New L2L Blogger - Sarah Gardner

I'm happy to announce that Sarah Gardner, L2L Director and Secretary, will be taking over responsibilities for keeping this blog up-to-date.  I'm sorry I haven't done a better job, especially since there is so much wonderful news about the project to share.

Thanks Sarah!  I really appreciate your help.

- Janissa

Grant for 46 XO Laptops for Kokobe

Good news!  We've just receive a grant for $9200 to purchase 46 XO laptops for Kokobe Primary School.

Janissa

A Ringing Endorsement

Date: Tue, 24 Jan 2012
From: "Russell Fox"
To: "'OLPC South Africa Interest Group'" <olpc-za@lists.laptop.org>

Hi,

I met Janissa towards the end of last year and think that the project she is running is wonderful.

Anyone running a project of any sort can take notes from the processes they have put in place to ensure commitment from the children, teachers and more importantly the community. This is NOT another project where a bunch of computers are handed over and everyone pats themselves on their backs, but rather a well thought out process culminating in an improved lifestyle for the children.

Definitely worth getting involved with/finding out about.

Regards,
Russell Fox
Ficksburg, South Africa

Sorry I've Been Away

I apologize for not keeping this blog up-to-date.  In the latter half of 2011, I was overwhelmed with work demands from several other nonprofits I help.  I've taken steps to balance my workload and get help with posting L2L news to this blog. Watch for posts in the next few weeks covering things we've accomplished, problems we've encountered, and progress we've made in the past 6 months.

Janissa

Thank You Letter Received from the Lesotho Embassy

I received a very nice letter from the Embassy of the Kingdom of Lesotho in Washington DC today thanking me for my work in Lesotho:

"Dear Ms. Balcomb,

On behalf of the Government of Lesotho, we would like to convey our utmost gratitude and appreciation for your awesome contribution rendered to our country geared towards improving standard of living.

Suffice to mention, it is through reputable organizations like [your] contribution to Lesotho that economic growth, poverty reduction, good health and harmonious and strong bonds of relations between nations will be sustained.

We wish you all the best in your future plans, and undoubtedly, promise everylasting support and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Christopher Nyaka
Chargé d' Affaires"

It feels wonderful to have this recognition.

- Janissa

Another Request to Film

 From: Ross Frylinck
 Sent: Monday, May 23, 2011

 Hi,

 I am researching topics for a film on poverty for a series called "WHY
 POVERTY" - if successful we will get to make a 10 to 20 minute film
 that will be seen by 250 million people around the world.

You can check out our work here http://www.greenrenaissance.co.za

For info on the STEPS project: http://www.whypoverty.net/#home

One of our ideas is to document a roll-out of the OLPC program - we
are based in South Africa and I've seen from your website that you are
working on this in Lesotho

If you are interested can you please let me know so that we can start
a discussion

many thanks

Ross

Ross Frylinck

---

Date: Tue, 24 May 2011 21:26:59 -0500
To: Ross Frylinck

Hi Ross,

Thanks for your inquiry. I would be interested in discussing the
possibility of filming our project, but first you should know that we
are not an official OLPC project. Though we use their XO-1 laptops and
adhere to much of their philosophy, we are completely independent of
OLPC. We receive no funding and virtually no support from them.

If, in spite of that, you are still interested, please let me know.

Thanks,
Janissa

Janissa Balcomb, President
Laptops to Lesotho Inc.
www.laptopstolesotho.org

Meetings with Supporters in Ohio

I will be back in Ohio the second week of June to visit family, and I've been able to schedule meetings with several supporters of our project in Ohio while I'm there. 

 

On Wednesday, June 8th, I'm meeting Scott Rosenberg of Wittenberg University whose students will be carrying laptops to Maseru for us the following week.  And, on June 13th, I'll be meeting with William Thomas of BLOOM Africa, one of our largest funders.

 

I've tried to make contact with the OLPCinci repair center for a visit, but I haven't gotten a response yet.  It's hard to tell from the OLPC Wiki website, but I think the repair center may have moved out of the Cincinnati area.  I hope not.  It would be a real treat to visit.

 

- Janissa