Here is what Alysha Atma, African Affairs Correspondent for the Salem -News.com had to say about the manuscript:
“…honest, funny, very engaging and truly written from the heart.”
Thank you Alysha!
Merry Christmas!
Wishing all a very Merry Christmas and may 2011 be everything anyone could ask for!
Perfect Christmas Gift
Are you still looking for a Christmas gift for a loved one…or maybe someone who is not-so-loved but still expecting a gift? Consider supporting our project to help out young women and youth in Tanzania through a donation to Plan Canada for our Education for Africa project. Click on the link to the right to learn more about the project and to help out.
You will receive a charitable donation receipt prior to the end of tax season.
Thank you so much for your consideration!
Trip to Tanzania is Shaping up
Well, we have our vaccinations, we have applied for the Visas, we have a short safari booked, flights are booked, hotels are booked. What are we missing? There is still time to think about it.
Book is Done – Almost
My book “Kilimanjaro and Beyond – A Life-Changing Journey”, written with input from my son Chris, is now complete…except for the Epilogue. The editing has been finalized by my editor, Kip Kirby, who did an incredible job, especially in the last two weeks after learning that her husband has some serious health issues. Thank you so much Kip.
I am very proud of the finished product and have sent it to a number of people who will hopefully like what they read. In January we are off to Africa and the story will be complete, although our work will continue. I will write the Epilogue in February and we will go from there. It has been a great experience reliving my amazing journey and I hope others will enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.
New project website available!
A few days ago I announced a new project that we are undertaking with Plan Canada. The website is now available for viewing and for accepting donations from anyone interested. This project will empower youth and women in Tanzania by giving them training and vocational skills so that they can establish businesses to support their families. It is a great project and the Canadian federal government will match donations 3:1!!! Please consider a donation as a Christmas gift for friends and family. Click “DONATE” under Education for Africa on the right to make a secure donation.
Book is edited
All 27 chapters plus the Introduction have been edited. Now it is a matter of going through it one more time before sending it to the reviewers. This is getting exciting!
Very Satisfying News!
I just got word from Tanzania through Plan Canada that the primary school for which we raised funds is nearing completion. In fact, it is expected that the completed classrooms will be handed over to the school for use by the students this week! We raised about 25% of the amount required for the new classrooms and with the help of a partner, the project has been completed.
This will go a long way to alleviating the overcrowding situation at the school and will mean that the students will not have to be educated in shifts so they will receive a better education. From our observation when we are there, the children will be very excited to have this opportunity. We will see for ourselves when we visit in February.
I am very satisfied that this part of our project is complete knowing that some kids on the other side of the world will be given a chance to fulfill their dreams. You can read more about the project by clicking on the “Classrooms at the primary school in the Mwanza region” link on the right.
Self Publishing
I have been reading “The Fine Print of Self Publishing” by Mark Levine. In his book, he assesses 45 self publishing companies and some of the results came as a surprise to me. In fact, two that I was considering finished in the “OK” and “Avoid” category respectively.
He assesses the companies based on nine qualities of a good self publishing company and it is an eye-opener. One of the things I am looking for, because I am in Canada and don’t want to pay outrageous shipping and customs duty costs, is the company’s policy with respect to returning the original production files. If I can print my copies for personal use or resale in Canada, it will save me a lot of money. Some companies actually ask you to pay for the return of your own original production files!
If you are considering self publishing, I would definitely recommend this book. I have no vested interest in recommending it, other than I think it will help me make a decision. Like everything else, you have to apply your own criteria and common sense but the book is certainly helping me with that process.
New Project for Tanzania
Now that the work on raising money for the borehole and classrooms is complete, I am very pleased to announce a new project to help out the people in Tanzania. Once again we will be working in conjunction with our friends at Plan Canada. The project is designed to address economic security in Tanzania by working with women and youth (ages 15-24) to acquire the vocational skills they need to secure livelihood opportunities so they can support their families. Savings and loan programs will be established and training provided so that income and assets can be built up. The program is expected to directly affect 11,000 women and youth in four areas of Tanzania. The Canadian federal government has agreed to match gifts 3:1.
A link to our new donation page will appear on my blog in the next few days.