Africa

I don't think I've posted for Africa. I don't send this out. Dad, are you out there? let me know if you get notification that I've blogged! :-)

I've been working on getting AID to Kenya and working on community development. I want to help them help themselves through education. The church there is opening a pre-school for orphans. I think tomorrow is the first day of school there. I want to get desks, curriculum, school supplies, and teacher support over there. We also want to build a computer lab and a library.

but that isn't all they need!

I'd like to be sure there is medical assistance, such as malaria treatment, AIDS antiretroviral medications, antibiotics, immunizations. I suppose I don't have to try to get these things there, but I want to do it.
We considered starting a non-profit. it is likely too complicated for our desires and means we will not be in the drivers seat. But a personal foundation needs at least 100,000.....and really more like 1 million. we don't have that.

Trying to find a 501c3 that can we can give through is another tough road. In order to do it ethically, we would need to find someone who already had OUR goals as their stated goals to the IRS. There is the church in Illinois, but they only fund per project. Of course, there IS the chance I could get them onboard for the computer lab, but currently they are working on a community tractor.

i checked with the CDC and I looked up some government grants. For the grants, I need to be a 501c3 or a research institution or higher education or something I'm not. For the CDC, I already need to be a medical person or someone with more education and experience than I have. oh bother.

However, the CDC is working on a program in Kenya, that it wants to bring to Kakamega, related to computer training for medical workers. They want to train them about infectious disease control and use e-learning. I could participate in that. They would not actually benefit my purposes, but I could be a benefit to them. I'm going to look into that further.

I've contacted CHF International to see if they will partner with me. They have some initiatives in Kenya, mainly centered around HIV, but I could possibly help in that arena as well. There are so many people with HIV and many have died from AIDS. There are so many orphans.

I know the government in Kenya is working on water sources and on increases agricultural technology and has money to award for those purposes. I want to learn more about those programs to make sure our friends are applying. We can work on biodigesters of manure and human waste that turn waste into gas for cooking. There is water reclamation or wind or solor power technologies. The biodigesters also have a by-product of a natural non-toxic nitrogen fertilizer. There's plenty of poop to go around, so i think we need to bring these plans to our friends!

I've been asked to come speak in April. I'm so happy about it. Rev. Kutima asked me to come speak at his church's youth conference. I am trying to finalize plans with Steve. I'd like to bring other people with me. I need to get a notice out about that.

it was interesting to read the NY Times and see an article by Bono. He's going to be a regular contributor now. I also want to work on his global initiatives. End poverty! there are millenium development goals of the UN about reducing extreme poverty by 2015. I'm all for it and want to participate.

It always seems you cannot do something unless you already do it. I never quite get that concept. but I am glad that somehow the world goes around with plenty of people who are already doing the things I want to do and so they continue to get to do them. I'd love to be a nurse, but I neither want to work at the education nor work at the job (12 hour shifts, UGH!)
I suppose I never like being tied down and unable to travel. That has its limitations.

but I am so thankful that I have gone to Africa and it is something Mr. can get excited about. He agreed to be open to China, but never quite got it. He's good with Africa and will be going with me in April. I am so excited!