I need to go see this for myself :) ...

I leave for Africa in a little over 36 hours...

My itinerary:
Leave Seattle, USA Sept 18th
Arrive Kigali, Rwanda Sept 20th
Leave Kigali, Rwanda Oct 8th
Arrive Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Oct 8th
Leave Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Oct 17th
Arrive Seattle, USA, Oct 18th

Organization that I will be working with:
In Rwanda:
Pygmy Survival Alliance
HDI-Rwanda
In Tanzania:
Tanzania Educational Fund

People That I will be with:
Rwanda:
Dr. Karl Weyrauch and Bob Boiko (Other board members of PSA)
Tanzania:
Sylvia Ofstie and Ian Rottman (Friends from Seattle)

Information on the countries:
Rwanda
Tanzania

How I have prepared:
Medically/Vaccinations (following the CDC's recommendations for travel in Rwanda):

• Yellow fever
• Hep A
• Hep B (already had the entire series due to work)
• Typhoid
• Polio
• Tetanus (already had that 2 years ago)
• I have medications for Malaria, Diarrhea, and a sleep aid

Emotionally:
My Family (Mum, Dad, Suzanne and Clare) is wonderful and they provide me with the love/strength/courage/support to do this. I am forever grateful for them.

So what's in my bag?
-quick dry clothes
-a nice outfit
-shoes
-toiletries
-cameras -SLR and a point and shot
-first aid kits
-quick dry towel
-books
-notebooks
-pens
-mp3 player
-computer
-nintendo dsi (i have an animation game thing.. so expect a few movies by the time i get home)
-saint christopher necklace - the saint of traveling
-protein bars (in case i need a little extra food)

So what the heck am I doing in Africa?
Stay tuned.. and find out.


Rwanda's infrastructure is not the same as in the States... so if they have internet, then i will have internet and will update this blog nightly, explaining the days adventures.B ut if you don't hear from me for a day or two.. DON'T WORRY. I am okay. I promise. It's just that the internet in Rwanda is down.

Ohh and most importantly .. . . I LOVE YOU!!!

-Lizzie

PS: Yes i have a house sitter (two actually), yes all my bills are automatic bill pay, so no worries. And yes, my work is amazing for letting me have the time off and allowing me to have this sabbatical.

PSS: I feel like the luckiest person alive. I am so excited and full of gratitude. I would never be able to be in this position if it wasn't for everyone I know. Thank you all. Murakoze Cyane!

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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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