Grace Ayaa's Recent Discussions

Brainstorming - the Next Phase for KJT

This is the text of my post Brainstormers needed - enthusiasm guaranteed at my new blog

http://ceris62.wordpress.com/

I'll simply copy and paste it here so Nedders can comment here or there, as they wish!

Primary objective

securing or creating a sustainable source of income for the organisation known as the Kampala Junior Team (KJT), a fledgling sporting academy with big ambitions and an overriding concern for the welfare of it’s members

Primary means

collaborative online pooling of talent

Guiding principle

give what you gain, you’ll gain more then you give

Short term goals

creating and consolidating a network of interested parties and individuals, to include artists, entrepreneurs, PR people, the tech savvy, sports fans, journalists, aid and development workers, the KJT organisers in Kampala, and anyone else who has ideas, experience, or practical help to offer.

Assets

3 successful boys’ football teams and a newly created girls’ team

3 dedicated and hard-working organisers on the ground

a small but supportive network of individuals with varying degrees of experience in the field of international development (to date, soccer boots and kits, 70 GBPounds and 1 computer have been donated thanks to the Facebook groups Boots for a Soccer Team , Kayiwa Fred’s Computer Club and the KJT Wales Supporters Club)

Ambitions

solving the problem of housing and caring for the 20 or so orphaned young team members who currently stay with coach Kabugo (and who do not attend school as they have no means of paying their school fees - education costs in Uganda)

developing and expanding the range of sporting, social and educational opportunities the KJT provides in the community

ultimately enabling the KJT to function successfully as a social business and to manage it’s own structural and financial affairs

The next step I envisage a collaborative blog entitled KJT International.

Interested ? Please leave a comment.

More information on the KJT can be found here :

http://www.onehelpinganother.com /

Last comment added: Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:00:35 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

Life in Africa Foundation's Redefinition

It has been almost three years now that the Foundation was caught up in community building. It has been a great experience and a few such communities were created, among which is the Kireka LiA. A lot of stumbling was on this path but we managed to get out unwounded and ready to move on again. In one of my post on my blog here: http://ayaaswwworld.blogspot.com/2008/10/renaisance.html , I called it a Renaissance, this means life has been rekindled and we are ready to carry on with the Foundation with the original vision of empowering as many communities here to get connected globally through the internet. We shall be meeting here in this small global village regularly with many other grassroots communities, and our supporters world wide ,to share advices and anything that will help these communities towards their empowerment. Meanwhile everything else will be going on at the LIA USA as usual and the already existing communities whom we are going to continue working with. Once in a while I shall be directing you to my new posts on my blog http://ayaaswwworld.blogspot.com /, which will sometimes be carrying informations on a newly assessed community or any other info that I might have stumbled upon. Lets get ready for this great gathering in our small village here.

Last comment added: Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:31:40 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

Mark's Birthday :)

It is Mark Grimes' birthday either today (10th), tomorrow (11th) or on Friday the 12th.

Meron has been comprehensively useless (hehehe) in helping to nail down the correct date but I will not be deterred by a lack of accurate information. (yeah, yeah - it's easy for you all to be funny when I give you GOLD like that to work with!!)

So............

Last comment added: Wed, 17 Sep 2008 07:04:02 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

Ned Salt Spring Island May 2008 Gathering

Meron and I have been noodling with the idea of a Ned get together on Salt Spring Island mid-May this year, possibly kind of themed around: online social networks into real world actions.

When I think to some of my favorite moments at previous get-togethers I think of the wonderful evening at Barbara's San Diego a couple years ago, and the fabulous barn-side movie night at the Peace Tiles get together in Vermont, and many, many moments in Uganda.

So, what could Ned Salt Spring Island look like? 2-3 days on a beautiful island, loosely organized, easy-going, great food, great times with great people.

Possibly a Peace Tiles workshop.

Possibly a tour of Solar Energy Host and/or Hairy Kids

Possibly looking into Salt Spring Dollars and what alternative currency means

Definitely all the Salt Spring Island Coffee you can drink

Definitely meeting some of the incredible people from SOLID

Maybe, maybe if we're really, really lucky...we can somehow meet in the spectacular Ango Retreat

In the meantime, if it sounds like something you might be interested in (no "conference fees", just applicable travel/room/board needs) raise your hand and say...

..."definitely, count me in"

..."would love to, need to look at my sked"

..."hell no, we wont go"

If we get a handful of Nedsters, well we'll make it happen...and it'll be wow.

Last comment added: Thu, 05 Jun 2008 20:48:26 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

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

Adult Life program development

Adult Life is a new program idea that addresses some of the needs that I personally have witnessed in the LiA communities. Though the desire for these activities wasn't articulated by the community, when the program idea was explained to the Kampala community a few days ago they burst into ululation and applause.

Basically, Adult Life encourages adult members of Life in Africa to develop their talents and passions. Proposed activities include:

Basic English, literacy and numeracy training

Community learning activities and events

Local & global action campaigns

Music, dance & drama

For the literacy training (a big winner with the community) we will need to recruit volunteers who I would hope would stay for a significant period of time (up to one year) to offer stable course instruction. As many of you know, we've had a real mixed bag of experiences with volunteers in the past that point to the need for a more diligent and selective application and screening process.

Any further ideas on volunteer recruitment for this program would be greatly appreciated. I am wondering what folks would think about continuing the HDC2 fund for sponsoring volunteers from developing countries that David Bale started, particularly in the context of the Adult Life program.

While the last two activities on the list don't cost very much, the community learning activities and events that members have loved participating in over the past 2 years are a big ticket item that we need to figure out funding for. We can do dropcash style fundraising to help cover the costs of each event planned in advance, or we can try to raise a budget that covers funding for periodic events to be held during a 1-2 year period.

Comments from the community and global supporters welcome on this. Many thanks in advance for your thought time :)

[Edited by group owner: Christina Jordan on 27 Nov 2007 03:07 PST: .]

Last comment added: Wed, 07 May 2008 18:31:44 PDT

Micro-Success program development

This thread is discussing refinements, innovations and additions to Life in Africa's microfinance programs for 2008.

Some ideas are already outlined over here: http://lifeinafrica.com/microfin ance/

Hoping to discuss some others.

[Edited by group owner: Christina Jordan on 27 Nov 2007 03:02 PST: .]

Last comment added: Mon, 05 May 2008 10:47:41 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

Life in Africa Jobs - Questions and Answers

Life in Africa supports community based organizations in Kampala and Gulu (Uganda) through an active presence online at a number of interactive global community platforms. The organization is currently restructuring to expand the delivery of webbed empowerment services to community based organizations across the East Africa region. In this context, Life in Africa is hiring to fill a number of full time positions in Uganda over the course of 2008. Job descriptions for all advertised posts will be posted at http://lifeinafrica.com/jobs and announced in Uganda through radio.

Life in Africa operates in virtual community environments to keep our global supporters and partners updated on LiA-funded programs and organizational activities. One of the online communities we rely on the most for sharing and discussing operational information is ned.com (where you are now). All employees hired will be expected to communicate regularly using ned.com and other online community platforms as required. The ned.com based application procedure for all advertised Life in Africa positions is designed to assess each applicant's aptitude for learning new online skills, while at the same time collecting information from applicants in a space that staff from Life in Africa Foundation (Uganda), Life in Africa-USA and our WE Centers in Gulu and Kampala can access for evaluation purposes.

IMPORTANT! - Before you can post a question or begin the application procedure, you must join ned.com and the Life in Africa Global group. Please FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY to get started:

Click here to join Ned.com: http://www.ned.com/user/new (you must have an email account to join.)

You will receive an email with a temporary Ned password. When you log in for the first time, we recommend that you click on settings in the green bar at the top of the screen to change your password right away to something you can easily remember.

When you click on settings you will also see a link to edit your profile. Be sure to fill out your profile using your real name, noting Uganda as your location, and including 2-3 sentences introducing yourself to the global Ned community (you do not need to mention your job application in your ned.com profile!)

Click here to join the Life in Africa Global group on ned: http://www.ned.com/group/lia-glo bal/. Once you have joined the Life in Africa Global group, you are ready to start completing the application procedure.

You are highly encouraged to ask questions! Your questions about the application procedure or job description should be posted in the discussion space below.

Any member of the dynamic ned.com community is authorized to help you with the technical part of the application procedure.

Life in Africa staff members Evvy Bryning, Christina Jordan and Grace Ayaa are authorized to answer questions in this space about the job you are applying for. Please note that questions submitted to Life in Africa staff from applicants by email or private message will not be answered.

Welcome to Ned! We look forward to reading your applications, and to answering any questions you may have.

<<<< Go back to the Chief Accountant application page

Last comment added: Wed, 16 Apr 2008 02:38:17 PDT

click4gulu

This can be where we share information!

On Facebook I am Linda Nowakowski (Imagine that!)

I have joined everything so that if you need a reference so that we can get the points find me. Add me as a friend (that is one point) and then I will add you as a friend (and that is another!).

Last comment added: Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:04:04 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

Ned.com Community

Welcome everyone. The new site is starting to take form. There is a lot of missing baseline content that we take for granted on the main omidyar.net site.

We'll need some volunteers to fill some of the help pages as people notice that content is missing.

We may also need more formal privacy policies, and user agreements. Anyone have an opinion on how formal, or what needs to be added to either right away?

It's like we now have an empty lot, and it's time to build our community from scratch.

Last comment added: Fri, 28 Mar 2008 08:36:15 PST

a new LifeInAfrica.com

I've only got a few more tweaks before we go live again at lifeinafrica.com - get your free sneak preview over here: http://lifeinafrica.com/shop/cra fts/ - all those "add to cart links" should be live should you feel inclined to use them! I'll post again when I've got the home page up to tie it all together.

Meanwhile I could use some more help! I wanted to link to a couple of discussions about new programs in this group, but I don't have enough points. Should anyone be willing to start some new discussions for me I'd be ever so appreciative... I need 5 of them. Just start them with the title "spaceholder" and I'll go in and edit in the info that needs to be there. Many thanks in advance!

Last comment added: Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:25:51 PST

Grass Roots development - participatroy approaches

Does anyone know of good participatory approaches to development in rural villages - preferably in Africa and specifically in Uganda?

I am passionate about listening to what communities want for their own development. However, aware that they often do not know themselves.

Therefore, in the design of new projects I believe the first process to be enabling them to decide what they want with regard to development. To do this without guiding their wants to fit a particular project is not easy if you have a particular project in mind.

Last year when I was living in a rural Ugandan village for nine months - I kind of did it but with no particular process and I am now keen to find more organisations taking this approach and find out what is working.

Such projects include approaches like PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal), visionary leadership, appreciative enquiry etc.

If you know of any - please chat away!!! Also keen to hear opinions on the above comments.

Last comment added: Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:16:03 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

Click4Africa 2008 - Round One (1 Feb - 15 June 2008)

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?)

How can I join a click4africa team?

Introducing the Click4Gulu and Click4Kireka teams!

To qualify to participate and to have your points counted toward keeping your favorite Click4Africa team connected, you must complete ALL of the simple steps below:

Join ned.com

fill out your profile using your real names

add the team name you wish to support as a TAG on your profile (click4kireka or click4gulu)

Join these 3 groups: NedUganda, Life in Africa Global, and Life in Africa USA

Join Facebook.com

Become a LiA Fan

Join the Life in Africa Group

Join the Life in Africa Cause (TIP: join from a team members page so that your team gets the point for recruiting you)

Join iGive.com to support Life in Africa (TIP: ask a team member for their iGive referral link so that your team gets the point for recruiting you)

How do I earn points for my chosen team?

Your profile must be tagged by you with a team name to be counted. The first thing we'll check is whether you've completed all of the qualification steps listed above.

Once you are qualified, the following activities will be counted on the 15th of each month and included in the tally of your team's cumulative points:

At ned.com

your number of points given away
the number of friends who have given you feedback
the number of personal feeback points you have received
your comment feedback score

At Facebook

Your number of friends
The number of people you've recruited to the Life in Africa cause
The number of dollars you've raised for the Life in Africa cause (x 2)
the number of links from the Life in Africa group page that you've shared on your facebook profile

At iGive.com

the number of shops you've visited (/2)
the number of people you've recruited to join iGive in support of Life in Africa
the number of people you've recruited who have shopped
the number of $US raised through your own shopping
the number of dollars you've earned in bonuses (x 2)

Please Note You can change the team you choose to support at any time by simply changing the team tag on your profile.

Got questions about Click4Africa?

Watch this thread for further details on prizes and cash awards, tips on how to earn more points, and strategy ideas for click4africa teams to consider. This is also the place to post questions, offer suggestions to the teams, and keep up with how the contest is going.

Click, click, click!! Let's have some fun!

Last comment added: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 10:23:27 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

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

A VILLAGE SAVING AND CREDIT SOCIETY IN GULU

I do think it a great idea to discuss it here because many people here have been successful in business.

I think that services are the hardest kinds of businesses to explain even when we're all very familiar with these kinds of business. Services include things like transporting and distributing. Services depend on knowledge sharing, collaboration, and creating productivity.

The sort of business I have decided to make is a financial services business. I think that is the most difficult kind of businesses there is. So this kind of business requires special care for planning it.

SAVING AND CREDIT COMPANY

Last comment added: Fri, 16 Nov 2007 07:46:04 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

File under: CAN THIS REALLY BE HAPPENING in 2007??!

A black colleague of mine just passed on info about incredible prejudice and "segregation-era oppression" that have been occurring now in the deep south - when you read this, you won't believe it. It's a story that has mostly been carried by the black media; however, we can help raise awareness...

http://www.colorofchange.org/jen a/?id=1918-399424

From the website:

Last fall in Jena, the day after two Black high school students sat beneath the "white tree" on their campus, nooses were hung from the tree. When the superintendent dismissed the nooses as a "prank," more Black students sat under the tree in protest. The District Attorney then came to the school accompanied by the town's police and demanded that the students end their protest, telling them, "I can be your best friend or your worst enemy... I can take away your lives with a stroke of my pen."

A series of white-on-black incidents of violence followed, and the DA did nothing. But when a white student was beaten up in a schoolyard fight, the DA responded by charging six black students with attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

It's a story that reads like one from the Jim Crow era, when judges, lawyers and all-white juries used the justice system to keep blacks in "their place." But it's happening today. The families of these young men are fighting back, but the story has gotten minimal press. Together, we can make sure their story is told and that the Governor of Louisiana intervenes and provides justice for the Jena 6. It starts now. Please join me:

http://www.colorofchange.org/jen a/?id=1918-399424

Last comment added: Tue, 02 Oct 2007 03:08:27 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

Ned-Uganda as a Community Investment Enterprise

This topic arises out of questions I have on Munnu's soap making project as a community project and its relationship to other community projects and the issuance of bananas.

My conception of a community investment enterprise is based on designing economies of integration and employing economics of integrated production. The model I have been using is called a Self-help corporation.

In the case of the soap project, the basic idea was that people would be issued "bananas" for working in the soap business and would then receive a share of profits based on the number of bananas they had earned. It was further suggested that the initial capital would be obtained by donation with a promise to use a portion of the profits for a revolving development fund.

Without more definition, that will quickly become complicated where bananas are also issued for such things as bead making and redeemable for such things as internet access.

I am suggesting we think in terms of all the things that we can produce for consumption within the community and in terms of bananas as an internal currency. The "community" can cooperate in acquiring assets such as soap making equipment - requiring the definition of the ownership entity, who issues bananas, who values bananas, etc.

I hope others are as excited about the possibilities as I am.

Last comment added: Wed, 12 Sep 2007 03:31:46 PDT