And they begin diggin...... .. .. . .

Contract for the terrace building project with the signatures of everyone involved in the building & maintenance of the terraces

The government supplied the villagers with 20 extra hoes.

We still need a few more shovels, otherwise they now have all the tools they need.

This picture says it all: a hard days work with lots to show for it, and a sense of pride in their accomplishments.

The community records who is working in the village. Those who contribute reap the benefits.

Click here for more photos! 

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Murakoze Cyane!

See more photos here.

We have reached our goal!!!

In less then one week we were able to get over $1600 in donations.

The recap of how we obtained our goal:

Thanks to Karl and Derek, we now have an online donation method.  This was extremely helpful to get the small donation amounts. I noticed that when I posted a status update asking for small donations on facebook, that is when I would get donations online. When I emailed a general letter asking for donations, I would usually receive checks a day or two later. 

We also got Nintendo of America to match a donation. So we also will have $300 from Nintendo. Many workplaces offer matching donations, and there is very little paperwork that has to be done on your end. It is an easy way to double your contribution. Microsoft has a great workplace giving campaign. Many larger companies like Nintendo and Microsoft encourage their employees to get involved with their communities and be responsible global citizens. It's good for their business, and it's great for the nonprofits on the receiving end! You can also elect to donate through payroll deductions. The ways in which you can give away your money to worthy causes is endless!

Here are the totals from the various sources we used to raise funds.

$508.85 - paypal
$950.00 - checks
$300.00 - company matching program
  $20.00 - cash       
$ 1778.85

I feel really good about this fundraising experience. I was able to reach out to my friends, and talk to them about what is going on with Bwiza and the Pygmies. Some of them were even compelled to donate.

Another reason this was successful was because we were able to raise funds for a very specific, meaningful, tangible project. Whatever the reason people donated - because they believe in fostering sustainable food systems, because they're moved by the struggle of the Twa, or even because they wanted to support me in this first fundraising effort - THANK YOU, or more appropriately, Murakoze Cyane!

I can't wait to update you on the success of the project as it unfolds.

PS: If you donated, you will be sent a thank you letter that will serve as your receipt for your tax deductible donation - keep an eye out!

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Getting Closer....

Please help us reach our goal by donating online!

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If you can talk you can sing

If you can walk you can dance.

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Adventures in Fundraising, Part 1

Source: The New York Times

As most of you know, in my free time I have been volunteering with Dr. Karl Weyrauch, founder of the Pygmy Survival Alliance (PSA). Dr. Weyrauch has been traveling to Rwanda for years, acting as an advocate for the needs of the most marginalized population in Rwanda, the Pygmies. They are the poorest and most underserved people in one of the poorest countries in the world.

Along with other dedicated community members and friends, Karl and I worked to make PSA a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the summer of 2009. Since we’ve been granted nonprofit status, we’ve created a website, built a strong board, and started planning for the next phases of our work in Rwanda. Some of our goals include reducing child and maternal mortality through cost-effective and locally-driven health, education, nutrition, sanitation and housing advancements. Please take time to look at our website to learn more about our history, mission and values and check out projects we've worked on in our blog.

Last year we completed the first phase of a terrace building project. This resulted in the harvest of over one ton of beans to combat malnutrition, the underlying cause of 50% of childhood mortality in the village. Now, we hope to raise $1600 to complete Phase 2 of our project. The money will buy food for village terrace-builders, hoes, manure, seeds and agricultural education. Completion of Phase 2 will result in doubling their harvest, and will further help to eradicate malnutrition.

Source

Because PSA is a 501(c )3 nonprofit, your donation is tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. PSA is currently run by a volunteer board that I serve on proudly as vice president. Therefore, 100% of your donation will go toward this project – giving you the opportunity to directly help this population so in need.

Consider this: $1 will feed a worker's family for a day. $2 will pay a person's health insurance for a year. $4 will buy a hoe, to build a terrace, to plant a crop, which will nourish a village, for a lifetime.

We need to raise $1,600 in the next two weeks before Karl returns to Rwanda. Please help today by sending a donation to Pygmy Survival Alliance at 1138 13th Ave, Seattle, Washington 98122. You can also donate online. It is fast, easy and secure. 

In return for your tax-deductible contribution for this critical project, I will continue to keep you updated on the progress of PSA and the Pygmies of Rwanda. Our success is critical to their survival. Please give what you can today.


Thank you for your consideration!


Sincerely,

Elizabeth Scallon
Pygmy Survival Alliance
Seattle, WA. USA
1.206.914.7603

PS: We are funded in part by Coffee Rwanda. When you purchase coffee from their website, you are also helping PSA. We appreciate whatever help you can offer.

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