Ndelo Peter's Recent Discussions

Word Game 3

I am going to start this but not with a word. The first person to post gets to choose the starting word and then the game begins. The goal is to bring the string of words back to the first word on page 10.

Good playing!

Last comment added: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:06:36 PST

What should the procedures be for funding new project ideas through ?

We have talked in the past of NedUganda as a coop made up of many small group-owned business units. Somewhere along the way we were unable to see how those small group businesses would support the whole organizational structure, from which the members want more than just funding for group businesses.

So we are no longer talking (for the moment) about NedUganda as a coop with a physical space in Uganda. Specifically, though, NedUganda could be a group in which new project ideas from Uganda (like the soap project) are developed. The idea might be to develop the ideas to a certain level at which they then become eligible for ned community fundraising action.

With the soap project, we came to a point where some thought the project was ready and others didn't. That contributed to a breakdown in momentum that I think could be avoided in the future with some clearer guidelines for what requirements qualify a project for a ned community funding effort.

I am starting this discussion to get input from both the Ugandan and global members of the NedUganda group in trying to define that process further, and to establish some realistic expectations for those Ugandans who may wish to work on developing their project ideas.

Given that I will not personally be available to take the lead in administering ned community fundraising for Uganda for a while, it would also be great to get input from this group's global members in particular on what kinds of roles you might be willing to play in developing this as a ned.com pilot community financing program.

Please also keep in mind that the above are my ideas on where we should go from here - they may not be the best ideas! Any other ideas on what the NedUganda group might aim to be and/or achieve are most welcome ~

Last comment added: Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:44:43 PST

Which 10 African MFI banks would you invest $3.5mn in

A friend of mine represents one of the 3 main Bangladeshi designers of microfinance. her job as US fundraiser involves finding 3.5 million dollar funds to be invested in 10 African microcredit operations that are currently small but could sustain 10 times growth if they had both the best advices as well as more resource

Last comment added: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:10:26 PST

Life in Ubon - July/Aug 2008

My name is Ekkaluk Nopparat and my nick name is Eric. Now I study at Ubon Rajathanee University. I'm a second year student.

Mark has hired me as the first Ned photographer. I will be posting pictures about Ubon here.

This is my picture.

Today I would like to presenting the photo of Ubon Rajathanee University (UBU) and the Management Faculty.

The Ubon Rajathanee University is the place that I study at BBA program with Ms.Linda Nowakowski.

Next one is Management Faculty, I have to came every day.

Last comment added: Sat, 08 Nov 2008 07:52:28 PST

Hello Gulu - Hello Kireka!

This thread is facilitates communication about operations between Life in Africa's communities in Kireka and Gulu, and with headquarters in Kampala.

LiA members who participate online are expected to keep up with and tell others in your location about the announcements, requests for information and/or inquiries that are posted here.

All LiA members in Uganda, please click here to put this thread on your watchlist - and check here first when you log into ned.com. If there is new information posted, please alert those near you who need to know.

Last comment added: Mon, 03 Nov 2008 00:22:13 PST

Ned Part-Time Staff (Beaders First)

So Ned is hiring five (5) Ugandan part-time beaders and guaranteeing their salaries for 6 months during this test phase with Life in Africa operating as a strategic partner. The LiA oversight fee** and Kampala beader salaries** will be guaranteed for the first six months and even if production were to be stopped, those two fees will still be paid by Ned.

Materials and postage = .30 ea. (2,500 bracelets mo) $750

Internet connection/bracelet quality control/funds distribution/shipping/oversight to LiA $125**

Salaries = $25 per beader (5) $125**

Total amount per month $1,000

Timeframe: 10/1/08 - 3/31/09

All beaders will be Ned members, Peter Ndelo is the person on the ground in Kampala, Uganda for LiA, and Evvy Bryning is the US contact.

Now, once Ned friends find the US market for the beaded bracelets then other part-time beaders may well be brought on as well, and current beader compensation will be increased. All sales, transactions, costs and such will be 100% transparent and all reported online at Ned. So we'll kick of this open source agreement by paying LiA $3,000 total; broken down as $1,500 for two months of beaded bracelet materials, production, postage (5,000 units) and $750 for five people salaries for six months and $750 for LiA oversight role and internet connectivity for six months.

Beaded bracelet retail at $12 USD, and wholesaled at $3.50 each, minimum order of 200.

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. If you could invoice me, I'll turn the check out the next day.

Other ideas for hiring possible sustainable Ned staff for certain positions that reside in emerging market economies welcome at any time.

Ideas?

Last comment added: Wed, 15 Oct 2008 07:02:40 PDT

ourwwworld game: player discussion

For some time now, I've been playing with an idea for teaching basic blogging and traffic generating skills to my Ugandan friends through playing a game.

The ourwwworld game has been developed with a lot of background research. My hope is that in addition to learning basic blogging and social bookmarking skills, the players will be able to earn something meaningful through their participation, and we'll also be able to raise some money for Life in Africa. Those amounts are directly related to how many advertiser links people like you click on at the players' blogs (note: we're not officially allowed to ask you to click, so use your best judgement on how many sponsors you find interesting in a day!)

The players who've agreed to pilot this game are well known around ned. You can see what they are each up to so far at their player blogs below:

Norbert: http://nobsoswwworld.blogspot.co m/

Peter: http://ndeloswwworld.blogspot.co m/

Linda: http://lindernswwworld.blogspot. com/

Shawn: http://kellyswwworld.blogspot.co m/

Evvy: http://grandmaswwworld.blogspot. com/

Grace: http://ayaaswwworld.blogspot.com /

Player questions, ideas and comments from the peanut gallery are welcome in this thread.

happy happy!

Last comment added: Wed, 24 Sep 2008 05:26:44 PDT

What's Up with Life in Africa?

Many of you may have noticed that LiA has been very quiet lately. At least I hope you noticed or maybe I am just assuming something that isn't so. Well, I just want to tell you that even though we have been quiet, we are still here, still working, still trying to accomplish out goals. We have simply had a few stumbles.....well maybe a lot of stumbles on our path forward.

We had a great plan. The communities would become CBOs, LiA USA would help to support them. Christina gave them both a loan and we gave them all the tools we thought they would need to become independent. Best laid plans, you know how that goes.

None of us could have predicted the terrible string of events that would occur to put huge boulders in our path. The tragedy of the car crash in Uganda devastated us. It forced Christina to change all her plans and stay in Uganda but be isolated. I don't think any of us realized what an impact this would have on all of us. I know I certainly didn't. She was the driving force behind all of us and without her, we all fell down, got up, fell down again and so it goes on and on. LiA USA was just starting and seemed to get crushed before it began. But we are survivors if nothing else.

We have moved forward. I put money into the organization and we have crept on, struggling from month to month to keep things going. The communities struggled as well. They really needed guidance and we didn't do a good job of giving it. But somehow we made it through six months of operations and did the best we could. WE have just finished our year end (fiscal year ended June 30) and the report can be seen here if you are interested. We made a few accomplishments come true and we have plans for the future. We may be down but we are not out by any means!

http://www.ned.com/group/lia-usa /ws/year_end_report/

Our communities in Uganda have not been on line but we hope to rectify that soon with the help of Mark Grimes/ned. Be patient. They have had no internet connection, constant power outages, no water part of the time, and still they go on. WE go on. This is Life in Africa. Thats a catch phrase we all use when things go wrong. WE smile, we shrug and shake our heads. Life in Africa is never easy, it is just what it is.....Life in Africa. Stay tuned for more to come.

Last comment added: Thu, 18 Sep 2008 03:35:35 PDT

my own life in Africa takes over my life

Who would have known that after so many months - years even - of planning a working sabbatical away from the Life in Africa communities in Uganda, my own life in Africa would change so dramatically that I would not want to leave Uganda.

Since the accident I am plunged into a new world (though literally around the corner from where I have lived for past 5 years) where nobody thinks of me as a social entrepreneur. I am simply the not yet official daughter in law who has stepped up to take care of the injured and grieving patriarch, in a very large, very closely knit and well connected modern Acholi family. Norbert's mom's shoes are way too big for me to fill - she is deeply missed - but I am trying to hold the fort, some days managing this huge (and hungry) household better than on other days. But slowly we are all regaining a sense of balance. I might even dare to say that we are managing well. Norbert and I are getting along great; Daddy has been a delightful patient and is mending, though slowly, as would be expected at 76.

My working sabbatical in the USA is canceled, and in addition to managing the household there is tons to do. This family collectively has thousands of acres to develop in Northern Uganda, now that peace can allow it. When visitors come to call (sometimes a dozen or more in a day) we talk about bio-fuel and some of the things we experienced in Thailand, and make interesting connections with ideas that others are doing. There are many other family projects brewing, including some that have moved from back burner to forefront as we figure out where we go from here, in this new domestic configuration. Norbert's Dad will be needing a lot of care for some time to come.

Nothing changes for the Opok Farm plans - this year's priority project remains to build the basic dormitory infrastructure that can enable community learning and community building activities to begin taking place at the farm in early 2009. I'm hoping for regular communications with Evvy and grace on Life in Africa stuff, so as to stay in the loop and offer what knowledge I can as an active Board member while they continue to move forward from here. I also look forward to cheering the communities on from the sidelines - Grace is doing a bang-up job of leading them right now.

I am sorry that I won't be able to make the Salt Spring Island Ned meet-up after all. And if I don't appear here as often as in the past, I hope you will all understand that life's twists and turns have led me to a situation that I never would have imagined for myself right now. My old online haunts are simply not getting much of my time these days. Things have been kind of turned upside down, but we are embracing the challenges as best we can.

Wishing all of you nothing but the best as you continue to change the world - without me trying to keep up with you for a while.

namaste

Last comment added: Wed, 10 Sep 2008 01:21:12 PDT

LiA 4 Kids program development

This thread is discussing LiA 4 Kids program development.

Details about the program are over here: http://lifeinafrica.com/children /

[Edited by group owner: Christina Jordan on 27 Nov 2007 03:06 PST: .]

Last comment added: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:45:58 PDT

Kenyan Elections

Kenyan elections were held on December 27. The elections saw many members of Parliament thrown out. The presidential election was extremely close with sitting president Mwai Kibaki claiming victory, amid reports of widespread election tampering, over challenger Ralia Odinga. The results have led to riots and widespread social disruption.

This thread is spot for discussing this emerging crisis in a country where many of us have friends.

Dozens burnt alive in church attack is an article in "The Nation" one of Kenya's leading independent newspapers. Press has been blocked at various times during this unfolding tragedy, blogs and online communities have been a source for information and perspective.

Right now I'm upset and jittery. There are some posts and sources I want to link to, but want to collect my thoughts. I would be very grateful to others who post here.

Edit: typos

Last comment added: Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:12:58 PDT

AUTO SPARE PARTS BUSINESS

Hullo. any body could helpp me with information about auto spare parts business? How could i use it to help my community?

Last comment added: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 12:14:15 PDT

IGIDI IMDIA - I'm glad I did it: I must do it again

Shamelessly borrowing from wdydwyd the idea of using an acronymic title, I thought it might be useful, entertaining, aspirational, educational, inspiring, socially-bonding or just plain fun to share one or two things we've done each week that we're glad we did and intend to repeat.

And this is also a place to respond to each other's sharing.

It is not a place for lectures, campaigning or canvassing opinions about issues, but for sharing personal experiences and individual aspirations.

Nothing is too large or too small to be relevant: what's relevant is that it is about YOU!

Last comment added: Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:39:23 PDT

School Fees in Uganda

I have a scheduled speaking engagement on Nov 5 for a very presdigious group and hope to raise some money for LiA-USA to use in supporting the communities there in Uganda.

I have been a bit lost as to what approach to take given the confusion and indicision that has been expressed in other threads about the biz units, the coop and so on. So I have decided to focus strictly on school fees since I know that they will be coming due in January and I would like to build the fund as much as possible.

To help me in this I would really like some information.

What is the exact cost of school fees for one term for one child?

What else should be included besides the actual fee?

Can you tell me how many children, approximately, in our communities (both Gulu and Kampala) that are going to be in need?

Is it possible to get maybe a couple of stories about some of the members. Like how many children they are supporting, what happened to them, how they are surviving. I have many stories but they are outdated so I need some that are more current. And if I could get a few pictures, that would be great.

Last comment added: Wed, 28 May 2008 04:37:07 PDT

Community Start Up Loan

Two initial posts from Peter Ndelo and Ezra Obiga

First of all I would like to thank Mark Grimes the NED founder for making this a useful link between the locals and global community. I have been studying this thread how its tools work and now I want to get back to work. Before I rush is this where we as community can put our loan proposals incase there is? perhaps microfinance, microloans may in a short run save the community needs than proposing for grants that may help in the long run. Who are the target groups and what criteria to follow for this microloans? let me know if am on the right truck,. Thanks Peter

Ah yes, about that same issue of the "3micros"(finance, loans and credit).When i did receive the information about them, i thought about it but i could not get, ah are you starting up a "3mircos"? if so because that is what is am getting in my mind, i don't mean starting up one but what i mean is what i thought when i received the massage. if that is so, how can a group get involved in it in otherwards how can the CDI over here get to be one of the borrowers? I believe it is a great idea (the 3 micros). Ezra

Last comment added: Fri, 16 May 2008 03:47:46 PDT

Internet4Change program development

This thread is for discussing further development of the Internet4Change program.

The main ideas are over here: http://lifeinafrica.com/i4c/

[Edited by group owner: Christina Jordan on 27 Nov 2007 02:59 PST: .]

Last comment added: Wed, 07 May 2008 22:06:44 PDT

CRAFT (S) FOR PRODUCTION, (Order now, with this group, it is made easy and fast with quality)

The war in the Northern Uganda. It because of the fact that, the Rebel leader Konyi wanted to overthrow Museven’s government. It is almost 25 years since konyi the rebel leader joined the bush, all peaceful Means to bring back sanity and peace to northern Uganda by the Religious leader and the Acholi Elders but up to date, the peace treaty is what is being discussed on in order to stop the war of which according to the people over-seeing the peace talks, Kony has no signs of signing the treaty hence living a big question amongst the Ugandan, whether the peace treaty will be signed and when. As result of above, the Acholi people have suffered since they are the most affected by the war. 85% of these people were farmers, growing crops and rearing animals both for sale and home consumption. Due to this war, there were a lot of abductions, young men were forced to join the rebels, the ones who tried to escape were shot dead, women raped and others forced to become rebels wives. Peoples lips were cat, if they found you, they could arrest you and the ask ”do you want to smile forever or shut your mouth “ and if you said yes, then your lips were cat off and if you said no, a padlock was put on your lips.

All their food was taken by the rebels, houses burnt, it was a very dark moment for the Acholi people, they then vacated their land to any place where they could take refuge where the majority ended up in IDP camps like these ones.. image:: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/51/117545890_ce3e89f1ec_m.jpg. .. image:: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/36/117541103_e790120ad4_m.jpg... image:: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/5 3/117548000_3a3ef895e4_m.jpg. .. In gulu and in the neighboring towns. The king of Buganda also offered some of them a small land to settle until peace comes back to their land. The land that was offered by the king is a few kilo miters away from the city center, in the place called Banda now called Achili Quarters because of their origin.

After settling for a long time, they formed groups and started income generating activities by making craft one of the tools for fighting poverty and manage their extended families and others in there homes like these ones .. image:: http://farm1.static.flickr.com/1 /132041688_b3545da93e.jpg?v=0 The groups have for a long time straggled to sale their crafts. Coming up with a bigger idea of forming a general group called CDI (Community Development Initiative) choose by themselves to handle a number of activities such as Candle wax making, Liquid soap and Vanish but, the only hindrance is financial support. Currently, they are making crafts to move on especial if there was an order made from them who want to help the group, by finding buyers for their crafts, makes them move on with their families and the people in the community. BELOW ARE SOME OF THEIR PICTURES AND FOR SOME OF WHAT THEY DO

Humbly the group is requesting for help, ANY ONE CAN SURPORT THIS GOUP BY. by give them contracts in making craft, -Making an order for any kind of craft, they are believed with the coordination amongst them, they can make anything in as far as craft is concerned. -If you want a specific kid/type of craft you want to de made, they can-Small funds/grants like about us$200 or even us$50 it can still make a difference. in this way you will be supporting this group of the widow, HIV infected, women, men, orphans to change their live and make them know that life has a meaning.

For any kind of help be it what Rendered will highly be accepted and respected and as for us we pray that may God double /increase your income and from where you got.

Last comment added: Tue, 06 May 2008 03:42:01 PDT

LiA CAN! group craft production program development

This thread is discussing development of the Life in Africa Cooperative Artisans Network (LiA CAN!)

More online about this program at http://lifeinafrica.com/can/

[Edited by group owner: Christina Jordan on 27 Nov 2007 03:04 PST: .]

Last comment added: Fri, 02 May 2008 07:05:30 PDT

Age,age,aaage..!!!

Ooooh,oh God.! Age,age,age,aaage!!

i have always wondered,why do people like lying about there age?is it really good for one to lie about his/her age?. How can we really fight and stop this system of lieying about the age and build a better world where people talk the truth about there years/age.

may be i need to know something,why do people like lieing about their age?. Please, you are all most welcome to this topic to help and find way in which we can put a stop on this so please your comments are so great and can make a change. So do you think that this act can be stoped? or Would you ever lie about your age?

Last comment added: Fri, 04 Apr 2008 11:19:49 PST

Kiva at LiA!

Hello, everyone! My name is Laura Toepfer and I am the new Kiva Fellow working with Life in Africa. Thank you to Peter Ndelo and to everyone who has made me feel very welcome here at the Kampala office. (And hello, Gulu, and LiA USA!) I am still trying to find my way around, and everyone is helping me a great deal. I am beginning to feel at home here.

I will be here until July, working on writing journal entries for those who have received Kiva loans. I will also try to make things with Kiva work more smoothly so that it is easier for LiA to disburse and pay back loans. Kiva has asked all of its Fellows to come up with a training for field partner staff in order for you to be able to use Kiva's resources to the fullest. I will work with the staff here to figure out something that will be helpful. And I have also been asked by Kiva to create some documents behind that you can all refer to. What those documents will be depends upon what you need.

So that is my plan! It may be that there are other things I can do to be helpful as well.

But I have some questions for all of you:

How have you used Kiva up to now? What has worked well? What has been confusing? What would you like to know about Kiva?

Basically, is there anything you would like me to know about LiA and how you have worked with Kiva, whether good or bad. Information about your experiences will be very helpful as I try to make the partnership between Kiva and LiA stronger.

Thank you, and I look forward to meeting all of you!

Yours, Laura

Last comment added: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:00:41 PST

Opok Farms Village Updates (Q1 - 2008)

There was a lot about the Opok Farm project that I'd promised to update everyone on as last year ended, but things got too hectic and now I'm sitting among boxes getting ready to move out of my house tomorrow, and here it is already January. So instead of an end of year report, this has turned into a beginning of the year report. What is it they say? Better late than never. I've been writing it for quite some time - today is the day to finally post it.

There is LOTS happening at/with/for the Opok Farm project over the next few months - much of it will keep Norbert and I offline but I will try to post updates here as often as I can through about mid-April (when life should calm down for a little while and I might finally have time to start a new thread.) I would very much appreciate it if others could help out with reposting these updates to the Opok Farm pages at facebook, Razoo and GiveMeaning.com

stay tuned

Last comment added: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:32:40 PST

Meet & Greet Ned Members (Feb-March 2008)

Welcome to Ned. Please tell other members what you do, what your passion is, how you found Ned, and even what you like to do to make the world a better place (if you wish). Simply just introduce yourself and say howdy to other members as they do the same.

Ultimately whether you spend 15 minutes at Ned a month or 2-3 hours a day, each Ned member needs to find their own Ned Muse to let the Ned community become a meaningful part of their lives. Human beings connecting.

This is your community, your ideas, your time, your efforts, and your actions. This is a community of real people, using real names, working in the real world (well, and at Ned)...taking real actions to make the world a better place. Really.

We are fortunate enough to enjoy incredible members from many countries around the world, and we all work together in a community of mutual respect, humor with an eye towards doing real world things and making the world a better place. Have fun, and please if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask a question here, Nedsters tend to be a very friendly sort. Many of us have met face-to-face at various events around the world during the last three years.

Okay, introductions...I started the thread going...so having drawn the short straw, I'll go first.

I'm Mark Grimes a serial and social entrepreneur from Portland, Oregon who came to Ned after Omidyar.net community closed last year. The experience of making the world a better place online and offline gets me revved up. I enjoy helping other people (and related their orgs) make greater impact, solve problems, simplify things, practice transparency, build multiple revenue streams towards increasing sustainability, and exploring new, different and more powerful ways to collaborate.

Last comment added: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:31:43 PST

click4kireka

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR CLICK4AFRICA TEAM? CLICK4KIREKA IS yours :)

WHAT IS ALL ABOUT CLICK4AFRICA?

From 1 Feb through 15 June 2008, Life in Africa USA is challenging teams at two community owned telecenters in Uganda to a click4africa CONTEST to earn financial help with the ongoing costs of keeping their community connected to the Internet.

In addition to monthly connectivity awards the two teams can earn each month, and an investment in computers and connectivity quality upgrades that one team will win in mid June, any Click4Africa participants who are Ugandan citizens can also win monthly prizes and cash awards for leading in the race to earn click4africa points for their team. Whoever you are, you are invited to click4africa too! When you qualify to have your online activity at Ned.com, facebook.com and iGive.com counted toward your favorite team's total, you are helping that team EARN their internet time and WIN investments in connectivity infrastructure at their community center. Non Ugandan participants can also earn bonus donations to their team's internet budget each month, win prizes donated by LiA supporters, and qualify for the opportunity to win a really tremendous prize in the second round of click4africa 2008, during the second half of the year (how about free trip to Uganda?)

Last comment added: Sat, 01 Mar 2008 03:04:56 PST

What is the hardest thing I have to overcome to participate on

When I first joined Onet, I didn't make a comment for a long time. I thought I wasn't smart enough to participate with these really fantastic people in their discussions. I thought no one would be interested in what I had to say. But then one day I just jumped in and I was so surprised. Everyone welcomed me with open arms. They were so glad to hear from me and made me feel welcome and appreciated. They really listened to what I had to say and that encouraged me to say more. Now these people are my friends and I feel so comfortable talking to them.

I know that a lot of our team members in Uganda are feeling shy about participating and making comments. I think it will be a good idea to talk about our feelings of shyness or the problems we are having or have had in participating and we can help each other to see that we all have a voice here and we can encourage the team members to overcome their shyness and to feel more comfortable participating.

I invite all the members of the click4africa teams and everyone else on <ned> to share your experiences here, share your challenges in participating and what you have done to overcome them, and to ask questions so the many members of <ned> can offer possible solutions or suggestions.

Last comment added: Tue, 26 Feb 2008 04:49:25 PST

Is Music any use for International Development?

John Powers prompted me to develop a thread on this subject and I hope a few people find it stuck out in the cobwebby Kaduna thread, I started.

In the NED Meet and Greet I claimed to be a musician, with a bit of talent. I have been playing piano since I was 3 and I played trombone to a decent standard. I played professional piano on a cruise ship and was also pianist for the National Youth Jazz Orchestra for a short time 20+ years ago. I also studied composition under Oliver Knussen in my teens at the Royal College of Music. I'm not a technical player, nor am I particularly well qualified in music, but I know I am quite exceptional as a musician. I'm a jazz musician mainly and although I am interested in world music, I'm nowhere near an expert in this field and would struggle to support in anything other than the basics in this area. All this means nothing really, because if you have a talent and don't use it very much, then why have it?

Currently I play infrequently in jazz groups and I no longer musically direct any shows. When I went to Nigeria last year to my chagrin I was unable to do any music at all, other than a brief pressured ten minutes on the Butterfly Project (see the other thread).

Nigeria has a number of gospel choirs and there is a massive desire to create vocal music. One of the reasons I guess is the dearth of musical instruments out there and in lack of reliable electricity for keyboards, amps and the like. The choirs I heard were enthusiastic, but not very creative and the few musicians there did not impress. I apologise for the comment here - it's not a criticism, simply a comparative judgement and nothing sparked me, that I saw and I did not have much time on this subject, so my experience was limited. I do know, however, that there is a uniqueness to the style, which is interesting, but this is more often "tainted" by overseas styles. The rural education system isn't going to mend soon in Nigeria, so I doubt that musicianship is going to improve overnight. Some singers use backing tracks and one in particular did a very good job, although the track she chose was pretty awe-inspiring!

I talk about all of this, because I want some ideas about how I can use my ability as a musician and social entrepreneur to develop a project to make a difference. I've explored the possibility of training up gospel choirs (Christians, naturally), which is a possibility, and I have developed a concept we call the "Streetkids Theatre Company", which local government seem keen to support. The type of theatre I am considering is musicals and it is designed more for an outreach to bring the young streetbeggars (mainly Muslims) into doing something positive and encouraging them back to school. Those who follow what I'm doing know that I am pretty new at this and I am ready to learn what works in Africa.

So, there we have it, at least for starters. Can anyone help by posting good links, ideas or good practice or simply a hello on the Kaduna group!

Last comment added: Sun, 24 Feb 2008 14:26:22 PST

iGive is so cool!

We set up Life in Africa as a cause on iGive

This is a really cool effort. I just had to try it out so I registered my office as a supporter. Then the way it works is that you enter the store through the iGive site and then shop as normal. We order our office supplies on line through either Staples of Office Depot so I entered through iGive and made my order. In just a couple of days I got notified that $3.04 had been donated to Life in Africa. I didn't have to do anything more than just enter the store through the iGive website. I think thats cool. Plus for the first order, an extra $5.00 is donated.

Now I know it might sound silly to be excited over $3.04 but just immagine if 100 people did the same thing. Then it is over $300. The potential is there. I hope some of you will try it. You can sign up here http://www.igive.com/welcome/war mwelcome.cfm?c=43292&m=52419 9

Last comment added: Sun, 24 Feb 2008 06:19:46 PST

Help me and i go back to school

Ladies and gentle men out side there, i call upon you to support me and my 3 sisters to support us and get education. Our grand mother is old now, she can not support us. We need a total of $700 per year to study, feed and get the clothings. We are in Busega-Kampala uganda. People help us to survive! I will be glad for your support.

Last comment added: Thu, 21 Feb 2008 23:55:23 PST

What's what in my WWC Area - how your basic information can benefit others

The World Connectory Project will link every place in the world's poorest countries with its own partner-place in one of the world's wealthier countries.

How that link is used will be up to the people living in the places that are linked together. But without putting some basic information about each place online, it will be hard to get started.

If you know no-one in your partner area (that's the place you'll be linked to), you will still be able to contact someone there if you are able to contact the local newspaper or radio station there.

Or it may be people in the rest of the world have already heard of your part of the world because of somewhere famous - or someone famous - who lives there. That could be a useful link.

Or there may be organisations where you live that already have international links. It may be easiest to start by building on these links.

So this is a place for sharing information about your own area's

main local newspaper

local radio or TV

special places

worldwide organisations already active in your area

Or you may just want to make some other comment on this.

Please do: share information and ideas, ask questions, add photos, get other to contribute. Do whatever you like, provided it's in true Nedster spirit!

Last comment added: Tue, 19 Feb 2008 12:37:34 PST

Ruth Pearl article in AWARE

Continue your discussions about Ruth and Danny Pearl and the power of music and the press right here. If you want to return to the article please click here.

Last comment added: Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:49:04 PST

Life in Africa-USA / Foundation / CBO relationship

After exploring many many options for moving our Ugandan community operations to "a new boat" (and almost drowning ourselves in the process) it's looking at this point like the newly restructured Life in Africa in Uganda will result in the establishment of 2 semi-autonomous Community Based Organizations that deliver services to their communities on behalf of global supporters and donor organizations.

The re-structured structure is likely to look something like this:

Life in Africa-USA (with 501(c)3 status) mobilizes financial resources through craft sales, grassroots campaigns online and other non-profit fundraising.

Life in Africa Foundation (under the currently established structure) receives, disburses and coordinates funds raised by Life in Africa-USA for specific targeted programs, each with their own pre-established CBO performance and reporting requirements. This entity also registers as a Micro Finance Institution that onlends to the CBOs and raises/manages a guarantee fund.

Life in Africa Kireka and Life in Africa Gulu become CBOs who are independently responsible for implementing Life in Africa-USA sponsored programs. Program funding received from Life in Africa-USA will include pre-defined amounts to cover local program staff and operations, as well as a contribution to Center overhead. Each Life in Africa-USA program also includes revenue generating activities, to enable local programs to grow beyond what Life in Africa has to offer. The Life in Africa CBOs may also autonomously seek additional program funding from other sources (should that last sentence be conditional?).

Programs currently planned for implementation at each Life in Africa community center include:

Internet4Change: setting new standards in online reporting will be this program's objective in 2008, with a view toward spinning off into franchised Internet4Change Agencies that independently verify the delivery of grassroots-raised development resources beginning in 2009.

Micro-Success: The Micro-Success program will professionalize Life in Africa's guaranteed lending, microfinance and savings services.

NedUganda: This is not a LiA program, but a proposed alternative the previously explored option of the communities becoming nedUganda. Lots of ideas to explore about how to make the ned bizunit concept come alive as a program that includes cooperative group biz-support and financing, social tourism organized through nedPortland (possibly including local internships for Ugandans there). We'll need to work out the terms of the relationship between ned and the nedUganda programs - ie, is that relationship between ned and the CBO program level (ie autonomous from Life in Africa-USA and Foundation), or do the ned accountability tracks need to pass through those structures as well?

LiA4Kids: The Life 4 Kids Club replaces the breakfast club, with a nutritious Saturday lunch and an afternoon of club activities for all enrolled children (shs 1,000/mo cost sharing). Life in Africa's School Sponsorship program raises school fees for the dependent orphans in community member households, and enrolls these sponsored children into the Life 4 Kids club. The School holiday healing program organizes special experiences involving in-country travel and innovative peace-building activities.

Adult Life: International volunteers will be screened and recruited by Life in Africa USA to offer adult literacy and numeracy courses at each CBO. This program also involves Music Dance & Drama, social tourism (host family stays, volunteer hostel operations, etc.), and community social action.

I have been asked to provide clarity on the implications of using the name "Life in Africa." ie, at what levels will the CBOs be expected to be accountable to Life in Africa Foundation and/or Life in Africa-USA?

Some specific questions:

At what level does/should Life in Africa Foundation and/or -USA have control over CBO staffing decisions?

Should Life in Africa (-USA or Foundation) play a role in selecting the local LiA-funded program coordinators? What about removing coordinators for poor performance?

Should representatives from Life in Africa (-USA or Foundation) play a role in the CBO leadership? If yes, what role should that be?

At what level does/should Life in Africa Foundation and/or -USA control or require accountability on CBO funding obtained from other sources?

Case in point: right now in Kampala we have ZERO information on the Onet loan fund given to Gulu. It is arguable that it's Gulu's money that belongs to the community, and it didn't come from Life in Africa so we don't have the right to demand anything. But I could also argue that it's Life in Africa's name and that we should have the right to demand financial transparency across the board. (devolving power to the community is tricky!)

Another case in point: is it ok for Gulu to solicit funds through other locally present donor orgs where skimming off the top by their local decision-makers is common practice? (believe me, I ask this for a reason)

Under what conditions should lifeinafrica.com promote CBO-initiated fundraising campaigns?

More questions brewing, but this gives us a good start for now... I've already put most of the above in a CommunityConditions workspace. Would love some help in continuing to flesh it out this week.

Last comment added: Fri, 01 Feb 2008 06:42:08 PST

Community ownership: benefit or burden?

I am struggling internally with a really big issue at a very profound level right now. We need to talk!

Increasingly over the past year, my personal notions about the critical importance of community based ownership and community management have been seriously challenged. Again and again, both from outside of LiA and from within.

This week, after going round and round and round again trying to figure out how to make the ned coop structure work (it's not working!), a couple of things finally hit me.

Maybe I've just plain been wrong.

Last comment added: Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:38:07 PST

Sept/Oct 2007: Ned Uganda

Can someone share more about the new Gulu location that's currently being renovated, what the community is already planning for that space? When will the space be ready?

Beyond an internet café (downstairs?) what other business models would the Ned Uganda team like to explore in the same space? It would be great if any new business model for a product or service each had a team of 3-5 people working to make it profitable and sustainable. Does that make sense?

What can be learned from the other internet cafes in Gulu? What would make more people want to visit the Ned/Uganda/Gulu internet café? Can someone start to spec out the startup costs for the café: computers, electricity, connectivity, gas generator, etc.

Would Ned/Uganda t-shirts sell well? Ice cold Rwenzori bottled water? Dried fruit or meats? Microfinance loans. Paper beaded bracelets. Liquid soap is one, I know. What other products or services would the Ned/Uganda/Gulu coop community like to sell that could be profitable in a short period of time? I can help guide, offer ideas, share online, but members on the ground in Gulu need to unleash the entrepreneurial spirits. How soon is the retail space going to be open for business? Can we see some picture soon? That'd be great.

Can each business unit/model being considered be budgeted for cost of goods, marketing, expected sales, and team members in the unit?

We don't necessarily have to have the physical space open to explore some of the models. If three people think selling t-shirts is worthwhile, and there would be a need for 100 to start, that could be something possibly started without the retail space. Each business unit should have enough potential revenue so each worker would earn 2,000 to 6,000 shillings a day, cover expenses, and have excess profit that goes back into the coop for other models (and coop wide profit sharing).

Assuming 2,000 shillings per person a day, at three team members, at 90 days, loosely figure $279 in labor/pay for three months. Assuming startup costs for WIDGET/PRODUCT/SERVICE is $250, that's $529 combined...round it up to $600 USD...for giggles (ok, miscellaneous expenses really). If a business unit could be profitable in 90 days, paying expenses, earning a living for that units members, putting some funds back into the coop (first to recoup investment funding (for reinvestment, not return on investment), then to startup other models)...that'd be a great thing. Ned/Portland has the capacity to fund a minimum of 3-4 of these business units as soon as they are ready to go (If we get some Ned.com Chip-in, Facebook, Razoo matching funds, we might be able to finance twice as much).

Last comment added: Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:47:11 PST

Soap Project - Development

Lay out of the budget plan and getting started

Last comment added: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:53:59 PST

Wholesale Bulk Beads

I'd like to revive the discussion of the bulk jungle beads that we had going a while back on o/net.

I'd really love to develop a make-your-own bracelet kit as a "better world kids party" favor and general craft activity kit. I think this type of item would do really well.

Peter, Teopista and Grace - Christina suggested that I start the conversation up again here with you guys...Has there been any further consideration about bulk pricing and availability for the beads? Would there be an interest in piloting a small venture?

If I had a few handfuls of bulk beads - and I'm happy to purchase samples - I could create a prototype and go from there if there is willingness to try on your end. Of course, the bulk pricing structure/profit margin would be key to its success as well. But first I am simply wondering if you'd like to explore further?

Thanks!

Michele

Last comment added: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:50:28 PST

Ned Uganda >> How to Start a Cooperative

OK, given feedback from Christina, Evvy and Linda (per their request) here is detailed information related to coops, how they are formed, how they best work, how they don't work, and general guidelines and practical information. Whereas before there may have been a case of "not enough information" I hope this now is not a case of "too much information." It seems like a good place to start.

Cooperatives worldwide generally operate using the same principles as adopted in 1995 by the International Cooperative Alliance. The principles are part of a cooperative statement of identity which also includes the definition of a cooperative and a list of cooperative values.

Definition: A cooperative is an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.

Values: Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

Principles

Voluntary and Open Membership — Cooperatives are voluntary organizations, open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination.
Democratic Member Control — Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Men and women serving as elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner.
Member Economic Participation — Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. They usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership.
Autonomy and Independence — Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy.
Education, Training and Information — Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public — particularly young people and opinion leaders — about the nature and benefits of cooperation.
Cooperation among Cooperatives — Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures.
Concern for Community — While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.

Worker-owned Cooperatives

Worker cooperatives are businesses that are owned and democratically governed by their employees. They operate in numerous industries, including childcare, commercial and residential cleaning, food service, healthcare, technology, consumer retail and services, manufacturing, wholesaling and many others. Some 300 worker co-ops throughout the U.S. provide their employees with both jobs and ownership—allowing them to directly benefit from the financial success of the business.

Democratic Governance

Like other cooperatives, the board of directors for a worker co-op is elected by, and from within, its membership-in this case, the workers. The board is always majority controlled by the workers, though some worker co-ops have outside directors and advisors serving on their boards.

Management structures of worker co-ops vary greatly, depending on the desires of the members. Some worker co-ops use a traditional, management hierarchy, while others use more flat management systems that allow employees to be more directly involved in management decisions. Others use a team-based system that employs elements of both traditional and open management systems.

Profits and Wages

Each year, worker co-ops return profits not needed for reinvestment in the business, to their worker-owners in the form of patronage dividends. Dividends are typically distributed based on management position, hours worked, salary and/or seniority.

Similarly, pay structures vary greatly. Some worker co-ops use a traditional, seniority- and skill-based pay scale. At the other end of the spectrum are worker co-ops that pay all workers the same wage.

Joining a Worker Co-op

Typically, workers may join their co-op after a probationary period lasting from a few months to more than a year. At that time, workers are allowed to buy an equity share in the business—the cost of which is usually deducted from their paychecks in small amounts each month. In some cases, existing worker-owners may vote on whether to accept the new member as a co-owner. When workers leave the co-op, their equity share is returned to them.

Elements of Success

A successful cooperative has committed members and effective leadership. In addition, starting a cooperative requires a great deal of time, energy, and technical resources. The recognition of a common need which the cooperative can fulfill is key to the success of the cooperative.

To ensure success, members must actively participate in their cooperative. Members have the responsibility to finance the cooperative and use its services. Critical to the success of the cooperative is the members' willingness to provide an initial investment for start-up costs, to permit the retention of earnings so that the cooperative may grow, and to provide prompt payment of bills due the cooperative.

Strong and effective management is also a key to the success of the cooperative. Good board/manager relations are also critical. As noted, the board is responsible for establishing policy and the manager carries it out. The board and management must recognize and respect their different roles and work together for the good of the cooperative.

Benefits

Belonging to a cooperative can be the key to prosperity and even survival for many small businesses. Throughout history, cooperatives have been innovators and pacesetters, and this is just as true of a purchasing/shared services cooperative as any other. Members of these cooperatives have found that they can adapt quickly to changing economic conditions rather than become victims of them. Through these cooperatives, businesses and public entities have found they can reduce costs, respond better to competition, and improve overall performance.

USA Co-op Statistics

29 cooperatives have annual revenue in excess of $1 billion, including such well-known names as Land O'Lakes, Inc., and ACE Hardware. The top 100 co-ops have a combined $117 billion in revenues.
Cooperatives range in size from large enterprises, including U.S. Fortune 500 companies, to single, small local storefronts.
270 telephone cooperatives provide service to two million households.
Some 250 purchasing cooperatives offer group buying and shared services to more than 50,000 independents businesses.
Nearly 10,000 U.S. credit unions have 84 million members and assets in excess of $600 billion.
Cooperatives operate in every industry including agriculture, childcare, energy, financial services, food retailing and distribution, health care, insurance, housing, purchasing and shared services, telecommunications, and others.
About 30 percent of farmers' products in the U.S. are marketed through more than 3,000 farmer-owned cooperatives.
Approximately 900 rural electric cooperatives own and maintain nearly half of the electric distribution lines in the U. S., cover 75 percent of the land mass and provide electricity to 37 million people.
More than 1,000 mutual insurance companies, with more than $80 billion in net written premiums, are owned by their policyholders.
More than 6,400 housing cooperatives provide homes for 1.5 million households.
U.S. co-ops serve some 120 million members, or 4 in 10 Americans.

— Statistics gathered from various sources as of March 2005.

Lessons for Success

The following tips for cooperative success are adapted from articles printed in the NCBA Cooperative Business Journal and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's magazine for cooperative businesses.

Why Cooperatives Fail

Poor selection of directors, especially those who fail to support their cooperative
Members who join but never use their cooperative and bypass it for a small gain elsewhere
Members who use cooperatives but fail to take responsibility. Each member must be ready to accept responsibility when asked, or as the need arises. Every member should have an equal opportunity to be president of the cooperative.
Members who never ask questions and who let a few persons make policy
Members who don't attend annual meetings and directors who fail to attend board meetings
Lack of consistent membership education about the problems cooperatives face and the challenges they must meet
Not supporting the cooperative with enough money (risk capital) to get the job done
Low-cost management - it's the most expensive item for a cooperative. High-priced management is usually the least expensive item.
Not closely watching the formation of cliques and special interest groups within the cooperative
Concealing facts about a cooperative. All facts, both good and bad, should be placed on - not under - the table.
Errors in financial policy, such as over-extension of credit, too little capital, poor accounting records, lack of a financially sound, systematic program for reimbursement of equity
Errors in educational and social work. This begins by failing to teach cooperative ideals to members unfamiliar with how cooperatives function, neglecting general educational programs, failure to develop member loyalty or countering the development of factions within the association.
Management errors, such as inadequate inventory, poor location, improper equipment, neglected appearance of physical facilities, employee dishonesty, ineffective management, incompetent directors, nepotism, poorly conducted meetings, admittance of disloyal and dissatisfied members.

Why Cooperatives Thrive

Providing only the goods and services members use
Financed by the members. The greater the financing (risk capital) supplied by the members, the more efficient the cooperative.
Using all major fixed assets at the 75 percent level, or more members who do the majority of their business with the cooperative
Low administrative and overhead costs
More individualized and specialized services, particularly in the marketing area
Maintaining an open line of communication with members. Individual members will then become more influential
Selecting and developing a quality management team.
Placing more emphasis on electing business-oriented directors
Developing and implementing a systematic method of cooperative education for members, employees, directors and paid management
Aggressively positioning for changes in operations, markets and member needs.

How to Start a Cooperative

Hold a meeting of leading persons to discuss a need that forming a cooperative might meet.
Hold an exploratory meeting of interested persons. Vote whether to continue. If affirmative, select a steering committee.
Conduct a survey to determine cooperative feasibility.
Hold a second general meeting to discuss the survey results. Vote on whether to proceed.
Conduct a market or supply and cost analysis.
Hold a third general meeting to discuss the results of the market or supply and cost analysis. Vote by secret ballot on whether to proceed.
Conduct a financial analysis and develop a business plan.
Hold a fourth general meeting to hear results of the financial analysis.
Vote on whether to proceed. If affirmative vote on whether the steering committee should remain intact or whether changes should be made.
Draw up necessary legal papers and incorporate.
Call a meeting of all potential charter members to adopt the bylaws. Elect a board of directors.
Call the first meeting of the board of directors and elect officers. Assign responsibilities to implement the business plan.
Conduct a membership drive.
Acquire capital - develop a loan application package.
Hire a manager
Acquire facilities
Start up operations.

The primary organizational documents for cooperatives are the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. Other legal documents may include the membership application and membership certificate.

The Articles of Incorporation state the kind and scope of the cooperative business. Often broad operating authority is stated even though services may be limited at the beginning. The articles usually contain the following:

Name of the cooperative
Principle place of business
Purposes and powers of the cooperative
Proposed duration of the cooperative
Names of the incorporators
A provision for redemption of member equity although sometimes this is in the bylaws

The Bylaws state the rights and obligations of the cooperative's board of directors and members and guide the day-to-day operations of the cooperative. The bylaws usually specify the following:

Requirements for membership
Rights and responsibilities of members
Grounds and procedures for member expulsion
Procedures for calling and conducting membership meetings
Voting procedures
Procedures to elect or remove directors and officers the number, duties, terms of office, and compensation of directors and officers
Time and place of the directors meetings
Dates of the fiscal year
Information on how the net earnings will be distributed
Other rules for management of the cooperative

Grace. George. Munnu. Teopista. Peter. Robert. Any and all Ugandan based members, this is the time to jump in and ask questions. Ask specifics. Offer ideas. Dig for clarification. Please realize there's no such thing as a bad question. It may well be too that some questions don't have answers yet...and that's okay too.

Last comment added: Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:40:04 PST

Ned Uganda Announcements and Accomplishments

I am starting this thread so that we have a place to acknowlege our accomplishments and to announce our coming events.

I am starting with a big congratulations. I was just watching the Oprah show while working on my computer. The show is all about philanthrophy and highlights Bill Clinton's new book "Giving". One segment was on Kiva and the founders were there.

I was so proud to see our very own Grace and her peanut butter business highlighted and held up as a shining example of the success of Kiva loan recipients. What a treat to see a familiar face and hear that beautiful voice. It was only a short segment but it meant so much to me. The whole community should be very proud. I know I am.

Last comment added: Fri, 02 Nov 2007 21:43:34 PST

Uganda: September07loans in progres

This is where the advanced internet for change agents are to post the loan discriptions for the month of september.

Last comment added: Wed, 17 Oct 2007 05:57:17 PDT

August 2007: Ned Uganda Planning Discussions

A thread to share where things are and where things are going over the next couple weeks. Feel free to jump right in and share...and we can start a September thread when the time comes. Feel free to start any other focused planning or action based threads if desired as well of course.

Last comment added: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 23:36:28 PDT