L2L Articles of Incorporation rejected

I got the Articles of Incorporation for Laptops to Lesotho back from the Idaho Secretary of State. They were rejected because of one inappropriate clause and the absence of names and addresses of the initial directors. I hadn't expected this since I used the exact wording posted by the Idaho Nonprofit Center, and I followed all the statutes in the Idaho Nonprofit Act, but what do you expect when dealing with lawyers and legaleze!

I've made the corrections and will re-submit it. Hopefully, this doesn't drag out much longer. We still have one more hurdle after this, getting official non-profit status from the IRS. I had hoped to have that all done before Christmas so we could start applying for grants. Just have to be patient ...

-- Janissa

Laptops To Lesotho Website

The website for our nonprofit organization, Laptops to Lesotho, is up and running! Check it out!

--Sarah

no luck with 'Help Lesotho' funding

I contacted 'Help Lesotho' in Canada to find out about funding, and unfortunately they don't fund third-party projects. Otherwise, still plugging along ...

--Janissa

Fundraising

Things are progressing. We received a very generous donation from Ruth & Robert Balcomb recently. Thanks, Ruth and Bob!!! I've also sent invitations to other friends and family asking them to join our Cause, spread the word, and make a donation.

I've been actively recruiting donations of XO laptops as well, especially targeting dissatisfied owners who got one through the Give One Get One program. I found Andy Roberts on Facebook, and he has promised us his XO laptop. Thanks, Andy!!!

I still need to get cracking on developing a more detailed budget. I've got it roughed out, but need to start researching current prices for everything.

If all went well, Andrew left Lesotho today and is on his way to Tanzania.

-- Janissa

Letlotlo la rona la Projeke ea Likomporo Maluting

The Sesotho translation for Our Treasure Highland Computer Project is Letlotlo la rona la Projeke ea Likomporo Maluting

Flurry of Activity before Andrew Leaves

There's been a flurry of emails going around as we all prepare for Andrew's departure from Ketane. There's also been progress on several fronts.

The highlights:
* The US embassy is donating desktop computers to some PCV schools. We'll try to get one or more. Maybe we'll be able to use them as a network server???
* Sarah and Amy are going to contact Lineo to learn more about her and her qualifications.
* Janissa made preliminary contact with a Friends of Lesotho officer about possible funding and got a very positive response.
* The papers necessary for incorporating Laptops to Lesotho have been compiled and Janissa will put them in the mail Friday to the Idaho Secretary of State.
* L2L is still looking for a fourth board member, someone to take over the treasurer duties from Janissa.
* Sarah is designing the website for Laptops to Lesotho.
* Janissa bought prizes for the winners of the naming and logo contest -- book bag and a journal with colored pens, book bag and construction paper with a few art supplies. She will be mailing those to Mapesh on Friday. She also bought a few extra items to use for future contest prizes ... warm gloves, spiral notebooks, colorful pencils, fancy erasers, and pencil sharpeners.
*Ketane school holiday is coming up, but Mapesh will have a laptop during the break so he can stay in touch.
* Andrew will be leaving Lesotho on 3 December but will continue to work on the project, just from a distance.

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and Janissa's birthday. Enjoy the day, things are going well!

Email from Andrew

Lumela 'M'e Janissa,

I hope all is well there. I have lots of good news for you on this
end. Firstly, the name that the teachers chose was Our Treasure
Highland Computer Project. I have attached the logo. I think this
could always be shortened to Highland Computer Project if we want to
later. The girl was going a bit slowly on making follow up drafts for
the logo so I just sent this one. There should be a second Basotho hat
in the top right corner and the bottom phrase should read Together for
a Better Lesotho and curve around the logo. The logo is meant to be a
Basotho shield and any color improvements you can make will be
appreciated.

The winners of the contest are:
Makhotso Makanke 14 years old female-standard 6 The main winner
Manatala Thopa 14 years old female standard six- second winner

Also we think we have succeeded in finding a Mosotho college student,
a female, who is good in computers and computer networks (but not
solar). Also, Aaron the PCV you emailed has been brought fully on
board. I held a meeting with him and all of the teachers to let him
take over my role in the project and current computer school. He was
very happy to do so, and once I leave will be resuming computer
classes and other activities with the Primary School. I think you can
begin to include him in our communications.

It was dissapointing to hear that OLPC may be cancelling their Africa
program, however, your email was very uplifting to everyone here. They
were all thrilled to know that the work and project will continue even
if we don't get the grant and that you 'won't let the kids down.'
Thank you for that.

I had planned on making a video that we could use for fundraising etc.
As my time is almost finished I think it would just be easier if I
sent it to you once I was back in the States if that is ok.

Sala Hantle,
Andrew