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At the moment i am sitted in the offices of an organization called Food for the Poor - an organization well know in Haiti for its work.
I am currently in this wonderful country checking on what you might refer to as project feasibility. Haiti is considered to be the poorest country in the southern hemisphere and many struggle to earn a living through means that are not necessarily friendly to their bodies. One of such ways is how people use wooden carts with car tyres to get commodities around the city. You would be amazed at how much people can carry on such a cart. Bicycles Against Poverty project is haiti is to devise means or perhaps try to adopt a bicycle cart that would be as useful as the current cart being used.
With this project comes many challenges but hopefully we will successed in the midst of everything. Not so long ago, i ran into a man who was carrying the top part of the car on his cart. Which was basically a the whole frame of the car and obviosly without the engine, tyres and a few other things. One thing that they dont know is home much this weight affects their backs and life span in turn. Most of them are obviously concerned about earning the daily bread rather than looking in the future which is perfectly reasonable if you live in conditions as harsh as they do.
Anyway, we are hoping we will be able to develop a cart they they can adopt - one that is not back breaking but good enough to carry a good amount of weight besides, the more they carry the more they earn.
We might have to have some educational seminars on the issue because it will be impossible to change the way things are done unless people understand the consequences of how things are being done currently.
So, this is what we are up against - changing a tradition through which people make money - but hopefully giving them a better alternative
keep posted for developments
Muyambi
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
BAP - Far and Beyond
Over the past few months after the guluwalk, we have been focusing a lot on the future of BAP and where we want to be in the next 5 years perhaps. Gathering support has been one of our strategies and to tell more people about BAP has been a huge priority.
We recently had a presentation for the Bucknell University trustees where we presented the past, present and future of BAP. From the comments we received, everything must have gone well and we intend to keep it that way.
We also had a presentation for a nearby church were we sold our merchandise from Uganda and also shared our experiences in Uganda. The congregation was amazing and we raised about $500 which is incredible.
Our dinner that was held at the victoria house was a success, all except two people showed up for the dinner. I did give a small speech about our summer project implementation and again the Bucknell community has continued to be extra supportive of our initiative.
In regards to our future, we are currently working on the creation of an umbrella organization called ROTU - Reaching Out to The Underprivileged. This organization will work towards the alleviation of poverty through projects targeted towards low income communities. BAP is one of such projects and more to come. We intend to include projects that cater toward education under a spread branch -BAP-cation "BAP Education" and perhaps health care under "BAP-care".
In order to expand our operations, we realize that costs will be inevitable and that we will need to be able to cover our operation costs. As a solution we are rigorously seeking high school and college students interested in expanding our projects to other countries to begin BAP chapters on their campus. We have seen some success in this areas so far but we still have a lot to do.
In Uganda, all is well. Two of our beneficiaries have been involved in car accidents, but nothing major. Their bicycles were replaced by the drivers responsible and so everything is in order. Payments are coming in well and in can not wait to get back in Uganda this christmas.
Keep posted for more to come
Muyambi
We recently had a presentation for the Bucknell University trustees where we presented the past, present and future of BAP. From the comments we received, everything must have gone well and we intend to keep it that way.
We also had a presentation for a nearby church were we sold our merchandise from Uganda and also shared our experiences in Uganda. The congregation was amazing and we raised about $500 which is incredible.
Our dinner that was held at the victoria house was a success, all except two people showed up for the dinner. I did give a small speech about our summer project implementation and again the Bucknell community has continued to be extra supportive of our initiative.
In regards to our future, we are currently working on the creation of an umbrella organization called ROTU - Reaching Out to The Underprivileged. This organization will work towards the alleviation of poverty through projects targeted towards low income communities. BAP is one of such projects and more to come. We intend to include projects that cater toward education under a spread branch -BAP-cation "BAP Education" and perhaps health care under "BAP-care".
In order to expand our operations, we realize that costs will be inevitable and that we will need to be able to cover our operation costs. As a solution we are rigorously seeking high school and college students interested in expanding our projects to other countries to begin BAP chapters on their campus. We have seen some success in this areas so far but we still have a lot to do.
In Uganda, all is well. Two of our beneficiaries have been involved in car accidents, but nothing major. Their bicycles were replaced by the drivers responsible and so everything is in order. Payments are coming in well and in can not wait to get back in Uganda this christmas.
Keep posted for more to come
Muyambi
Thursday, October 15, 2009
GULU WALK!
Bicycles Against Poverty will be sponsoring the annual Gulu Walk on October 25th at 1pm starting at the KLARC U
The Gulu Walk raises awareness about the hundreds of thousands of night-commuting children in Northern Uganda who walked from their rural villages into the town of Gulu and other urban centers to sleep in relative safety and avoid abduction by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) for use in the country’s 22-year war.
Starting at 1pm in the KLARC U, we will have performances by A Capella groups: Bison Chips, Beyond Unison and Voices of Praise gospel choir, along with complimentary light refreshments before the walk begins around 1:30pm. There will also be a slideshow of pictures of our trip this past summer and a showing of our documentary following the walk.
You can sign up in the LC mall the week of October 19th-23rd. You can also check out our Gulu Walk t-shirts!
The Gulu Walk raises awareness about the hundreds of thousands of night-commuting children in Northern Uganda who walked from their rural villages into the town of Gulu and other urban centers to sleep in relative safety and avoid abduction by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) for use in the country’s 22-year war.
Starting at 1pm in the KLARC U, we will have performances by A Capella groups: Bison Chips, Beyond Unison and Voices of Praise gospel choir, along with complimentary light refreshments before the walk begins around 1:30pm. There will also be a slideshow of pictures of our trip this past summer and a showing of our documentary following the walk.
You can sign up in the LC mall the week of October 19th-23rd. You can also check out our Gulu Walk t-shirts!
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
First BAP Video
We have finished our first ever BAP video. It provides a description of what we did in Uganda and what we hope to continue doing. In this day and age of booming media, videos are the best way to reach people of all ages. I would suggest sending this to everyone you know to spread the word on our behalf. There is more to come, as we reach more communities across the globe.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
More steering committee!
Tonight we had another steering committee meeting! We discussed:
Website editing
Research on Bicycle companies/ current bicycle projects
Finances
Gulu walk
Conferences
Posters
Update on Victoria House dinner:
Seeking corporate sponsors:
Searching for additional student grants
Continue steps toward acquiring NGO status
Have we secured any media for the Gulu Walk? Or made contact with the Daily Item?
Save the date for Gulu Walk and fundraising dinner on November 20th
Gulu walk advertisement
Organizations to present at like the Lions club and area ministerial association
Invitations for dinner
Fundraising letter
BAP at Cornell
General Uganda Update from Alex
BAP love
Website editing
Research on Bicycle companies/ current bicycle projects
Finances
Gulu walk
Conferences
Posters
Update on Victoria House dinner:
Seeking corporate sponsors:
Searching for additional student grants
Continue steps toward acquiring NGO status
Have we secured any media for the Gulu Walk? Or made contact with the Daily Item?
Save the date for Gulu Walk and fundraising dinner on November 20th
Gulu walk advertisement
Organizations to present at like the Lions club and area ministerial association
Invitations for dinner
Fundraising letter
BAP at Cornell
General Uganda Update from Alex
BAP love
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Committees
Here is a general description of each of the BAP committees, though the job description of each will continue to evolve and be added to as the organization continues to expand.
Operations:
VP of Operations-Nicole
Generally, their role is to handle the logistics of BAP events and implementing ideas. The operations committee works with any offices on campus like RICs, BSG (except for the finances), and Transportation Services. They also handle the logistics for events working behind the scenes and taking care of the short term planning. They work to coordinate with other established college campus chapters like Brown University for example. Finally, they are responsible for contacting and connecting with people on the ground in Uganda.
Communications:
VP of Communications-Kylie
The Communications is the outreach and advertising branch of BAP, making sure that our events get out there. They are responsible for arranging presentations, making posters and flyers, sending message to the entire campus through the message center, and delivering invitations.
Development:
VP of Development- Molly
They work on longer-term projects, setting the foundation for the major events and fundraising projects sponsored by and benefitting BAP. They also are in charge of finding and applying for grants. Finally, they are working on establishing the legitimacy of the organization and branching out. Currently that is manifested in working for non-profit status.
Operations:
VP of Operations-Nicole
Generally, their role is to handle the logistics of BAP events and implementing ideas. The operations committee works with any offices on campus like RICs, BSG (except for the finances), and Transportation Services. They also handle the logistics for events working behind the scenes and taking care of the short term planning. They work to coordinate with other established college campus chapters like Brown University for example. Finally, they are responsible for contacting and connecting with people on the ground in Uganda.
Communications:
VP of Communications-Kylie
The Communications is the outreach and advertising branch of BAP, making sure that our events get out there. They are responsible for arranging presentations, making posters and flyers, sending message to the entire campus through the message center, and delivering invitations.
Development:
VP of Development- Molly
They work on longer-term projects, setting the foundation for the major events and fundraising projects sponsored by and benefitting BAP. They also are in charge of finding and applying for grants. Finally, they are working on establishing the legitimacy of the organization and branching out. Currently that is manifested in working for non-profit status.
Another successful Group Meeting!
Tonight we met with the entire group, introducing our new members to the organization and the way the club is run, discussing the three committees and what we have planned in the upcoming months.
We have decided that every other Thursday we will meet with the entire group from 5 to 6 in the seventh street house! (Individual committee meetings will happen according to each group’s schedule. The steering committee will meet from 5 to 6 on the Thursdays we do not have the large group meetings.)
Here is what we discussed at today's meetings:
Before the group meeting we held a mini steering committee meeting discussing:
1. Our successful fundraising selling bags and necklaces brought home from Uganda
2. Changing our name with Bucknell University from Child Soul to BAP
3. Obtaining a used computer for the office in Uganda
4. The presentation today that was sort of a flop because of low attendance
5. The video we are creating about BAP to teach people a little about the organization and what we did this summer to use as an advertising tool.
6. The Fundraising dinners that will take Place in Lewisburg in November
7. The BAP constitution
8. The Board of Directors
At the larger group meeting we discussed:
1. Welcoming our new members and giving quick introductions
2. Introducing each Vice President and explaining what their committee does
3. Each committee updated us on what they have been up to. Communications is working on advertising. For example, they are making connections in the Lewisburg community and working on giving presentations to local clubs, churches, and organizations, scanning all of the articles about BAP, and developing the video. Development is working on obtaining our nonprofit organization status and our longer-term fundraising dinners. Operations is working on the logistics of all of our events on campus, specifically the Gulu walk.
4. We gave updates on the steering committee meetings to the larger group.
5. We discussed the upcoming conferences we will be participation in
6. The Gulu walk on October 25.
7. The to-do lists each community
Thanks to everyone who came!
We have decided that every other Thursday we will meet with the entire group from 5 to 6 in the seventh street house! (Individual committee meetings will happen according to each group’s schedule. The steering committee will meet from 5 to 6 on the Thursdays we do not have the large group meetings.)
Here is what we discussed at today's meetings:
Before the group meeting we held a mini steering committee meeting discussing:
1. Our successful fundraising selling bags and necklaces brought home from Uganda
2. Changing our name with Bucknell University from Child Soul to BAP
3. Obtaining a used computer for the office in Uganda
4. The presentation today that was sort of a flop because of low attendance
5. The video we are creating about BAP to teach people a little about the organization and what we did this summer to use as an advertising tool.
6. The Fundraising dinners that will take Place in Lewisburg in November
7. The BAP constitution
8. The Board of Directors
At the larger group meeting we discussed:
1. Welcoming our new members and giving quick introductions
2. Introducing each Vice President and explaining what their committee does
3. Each committee updated us on what they have been up to. Communications is working on advertising. For example, they are making connections in the Lewisburg community and working on giving presentations to local clubs, churches, and organizations, scanning all of the articles about BAP, and developing the video. Development is working on obtaining our nonprofit organization status and our longer-term fundraising dinners. Operations is working on the logistics of all of our events on campus, specifically the Gulu walk.
4. We gave updates on the steering committee meetings to the larger group.
5. We discussed the upcoming conferences we will be participation in
6. The Gulu walk on October 25.
7. The to-do lists each community
Thanks to everyone who came!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Getting Organized
Tonight in our steering committee meeting, planning for the upcoming semester really got rolling, here is an update of what we discussed:
1. Finishing the constitution for ROTU/BAP
2. Contacting possible board of directors and writing up letters to them and listing their responsibility
3. People’s responsibilities as committees and VPs.
4. The communication of BAPers outside webmail.
5. Finalizing the general BAP report.
6. Fundraising dinner
7. Paintings from Uganda
8. Raising public awareness: Daily Item, Bucknellian, and other local news?
9. Faculty Presentation
10. Rotary clubs/churches presentations
11. A new face for the Website
12. Gulu walk on the FRONT page on Bucknellian
13. Public Safety Bikes
14. T-shirt for the Gulu walk
In addition to this meeting, the individual committees met this week and are working on their separate tasks using the newly interested members from the Bucknell Campus. People from every year came out to our interest meeting last week and we are already seeing that they will be a ton of help!
BAP LOVE
1. Finishing the constitution for ROTU/BAP
2. Contacting possible board of directors and writing up letters to them and listing their responsibility
3. People’s responsibilities as committees and VPs.
4. The communication of BAPers outside webmail.
5. Finalizing the general BAP report.
6. Fundraising dinner
7. Paintings from Uganda
8. Raising public awareness: Daily Item, Bucknellian, and other local news?
9. Faculty Presentation
10. Rotary clubs/churches presentations
11. A new face for the Website
12. Gulu walk on the FRONT page on Bucknellian
13. Public Safety Bikes
14. T-shirt for the Gulu walk
In addition to this meeting, the individual committees met this week and are working on their separate tasks using the newly interested members from the Bucknell Campus. People from every year came out to our interest meeting last week and we are already seeing that they will be a ton of help!
BAP LOVE
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Successful Presentation
The presentation on the trip to Uganda was a huge success Tuesday night. We had an awesome turn out and a wonderful power point presentation describing what happened during the trip, what had to be done, and people experiences. Afterwards, the audience asked some great and informative questions. Tomorrow, we will begin to sell the beautiful crafts brought back from Uganda. Specifically, bags and jewelry made by the children who were forced to hide at night in order to be kept safe. We have also set the dates for some very exciting events in the upcoming months. The Gulu walk will take place on Sunday October 25 at 1 pm. We will also be hosting a screening of the movie Invisible Children on November 5 at 7:30 pm and a fundraising dinner on Saturday November 21.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Communication with BAP Project Manager Part 1
I should have written this a while ago to tell you about whats happening with BAP now that we left Uganda. Ideally i am supposed to call our Project Manager (PM) regularly to get updates about how everything is progressing but due to the time difference does not make it as simple as it sounds and should be.
During my first call with PM, he informed me that over 300 people turned up at the office to get applications for the bicycles but he unfortunately had only 42 applications that we had left with him. It should be not problem given that i am returning to Uganda during winter break.
He also informed me that one of the official in lulyango (one of the villages) is not being as cooperative as we had hoped. The PM promised to talk to this official so that everything moves smoothly. Fortunately the second local council (LC) official of this area has been wonderful.
Out PM was also having trouble with his gmail email account but i helped him resolve the issue and he is ready to become internet savvy.
Apparently there is an incident where both a husband and a wife have BAP bicycles- something we tried really hard to avoid. So i guess we will have to ask everyone's family details for the application.
That is all i got from our PM, Alex Oryema, i will be back soon with more details from my second call with him. Please stay tuned, dont touch that dial Muyambi is on the mic.
BAP LOVE
During my first call with PM, he informed me that over 300 people turned up at the office to get applications for the bicycles but he unfortunately had only 42 applications that we had left with him. It should be not problem given that i am returning to Uganda during winter break.
He also informed me that one of the official in lulyango (one of the villages) is not being as cooperative as we had hoped. The PM promised to talk to this official so that everything moves smoothly. Fortunately the second local council (LC) official of this area has been wonderful.
Out PM was also having trouble with his gmail email account but i helped him resolve the issue and he is ready to become internet savvy.
Apparently there is an incident where both a husband and a wife have BAP bicycles- something we tried really hard to avoid. So i guess we will have to ask everyone's family details for the application.
That is all i got from our PM, Alex Oryema, i will be back soon with more details from my second call with him. Please stay tuned, dont touch that dial Muyambi is on the mic.
BAP LOVE
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