Dear Neighbors,

Enclosed is a paper I wrote for an E-Moderating Course at Jakarta International School after two years of volunteering to train the Trainers of iEARN (International Education and Resource Network)Indonesia teachers in collaboration with the Indonesian National Commission of UNESCO office in Jakarta.

The Trainings were usually short and successful but I believe it would be much more effective if the sessions were to be continued online.

Respectfully,
--
Herlina Surbakti
PIE Pondok Indah
Jakarta

A Project for an E-Moderating....pdf

A while ago I came across a guide on how to do a market assessment for the best training to provide at a vocational training centre. It is produced by the Women's Refugee Commission based on their research in northern Uganda. The majority of the information will be relevant to any centre I think.

Its at
http://www.womenscommission.org/resources/index.cfm?limit=sector&limitID...

Actual document
Market Assessment Toolkit for Vocational Training Providers and Youth
http://www.womenscommission.org/pdf/ug_ysl_toolkit.pdf

and also
Youth and Sustainable Livelihoods: Linking Vocational Training Programs to Market Opportunities in Northern Uganda
http://womenscommission.org/pdf/ug_ysl_rep.pdf

Mary

Teach A Man To Fish
http://www.teachamantofish.org.uk
provide advice to schools who wish to become self-sufficient by running school-based businesses.

They have many resources of interest to schools that wish to become self-sufficient as well as on teaching business skills to students.
See http://www.teachamantofish.org.uk/resources.php

http://www.teachamantofish.org.uk/aboutus.php gives more information on what they do.

The initial focus was on schools that provide agricultural education, but it now covers any schools that wish to become self sufficient.

Schools and other interested organisations can join their network http://www.teachamantofish.org.uk/members/register.php

"The TeachAManToFish Members' Network is an international network of more schools, education organizations and individuals working in education committed to sustainable approaches to tackling rural poverty.

We want to provide a forum for practitioners and organisations to share ideas and innovations, and to foster South-South relations in this field.

Membership is free and offers members the chance to take part in online forums, attend international conferences, and receive a quarterly newsletter."

They don't provide funding, but could be a great source of advice and give an opportunity to share information with other schools who have similar interests.

Mary

Arvind Gupta works in India where he has come up with many ways of teaching science to children for very low cost, using everyday objects. He encourages children to develop an interest in science through building and playing with simple science-based toys. From what I have read, his methods have been very successful.

See http://www.indiatogether.org/2004/feb/edu-science.htm for more information.

His website http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/ contains links to books and articles he has written about his methods, as well as to many others on science education and classroom activities.

Toys From Trash http://www.arvindguptatoys.com/toys.html contains instructions for making many simple low-cost educational toys to teach science principles.

These ideas could be easily adapted by schools in any country.

Mary

My name is John Keya with a project that educates and feeds children in komarok (LELE JUNIOR) Nairobi
We have a ttal of 50 children currently.
Out of the 50, we have 20 from privillaged families who pay full fees which now subsideses for those that cant pay.

I would like to encourage my friends with such noble projects out there that before hepl comes forth, it would be a good idea if they came up with other means that would generate income.

Such schools end up being all inclusive and children from less advantaged background's esteemed is boosted by the fact that they can mix with others.

Yes, they are needy and we need people out there to come to our aid, but let us also inculcate the element of equality.
A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

John Keya
--
Lele

WoW!

This is a very good idea,

We have a school that has children from less privileged and privileged families.

The privileged are charged fees that goes to supplement for the under privileged.

Because Aid has not bee forthcoming so that we help the disadvantaeged, we are working on means of making the kindergarten self reliant and your ideas woulg go along way in helping us.

John Keya
LELE JUNIOR

--
Lele

I am overwhelmed to meet a person with a vision similar to mine, even the strategy.
I earlier commented like you have done some time last month. It is true that when you have a vision there is always a strategy of beginning it, and let alone sustain it before anyone else comes in. We ask for assistance not in order to put the vision on the ground BUT to sustain that which is already on the ground.
John, I am Mary Lusambo from Kasama, Zambia and you can vist my village and see how similar our vision is with yours.
I believe most of our friends who into this charity business can learn and copy from you.

All the Best.

Pastor Mary Lusambo.

--
Framar School of Excellence, Kasama, Zambia

Hi John and Mary

The best way to get more information from Teach A Man To Fish is to join their network. See http://www.teachamantofish.org.uk/members/register.php
Membership does not cost anything and will enable you to meet people from other schools who are also aiming to become self sufficient.

Mary

What a coincidence Mary!
For the first time am so very happy to have meet someone we have a thing in common on Nabuur.

I'm still new on nabuur and in fact what you read was my first on nabuur and you also are the first to to respond.
My project is still new. it is located in the Eastland's populated location of Nairobi Kenya.

Initially i had started it in the densely populated slam area but on second thought i was like: why should i have it there?

Every body else wants a project in the slams just for the sake of getting donor support but i wanted mine to be different.

I moved it not so far from the slam right into a well to do estate.

the intention was;

_ To expose this children in a different environment that would raise their self esteem and instill in them that they too, can interact and mingle with other children without looking at themselves as underprivileged.

- Secondly to be able to bring in the well to do children in the society so that they can be provided with a good education foundation, pay, then the proceeds go to the less advantaged.

This is because I had been in the slams for a long time, tried sourcing for funds to no avail.
The project almost "died" due lack of funds.

Its on a rented premises.
Thanks you for the encouragement Mary.

Lets work harder and give these children the best. the resources are in adequate but we shall sure make do with what we have till something comes by.

I'm John Keya and look forward to exchanging with you more since we have a project in common.

Wish you all the best.
John Keya
LELE JUNIOR

NB How do i get to visit your village? Pardon me, am still new and naive on nabuur
Mine is registered as Komarok (Educuacte and feed the children)

--
Lele

Hi Mary
Thanks alot for your good work.
I will visit the site then give you fed back.

Thanks

John Keya

--
Lele

Hi everyone

Over time I have created a list of potential sources of funding, book donations, equipment, school partnerships etc which I add to as I find things. I originally posted this to the Fundraising group, but another neighbour has pointed out that its relevant to Education too.

It is at
http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dgs9fnp6_0g5zp8p3n

and has the following sections:

1.SOURCES OF FUNDING
2.EQUIPMENT/SUPPLIES DONATIONS
3.BOOK DONATIONS AND LOW COST BOOKS
4.TWIN SCHOOLS/PARTNERSHIPS
5.OTHER PARTNERHSHPS
6.ONLINE FUNDRAISING

Everyone is very welcome to use this information, feel free to pass on to anyone who may find it helpful - that is why I created it!

Mary

Mary, thank you very much for this comprehensive information. We just managed to set up a formal fund raising committee in Kimilili, whose aim is to pursue funding nationally and internationally. I will pass your document on to them right away. There is much in your document that they can use to guide their efforts.

A truly wonderful assistance.

all the best,

Lia

--
lilalia

Hi Mary
This is a wonderful guide you have posted on Nabuur. Happy to come in contact with people like you who have a specific objective in life of helping people
We believe that those who are poor should have access to basic health care, nutrition, education, housing and opportunities for economic betterment. They should also be able to exercise fully their rights as citizens, influence public policies and have equitable access to the use of public resources.
We believe that global poverty can only be addressed successfully when all members of a society are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of background, beliefs, personal characteristics or status.
We also believe that poor and marginalized communities must have a significant role in determining their own future development and that needed systemic change can only occur when they can work in meaningful partnership with other citizens, institutions and sectors.
To advance this vision, Nido Di Speranza works to inspire, build and support inclusive partnerships that address the systemic causes of poverty and inequity

Hi everybody,

I know that there are several villages having set up children sponsorship programmes via a website. We are currently doing this in Komarok with John. Can anybody share their experiences with us - what did you use: a normal bank account, paypal, moneybookers etc. What are the advantages and disadvantages of them. How easy are they to use and to install?

I would be happy to for any idea you might have,
best,

Maria

Hi Maria

Matopeni have a similar programme and have already succeeded in getting sponsors for some of their children.

They have an account on MoneyBookers (not sure how much they use it), also payments via Western Union and Money Gram etc. Unless it has changed recently, you cannot receive PayPal payments in Kenya.

Matopeni - http://www.nabuur.com/en/village/matopeni/project
Stephen Okwaro (LR) - http://www.nabuur.com/en/user/etoyi/profile

As they are both in Nairobi they may be able to meet up and share ideas.

Many villages have tried settting up sponsorship schemes. Some have been more successful than others, the biggest challenge is to find ways to get sponsors as most will find their way to the big international organisations that do this as everyone knows about them and they are able to generate a lot of publicity. The other challenge is keeping them over the long term.

Rather than looking for long-term sponsors, the other option may be to do something like they are doing in Kisozi. There, they are providing children/families with a goat from which they can generate income to pay school fees etc. Goats may not be a practical option for Komarok if they are in the city, but there may be other ways to assist the families with making money for themselves.

Mary