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 Joseph

In 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 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!

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.

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

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.

Only Eight Days left to Christmas!

If you have any thoughts about getting an Andando Gift for Christmas, now is the time, as the 25th is drawing near. We've had good sales in December, even with the recent snow and ice. We value our customers and we think they are pretty unique. Our balafons are a fantastic gift! Also, we have a terrific selection of nativity scenes.

It's A Busy Time of Year

Quiz time - What's the difference between Bazarr and Bizarre?

Okay, so here's a sample sentence that may give you an illustration: I went to a semi temporary market with lots of stalls selling a variety of very unusual and offbeat articles that were way out of the mainstream. I went to a bizarre bazarr. So who got the answer right? Will you make it as a contestant on Jeopardy?

This time of year, we have been taking advantage of opportunities to sell wonderful Andando articles at one Bazarr after another. These are pictures of some of the activity. Also, the shop has been pretty busy.

And the Christmas Catalog has been generating a lot of buzz. Like people are noticing that it's pretty cool and worthwhile, and feeling like they want to be a part of it. Ain't life grand?

Don't Miss Out!

Our Christmas Catalog has met with great success! Everyone is jumping on the band wagon, and you don't want to miss this chance to give something with meaning. It doesn't have to cost much, and it's so easy. Call 541-754-6246 to get your copy of the catalog. You can even contribute on-line with Pay Pal. Hey, it's what people are doing these days ... find out why this lady is smiling!