The Board of Directors of Project Bird Watch is very pleased to announce the receipt of a grant from Seacology for $23,954 . Receipt of this funding is contingent upon appropriate political and social conditions in the district of Maluku, particularly following the Presidential run-off election in September.
This funding will be used by Project Bird Watch to carry out a 5-point Medical Initiative in both the Muslim town of Sawai and the Christian town of Masihulan, both on the North shore of Seram:
Build an improved medical clinic in each village;
Provide a solar-powered power system coupled to a water purification system for each village, to improve hygiene and delivery of health care and safe childbirth;
Provide to village a refrigerator, coupled to this power system, to prevent deterioration of their medicines in the harsh tropical climate;
Send each of the Nurse Practitioners to Bali for advanced medical training,; and
Write and distribute a booklet discussing basic hygienic and sanitary practices, for both children and adults, to be taught by the schools' Headmasters.
In return, the King of the District, in conjunction with the kepala desa (Heads of the respective villages) and a council representing the villagers, has signed a binding contrast, agreeing to set aside (for at least 50 years) a "no-take" Heritage Site zone of pristine forest. This area, comprising nearly 350 acres, is to remain free of logging, hunting, trapping or other human encroachment.
Furthermore, the King, Kepala Desa, Council, and Villagers formally recognize in this agreement, the need to protect and preserve the special fauna and fauna of Seram, with a special eye towards saving the Seram cockatoo.
It is hoped that the Seacology Project can begin November 1, 2004 and be completed within one year.
