Perpetual Change

Once more from the Swaz

To the loyal 19 of you that check my blog every week. Thank you. I posted about 2 weeks ago, but I see now that it never came up. I am not sure why. I have been very busy with summer activities and away from computers, but all is well, thank you for your concerned notes.

My friend Blia in Swaziland is asking for help once more. In fact, I took off the Young Heroes program from the other posting as Blia's request because there is some internal Swazi issue with it, but if you are still interested in helping, here is how. I love you all, thank you for your support.

Sanibonani Friends and Family!
 
How are you all doing?  I hope that all is well.  I am having some difficulty trying to raise funds for the Women's Income-Generating Project through Peace Corps Partnership.  I will be leaving in December 2006 and was hoping to raise the funds by August, because it takes some time to receive the funding from D.C.  The women raised 25% of the project cost and the 75% is up friends, family, & corporations to donate.  Please forward this to people that you know might be interested in donating.  Here's the information below:
 
-Direct beneficiaries:  49 women
-Indirect beneficiaries:  291 community members
-27% are single parents
-20% are widows from the single parents
-209 children total from all women and 27% are orphans and vulnerable children
 
The women formed this organization in September 2005 in hopes of a sustainable income, female empowerment, and leadership business development in the rural areas.  The money will go towards sewing machines and supplies for school uniforms, church uniforms, and African-print purses.  As many of you may know from reading my e-mails, poverty is also contributing to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, so we are starting up this income-generating project in our community.  Swaziland has the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the world at 42.6% and this has infiltrated into every aspect of Swazi life.
 
Please find below a copy of the Proposal that was submitted to Peace Corps Partnership in March 2006.  Friends & Family can go to www.peacecorps.gov/ then click on DONATE NOW, then click on VOLUNTEER PROJECTS, then scroll down to SWAZILAND, and my name will be as B.YANG next to the project.  If you have any questions please e-mail me.  Thank you for your time.

posted by jjs @ 4:29 AM