Hi, Am so pleased to have read this!! patient pains but pays:) Thanks so much Mark for making this a reality. Now its our task to begin doing the work. The members are so pleased with this development.

Peter, I know things have been quite challenging there for some time. I'm thrilled the members are pleased, and hope that the six month timeframe gives us time to build a small distribution network out so at the very least those five beaders can have the extra income, and the building can keep its internet access.

Beyond that, I hope we can develop other ideas and projects into revenue generating realities.

Also, once I get a hang tag designed for the bracelets and some form of small point of purchase display (POP) I intend to hire some sales reps to sell directly to stores and chains.

If we do this right, we can bump up production, pay a beaders a little more, get some more beaders hired, and use the hang tags to tell the story, and drive new members to Ned.com

Of course, that's the best case scenario :-)

Mark,

Many thanks. This is truly a Godsend. I will get the invoice to you later today. The members participating in Uganda are anxious to get started.

I also wanted to mention that I think it will be interesting to get the stories of the 5 beaders posted to ned and to report on the impact this test project is having on their lives. Kind of a real life report on how a little money can make a big difference. We have always found that the stories of the real people have made all the difference in getting support.

I have already been communicating with Grace and Peter about this and they will be assisting the 5 beaders in making some posts as soon as the center is on line again. Most of them cannot use the internet or a computer but it doesn't matter since we already have people there to type for them.

Gosh, I am not thinking straight.

Also wanted to let you know that Shawn Kelly has a great card already designed for bracelets. It has a great logo and info on the back. It is like the one we discussed at Salt Springs where the bracelet is actually attached to the card. (no plastic bag :)

You might contact her and have her send it to you for a look. We plan on using it as well but we are happy to share.

(edited for spelling)

Glad this came to be, now need to get the sales in gear so we can grow it. Great, just email the invoice and I'll drop a check to you.

Stores from the 5 beaders will be just great...perhaps even a photo or too. I agree people reading about the results of how little money can make such an impact is great. Hope you can get the center online soon.

I'll ping Shawn and appreciate the thought.

Also, if you could get me a sample of what you use for the counter top display, that'd be great. And, were you helping out when the beader made lanyards? I think there may be a future need for some of them as well.

I am just so excited about the whole thing. I feel there's life again in me . I think with the few people starting , it will be a lot easier to manage and grow slowly from there,Mark thanks for having thought out this. We shall try our best to do all the necessary reporting.

Glad to hear you are so excited, me too.

Much better to start small knowing you can scale it up, rather than start big and become cash strapped right at the start.

Please don't look at "reporting" as cumbersome, I'd rather it be more in the form of story sharing and showing how this is really making a difference in beaders lives.

Evvy, got the invoice, cut the check, dropped it in the mail, you should have it by Friday/Saturday.

Yes Mark, I do understand that,and I also see the importance of reporting, or rather "sharing the story" as you have put it.Well okay we are just set to go.

Mark Grimes said:

Evvy, got the invoice, cut the check, dropped it in the mail, you should have it by Friday/Saturday.

Perfect. I will get the money off to Uganda as soon as I get it!!!

Now, is the new office/retail space the same as the old one that was across from Christina's? How many computers will be there? How close is it to Makerere University?

About the reporting rather stories about the beaders, as soon as the center gets reconnected we shall develop this so that the ned members or supporters may know the lives of the people they support.

Mark asked about the new office, Any way the old place here is not that opposite where Christina was residing, its just near the Acholi quarters where our members are living in. Its a walkable distance to the center and very farer away from Makerere university about one kilometer away from Kyambogo university.

Many hugs to every body.

Glad it's closer to the Acholi quarters so people have much easier walking access to it.

How many PC's will you have there?

Are they powered by Microsoft XP?

OOps, we have four pc's powered by microsft xp and four linux

Am get tinging problem logging yahoo for the last four days and I just log in by chance. like today it has jogged completely!!

Grace & Peter, I spoke to Evvy yesterday about turning the facility into a NedSpace during the evenings, live 7PM to 7AM seven days a week. During that timeframe there would be local college students and startup entrepreneurs in the space using the computers/internet to build the software/web/technology/mobile companies and get them ready to launch.

Because they would be there, they would likely act as tech support (in a way) because they would want the computers operating in the best possible way. Plus, even though you have a security guard, having more people around overnight would provide even more security to the building and its contents.

The non windows PC's may or may not pose a problem, I don't know yet.

I took long to respond to this, but my problem is cafe attendant. Technical support may be very necessary for us as we always have to look for them whenever there is technical problem. But I still don't understand,that are you send them from there or you have their contacts and they are Ugandans or we have to contact them here? I need more light on this but for a space and internet I have problem. Thanks

Peter, Since you are on line right now, I will tell you how I read it. If you look at Mark's last post, he suggested that you open the space up 7PM to 7AM seven days a week to Entrepreneurs and college students who might be able to help you with the tech support. Computer professionals and students could work hand in hand with you maintaining the computers for you and themselves.

Ok, thanks now I get it

Great.

Also, wanted to make sure these two points stood out. (smaller, not fatter beads...and 10% black)

>>Evvy/Peter, let's make sure these are the smaller rolled beads, not the bulkier/fatter ones. If 10%-ish of the bracelets are black that will greatly open up the market to include men too.<<

Just letting you know that I received the money from you Mark and have sent it to Uganda. Hopefully, the internet at the center can be hooked up next week. This is very exciting for all of us.

We have identified the 5 women who will be working in this part time bead program. They are:

1, Langoya Jessica 2, Aloyo Christine 3, Lanyero Christine 4, Anyiri Estherina 5, Auma Esther

I think it is going to be great to track the progress and to see how this all works out and affects them and the center.

Very interesting conversation going on here... I will keep watching to see how it goes. Please let me know if I can be of assistance.

Great news Evvy, thnx. I also need to get an address so I can setup a meeting between Jon, Grace and Peter so they can explore opening up the location a NedSpace overnight 7PM-7AM. There is also the chance that Jon might provide some PC's for the space as well.

Bob, great! I need to find multiple sales channels, retail/wholesale to move some beaded bracelets. Retail at $12, $6 to retailers, $3.50 to wholesalers. Still working on POP display and hang tag design.