One of the biggest killers of children in Senegal, and in all of Africa, is malaria. When treated bed nets are used, the incidence of malaria decreases dramatically.
Andando wanted to help make nets available to the communities we work in , so last year one of the gifts you could purchase from our Christmas Catalog was a mosquito net. This proved to be a popular gift and we raised enough funds for several hundred nets.
We really wanted to make sure the nets were going to be used effectively so we wanted to also supply training and follow up .
With this in mind we have entered into a partnership with the Against Malaria Initiative and the US Peace Corps in Senegal. Against Malaria has access to nets at a far cheaper price than we can get and the Peace Corps is distributing the nets in Senegal. They go in small teams to villages, do a training and a few weeks later go back and do a follow up to make sure the nets are being used correctly.
Your gifts continue to make a real difference in the lives of people in West Africa and through this new partnership, we are able to make your gifts stretch even farther AND ensure excellent training and follow up!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Loans
We've recently received some great reports about our micro loan program. Our amazing Senegalese director, Diegane Ndiaye is reporting 100% repayment on the last round of loans!
All of these funds have been recycled and are back out in the community again. Diegane is a huge reason for this success rate. His commitment and dedication to this project is impressive- he manages all of this on a volunteer basis while holding down a full time job and raising a family. Thank you Diegane.
Another reason for the success of this program is that we make NO INTEREST loans. We have heard from several loan recipients that this is a huge blessing for them as previously they only ever had access to moneylenders who would chrage 25- 50% interest. This usually meant that the borrower was never going to be in a position to fully pay back what was owed and would continue in a cycle of debt. With an Andando loan they can establish some security for their families and make plans for the future.
Following are a few comments from some loan recipients-
The project allowed me to set up a little business with an oil press. I would buy peanuts and make oil to sell in the local markets. I made profits that allowed me to improve our family's diet and address key needs.
I thank Andando for allowing me to improve our living conditions.
With the loan I bought some livestock (sheep)that have recently given birth. I have sold some and have some more to rear. This project has transformed my life.
Diegane also reported that in one of the villages there was a young man who was facing difficulties. All the loan recipients got together to help him buy a sheep. Today he has paid back all the ladies and has his own sheep now to rear. This example of "walking together" is something to celebrate!
Thanks to all of you who are a part of making this micro loan project work. You are changing Lives!
All of these funds have been recycled and are back out in the community again. Diegane is a huge reason for this success rate. His commitment and dedication to this project is impressive- he manages all of this on a volunteer basis while holding down a full time job and raising a family. Thank you Diegane.
Another reason for the success of this program is that we make NO INTEREST loans. We have heard from several loan recipients that this is a huge blessing for them as previously they only ever had access to moneylenders who would chrage 25- 50% interest. This usually meant that the borrower was never going to be in a position to fully pay back what was owed and would continue in a cycle of debt. With an Andando loan they can establish some security for their families and make plans for the future.
Following are a few comments from some loan recipients-
The project allowed me to set up a little business with an oil press. I would buy peanuts and make oil to sell in the local markets. I made profits that allowed me to improve our family's diet and address key needs.
I thank Andando for allowing me to improve our living conditions.
With the loan I bought some livestock (sheep)that have recently given birth. I have sold some and have some more to rear. This project has transformed my life.
Diegane also reported that in one of the villages there was a young man who was facing difficulties. All the loan recipients got together to help him buy a sheep. Today he has paid back all the ladies and has his own sheep now to rear. This example of "walking together" is something to celebrate!
Thanks to all of you who are a part of making this micro loan project work. You are changing Lives!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
andando means walking together
The name of our foundation comes from the Wolof word for walking together. Wolof is the main language of Senegal, the country where the dream for Andando was born, out of a desire to walk together more closely with people there and in other places around the world
In keeping with the name, two intrepid hikers have committed the summer to 'walk together' the entire length of the United States from Mexico to Canada .They began on April 30 and are now about 600 miles in on their 2650 mile journey. Follow along with them on the journey through the link to their blog on the right.These guys are amazing!
They are also doing this walk to raise funds for Andando. They are seeking sponsors who will support them by the mile-a penny a mile is $26.50 per person, $53.00 for both or any amount you would care to donate. You can donate through paypal by going to www.andando.org or you can send checks to Andando PO Box 542, Jefferson, OR.97352
In keeping with the name, two intrepid hikers have committed the summer to 'walk together' the entire length of the United States from Mexico to Canada .They began on April 30 and are now about 600 miles in on their 2650 mile journey. Follow along with them on the journey through the link to their blog on the right.These guys are amazing!
They are also doing this walk to raise funds for Andando. They are seeking sponsors who will support them by the mile-a penny a mile is $26.50 per person, $53.00 for both or any amount you would care to donate. You can donate through paypal by going to www.andando.org or you can send checks to Andando PO Box 542, Jefferson, OR.97352
summer fun!
We want to let you know about a couple of upcoming events that Andando will be participating- both on the same day!
One is The Day of the African Child on June 27 from 10 -5 at the World Forestry Center in Portland. There will be lots of organizations there involved with African children in some way. We will be there with Saah Joseph sharing about our feeding program in Sierra Leone and our micro lending in Senegal. We'll also be selling our kids' dresses, baby wraps, bags, and baskets.
Did you know when you purchase one of our baskets, you feed a child in Sierra Leone for one MONTH?
We will also be at the WorldBeat Festival in Salem that same weekend. That event runs all day Saturday and Sunday. It has an gloabl theme with countries and cultures fromm all over the world represented. It's in a beautiful setting in Riverfront Park by the Willamette river. On Sunday there are dragon boat races on the river!
Hope to see you at one or both events.
One is The Day of the African Child on June 27 from 10 -5 at the World Forestry Center in Portland. There will be lots of organizations there involved with African children in some way. We will be there with Saah Joseph sharing about our feeding program in Sierra Leone and our micro lending in Senegal. We'll also be selling our kids' dresses, baby wraps, bags, and baskets.
Did you know when you purchase one of our baskets, you feed a child in Sierra Leone for one MONTH?
We will also be at the WorldBeat Festival in Salem that same weekend. That event runs all day Saturday and Sunday. It has an gloabl theme with countries and cultures fromm all over the world represented. It's in a beautiful setting in Riverfront Park by the Willamette river. On Sunday there are dragon boat races on the river!
Hope to see you at one or both events.
Monday, May 11, 2009
an evening with Saah Joseph
This Thursday evening , May 14th, we are looking forward to a special time with the volunteer coordinator of our Buedu Feeding program. Saah Joseph from Liberia(see photo in previous post) will share about the program the kids and also some of his own fascinating story of years as a refugee in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The event starts at 6.30 p.m.
There will be a silent auction with some great prizes, including a fishing trip and an airplane ride! In addition, the Andando store will be open featuring new products from our artisans.
If you have not yet received an invitation, and would like to attend, please email us at theandandofoundation@gmail.com and we'll send you directions.
The event starts at 6.30 p.m.
There will be a silent auction with some great prizes, including a fishing trip and an airplane ride! In addition, the Andando store will be open featuring new products from our artisans.
If you have not yet received an invitation, and would like to attend, please email us at theandandofoundation@gmail.com and we'll send you directions.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Where the Money goes
A young girl taking home food to share!
Just a few of our 900 kids - a lot of mouths to feed!
You can never have too much rice.
Our friend Saah JosephIn January Andando made a trip to Africa to our sponsored feeding program. It's in Buedu, Sierra Leone and it's not an easy place to get to. It is located in a remote corner of Sierra Leone near where the Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone borders come together. On previous trips we had traveled through Sierra Leone to get there.- on very bad, almost impassable roads. This time we thought we’d try a different route going through Liberia. Well it turns out the roads were only slightly better. It took about 15 hours to get to Buedu from Monrovia, about half on dirt roads. Fortunately it was the dry season . During the rainy season, May to September, this road would be impassable.
We were greeted in Buedu by what seemed like a million children and definitely more than the 600 we thought we were feeding! We estimated it’s closer to 900 kids in the program, but the folks there are doing an amazing job. They are feeding these kids five days a week, cooking on open fire. Two hard working women (volunteer positions) do most of the cooking. We had some great discussions about the program and ways to improve it. Since our last visit to Buedu, many people have started farming again since peace has returned to the region, so there is more food available locally.
We were greeted in Buedu by what seemed like a million children and definitely more than the 600 we thought we were feeding! We estimated it’s closer to 900 kids in the program, but the folks there are doing an amazing job. They are feeding these kids five days a week, cooking on open fire. Two hard working women (volunteer positions) do most of the cooking. We had some great discussions about the program and ways to improve it. Since our last visit to Buedu, many people have started farming again since peace has returned to the region, so there is more food available locally.
We discussed the availability of local rice. In the past we had to ship rice there which added to the cost. We've changed that. Now the feeding program is going to start using local rice, which is more nutritious because it is not processed. This will also help the local economy. Another way we are able to help the local economy is by buying bread once a week from a local baker and using bread instead of rice. We were also able to bring school supplies and medicine for the kids.
It was a really encouraging and worthwhile trip. Thanks so much to our amazing partner there, Saah Joseph. Several years ago Saah shared this need with us and he has been faithful to continue working with Andando, again as a volunteer. Without his commitment and vision the feeding program would not be possible.
On the same trip we made a quick stop in Senegal to visit with our micro loan partner there, Diegane Ndiaye (another amazing Andando volunteer). Once again, without our in-country partner, our program just would not work. Diegane has administered our micro loan program for a year now and we have seen an almost 100% return on our loans thanks to his diligence and faithfulness. He is now in the midst of making this years’ round of loans with the the previous years money being recycled again into the community - and the new money from your generous gifts being added to it.
You can be a part in bringing hope and dignity to these wonderful people in Senegal and Sierra Leone. Join us if you can, and thanks to those of you who already have!
On the same trip we made a quick stop in Senegal to visit with our micro loan partner there, Diegane Ndiaye (another amazing Andando volunteer). Once again, without our in-country partner, our program just would not work. Diegane has administered our micro loan program for a year now and we have seen an almost 100% return on our loans thanks to his diligence and faithfulness. He is now in the midst of making this years’ round of loans with the the previous years money being recycled again into the community - and the new money from your generous gifts being added to it.
You can be a part in bringing hope and dignity to these wonderful people in Senegal and Sierra Leone. Join us if you can, and thanks to those of you who already have!
Christmas for Africa
We did a "Christmas catalog" for the first time during December and it was a wonderful success. To everyone who contributed to Andando during the Christmas season through our gift catalog - Thank you ! Over 150 gifts were given and $6,000 raised!
And already most of these gifts have found their way to Africa. We have already begun the new distribution of Micro loans and and farmer loans in Senegal and we have sent funds for the next six months of our feeding program in Buedu. Not only that, we've supplied 600 kids in Sierra Leone with school and medical supplies. Later in the spring we plan on working on our mosquito net distribution in Senegal, in time for the rainy season there.
Thanks again to all of you who participated.
And already most of these gifts have found their way to Africa. We have already begun the new distribution of Micro loans and and farmer loans in Senegal and we have sent funds for the next six months of our feeding program in Buedu. Not only that, we've supplied 600 kids in Sierra Leone with school and medical supplies. Later in the spring we plan on working on our mosquito net distribution in Senegal, in time for the rainy season there.
Thanks again to all of you who participated.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Teaching Business in Africa
Recently, I had the privilege to teach business fundamentals to a bunch of African small business owners - a first for me. This was in a village way out in the boonies, and it was something that I was anticipating for some time. As you may know, Fiona and I were on the road for quite a while traveling all over Africa, so I had some time to plan this out. The challenge as it was presented to me was that these guys (and gals) - can't read, can't write, and they can't count. A rather challenging environment for business development ... It wasn't quite like that, they were really pretty sharp in their own culture, and I was pleased to find out they have all done well with their projects. In addition to the challenges, I had to work with a translator, as shown in the picture above
You see, these are the participants in our Andando micro loan program, and they've had a few months now to utilize these small loans for the purpose of making a living. My goal was to help them improve their business by teaching a fews key business points. It went well, except it was really hot inside this building, I mean like 100 degrees. It was a concrete building with a tin roof in the middle of the African bush, no air conditioning or power or water. It was also very humid, but they didn't seem to mind (I did!).
But I was delighted to hear their success stories and most of them are doing pretty well already. In fact they have paid back most of the micro loans already and we can now expand the program. It was a long day, and after an "African" lunch, where everyone sits on the ground and eats out of a communal bowl, we visited some farms nearby where some of the loan recipients work their land.
It was a great day, very hot, rather exhausting, but very rewarding - Kevin
You see, these are the participants in our Andando micro loan program, and they've had a few months now to utilize these small loans for the purpose of making a living. My goal was to help them improve their business by teaching a fews key business points. It went well, except it was really hot inside this building, I mean like 100 degrees. It was a concrete building with a tin roof in the middle of the African bush, no air conditioning or power or water. It was also very humid, but they didn't seem to mind (I did!).
But I was delighted to hear their success stories and most of them are doing pretty well already. In fact they have paid back most of the micro loans already and we can now expand the program. It was a long day, and after an "African" lunch, where everyone sits on the ground and eats out of a communal bowl, we visited some farms nearby where some of the loan recipients work their land.
It was a great day, very hot, rather exhausting, but very rewarding - Kevin
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Now is the time to buy!
Why are these ladies so happy? Because they just found some incredible bargains at the Andando sale! Don't miss it - many things are marked at 50% off.
This is for a limited time only, so rush on down for those choice items you have been wanting and waiting.
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