Ketane update from Delia

... ... So I will be sending the most recent photos I have this week ... I have some of Matlabe's presentation as well as the computer set up and I do believe I have some burglar bar photos. ... I will try and send these photos asap.

 

As far as a points system, I can tell you as of my departure from Ketane on Thursday there is still no points system.  I had reminded the teachers this needed to be done but as of now it has not.  I am simply reminding them because this is their project. I have told them I would help them but I want them to take the initiative and show motivation in this next step of the project.  So as of now students are not even close to taking home the laptops.

 

Here are a few other updates: 

I know Ntate Matlabe was able to get an internet phone ...

 

Also as you may know there have been some teaching staff changes.  Mapesh has returned as of last week, he is now taking over standard 7 since Mochochoko is not returning this year as far as I know.  And Me Mahlafane was dismissed from Nohana Primary.  Currently the setup is:

Standard 1 - Me Lebakae

Standard 2 - Me Makhotso

Standard 3-  Ntate Likhetse

Standard 4 - Ntate Stabo

Standard 5 - Me Mohale

Standard 6 - Me Locadia

Standard 7 - Ntate Mapesh  

 

As far as the HIV materials for the XO's I have not been able to get the sarah books on flash drive.  I asked the HIV coordinator at PC about it just yesterday and she currently doesnt have that resource.  She said she would try but she couldn't promise anything.. Since I'm at PC South Africa ... I can see if they have that resource for me.  If they do I will get it and bring it back to Ketane when I return.

 

I should have regular access to email so if there is anything I think of I will keep you updated.

 

Best

Delia

Pueblo West High School donation

Students at Pueblo West High School in Colorado have raised $677.16 to help the children at Nohana Primary School.  Now, we are waiting to hear from the project leaders, Matlabe Teba and Mapesh Mapeshoane, how they want to use the money.

 

A huge Thank You to the students for their hard work and generosity!

 

- Janissa

 

 

2011 Grantwriting and Fundraising Workshop Plans

L2L is working with an anonymous foundation to set up a grant-writing and fundraising workshop for Matlabe, Mapesh, and any of the Nohana Primary School teachers who are interested in attending.  A representative of the foundation is investigating who is available to provide the training.  Ideally, we're looking for someone willing to put on the workshop in Lesotho.

Maseru Rotary Club is providing the funding for the Nohana Primary School staff to attend, and the anonymous foundation will pay part of the cost for the Lesotho educators they work with to attend the workshop. 

The tentative plan is to hold the training during a school holiday in September, but that will be up to Matlabe and the teachers to decide. I will keep you posted when we know more.

Janissa

Funding - Status Report

Anonymous Foundation: I have nearly finished purchasing XO laptops funded by a foundation which wishes to remain anonymouse. I've bought 26 XOs so far and have enough left to buy 1-2 more. Five of those have already gone to Lesotho with Matlabe.

XO Donations: I've also received one donated XO laptop, and two other people have said they will be donating their XO laptops to us.

BLOOM Africa: William Thomas of BLOOM Africa told me they now have $2750 for us, the balance left from their pledge of $3500 made in 2010. He will be sending a check soon.  The money from BLOOM Africa is specifically designated for 10 XO laptops, shipping, and solar power.

Friends of Lesotho: Some of FOL's funding in 2010 was designated for setting up internet access. Because we were unable to accomplish this, as originally planned, they have given us permission to use the funds to cover other costs we incurred during the last trip. Essentially, that means I can get reimbursed for some of my out-of-pocket expenses for the electrical system and the school can get reimbursed for part of the cost of the burglar bars.

Janissa

Solar Power System Installation: set for May 8-15

Hi Janissa
We are coming to do your installation the week of May 8-15.  We just
got the stuff and are hampered by the poor condition of the road and
have a backlog of unfinished biz because of poor logistics.  I will
keep you informed.  Thanks for the report and good work.  Ivan

New Volunteer - Paula Burgin

NEW VOLUNTEER

First, Id like to welcome Paula Burgin of Soda Springs, Idaho, to our team.  She's an experienced fundraiser who claims she actually enjoys doing it.  That, of course, is music to my ears, because I hate fundraising.  Paula hopes to travel with me to Lesotho in 2012 to help with training and to learn more about Lesotho.  I look forward to working with her and hope the rest of the team will get a chance to meet her at some point.

 

Janissa

from Matlabe - An African thanks, Pueblo

 The Pueblo Chieftain Sunday, April 10, 2011

 

An African thanks, Pueblo.

 

I am a school principal in a small village in Lesotho. My knowledge of the world was very limited and I knew not what to expect in America, where I came for the first time outside my native southern Africa.

 

As I leave Pueblo and the United States I have a strong desire to speak my gratitude to the people of this community for the wonderful experiences you have given me during two weeks among you.

 

I was astonished sitting in an automobile through an automatic car wash, attending a church service where the songs were projected on a screen, having my teeth examined and cleaned in a dentist's office. I had never imagined these things, and many others.

 

But the most powerful impression is the people. From the very first I was welcomed as a friend and I have not been treated in any other way by anyone during this visit. Your generous hospitality and many courtesies to a foreigner and stranger in your midst speak eloquently of the United States as a nation of kind, caring people.

  

Now Pueblo will be known to the residents of a small African village. Thank you.

 

Matlabe Teba

Ketane, Lesotho, Africa