Ilura Press

About the project

‘Letters from a Young Doctor: Stories from Swaziland’ is a collection of vignettes, written over the past seven years, by Australian doctor, Maithri Goonetilleke. Maithri has been contributing his time voluntarily in Swaziland—a country devastated by extreme poverty and the HIV and AIDS epidemic, possibly more than any other country in the world today. Beginning his work as a medical doctor administering to the health needs of the people of Swaziland, Maithri’s humanitarian work has extended to incorporate a broader reaching level of care, by assisting with housing, farming, and the supply of clean water.

We would like you to help us bring Maithri’s writing to the world. Through the stories that comprise Maithri’s manuscript the reader is taken on an incredible journey, through a landscape of extreme adversity, and medical and economic hardship. But it is the final, overwhelming sense of humanity that is most striking and empowering. The ultimate outcome for the reader is a profound understanding of a people with enormous resilience, pride, humility, and courage. The publication of Maithri’s manuscript will give the people of Swaziland a chance to have their voices heard—it is their stories, their pride, their lives, their tales of existence against extreme odds that fill the pages of Maithri’s manuscript.

We are hoping to have Maithri’s manuscript published by March 2013 and released in conjunction with the Swaziland Choir tour, a choir that Maithri founded and continues to work with. The choir will be touring Victorian High Schools throughout March thanks to a mammoth effort by some very special people. It will be the first time most of the choir members have travelled so far, let alone out of their own country.

About the publisher

Ilura Press is a boutique publishing house specialising in the production of quality books. We are run by a committed team of writers, artists, and interns, all devoting their time voluntarily to supporting the creative arts and spreading innovative thought and concepts. All profit from sales of our titles goes back into the creative arts and the writers and artists that we represent.

Up to 80% of the costs associated with the production of our titles is covered by the work that we do. That means that editing, proofing, layout, design, marketing, promotions, pre-press, and distribution can all be done by our team, without wages. But there are other costs, like running the office, paying bills, and paying the printers and binders, that we raise funds for. For many of our titles we are indebted to local, state, and federal government organisations, like Arts Victoria, The Australia Council, and the City of Port Phillip. And there have also been private organisations and many friends that have lent a helping hand along the way.

How will your donation be spent?

In the case of Maithri’s book, we are able to cover all expenses except for printing costs. So we are asking for funds to directly cover the $3500 that we now need. The rewards for pledging a donation are many and quite apparent, but if you would like to be a part of making Maithri’s dream possible, then we have come up with some special ways to thank you! We hope you will become a part of Maithri’s wonderful, compassionate journey.

About the author