AID-Austin works with Austin Indo American Community
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Bhuj, Gujarat, Jan 26, 2001 : A massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on
Richter's scale strikes
resulting in incomprehensible misery to the people of Gujarat

Austin, Texas, Post Jan 26th : Like in other parts of the world,Austin
Indian community
was filled with deep sorrow and a utter state of shock. A resolve to
work collectively to
provide assistance brought several Indian organisations under a
common umbrella - Network of Asian American Organisation(NAAO).

NAAO is represented by
India Community Center, Gujarati Samaj, NetIP, TiE, Saheli, Indian
Cultural Assn,
India Students Assn, Telugu Cultural Assn, Austin Tamil Sangam, Kannada
Koota,
Marathi Mandal and  Austin Asian American Chamber of Commerce

NAAO with it's collective energy raised awareness and much needed funds
for this
cause. Clothes & medicine drive, donation boxes at prominent Indian
places and
an immensely successful dance and music program to name a few. A
staggering sum of
close to  $ 3,00,000 was raised as a result of this. Nearly half this
amount was released
immediately  for relief activities to Red Cross and CRY India. The
remaining amount
was allocated for long term rehabilitation projects and NAAO invited
proposals for the same.

AID (Austin Chapter) saw this as a wonderful opportunity to work with
NAAO. Two of
the projects we were reviewing at the same time ( TRUE & SHEDS) had
requested
substantial funds. NAAO had set the following guidelines  for the
projects :

Help total cross-section of population
Self sustaining project
Credible Organization
Non religious projects only
Non governmental Organization
Accountability of the Organization
Minimal Overhead
Project experience
Credit for Austin Community

Additionally the projects had to be in the area of :

School
Healthcare
Infrastructure

Both the projects (TRU and SHEDS)  matched all the criteria. Following
meetings and discussions,
NAAO agreed to release funds to the tune of $25,000 for these 2
projects.

Meanwhile, AID-Austin working with AID-San Diego formally approved a sum
of $15,000 from
AID Gujarat Earthquake funds for TRU. An additional $16,500 was approved
for the Health portion
of the project and this was funded by NAAO.
SHEDS is currently under joint review with Bay Area and subject to
approval, funds will be released.

For more details on this and about TRU/SHEDS please visit
http://www.ece.utexas.edu/~valluri/donate/proj.html
and/ or contact harish.sharma@motorola.com