We will be announcing the headliner for our Education for Africa Family Variety Show on August 20! I am pretty excited about this. We already have Elliott the Magician and the Bibleways Youth Chorale and the headliner will make this show complete.

It’s not too soon to mark it on your calendars. Greenfields Pub and Eatery on Greenbank in Ottawa will be the place to be on October 21 starting at 1:30. We want to fill the place to help the young women in Tanzania start their small businesses. The federal government is contributing $3 for every $1 we raise. It’s an opportunity to make them pay!!

Cost is $20 and tickets will be available soon. Hope to see you there!!

The following is an excerpt from a report received from Plan Canada on the project for which we are currently raising money:

“This five-year project is mid-way through its second year of implementation. During the first year, communities and local partners learned about the project’s goals and the importance of child rights and gender equality. The project could not be successful or sustainable if those impacted did not understand the objectives and willingly work with local staff to make them possible.

Building on this solid foundation of community support, microfinance activities and vocational training have begun. Here’s what has happened thus far:

Moving forward with microfinance

In Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), members of a group contribute to a fund that is used to lend money within the group at low-interest rates. Members use these loans to start small businesses or acquire vocational skills so they can increase their income and better support their families. Members meet regularly to repay their loans and balance the group fund, holding each other accountable and supporting each other’s financial management.

This is often the first time community members have the opportunity to borrow and save money, therefore they might be skeptical of the process or their ability to earn enough to pay back loans. Local leaders are therefore trained on the VSLA process and they encourage community members to join groups by explaining the benefits of VSLAs and the likelihood of success. Once they have joined groups and begin realizing results, some members motivate their neighbours to participate, alleviating any cultural mistrusts or doubts.”

So far 109 Village Savings and Loan programs have been established with a total of 1,761 people participating. Groups have saved a total of $17,198 (In Canadian $) and borrowed $26,281 Cdn.

Vocational training has also been started. According to the report, “More than 300 youth registered at a training centre in Dar Es Salaam, and 220 registered at a centre in Mwanza. Since these numbers are far higher than each centre’s capacity, the students have been separated into two groups, with one starting after the other has completed the program.”

Remember the Canadian federal government is contributing $3 for every $1 we raise. You can help by clicking on “DONATE” to the right or by attending one of our events listed on the EVENTS page.

“Kilimanjaro and Beyond (A Life-Changing Journey) by Chris Finlay and Barry Finlay is a beautifully written tale about a spiritual journey, a physical embarking, and so much more.” – GoodbooksToday.com Reviews

Kilimanjaro and Beyond (A Life-Changing Journey) by Chris Finlay and Barry Finlay is not only just a book about a physical climb, but an emotional and spiritual climb as well. This is a tale about finding oneself and moving forward through one’s own self doubt to self-actualization. The introduction is well used to give those with less knowledge of climbing more background on the subject. The authors talk about the seven summits and give the reader a general idea of the importance and meaning of the journey that will unfold later on in the book. Like all goals in life, few people truly make it to the top and in that sense, the entire journey presented in Kilimanjaro and Beyond (A Life-Changing Journey) can be read as a metaphor, as well as the beautiful and honest story that it is.

Like the title of the book itself, each chapter has its own title written in two languages. This is perfect for what this piece is, because the overall meaning and the story itself transcends beyond borders. It is a wonderful read for any person of any area or creed.

The pace of the story is easy to follow and flows. The reader can delve right into what is going on as though he or she is right there with the authors. This makes for a very personal feel and something that is easy to connect with when reading.

Lastly, Kilimanjaro and Beyond (A Life-Changing Journey) is a learning tool. It teaches the audience about various places and cultures while giving the story a sense of destination and presence. The whole thing almost reads as though the viewer had stumbled upon a secret diary. The reader is allowed to view a fairly intimate piece of the lives of others.  Kilimanjaro and Beyond (A Life-Changing Journey) by Chris Finlay and Barry Finlay is a beautifully written tale about a spiritual journey, a physical embarking, and so much more.

I am very pleased to announce that an independent film maker in Los Angeles has expressed an interest in Kilimanjaro and Beyond. She is working on an outline for a screenplay, Could be something. Could be nothing. But I am very flattered that she is interested enough to consider it.

My interview on 100 Huntley will be aired on May 21 on the Global TV network at 9:00 am EST. It covers the book, our climb of Kilimanjaro and our efforts to help out the children in Tanzania. I will post links to the show after the broadcast.

This post is for those in the Ottawa, Canada area and for those who don’t mind travelling a little. We are holding two events this year in support of Plan Canada’s initiative to help young women and youth in Tanzania start small businesses. The businesses lift the participants out of the cycle of poverty they are in and give them a sense of purpose and pride. The money they earn means that they can pay the rent and send their children to school. Every dollar we raise goes to Plan Canada for the project and the federal government contributes $3 for every $1 we raise.  Both events will be detailed soon in the Events section. In the meantime, here are some teasers:

August 25 – 4th Annual Kilimanjaro Golf Fore Kids Tournament – at the Lombard Glen Golf and Country Club in Smiths Falls. This tournament gets better and better each year. It is a fun-filled event for golfers and wannabe golfers. Tournament fees include door prizes, silent auction items and more. It is a great time for all.

October 25 – Education for Africa Variety Show – at Greenfield’s in Barrhaven. This will be a family oriented event with a surprise performer (at least for now), door prizes and silent auction items.

We hope to see you at one or both. Help us help the people of Tanzania!

Yesterday, I received a nice surprise from Africa through Plan Canada. It was another report on the well project at the school in Tanzania. In summary, the report states that the new well is servicing 1,021 households and 13,503 people, of which 930 are preschool and primary students!

The local community has ensured sustainability as they have in place a Water User Group, Water User Committee (16 members split evenly between males and females), Maintenance Committee and a project bank account. The pump is solar powered and the Municipality has contributed a 10,000 litre tank and 3 drip points.

This started out as a project to put money towards a well, but thanks to so many generous donors, the well drilling was completely funded. The municipality bought into the project and expanded it out into the community.

I think by any measure this project can be considered a success. Thanks again to our many donors!!

Take a minute to check out the photos at the Gallery.