excerpt from an email from Andrew to Janissa about his recent talk with Matlabe

"I finally made it through and talked with Ntate Matlabe today. They have been having a lot of rain, and didn't have signal which is why I couldn't get through. Also, he said the internet at the clinic is out so Mapesh hasn't emailed. Anyway, he was of course very excited about the prospect of coming to the United States. He said he is trying to learn as much as he can" ... "He said he will even take a full course in Maseru in June so that he can learn internet and all that."

"Also he said that they are trying to get a PCV that would come in August."

"[Matlabe and Mapesh] are going to talk about the pros and cons of each person going. I also told them about the laptops that you have for them, and just the other general news. They did say that the computers are all still running and working well."

We are Listed on GuideStar.org

It took a few weeks, but we have finally made it into the online database of GuideStar.org, the website that lists verified nonprofit organizations. It's a great website for people searching for information about nonprofits, and helps connect nonprofits with donors and funding organizations.

Now that we are on GuideStar.org, I can go ahead and get us listed on websites where people can donate to our project, including Facebook Causes and JustGive.org.

A huge step forward! Now, spread the word to all your friends, family, co-workers, and anybody you know. We are open for business, and it's time to start donating.

- Janissa

Our Treasure Highland Computer Project Logo

Laptops to Lesotho Logo

I realize that I have been remiss in adding our logo to this site. A while ago, I posted the logo for the Our Treasure Highland Computer Project that one of the Nohana Primary School students designed, but I never posted the Laptops to Lesotho logo.

I had created a variety of sample logos, but everybody who commented liked the clean simplicity of this one.

It says a lot in one simple symbol -- green color for the XO laptop green, the computer key, a rondavel as home representing the "home" key, and the open white door representing the hope in our slogan "Opening doors to hope with keys to the world."

I've been trying to incorporate the logo in the header for this blog, but haven't figured out how to use the blogger wizard to do that, yet.

- Janissa

Disappointment - No Shipping by Peace Corps via Diplomatic Pouch

I got some disappointing news today from Deepak. The law prohibits the use of the diplomatic pouch to import goods into Lesotho, so we won't be able to get the computers over to Lesotho that way.

We'll have to go back to Plan B and ship them via USPS or DHL, which means I have to find funding for that too.

Another option for getting a few of the laptops to Maseru would be to ask people who are traveling over to carry one or two with them on the plane. We might be able to find PC trainees in the June 2010 CHED group, PC/L staff, and/or Friends of Lesotho associates who are willing and able to help.

We'll get them there one way or another.

- Janissa

Our Website Redesigned

Sarah has redesigned our website with a new, classier look.

Click here to check it out >>> Laptops to Lesotho

64 XO laptops and counting ...

I've just bought 11 more XOs, these for the amazingly low price of $57 each, with free shipping! That brings us up to a grand total of 64.

That gives us:
35 - one for each grade 6 student
10 - one for each teacher
15 - for shared use by the other grades(2-4 students sharing one XO laptop at a time)
2 - for Shaun (I.T. use, fundraising)
1 - for Andrew (fundraising)
1 - for Janissa (fundraising)

Nineteen have been paid for with donations. Now I just need to find money to pay for the rest.

- Janissa