Donations in Kind (DIK) is a program supported by Rotary Clubs in Australia which grew out of the compassion and concern of returning overseas volunteers.
This recycling and reuse program involves the collection, sorting, packing, dispatch and distribution of donated items to countries in need of these goods.
Many goods and products, for which organisations in Australia have no further use, are valuable commodities in needy countries. While 50 computers with non-flat screen monitors and less than 1 gigabyte of memory may be obsolete for some corporate offices, they might instead be of significant value in helping the education of underpriveleged students in East Timorese universities or in assisting with the accountancy of microfinance finance projects in Africa.
What It's About | Making A Difference | Help Us Help Others | Types of Goods Needed | How To Donate / Contact Us | Donation Guidelines | DIK vs DIN
The DIK Eastern Region Warehouse
Collecting materials instead of asking for money: What DIK is all about...
The objectives of Donations in Kind are:
- To receive requests for aid goods from Rotary Clubs and aid organisations in developing countries.
- To receive goods from within Australia, from Rotary Clubs, schools, hospitals and other organisations for distribution to developing countries.
- To match the goods received with the requests for aid goods wherever possible and to ensure that all goods are dispatched to appropriate areas of need.
- To maintain records, facilitate customs declarations and transport arrangements.
- To assist, if requested, Clubs and Districts to dispatch aid goods direct to recipient Rotary Clubs or aid organisations.
- To maintain the quality of the goods dispatched.
- To minimise the cost of transport.
- To maintain a close liaison with the Rotary Clubs and aid organisations at the receiving end so as to have an appreciation of their requirements and to minimise any problems that they may encounter.
An Example - Rotary Furniture Goodwill Program
The Australian Government Building Education Revolution (BER) Program has been set up to give advantage to the young people of Australia while stimulating the economy.
The BER reaches every community in Australia and gives benefits to the local economy. But the program can have further benefits.
There will be furniture replacements that will leave existing furniture, such as school desks and chairs, available for other uses.
It can be sent to developing countries for further use rather than recycling or sent to landfill tips.
By October 2010, 79 containers of school furniture and 3 containers of beds have been sent overseas.
Read about it on the Eastern Region website
Your contribution can make a difference...
| The following is an extract from a letter of appreciation received from a physiotherapist in Madang, Papua New Guinea. |
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Previously we had nothing but our bare hands and hot packs made from the discarded IV bags filled with water and heated in a saucepan. Sometimes, whilst working in Australia., I have wondered what happened to the donations we gave towards a certain project - I shall wonder no longer, it is a great pity that your Rotarian colleagues and the people who have contributed, could not see the overwhelming response from the people here." |
| The appreciation expressed in the above letter is typical of the response shown by the recipients, particularly in the South Pacific Region. |
Help Us Help Others...
Known within Rotary as "The Quiet Achievers", those coordinating Donations In Kind often rely on the help of others in times of need, such as following the 2004 Tsunami across Asia.
Friends, family and community-minded volunteers have helped Donations In Kind distribute large quantities of unneeded goods from generous businesses and individuals partnering with Rotary to those trying to find their feet again.
Types of goods in demand
The equipment most needed are items for schools and hospitals or medical centres.
Furniture and equipment no longer needed in our schools and hospitals may often be welcome in developing countries.
All activities are carried out in conjunction with a receiving Rotary Club. That Club arranges the unpacking and distribution of the contents in liaison with local Rotary clubs and authorities. The items are then distributed locally at the receiving and some transported to inland areas.
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Modilon Hospital operating theatre nurses checking out the donated surgical gowns |
Have you got goods to donate?
If you have a quantity of goods (particularly those listed above) that would be of use to communities in need, you can contact the local DIK Regional Coordinator for your region by clicking here.
Donation Guidelines
There are some basic guidelines about donations of goods to ensure the appropriate distribution. Click here to read the Guidelines For Donations.
Donations In Kind (DIK)and The Rotary International Donations-in-Kind Information Network (DIN)
DIK differs from the Rotary International Donations-in-Kind Information Network (DIN), which is a reference service only and not involved with the collection, sorting, packing, dispatch and distribution of donated goods.