Friday, February 09, 2007

In short

Just a note to mention the potential new projects and partnerships :
These projects require volunteers capable of understanding and creatively working with design principles and materials, teaching skills, and organising/problem-solving/leadership skills. In short, can you put a cooking pot in a plastic bag ?
 
For each project we will have field representatives on hand to help but all training material will be made available before and during workshops, and as part of Orientation.
 
1. Solar-Aid, London for provision of solar energy panels. Check out the videos on http://solar-aid.org/solar-videos/ which tell all about their work in Malawi. We'll hopefully be distributing solar-electricity-generating kits and giving training to host communities. These kits can then be sold at local markets to generate sustainable income.
 
2. BogoLights / distributing solar-powered torches from www.sunnightsolar.com
 
3. Solar Cookers International (CA, USA). www.solarcooking.org 

The "CooKit" is basically a Slow Cooker. I've used a slow cooker for years, they're incredible for retaining moisture, nutrients and flavour. 
BUT THIS ONE IS POWERED BY THE SUN ! which is, as we know, free. Solar cooking saves precious fuel that rural women sometimes walk up to 10km a day to find. The food cooks unattended while you do other things, the pots are easy to clean with no soot on the outside. They are perfect for pasteurizing milk and water, saving the lives of children.
Even better .. the CooKit can be made with about 1 or 2 US$s worth of materials and an hour or so of labour. Drawings and pictures are available here http://solarcooking.org/plans/Plans.pdf.
 
How incredibly simple and brilliant !
Putting these 3 items together, just think of how much less wood smoke will be in the lungs of the children and rural community.
 
We can make a difference in just one volunteer programme.
Please take part with AVIF

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Something a bit different

Today started out by reading through last weeks New Scientist magazine (I'm falling behind due to the new recruitment drive for volunteers).
I started reading about www.ethanzuckerman.com and his fab work in opening the internet up, but also how countries like China are dividing the internet more and more. His creation www.globalvoicesonline.org is just brilliant, an "online community of worldwide blogs". Of course I immediately read some of the Kenyan / Tanzanian blogs and branched off (a very risky pastime for someone who works entirely online) to find this cool world music link .. http://hype.non-standard.net/list/360 click on any of the tracks "Listen" links and enjoy Brazilian/ African samba, Tanzanian/Maasai hip hip and vietnamese children singing on a street.
 
I'm writing this Blog style since as well as sending great music to all my friends I've also copied it to Blogger's email link to post directly onto AVIF's blog.
 
Fingers crossed my recent pleadings for help with this years Summers Volunteer Program to Global Voices at www.iesc.org, One Laptop Per ChildNFWI, the FairTrade Foundation and many more, go answered.
Infact I'm going to try much harder to update the Blog more too by simply going through my SENT email box to list my daily activities.
 
Its late Winter in Nidderdale, its a global-warming style 9/10 Celcius and the sun is so bright that even the guinea pig and the rabbit are sunbathing in the front garden. I really should go outside and make full use of the wireless phenomena .. actually maybe I'll just leave the internet for just half an hour and go play with my kids.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

A Valentine's message from AVIF


 

Get your Valentine's gifts through www.buy.at/AVIF and AVIF will receive a donation.

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14 February 2007 Valentines Day
Every Purchase Counts
Buy a gift for a loved one, tell a friend
 

Marks and Spencer

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Marks and Spencer is increasing its commission to an incredible 8% from the 1st - 14th February. 

This is a great opportunity to raise even more for AVIF.

 

Thorntons

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This Valentines season, Thorntons have created a selection of handcrafted treats to spoil that special someone.

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Buy Cosmetics

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Perfume and aftershave from big name brands.  Plus a FREE £25 gift when you spend over £25.

AVIF will receive up to 10% of what you spend.

 

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Friday, January 26, 2007

Book your holiday through www.buy.at/AVIF.

Please visit AVIF's NEW Webstore here and forward on responsibly.
Many Thanks
 

Book your holiday through www.buy.at/AVIF and AVIF will receive a donation.

Eurocamp Camera Competition
Every Purchase Counts
Book a holiday, tell a friend
 

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Visit www.buy.at/AVIF for more great offers from over 100 retailers.

 

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Letter from Maseno/ Luanda hosts

Sincere greeting to you. I thank God for sustaining us well. I wish to convey my heartfelt gratitudes to you for your invaluable support and assistance through prayers, message of Love, moral and materials support through volunteers for this summer's Teaching program at Ebukuya Pri. School and community as a whole.  Their presence has touched and words can not express.
 
We have had a nice stay with them in the community.  Everyone wishes it were longer.  They truly gave our children what they really needed at school; that made them enjoy and gain more.  We too. What a pleasure! I believe they have also learnt alot from us including sign  language at Ebukuya school for the deaf.  I moved them to visit a number of schools to meet other students and also see what Kijana Educational Empowerment Initiative (K.E.E.I) is doing in Bunyore schools.  This is an NGO founded by Jim Cummings of Florida in America who taught me at Ebusiloli Sec. School sometimes back. He was very happy to hear about your programs. We all welcome u to team up with us for the betterment of Bunyore schools.  i am the Vice programme officer for KEEI
 
Besides, i take computer studies at Kima International School of Theology.  Therefore, IT program you have will be of a great impact to us in the community However, i am a mother of four children - one son Allen 11 Years in class five and three girls namely: Miriam 12 years in class five, Trevour Nine in class two and Doreen 8 in class three.
 
My husband is a Pastor.  I have a lot to thank God for us as a community(ies).  Mine is a dream come real; to see revival of our local school.
 
Pass our greetings to everyone.
May God Almighty richly bless you.
 
WELCOME!!!
 
Yours at Service
Mrs Susan J. Okola Sipeche
W/O Rev.  Samwel K. Sipeche and Family.
K.E.E.I.
BOX 503,40100,
LUANDA  KISUMU,
KENYA.
 
(Taken from website, received in writing September 7th 2006).

Friday, January 19, 2007

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PLEASE ALSO VISIT THE NEW ONLINE STORE FOR AVIF
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