The Bradgate-Addis Alem link are holding a raffle for a lovely hand stitched baby bedspread/blanket. Tickets are available from the Trustees or by emailing us. Tickets are 50p each or 3 for a pound(£) and the draw is taking place on 20 March 2008.
Our Facebook site is starting to take off and we now have 30 fans! I have also linked through to our YouTube video site and now a Flickr site where we are going to be housing our photos. I am also trying to work out how I can integrate Flickr into our website but this is a bit more complicated than it appeared and involves integrating PHP!!!! (any PHP wizards out there want to offer a hand?)
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Presentation to the Lions
Last night I gave my presentation to the Keynsham Lions at the Fry Club which seemed to go down well. They were a nice bunch of people and asked a lot of questions, so either they weren't listening or they were genuinely interested!
Surprisingly, I quite like Vista and Office 2007 which seemed to talk very easily to the projector without any problems. Much better than the old version which I always had difficulty with!
We seem to be getting a few more hits on our YouTube site although Facebook hasn't taken off!
Surprisingly, I quite like Vista and Office 2007 which seemed to talk very easily to the projector without any problems. Much better than the old version which I always had difficulty with!
We seem to be getting a few more hits on our YouTube site although Facebook hasn't taken off!
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Publicity....
As well as our recent attempt of 'viral advertising' via YouTube, Facebook and this blog, we still continue to do the conventional method of attending meetings in person!
On Monday 28th January, Rob will be visiting the Keynsham Lions at the Fry Club for an after-dinner talk. He will be talking about how and why the charity was set up as well as what we have done.
On Thursday 7th February, John and Tigist will be attending the AGM of CLinC at Cromhall village hall to talk about the charity. Roy Greenhalgh had attended our AGM and was very interested in what we were doing. He had previously been on the same course as Tigist which is where he got to know us.
Last bit of news is that Sue is organising a raffle for a lovely hand sewn quilt made by Lisa Hamblin at Bradgate Surgery. Tickets will be 50p each or 3 for £1 and can be bought from Sue or via the For-ethiopia website soon.
On Monday 28th January, Rob will be visiting the Keynsham Lions at the Fry Club for an after-dinner talk. He will be talking about how and why the charity was set up as well as what we have done.
On Thursday 7th February, John and Tigist will be attending the AGM of CLinC at Cromhall village hall to talk about the charity. Roy Greenhalgh had attended our AGM and was very interested in what we were doing. He had previously been on the same course as Tigist which is where he got to know us.
Last bit of news is that Sue is organising a raffle for a lovely hand sewn quilt made by Lisa Hamblin at Bradgate Surgery. Tickets will be 50p each or 3 for £1 and can be bought from Sue or via the For-ethiopia website soon.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Online updates
As well as our website, For-ethiopia now has a Facebook and a YouTube page. At the YouTube page we will try and keep adding videos of events and projects. Currently there are two videos on there so take a look...
The Facebook is a bit different. I signed up as an organisation and now cannot find out how to invite people to look at it. You don't seem to be able to have friends and the way to notify people is a mass mailing to Facebook users. Now, I don't really like receiving mass mailing myself so I really do not want to go down this route! If anyone knows how to invite people please let me know!!!!! Ideally I want people to add it and then their friends see it, visit and add if they like it....at the moment there are a few general photos of Addis Alem on there but I will add more. I cannot put the link to it as I am blogging from work and they have banned access to Facebook!!!!!
Almost forgot, we now have a Buy.At site which means people can search for shops and products and anything they purchase using the site will pass on a commission to go towards our projects!
Oh well, more soon.
The Facebook is a bit different. I signed up as an organisation and now cannot find out how to invite people to look at it. You don't seem to be able to have friends and the way to notify people is a mass mailing to Facebook users. Now, I don't really like receiving mass mailing myself so I really do not want to go down this route! If anyone knows how to invite people please let me know!!!!! Ideally I want people to add it and then their friends see it, visit and add if they like it....at the moment there are a few general photos of Addis Alem on there but I will add more. I cannot put the link to it as I am blogging from work and they have banned access to Facebook!!!!!
Almost forgot, we now have a Buy.At site which means people can search for shops and products and anything they purchase using the site will pass on a commission to go towards our projects!
Oh well, more soon.
Monday, January 07, 2008
Ethiopian Christmas Party
We held a party on Saturday to celebrate both Ethiopian Christmas and our 3rd year of operation.
Although it was a cold, dark, miserable evening, around 40 people turned up to see our presentation and eat mincepies(!), samosas, and an Ethiopian Flag Christmas cake made by Janet (lots of colouring needed!).
Dudley talked well and explained the projects in Addis Alem that had been completed in 2007 balanced against our funding needs for next year.
A couple of people signed up for regular donations and a lot of donations were made in the collection bucket. All in all, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the Trustees felt a great sense of achievement by the end of.
2007 (year 3) has been a relatively hard one but the successes lead us forward to year 4 with more big ideas!
Although it was a cold, dark, miserable evening, around 40 people turned up to see our presentation and eat mincepies(!), samosas, and an Ethiopian Flag Christmas cake made by Janet (lots of colouring needed!).
Dudley talked well and explained the projects in Addis Alem that had been completed in 2007 balanced against our funding needs for next year.
A couple of people signed up for regular donations and a lot of donations were made in the collection bucket. All in all, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves and the Trustees felt a great sense of achievement by the end of.
2007 (year 3) has been a relatively hard one but the successes lead us forward to year 4 with more big ideas!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Year 3 signed off, 2008 here we come!
Well, I cannot believe it is almost a year since the last post! Year 3 of the charity ended 30th September 2007 and the accounts were signed off within a couple of months (again by Jean) and submitted to the Charities Commission.
The Annual General Meeting was held as a Trustees meeting and we are having an 'Ethiopian Christmas Party' on January 5th 2008 to celebrate both Ethiopian Christmas and Year 3 of the Charity.....
Year 3 included four water projects (wells at Arada, Damu and Cheffe, spring capping at Abademie), equipping of two health posts (Arb Gebaye and Iluaga) and books and furniture for four schools (Addis Alem High, Arb Gebaye, Efa Beri and Ejere schools).
Year 4 will see a spring capping at Kusiye, upgrading of the well at Efa Beri and mains water to the high school. We will also be equipping another two clinics, building a library at the High School and books and furniture to two more junior schools.
More details as always will be on the website at www.for-ethiopia.com
The Annual General Meeting was held as a Trustees meeting and we are having an 'Ethiopian Christmas Party' on January 5th 2008 to celebrate both Ethiopian Christmas and Year 3 of the Charity.....
Year 3 included four water projects (wells at Arada, Damu and Cheffe, spring capping at Abademie), equipping of two health posts (Arb Gebaye and Iluaga) and books and furniture for four schools (Addis Alem High, Arb Gebaye, Efa Beri and Ejere schools).
Year 4 will see a spring capping at Kusiye, upgrading of the well at Efa Beri and mains water to the high school. We will also be equipping another two clinics, building a library at the High School and books and furniture to two more junior schools.
More details as always will be on the website at www.for-ethiopia.com
Friday, January 19, 2007
Accounts through with flying colours
The accounts have now been 'Independently Examined' by Jean Douglas. Having expected a large number of negative comments, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that she didn't find any errors and that with a few minor tweaks, my accounting system was more than adequate!
We are now in the process of preparing the accounts in the 'Accruals' format so that we can comply with SORP 2005.
Next step, Annual Report and an AGM.......... http://www.for-ethiopia.com will have the report once published.
We are now in the process of preparing the accounts in the 'Accruals' format so that we can comply with SORP 2005.
Next step, Annual Report and an AGM.......... http://www.for-ethiopia.com will have the report once published.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Another late update.
A lot has happened since the last post.
For Ethiopia Association in Addis Ababa have reported their end of year and are waiting for the auditors to finish. At the same time they are submitting next year's (06/07) proposal which will include work from the donations of Bristol Grammar School, St Joseph's RC Primary School, Bradgate Surgery, John Humphrys' Kitchen Table Charitable Trust (excuse the punctuation John!) among others. Projects will include two more springs, two new wells, furniture, books and equipment for various schools and clinics in the Addis Alem region.
In Bristol, we have been preparing the accounts for an audit ready for the next AGM (date to be announced).
John has been over to Ethiopia (on a sort of working holiday) and got to see the finished springs as well as the new locations.
Our friend Sean held a preview of his new cafe called Kuvuka which opens on Saturday the 13th December. The cafe will promote issues in Africa and will sell fairtrade coffee. Pop down to see it on Stokes Croft near the centre of Bristol.
Tigist has been involved in campaigning with Oxfam against the unfair deals Starbucks give to the Ethiopian farmers and has got herself on various sites.
Lots more happening, but I will write more when we have a date announced for the AGM...
For Ethiopia Association in Addis Ababa have reported their end of year and are waiting for the auditors to finish. At the same time they are submitting next year's (06/07) proposal which will include work from the donations of Bristol Grammar School, St Joseph's RC Primary School, Bradgate Surgery, John Humphrys' Kitchen Table Charitable Trust (excuse the punctuation John!) among others. Projects will include two more springs, two new wells, furniture, books and equipment for various schools and clinics in the Addis Alem region.
In Bristol, we have been preparing the accounts for an audit ready for the next AGM (date to be announced).
John has been over to Ethiopia (on a sort of working holiday) and got to see the finished springs as well as the new locations.
Our friend Sean held a preview of his new cafe called Kuvuka which opens on Saturday the 13th December. The cafe will promote issues in Africa and will sell fairtrade coffee. Pop down to see it on Stokes Croft near the centre of Bristol.
Tigist has been involved in campaigning with Oxfam against the unfair deals Starbucks give to the Ethiopian farmers and has got herself on various sites.
Lots more happening, but I will write more when we have a date announced for the AGM...
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Not very good at blogging!
I have been awful at this! Since starting a blog, I have been meaning to add to it, but time just flies by......
Since my last post a lot has happened:
Bristol Grammar School have raised over £3000, St Joseph's RC Primary School have raised over £1500......Bradgate surgery held a concert evening and raised £900.
One of our Trustees is about to go out to Ethiopia - along with our volunteer fundraiser Mike Frost - while there they will visit the completed projects as well as look at new projects planned for next year.
The production of christmas cards was a bit of a non-starter.....after getting them designed by Jacqueline Conradie-Faul (www.expanded-vision.com) we had difficulties finding a printer who could produce them at a price we could make a profit. Eventually the quality offered was not up to standard so we have had to cancel cards for this year and will start early to prepare for 2007.
Anyway, I will hopefully keep this up to date from now on.......if not:
Since my last post a lot has happened:
Bristol Grammar School have raised over £3000, St Joseph's RC Primary School have raised over £1500......Bradgate surgery held a concert evening and raised £900.
One of our Trustees is about to go out to Ethiopia - along with our volunteer fundraiser Mike Frost - while there they will visit the completed projects as well as look at new projects planned for next year.
The production of christmas cards was a bit of a non-starter.....after getting them designed by Jacqueline Conradie-Faul (www.expanded-vision.com) we had difficulties finding a printer who could produce them at a price we could make a profit. Eventually the quality offered was not up to standard so we have had to cancel cards for this year and will start early to prepare for 2007.
Anyway, I will hopefully keep this up to date from now on.......if not:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
A Taste for Ethiopia
Saturday the 15th July 2006, sees our second large event.
Last year was a great success with over 60 people attending and more than enough food and drink to go around. http://www.for-ethiopia.com/TFE.htm
This year we are aiming for 75 people. There will be music, food and drink, along with presentations of our projects past and present and a charity auction.
Among the items for auction is an Aardman still from 'Curse of the were-rabbit' signed by Nick Park. It is nicely framed and if it doesn't reach a resonable reserve we will be auctioning it on Ebay later on.
With only one week to go, there is a lot to organise so must get on....
Last year was a great success with over 60 people attending and more than enough food and drink to go around. http://www.for-ethiopia.com/TFE.htm
This year we are aiming for 75 people. There will be music, food and drink, along with presentations of our projects past and present and a charity auction.
Among the items for auction is an Aardman still from 'Curse of the were-rabbit' signed by Nick Park. It is nicely framed and if it doesn't reach a resonable reserve we will be auctioning it on Ebay later on.
With only one week to go, there is a lot to organise so must get on....
For-ethiopia - the history
For-ethiopia is a Bristol based charity, operated entirely by volunteers with all the money we raise going to projects in Addis Alem, Ethiopia.
Addis Alem is a small town, around 55km west of the capital Addis Ababa. It is amazing how undeveloped it is considering how close it is to the capital.
For-ethiopia was formally founded in October 2004, twenty years after the BBC first broke the story of the famine in Ethiopia to the British public’s attention on 24th October 1984.
Prior to this, Tigist and Robert had funded a water well which was successfully dug in the grounds of the Efa Beri Primary and Junior High School in Addis Alem (Shoa).
Addis Alem was chosen as a suitable place to start development works as it was the birthplace of Tigists’ grandparents and mother. This meant that the local people were at ease talking to Tigist and did not feel that ‘outsiders’ were interfering. The area is highly deprived and has very few employment opportunities for the local community.
In a visit in December 2003, Tigist issued 500 questionnaires to students of the Junior school to complete with the help of their families. The questions were asking what local people felt was needed to improve life in the area, to identify development projects, (using a ‘bottomup’ approach of development). The first of these was the general lack of safe drinking water in the area and specific to this was the construction of a school water well as the students and teachers did not have a water source in the school grounds.
A subsequent visit in October 2004, by both Tigist and Robert saw the completed water well and the start of a link between the St Josephs primary school in Bristol. Pictures drawn by the children of St Josephs were taken along with writing materials, to be presented to the school in Addis Alem. Students were then encouraged to draw pictures to take back and present to St Josephs. The aim is to provide an ongoing link between the two schools.
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