2010 Trip Report Available

I've posted a detailed report of what we did and did not accomplish on our recent trip. 

Click here to see the report: 2010 Trip Report

You can also find the report by going to our Pages list in the right hand column and clicking on "2010 Trip Report." 

- Janissa

Recent Donations & Pledges

Recently, we have been very fortunate to receive several large pledges of funding and a number of cash donations:

Pledges
Maseru Rotary Club - M10,000 (about $1500)
Anonymous Foundation - R50,000 (about $7500)

Cash Donations
Faye Farmer - $25
Mike Fisher - $20
O'Hara Fleming - $250
Peter Siegenthaler - $100
USFWS Southeast Idaho Refuge Complex employees - $100

Ninety of the 314 students at Nohana Primary School are classified as orphans. Those children meet their daily needs with help from their extended families, the local community, and the World Food Program, which provides them with two basic meals each day.

What our project hopes to do is look beyond their immediate daily needs and save their futures. We strive to prepare them to achieve better, healthier lives so their children, and grandchildren, aren't destined to face life as orphans.

Thank you for your support. Together we are making a positive change and giving these children real hope for a better future.

- Janissa

First Deployment Trip: Planned Objectives and Tasks Accomplished

Here's a quick summary of the objectives of our recent trip to Lesotho and what we actually managed to accomplish. Much more detailed information will follow soon.  

1. Deliver computers and supplies to Nohana Primary School:
        Completed, except scanner - repair part ordered 
2. Provide secure storage for laptops and project supplies:
        Completed
3. Supply additional educational and HIV/AIDS materials:
        Partially completed, ongoing 
4. Set up a generator and charging system to power the laptops:
        Mostly completed, system functional, will be fully completed soon
5. Set up a network server with internet access:
        Not completed, though we expect it to be completed before the new school year in January
6. Train the teachers in computer skills, how to use the laptops for lessons in their classrooms, basic laptop reformatting and repairs, and generator operation and maintenance:
        Completed
7. Negotiate contracts between all parties involved:
        Completed
8. Develop community and regional support:
        Successful, ongoing

All in all, the project has been a great success thus far. There were a few glitches that still need to be addressed, but that's not unexpected when working in a developing nation and a very remote setting. All the glitches are being actively dealt with, and we believe they will be resolved in the very near future.

 

-Janissa

Back from Lesotho

My brother, Craig, and I have been back a little over a week from our trip to Lesotho.  There is so much to tell, and still so much more work to do.  Over the next week or so, I'll try to fill you in on all that happened on our trip.  

In the meantime, you can see a photo album of our trip, with informative captions, at Laptops to Lesotho 2010 trip.  This link takes you to a page of thumbnails.  Click on 'View Photos' to see the larger versions.

- Janissa

Time to Leave

I'm leaving in about 8 hours for the airport to start my journey to Lesotho.  I will be stopping in Ohio for a few days to visit family, then heading for Jo'burg with my brother Craig where we will meet four of the team members and two other Ketane teachers for training at the Kliptown Youth Project.

There's more news but I need to go finish packing and then get some sleep.

- Janissa

Library Presentation a Fundraising Failure

I gave my presentation at the Soda Springs Library on Tuesday to an audience of one.  :(  That was a complete waste of time.  I was really discouraged and went out for ice cream and chocolate afterwards. 

I found out today that a group of four of my neighbors had planned to go but got the time wrong.  That makes me feel a little better. 

The one person who did attend was a Library Board Member, and she was extremely interested in Lesotho and our project.  She asked so many questions that my half hour presentation ended up being over an hour long.

On a brighter note, I received a $200 donation from my mother-in-law.  Thanks Adele!

- Janissa

Dates for FIPE Professional Exchange

The Foundation for International Professional Exchange (FIPE) has been involved in this project from its inception.  They have provided $1600 in funding for hardware, and they've pledged to pay the expenses for Matlabe Teba, prinical/teacher at Nohana Primary School, to come to the U.S. as part of a professional and cultural exchange. 

We've had a little trouble working out dates for the trip, but it looks like now Matlabe will come over around March 14, 2011, for several weeks.  He will spend that time in Colorado, where both Andrew Dernovsek and FIPE are based.