rebuilding permanent structures.

I'm not passing judgment on anyone. I'm passing along information as received (unfiltered/unedited) so if needed, everyone can make an informed decision on possible complications many of us would never have imagined.

I volunteered to assist in a worth while reconstruction project, not fall victim to unforeseen circumstances and excuses. I am still on board with Global, however I will make contacts with other agencies providing assistance to the deserving men, women and children in Sri Lanka.

Anyone traveling to Sri Lanka and interested in the information I receive regarding other projects requesting volunteers please contact me.

Everyone else, I apologize for the interruption to your day.

Again, it is up to us to make a difference.

Respectfully,

Frank

Global Cross Roads : A sole Proprietorship

COMPANY BACKGROUND : GLOBAL CROSS ROADS

Global Cross Roads : Background & Discussion Group

This is an independent link for Volunteers who have signed up for Global Cross Roads.
A Group discussion and posting board for prospective and field volunteers to :
1) Post their experiences through Global Cross Roads
2) Share information about field work
3) Network with other Global Cross Roads Volunteers
4) Contact each other for furthur Volunteer field work.

From a Global CrossRoads Volunteer in Sri Lanka

BY : Laura Sousa
From: Laura Sousa
To: bri.che@btinternet.com, tsarsearch4u@yahoo.com, foconn_ms3@hotmail.com, frank.s.walker@navy.mil, mushnik@onetel.com, di_wells@yahoo.com, sharin112@yahoo.com.hk, lingo@pacific.net.sg, shuvee@aol.com, jhwaterman@aaahawk.com, cncilker@yahoo.com, youcantteachthat@hotmail.com, lwhur1@student.monash.edu, jenniferlynnsherman@yahoo.com, km888@nyu.edu, epo246@aol.com, lstegeman@globetraveler.com, Jengle0007@aol.com, sjdoucet@shaw.ca, ruthiegc@yahoo.com, drivethatfast@hotmail.com, ulundi@aol.com, winslet14@hotmail.com
Cc: mattbrandon@writeme.com
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 20:15:45 -0800

Subject: This just in from a volunteer in S.L.

Dear Volunteers,

I'm writing you from Sri Lanka and I want you all to take what I say veryseriously. I arrived on Saturday night. GC was at the airport to pick me up and drove me and 2 other volunteers to Galle where we are working andliving. Actually, we are living in Unawatuna which is about 15 minutes away.

We have accomodation here and 3 meals a day. What you need to understand though is that this place is devastated and disorganized. What Joe said is exactly true, there is a lot of corruption and extreme lack of organization. You can't come here expecting an organized holiday with some relief work thrown in. It's very frustrating. We can arrive on a site at 8:30 and not get to start to work until 9:30 (as was the case today). You have to be prepared for a lot of standing around and waiting and not knowing what you'll be doing for that dayt until after breakfast.

If you're doing the reconstruction project you are no longer building a school. You are building houses for people who lost theirs. The first team started this morning and they will be doing 4 of them. I imagine you will be doing the same or a similar project. Your project is much more organized as we have a new employee from GC who arrived yesterday.

There is tons to do here. Just come with little or no expectations and you will be just fine.

Nicole

I will also post this on the message board

BandaAcheh : Medicins Sans Frontiers - Tsunami aid effort

MSF Gallery 2 - Tsunami aid effort: "MSF has five areas where teams are active providing emergency medical support in the Banda Aceh province of Indonesia. Here in Meulaboh, 250kms west of Banda Aceh, MSF has started work in the local hospital as well as visiting the surrounding area with mobile teams. The town was 50% destroyed and access to the area has been by helicopter or boat only."

Tsunami Shatters Economy in Indonesia (phillyBurbs.com)

Tsunami Shatters Economy in Indonesia (phillyBurbs.com): "The Asian Development Bank warned the tsunami could impoverish 2 million people across the southern Asian nations it battered, half of them in Indonesia. 'The poverty impact of the tsunami will be enormous,' said Ifzal Ali, the bank's chief economist.
Experts say a big infusion of reconstruction cash would be the best way to get the economy going.
With U.N. money, the government has hired 300 tsunami homeless to clear debris from hospitals and schools. It plans to expand the program to 3,000 people within months, although that's less than one percent of the more than 600,000 who lost their homes." Read On

Art of Living Foundation - Volunteers needed for Disaster Relief Project

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tara Melwani
Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 15:49:00 +0800
Subject: Passing the word around.... Art of Living Foundation -
Volunteers needed for Disaster Relief Project
To: Undisclosed-Recipient



"Karma is your experiences of body and mind. The word itself is Sanskrit; it means cause and effect. Your experiences of mental and physical happiness are the effects of certain causes, but those effects themselves become the cause of future results. One action produces a reaction; that is karma."

– Lama Yeshe


----- Original Message -----
From: Dana Chia-Carroll
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
Cc: Dana Carroll
Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2004 1:45 PM
Subject: Art of Living Foundation - Volunteers needed for Disaster
Relief Project

Dear Friends,

Volunteers needed to help out with Tsunamis Disaster Relief Project!

Donations in kind and volunteers needed to help out on 31st Dec 2004 and 2nd Jan 2005.

Collection Dates: Friday 31 Dec, 6pm -9pm, Sunday 2 Jan - 10am - 12noon

Collection Point: Art of Living Yoga & Meditation Centre (AoL)
No: 6 Jalan Ampas, #03-04 Singapore 329507(off Balestier Road.)Tel: 6250-4020

Co-ordinators: Shailaja - 6459-2249, Radha - 9104-8040, April - 9831-3592, Dana 987-33886

INDONESIA: Northern Sumatra / Acheh province is a war torn zone and is restricted to
travel. Our AoL Indonesia chapter has requested for cash donations. They will use our donations to buy food & other necessities in Jakarta as it is more cost effective. They will transport these to Acheh.This is the best & fastest way as exports to Indonesia will face Custom tax and other delays. In the past, we have supported Jakarta flood relief project in the same way. AoL Indonesia will give us an account of how the money is used.

SRI LANKA:
(1) Children and ladies clothing
(2) Men's shirts, trousers,
(3) Linen & blankets
(4) Canned / Packaged food
(5) Packaged drinks (eg milo.)

Deadline:
Please give us your donations by latest Sun 2 Jan 2005. We will deliver your donations to Sri Lanka High Commission and they will ship these out next week.
Please read below for more details on how you can help, what are needed and for packing instructions. Thank you for your generosity and great help!!

Love,Dana
________________________________

----- Original Message -----
To:
Sent: Monday, December 27, 2004 11:52 PM
Subject: Art of Living - Disaster Relief Project

Greetings!

By Divine Grace, Singapore has escaped a massive natural disaster and all of us had a very comfortable & Merry Christmas. The magnitude of the Asia earthquake disaster is much larger than the Gurajat Earthquake which we helped in 2001. As our AoL classes are small, our teachers have decided to focus our efforts on Indonesia & Sri Lanka. We have called AoL Indonesia & Sri Lanka High Commission and they have requested your help as follows:

SRI LANKA:
(1) Children clothing
(2) Men's shirts, trousers
(3) Linen & blankets
(4) Canned / Packaged food eg bee hoon
(5) Packaged drinks eg milo. and ladies clothes if any.

Clothing / Linen:
Please ensure that your clothing are clean & in usable condition. Fold your materials & separate each category (children, men) into different bags and write the contents on the bag. This will save us a lot of problems from sorting. If you can store these in carton boxes, it will be even better as we are short of boxes right now.

Send an email to - Shailaja (radhavj@starhub.net.sg) or Chay and April (chaykk@singnet.com.sg) to let us know what you intend to donate.If your donation is a lot or heavy, please call or email us in advance to arrange the cargo so as to avoid the burden of carrying these to level 3.

Deadline:
Please give us your donations by latest Sun 2 Jan 2005. We will deliver your donations to Sri Lanka High Commission and they will ship these out next week.

Collection Point:
Art of Living Yoga & Meditation Centre - Jln Ampas Centre. No: 6 Jalan Ampas, #03-04 off Balestier Road. Tel: 6250-4020

Collection Arrangements:
Please bring your donations to Jln Ampas preferably on Friday 31st Dec - 6.30 - 9.00pm or Sun 2 Jan - 10am - 12.00 pm.

We are short of boxes....please bring along some boxes if you can.

Co-ordinators: Shailaja - 6459-2249, Radha - 9104-8040, April - 9831-3592, Dana - 987-33886


INDONESIA:
Northern Sumatra / Acheh province is a war torn zone and is restricted to travel. Our AoL Indonesia chapter has requested for cash donations. They will use our donations to buy food & other necessities in Jakarta as it is more cost effective. They will transport these to Acheh. This is the best & fastest way as exports
to Indonesia will face Custom tax and other delays. In the past, we have supported Jakarta flood relief project in the same way. AoL Indonesia will give us an account of how the money is used.

For AoL kriya participants, donations will be collected at Shailaja's
class (31st Dec (satsangh) /
Sun 2 Jan morning after Kriya at 6, Jalan Ampas #03-04) or at Chay's
class (Thu 30 Dec, SCWO Waterloo St).

Jai Gurudev!
Art of Living Yoga & Meditation Centre
Singapore
________________________________


--
Travel Contacts : lingo@resortsofasia.com
Global Roaming Mobile : +65-96179355
Sender : Ong Ling Ling
www.resortsofasia.com

Update : Resorts of Asia Status : Selected List

The following is a status report on i-escape featured hotels located in areas affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami in Asia:


SRI LANKA

UK Foreign Office Advice
Following the recent tsunami, we advise against all but essential travel to affected areas on Sri Lanka's eastern, southern and south western coasts until local conditions improve. There were extensive casualties and damage along these coasts including to tourist resorts. For further details please refer to www.fco.gov.uk. Visitors are able to travel as normal to parts of Sri Lanka unaffected by the tsunami.

The South coast (including Galle), East coast (including Arugam Bay) and parts of the South West coast (including Bentota) were affected by the tsunami. The following properties in these regions are featured on i-escape:

Taru Villas and River House
(Bentota): no damage and operating as usual from 15 January
Club Villa (Bentota): no damage and operating as usual from 15 January
The Villa (Bentota): no damage and operating as usual from 15 January
Saman Villas (Bentota): no damage and operating as usual
Taprobane Island (Weligama): incurred damage and currently closed, expected to re-open July 2005
Beach House (nr Tangalle): suffered serious damage and currently closed, expected to re-open July 2005
Sun House and Dutch House (Galle): no damage due to hillside location
Apa Villas (nr Galle): some damage, currently closed, expected to re-open June 2005. Any guests booked here have been re-located to Illuketia
Illuketia (nr Galle): no damage and operating as usual
Secret Garden (Unawatuna): suffered extensive damage and will remain closed until the end of 2005.
Kudakalliya (Arugam Bay): incurred minor damage but closed as the surrounding area and infrastructure was very badly hit
Claughton (Dikwella): no damage and operating as usual

Kandy, the Hill Country and Cultural Triangle were unaffected. Helga's Folly, Stonehouse Lodge, Villa Rosa, Paradise Farm, Boulder Garden, Galapita, Rafters Retreat, Tree Tops Jungle Lodge, Elephant Corridor, Kaladiya, Ulpotha, Colombo House, Horathapola, Havelock Place and Mount Lodge are all open for business as usual.

British nationals in Sri Lanka caught up in the tragedy should contact the British High Commission in Colombo if they have not already done so. The High Commission is open on an emergency 24-hour basis. Its telephone number is: (00-94) 112437336.


THAILAND

UK Foreign Office Advice Following the recent tsunami, until local conditions improve we recommend against all but essential travel to affected resorts and towns along Thailand’s west coast, in particular Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak. Some coastal areas of Thailand were hit by a large tsunami on 26 December, resulting in widespread flooding and damage. Large numbers of casualties have been reported. The infrastructure and public services are severely disrupted. For the latest information please refer to www.fco.gov.uk

The following hotels on i-escape.com were affected…

Golden Buddha (Koh Phra Thong): extensive damage to property, loss of life confirmed and many more missing, island has been evacuated. No word yet as to when the resort could be up and running again.

Sri Lanta (Koh Lanta): suffered no structural damage or casualties but the gardens and furnishings in the lower public areas were destroyed. Scheduled to re-open about 20 January 2005.

The East coast of Thailand (including Hua Hin, Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Pha Ngan), was untouched and the hotels there are functioning as normal

British nationals in Thailand caught up in the tragedy should contact the British Embassy in Bangkok, which is open on an emergency 24-hour basis. The telephone number in Thailand is 02 305 8333. A team of officers from the British Embassy and the Honorary Consul have opened an emergency office in Phuket, which will aim to provide immediate practical advice for British nationals in Phuket and other adjoining areas. Its numbers are 076 264 473/4/5 and 076 264 484.

INDIA - Kerala

None of our hotels or houseboats in Kerala appear to have incurred any damage and are operating as usual. The Kerala Tourism Board has stated that all tourist destinations are functioning as usual.

INDIA - Goa

None of our hotels have incurred any damage and are operating as usual.

MALDIVES

UK Foreign Office Advice Like other countries in the region, the Maldives was hit by a series of tidal waves on 26 December 2004 A State of Emergency has been declared. There has been serious damage to a number of islands, including some resort islands. Before travelling, those planning a holiday in the Maldives should check with their tour operator that their resort island is operating normally.

The following hotels in the Maldives are featured on i-escape.com

Soneva Fushi: Buildings received minor damage that will be repaired by 30 December 2004

Soneva Gili: Incurred some damage and is officially closed now. It is their intention to reopen the resort by 1 February 2005. A firm re-opening date will be given as soon as possible.


Contact Numbers

The FCO has issued an emergency number 020 7008 0000 for relatives and others who wish to report missing relatives and friends affected by the tsunami in Asia or to pass on information about them. (Please note that the emergency number is only for people in the UK who are concerned about the welfare of UK nationals they believe may have been in the affected areas).

For travel advice only please telephone 0870 606 0290.

Singapore Turf Club ; Fund Raiser 16th Jan 2004

Room to Read

Room to Read : Our Response to the Tsunami Disaster
Jan 2005 ~ Rebuilding Schools in Sri Lanka

Rebuilding Sri Lanka will be an ongoing task. Having operated in South Asia for five years, we are accelerating the expansion of our education programs to include this country. Please join us in raising one million dollars for building educational infrastructure in Sri Lanka. In the critical months ahead, our team will travel there to assess the damage on the ground and to work with local NGOs to identify school sites in need.

Donate Now
READ MORE

Phuket hotel, Thailand: travel information guide

Phuket hotel, Thailand: travel information guide