Greetings Neighbours!

Yes it has been some time since I have been online, and my apologizes. However, despite my lack of posting on Nabuur, there have been many things going on behind the scenes. Just a quick update on these.

1. Microloan Project

One of the key projects is the microloan project for widows and guardians. The has already been one success story by a women selling samosas, and she wishes to expand her business with a small loan from Kabondo Poverty Alleviation Organization. In February, we held a Twitter campaign to raise the funds for this and 2 other small projects. We raised about $500 bringing the total to $806 CDN. This is still short of the $1200 goal for the microloan program. We are still trying to raise the last $400, so if you can help out with this in any ways, please let me or Eric know. Donations can be made at www.givemeaning.com/project/kabondo

In addition, I have been working with a group of students from the University of Calgary on this and they have prepared background information and research for Eric and the community, regarding the operation of microloan programs in communities. This will be available next week.

2. Sanitary Pad Project

We completed the collection of surveys from the girls that participated in the pilot for cloth sanitary pads. I am just compiling all the data and hope to have the report ready soon. We have had much interest from other groups that would like this information as well and there are possibilities for collaboration.

3. Community Library
Another group from the University of Calgary has been gathering information and research on establishing a community library in Kabondo. They are also preparing a funding proposal, so that we can submit for the development of the community library. The information will be available soon.

There are many other areas that we would like to move things ahead on including:

1. Website maintenance - an ongoing issue that we have not been able to address (www.kabondopoverty.org). If you can help with this, please let me know asap.

2. Microloan fundraising - as mentioned we need to raise the last bit of funds

3. Orphan and widow support - the primary goal is to help the widows and orphans in Kabondo and provide education support - ideas for this are greatly accepted.

Thanks for your continued support - Please feel free to provide info, ideas and comments any time!

Barb