It is with great pleasure that I share the attached summarised vision if the six week long community sensitisation with you all.
Please feel free to ask questions on the subject matter.All in all it was a very good exercise as we were able to interact with the community at different levels.
Another piece of good news is that we finally recieved the books Patrica sent from Austrilia in April this year.I have tried to contact her so that I thank her but failed.
Lastly may I wise you all,on behalf of the Garden Community,
a happy Xmas and a wonderful New Year.
From September until December 2007 this Villages was featured amongst others. The purpose of featuring these Villages was to find out how Villages on NABUUR could get results quicker and more predictably.
[b]Results[/b]
Most of the Featured Villages experienced an influx of Neighbours by being featured. The majority of the Local Representatives was happy with the increased activity in their Village. Though in most cases the defined results were only partially achieved. Reasons for that were according to some Local Representatives that their goals were too ambitious, others found out their goals had to be redefined. Results that depend on finding (larger amounts of) funds are most difficult to achieve.
[b]Predictably[/b]
Based on the feedback of the Local Representatives, the following conditions seem to be good indicators for success:
- To achieve results a project should have a clear focus and small, concrete steps;
- There should be a local team in place;
- Specific activities attract more volunteers than planning issues;
- Finding funding or sponsors is still a difficult issue that many villages encounter;
- Being featured attracts Neighbours but visible community involvement is crucial;
- Regular discussions and updates are necessary to maintain an active group.
Because featuring of villages seem to be a useful tool, there will be another round. This time the focus will be on defining the project with a clear focus and small, concrete steps.
The lessons learned are input for the redesign of the NABUUR website.
hello neighbours,
I'm writing a story on the great village of Garden and I have sent messages to some neighbours but if anybody has any info that could be included in the story, please message me,
thanks, Sinéad
Hi everyone. I heard from Mulenga a few days ago and he is having internet connection probelms hence his silence!
He hopes to be back on-line next week.
Best wishes
Carolyn
That is a true character of someone operating in Africa otherwise you would not be in Africa. Electricity goes out for a day or two and we are used to it. Sorry Mulenga
--
DM
In a post under New Neighbours Mulenga posted this comment: Payments for the internet for three/four months will cost K5.2million which is about US$1,300,$325 per month.
Mulenga I am shocked at how expensive this is! Honestly! I know that running an internet cafe is much more expensive that running a single computer but still, this is daylight robbery! Have you signed a contract with the service provider? If not- is it worth your while shopping around for a better deal?
Does this monthly fee cover multiple lines? I gather you have Broadband? Please don't tell me you are paying this amount for dial up!
I guess this highlights your need to make the business centre more viable. We are still looking for any good and paractical ideas for ways to increase the income from the business centre. Anyone got any bright ideas??
Sister Carolyn, Thanks for the comments. I see you have a higher capacity of thinking and so someone can never burn daylight lying to you. It is true that internet can never cost all this amount. I myself volunteers at an internet cafe just because i dropped out of school, the internet we use here is dial up but the Organisation cafe that i volunteer at pays 100,000UgShs for dial up per month which is equivalent to US$200. And for those who use broader band pay 300,000UGShilling equivalent to 600US$. In my life, i wish to go on with my education when i get someone out there to support me. To avoid loittering along streets, i participate in voluntary work and play soccer in the evenings.
I am happy for your group work.
I am Nsereko Benon
Get info' on all plans of all service providers in the region.
Consider only broadband plans.
BB
It is possible to provide internet connection to many computers through only one broadband connection. This is possible through setting up a LAN (Local Area Network) through which all computers can be connected to a common server, and only one internet connection is required in the premises, for all computers to have internet access.
If the computers are few, it is also possible to connect two computers through a LAN cable, and use only one internet connection.
Other low-cost possibilities also exist, and a computer hardware professional in the region may be consulted.
CC
An estimate of the possible earnings in one month can be made based on existing number of users, at various levels of selling price. Selling price is the price that the cafe will charge from the users, like hourly price, etc.
From AA and BB, the expenses required for the internet connection can be determined.
From CC, the possible earnings at various selling prices can be determined.
If some method can be found where earnings are more than expenses, then the cafe can continue to function. Earnings can meet the expenses of the internet connection, and donations are not required.
If the expenses are more than the earnings - then this internet cafe needs to pack up. The computers can be deployed for off-line use - like e-library, which we were discussing a few months back at Garden.
Meanwhile, wait for the broadband internet rates to reduce, or the possibility of earnings to increase (like more users, etc) - and again revive the internet cafe.
As you can see from the above - donations are not required in any case, since this has to be essentially a self-sustaining venture. The stage of donations was till the time the computers arrived at the village, and beyond that stage, the village could follow business practices, and the usual struggles undertaken by all to make any business profitable. Donations will only serve to fund the losses, and are not going to add any value to this venture.
Dear Nsereko and Vijai, thanks to both of you for your comments. Nsereko its interesting to hear that in Uganda the prices are not that different. Thanks for giving us a comparative view.
Vijai,you are right, at this stage the expenses of running the internet cafe are more than the income it brings in which is exactly why Mulenga has had to shut down that part of the cafe for now. It is not ideal as this business is very important in sustaining the programmes of YOFOSO. I know that Mulenga did investigate the best options available in regards to connectivity before the cafe opened. In fact I think the Essent group helped him with this. Your LAN option sounds like a cheaper option to..I wonder if Mulenga has investigated that or not.
The Business centre side of the business is actually bringing in some income however it seems it is not enough to pay for the cost of running the internet cafe- for now. Let's see what mulenga can add to this.
Thanks again
Carolyn
Thank you very much for your suggestions, the are very helpful.
To start with the $325 per month is for the use of at least 6 computers.With the use of the 6 computers,or should I say if we are able to use at least 40% capacity we are able to breakeven.However, since we are just being,the sudden sharp increase in the monthly fees,from about $175, has thrown us off balance.With time I am sure things will work out.The little time we have been operational we have been able to pay for the cost of the equipment that has been installed and also be able to purchase a 3 in one printer.
For the other options,the issue of network speed was an issue which made us decide to settle for the system we are using.
The major draw back of closing the Internet part of the business is that we are now losing the customer base we have been to build over the last few months and of course the fact that the children are now not able to visit their favourite site www.ischool.zm.
Thank you very much for your suggestions, the are very helpful.
To start with the $325 per month is for the use of at least 6 computers.With the use of the 6 computers,or should I say if we are able to use at least 40% capacity we are able to breakeven.However, since we are just being,the sudden sharp increase in the monthly fees,from about $175, has thrown us off balance.With time I am sure things will work out.The little time we have been operational we have been able to pay for the cost of the equipment that has been installed and also be able to purchase a 3 in one printer.
For the other options,the issue of network speed was an issue which made us decide to settle for the system we are using.
The major draw back of closing the Internet part of the business is that we are now losing the customer base we have been to build over the last few months and of course the fact that the children are now not able to visit their favourite site www.ischool.zm.
Hello everyone, it's been a while since we've had an update for Garden village. There's been a lot of work going on in the background, and this is just a short update on what has occurred over the last few months.
Mulenga has not been able to post of Nabuur for a few weeks now as his access to the internet is severely limited right now. He has sent me an email last night and I'd like to share some of it with you all.
" I know I have been offline for quite a while but I am sure it has been very worthwhile as
I have so much good news to share, only thing is that I am not able to
have enough time to post on our page on Nabuur.
I think the best news is that there has been some progress in the
Library issue and Site plans have been submitted to the relevant
authorities for final approval. I am very positive that we should be
starting putting it in the next two week.”
This is the Lubuto Library Project that Mulenga mentioned to us several months back. Lubuto Library Project is working with YOFOSO and the Zambian Government to build and run a much bigger community library within the Garden region. This is a very important development for YOFOSO and one that shows that the wider community recognise the important work of YOFOSO and their skills. For more info about Lubuto please visit:www.Lubuto.org
"The other good news is that the motivational mentoring programme I
have been asked to co-ordinate has finally been approved. This one year
programme will cost more K328million and I really feel honoured to
co-ordinate this big programme, which involves working with more 400
children and 30 care givers, directly, with also more than 2500
children indirectly. At the end of it I think I will be able to erect
the much needed Wall fence at Yofoso.”
Neighbours may recall that the wall which surrounds the Garden library and play centre fell apart quite some time back. It is important for the wall to be repaired and Mulenga is working hard in finding the funds to do so.
“I have also just found mail from Big Books saying that they have sent
us some books, are by any chance behind this surprise package?”
Well- it wasn't me who arranged this! Has anyone out there organised more books from BIG to be sent to Garden? If so- THANK YOU!!
And finally in one last bit of news: Mulenga and I worked together off-line last month to put forth a bursary (funding) proposal for Mulenga to attend the 29th International Fundraising Congress in The Netherlands in late October 2009. If he is successful in securing the airfare and conference fees then it will be a great opportunity for Mulenag to learn much more about effective fundraising, new fundraising avenues and techniques and to network with international NGO’s, charities and interest groups. Stay tuned and fingers crossed!
Best regards, Mulenga and Carolyn.
Hello Neighbours,
Mulenga has been very quite on the cyber-waves lately- mainly because he is juggling a number of new projects as well as his work in YOFOSO.
I just wanted to share with you part of an email he sent to me this weekend which goes to show with enough mentoring and support, kids can be leaders of the future:
"Yofoso is something special I have for the children in Garden and it
is receiving the best attention and it is only that I have to raise
some funds for it. as I told you I will be putting up a wall fence
upon the completion of the project I am doing. I have built a team of
young and highly motivated youth who are ensuring the smooth operation
in my absence and this team is led by Leonard...remember the young man
who was interviewed in our story.He is doing his last grade this year.
I just hope that one day you will be able to see what these amazing
Children are now able to do with very little supervision."
In 2010 Mulenga and I will review the Village tasks, and see what remains, and if we need to add a new focus based on the progress made by YOFOSO.
Unfortunately Mulenga was not successful in getting funding to attend the International Fundraiser Conference in The Netherlands...but we'll try other events next year too.
Of course the Young Gunners (Garden soccer team) are chomping at the bits to be able to go to the World Cup in Sth Africa...so if anyone has any great ideas on how they might get there...let us know!! You would make quite a few dreams come true:)
Many thanks for continuing your interest in Garden.
Regards
Mulenga and Carolyn
a Happy New Year to you all from Mulenga and I. I had an on-line chat with our Local Rep Mulenga last week to discuss how we are going to move forward with Garden on Nabuur. At this stage Mulenga wanted me to relay to you all that he and YOFOSO and the kids of Garden are very grateful for all your efforts over the past 3 years. Right now the YOFOSO library and social centre are going very well, and the children are still reaping the rewards of the many programmes run by YOFOSO. In fact at the end of 2009 almost 100% of the young boys who took the school examination passed! They will be able to move forward to their next class. This success has motivated the other children to use the facilities and the library. Mulenga and the community are very pleased with this.
BIG Books has sent another box load of books to Garden. This must be their third shipment! There are now 700 books in the library but room for plenty more!
Mulenga has asked me to close a number of tasks on the Nabuur site. He has highlighted a number of priorities:
1- the library needs more books
2- the internet cafe still requires about 4 months rental fees before it can get started again. Fund-raising for this is required and any assistance would be appreciated. It's not a huge amount of money- around US$500.
3- Mulenga is still investigating the micro-finance options however this will be a very slow process as loans are generally given to small groups rather than one org or one person.
4- Mulenga is working very closely with the Labuto Library Project which is building a much bigger library on government land. The will be opportunities for collaboration with this library in the future.
Thanks again for your support.
Best regards
Carolyn & Mulenga
Hi everyone,
It is with great pleasure that I share the attached summarised vision if the six week long community sensitisation with you all.
Please feel free to ask questions on the subject matter.All in all it was a very good exercise as we were able to interact with the community at different levels.
Another piece of good news is that we finally recieved the books Patrica sent from Austrilia in April this year.I have tried to contact her so that I thank her but failed.
Lastly may I wise you all,on behalf of the Garden Community,
a happy Xmas and a wonderful New Year.
Mulenga
Dear Neighbours,
From September until December 2007 this Villages was featured amongst others. The purpose of featuring these Villages was to find out how Villages on NABUUR could get results quicker and more predictably.
[b]Results[/b]
Most of the Featured Villages experienced an influx of Neighbours by being featured. The majority of the Local Representatives was happy with the increased activity in their Village. Though in most cases the defined results were only partially achieved. Reasons for that were according to some Local Representatives that their goals were too ambitious, others found out their goals had to be redefined. Results that depend on finding (larger amounts of) funds are most difficult to achieve.
[b]Predictably[/b]
Based on the feedback of the Local Representatives, the following conditions seem to be good indicators for success:
- To achieve results a project should have a clear focus and small, concrete steps;
- There should be a local team in place;
- Specific activities attract more volunteers than planning issues;
- Finding funding or sponsors is still a difficult issue that many villages encounter;
- Being featured attracts Neighbours but visible community involvement is crucial;
- Regular discussions and updates are necessary to maintain an active group.
Because featuring of villages seem to be a useful tool, there will be another round. This time the focus will be on defining the project with a clear focus and small, concrete steps.
The lessons learned are input for the redesign of the NABUUR website.
Warm regards,
Gerdie Schreuders
NABUUR staff
hello neighbours,
I'm writing a story on the great village of Garden and I have sent messages to some neighbours but if anybody has any info that could be included in the story, please message me,
thanks, Sinéad
Hi everyone. I heard from Mulenga a few days ago and he is having internet connection probelms hence his silence!
He hopes to be back on-line next week.
Best wishes
Carolyn
Carolyn
That is a true character of someone operating in Africa otherwise you would not be in Africa. Electricity goes out for a day or two and we are used to it. Sorry Mulenga
--
DM
In a post under New Neighbours Mulenga posted this comment: Payments for the internet for three/four months will cost K5.2million which is about US$1,300,$325 per month.
Mulenga I am shocked at how expensive this is! Honestly! I know that running an internet cafe is much more expensive that running a single computer but still, this is daylight robbery! Have you signed a contract with the service provider? If not- is it worth your while shopping around for a better deal?
Does this monthly fee cover multiple lines? I gather you have Broadband? Please don't tell me you are paying this amount for dial up!
I guess this highlights your need to make the business centre more viable. We are still looking for any good and paractical ideas for ways to increase the income from the business centre. Anyone got any bright ideas??
Carolyn
Sister Carolyn, Thanks for the comments. I see you have a higher capacity of thinking and so someone can never burn daylight lying to you. It is true that internet can never cost all this amount. I myself volunteers at an internet cafe just because i dropped out of school, the internet we use here is dial up but the Organisation cafe that i volunteer at pays 100,000UgShs for dial up per month which is equivalent to US$200. And for those who use broader band pay 300,000UGShilling equivalent to 600US$. In my life, i wish to go on with my education when i get someone out there to support me. To avoid loittering along streets, i participate in voluntary work and play soccer in the evenings.
I am happy for your group work.
I am Nsereko Benon
--
God bless me
Carolyn,
A logical route can be:
AA
Get info' on all plans of all service providers in the region.
Consider only broadband plans.
BB
It is possible to provide internet connection to many computers through only one broadband connection. This is possible through setting up a LAN (Local Area Network) through which all computers can be connected to a common server, and only one internet connection is required in the premises, for all computers to have internet access.
If the computers are few, it is also possible to connect two computers through a LAN cable, and use only one internet connection.
Other low-cost possibilities also exist, and a computer hardware professional in the region may be consulted.
CC
An estimate of the possible earnings in one month can be made based on existing number of users, at various levels of selling price. Selling price is the price that the cafe will charge from the users, like hourly price, etc.
From AA and BB, the expenses required for the internet connection can be determined.
From CC, the possible earnings at various selling prices can be determined.
If some method can be found where earnings are more than expenses, then the cafe can continue to function. Earnings can meet the expenses of the internet connection, and donations are not required.
If the expenses are more than the earnings - then this internet cafe needs to pack up. The computers can be deployed for off-line use - like e-library, which we were discussing a few months back at Garden.
Meanwhile, wait for the broadband internet rates to reduce, or the possibility of earnings to increase (like more users, etc) - and again revive the internet cafe.
As you can see from the above - donations are not required in any case, since this has to be essentially a self-sustaining venture. The stage of donations was till the time the computers arrived at the village, and beyond that stage, the village could follow business practices, and the usual struggles undertaken by all to make any business profitable. Donations will only serve to fund the losses, and are not going to add any value to this venture.
Vijai
Dear Nsereko and Vijai, thanks to both of you for your comments. Nsereko its interesting to hear that in Uganda the prices are not that different. Thanks for giving us a comparative view.
Vijai,you are right, at this stage the expenses of running the internet cafe are more than the income it brings in which is exactly why Mulenga has had to shut down that part of the cafe for now. It is not ideal as this business is very important in sustaining the programmes of YOFOSO. I know that Mulenga did investigate the best options available in regards to connectivity before the cafe opened. In fact I think the Essent group helped him with this. Your LAN option sounds like a cheaper option to..I wonder if Mulenga has investigated that or not.
The Business centre side of the business is actually bringing in some income however it seems it is not enough to pay for the cost of running the internet cafe- for now. Let's see what mulenga can add to this.
Thanks again
Carolyn
Hello everyone,
Thank you very much for your suggestions, the are very helpful.
To start with the $325 per month is for the use of at least 6 computers.With the use of the 6 computers,or should I say if we are able to use at least 40% capacity we are able to breakeven.However, since we are just being,the sudden sharp increase in the monthly fees,from about $175, has thrown us off balance.With time I am sure things will work out.The little time we have been operational we have been able to pay for the cost of the equipment that has been installed and also be able to purchase a 3 in one printer.
For the other options,the issue of network speed was an issue which made us decide to settle for the system we are using.
The major draw back of closing the Internet part of the business is that we are now losing the customer base we have been to build over the last few months and of course the fact that the children are now not able to visit their favourite site www.ischool.zm.
Mulenga
Hello everyone,
Thank you very much for your suggestions, the are very helpful.
To start with the $325 per month is for the use of at least 6 computers.With the use of the 6 computers,or should I say if we are able to use at least 40% capacity we are able to breakeven.However, since we are just being,the sudden sharp increase in the monthly fees,from about $175, has thrown us off balance.With time I am sure things will work out.The little time we have been operational we have been able to pay for the cost of the equipment that has been installed and also be able to purchase a 3 in one printer.
For the other options,the issue of network speed was an issue which made us decide to settle for the system we are using.
The major draw back of closing the Internet part of the business is that we are now losing the customer base we have been to build over the last few months and of course the fact that the children are now not able to visit their favourite site www.ischool.zm.
Mulenga
Hello Mulenga,
For the six computers, are you using six internet connections, or only one internet connection for all six computers?
In my last post in this thread above, under BB, I have mentioned that it is possible to manage several computers through only one internet connection.
Vijai
Hello everyone, it's been a while since we've had an update for Garden village. There's been a lot of work going on in the background, and this is just a short update on what has occurred over the last few months.
Mulenga has not been able to post of Nabuur for a few weeks now as his access to the internet is severely limited right now. He has sent me an email last night and I'd like to share some of it with you all.
" I know I have been offline for quite a while but I am sure it has been very worthwhile as
I have so much good news to share, only thing is that I am not able to
have enough time to post on our page on Nabuur.
I think the best news is that there has been some progress in the
Library issue and Site plans have been submitted to the relevant
authorities for final approval. I am very positive that we should be
starting putting it in the next two week.”
This is the Lubuto Library Project that Mulenga mentioned to us several months back. Lubuto Library Project is working with YOFOSO and the Zambian Government to build and run a much bigger community library within the Garden region. This is a very important development for YOFOSO and one that shows that the wider community recognise the important work of YOFOSO and their skills. For more info about Lubuto please visit:www.Lubuto.org
"The other good news is that the motivational mentoring programme I
have been asked to co-ordinate has finally been approved. This one year
programme will cost more K328million and I really feel honoured to
co-ordinate this big programme, which involves working with more 400
children and 30 care givers, directly, with also more than 2500
children indirectly. At the end of it I think I will be able to erect
the much needed Wall fence at Yofoso.”
Neighbours may recall that the wall which surrounds the Garden library and play centre fell apart quite some time back. It is important for the wall to be repaired and Mulenga is working hard in finding the funds to do so.
“I have also just found mail from Big Books saying that they have sent
us some books, are by any chance behind this surprise package?”
Well- it wasn't me who arranged this! Has anyone out there organised more books from BIG to be sent to Garden? If so- THANK YOU!!
And finally in one last bit of news: Mulenga and I worked together off-line last month to put forth a bursary (funding) proposal for Mulenga to attend the 29th International Fundraising Congress in The Netherlands in late October 2009. If he is successful in securing the airfare and conference fees then it will be a great opportunity for Mulenag to learn much more about effective fundraising, new fundraising avenues and techniques and to network with international NGO’s, charities and interest groups. Stay tuned and fingers crossed!
Best regards, Mulenga and Carolyn.
Hello Neighbours,
Mulenga has been very quite on the cyber-waves lately- mainly because he is juggling a number of new projects as well as his work in YOFOSO.
I just wanted to share with you part of an email he sent to me this weekend which goes to show with enough mentoring and support, kids can be leaders of the future:
"Yofoso is something special I have for the children in Garden and it
is receiving the best attention and it is only that I have to raise
some funds for it. as I told you I will be putting up a wall fence
upon the completion of the project I am doing. I have built a team of
young and highly motivated youth who are ensuring the smooth operation
in my absence and this team is led by Leonard...remember the young man
who was interviewed in our story.He is doing his last grade this year.
I just hope that one day you will be able to see what these amazing
Children are now able to do with very little supervision."
In 2010 Mulenga and I will review the Village tasks, and see what remains, and if we need to add a new focus based on the progress made by YOFOSO.
Unfortunately Mulenga was not successful in getting funding to attend the International Fundraiser Conference in The Netherlands...but we'll try other events next year too.
Of course the Young Gunners (Garden soccer team) are chomping at the bits to be able to go to the World Cup in Sth Africa...so if anyone has any great ideas on how they might get there...let us know!! You would make quite a few dreams come true:)
Many thanks for continuing your interest in Garden.
Regards
Mulenga and Carolyn
Dear Garden Neigbours,
a Happy New Year to you all from Mulenga and I. I had an on-line chat with our Local Rep Mulenga last week to discuss how we are going to move forward with Garden on Nabuur. At this stage Mulenga wanted me to relay to you all that he and YOFOSO and the kids of Garden are very grateful for all your efforts over the past 3 years. Right now the YOFOSO library and social centre are going very well, and the children are still reaping the rewards of the many programmes run by YOFOSO. In fact at the end of 2009 almost 100% of the young boys who took the school examination passed! They will be able to move forward to their next class. This success has motivated the other children to use the facilities and the library. Mulenga and the community are very pleased with this.
BIG Books has sent another box load of books to Garden. This must be their third shipment! There are now 700 books in the library but room for plenty more!
Mulenga has asked me to close a number of tasks on the Nabuur site. He has highlighted a number of priorities:
1- the library needs more books
2- the internet cafe still requires about 4 months rental fees before it can get started again. Fund-raising for this is required and any assistance would be appreciated. It's not a huge amount of money- around US$500.
3- Mulenga is still investigating the micro-finance options however this will be a very slow process as loans are generally given to small groups rather than one org or one person.
4- Mulenga is working very closely with the Labuto Library Project which is building a much bigger library on government land. The will be opportunities for collaboration with this library in the future.
Thanks again for your support.
Best regards
Carolyn & Mulenga