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May 1, 2009
Issue No. 4
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Greetings,
Our electronic newsletter seems to be
working out well. We emailed it to more than 630
people last month.
This month we feature Christina Davis' two
month journey to
Malawi. We are so thankful for the great
job she did in assesing our projects and giving
us insight to improve on our various ongoing
Malawi programs.
Then we want to tell you about a water well
we have up and running in beleaguered Zimbabwe....right
in the nick of time.
Then we are anticipating another successful Teaching
English as a Second Language program in
Vinogradov, Ukraine, mostly staffed by last
year's veterans.
Finally, we give you a report on LifeNets
Puget Sound Chapter working with a
downtown
Seattle
Rotary Club. All this in the
May 1 edition.
We have been on
Twitter for a little over a month and
continually gaining followers. You can follow
us with news that's even more timely by going to
www.twitter.com/lifenets.
Victor Kubik
President
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Christina Davis Represents LifeNets during
January-March Malawi Study
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From Christina:
The people Malawi, Africa send their warm
greetings and thanksgivings. We were together
for nine weeks as I represented LifeNets
International during an academic study funded by
Seattle University. During those nine weeks I
surveyed the education infrastructure and
employment landscape in Malawi. Being the third
poorest economy in the world, the opportunities
for most are bleak. Free education ends at
eighth grade, so the poor majority will not go
to high school, qualify for jobs or learn the
necessary skills to make it on their own.
LifeNets is giving Malawians the opportunity to
aspire way beyond their financial means through
scholarships and small business grants. In the past
few years over 40 have attended high school or
college and 20 started a small business thanks to
LifeNets. As one scholarship recipients put it,
LifeNets really is the "net of our lives." With the
added livelihood, they are helping the sick,
orphaned and poor in their country.
There are challenges to manage and monitor
LifeNets projects. Recipients need to be continually
reminded of the long-term benefits to save and spend
money appropriately. It's a struggle NOT to spend
grant money on eggs or bread when the family has
hunger pains or on drugs when relatives have
malaria. My work aided recipients directly-like the
five-hour workshop on business fundamentals-and
indirectly through LifeNets management. I analyzed
projects to create new applications and monitoring
materials for LifeNets to more effectively edify the
values recipients must have to build and sustain a
better life-namely vision, self-control and hard
work.
In summary, LifeNets is providing a unique
chance for brethren through scholastic opportunity
and income generating projects. It was my privilege
to document this work and I look forward to
assisting LifeNets' future involvement in Malawi.
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Teaching English as a Second Language 2nd Year in
Vinogradov, Ukraine
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Dan
and Cindy Harper
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This summer a small group of volunteers along with
Victor Kubik will make their way to western Ukraine
for a two week project. Daniel and Cindy Harper from
Cherbourg, France and Ken and Cherie Zahora from
Indianapolis, Indiana along with Victor Kubik will
have the opportunity to visit Vinogradov, Ukraine in
July to teach English and mentor a very special
group of children.
This year's project will be an opportunity to
build upon a project started last year: teaching
English as a second language to street children in
Vinogradov, Ukraine. All year round there is an
existing soup kitchen project supported by LifeNets
and headed by a devoted couple, Vasyl and Irina
Polichko. The Polichkos have given their time and
energy to daily feeding (physically, emotionally,
and spiritually) the needy children in their
village. Each summer they go beyond this daily
service to provide a fun and educational camp for
the children.
Our volunteers will provide English classes
each morning of camp and help to organize and
staff sports and leisure activities in the
afternoon. English classes will involve basic
but useful phrases and vocabulary taught through
songs, games, and hands-on activities. Two
separate classes are organized, one for
returning children from the previous year and a
separate one for the new children.
Ken
and Cherie Zahora
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Returning children will have a chance to review
what they learned the summer before and deepen
their understanding of basic concepts and words.
New children will experience the same curriculum
from last year but with changes made from
lessons learned. With these classes the
volunteers aim to create and nurture a love of
learning the English language as well as give
the children a strong foundation in learning
this powerful language of business and
opportunity. Outside of class, other activities
throughout the day will provide chances for
further positive interaction, teaching, and
mentoring. It is the hope of the volunteers to
make an impact on the lives of the children, not
only through English but also through loving,
patient, caring interactions, positive examples
and service in all the activities throughout
camp.
- by Cindy Harper
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"You Gave Me Something to Drink" LifeNets
Zimbabwe Water Project
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Theresa Chicaya (center) surrounded by
family members
Theresa Chichaya is a widow who lives in a
small town in Zimbabwe and owns a 5-acre piece
of land on which she grows corn, vegetables and
fruits. More importantly, she houses 52 adults
and children who make up several low-income
families who sought accommodation on her land.
Some are "lucky" enough to have jobs at nearby
farms but cannot afford food even with their
monthly wages. Water is an essential ingredient
in the daily survival of these individuals and
Mrs. Chichaya has always had a well on her land
to supplement this need. Running water had been
available in abundance in the neighborhood
before the economic downturn in Zimbabwe but
under the tough economic circumstances of the
last few years, it became an even more scarce
necessity on this land. Frequent power outages
rendered the dream of running water just that, a
dream. The well they could turn to had become
harder to reach manually with bucket pulleys
since the water was far too deep because of
previous droughts.
An electric pump powerful enough to draw the
water from the well was very sorely needed but was
impossible for Mrs. Chichaya and these ordinary
folks to afford when all they were trying to do was
feed their families at least once or twice a day at
most. LifeNets learnt of this need and provided not
only an electric pump for the well, but also a
reservoir tank to store water for the many dark days
of power outages when the pump would not be
functioning. These folks were thirsty, and LifeNets
gave them something to drink. At least 53 people's
lives have been improved. That means a lot to me
because Mrs. Chichaya is my mother.
--
by Angeline Chichaya
Our Southern Africa LifeNets director Andre van
Belkum writes further:
Just to let you know that the pump on the
farm of Mrs. Chichaya has now been installed and
is working perfectly. The timing is right as the
dry season is now approaching, and she will need
the water from the well to irrigate her
vegetable garden. If ever you have met someone
with green fingers, it is Mrs. Chichaya. She
produces a variety of vegetables even during the
dry season, and feeds her family and others who
live on her property.
Thanks for your help and those who support
the many LifeNets projects. They do make a
difference in the lives of people.
-- Andre van Belkum
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LifeNets Benefits by Helping With
Seattle Rotary Fundraiser
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LifeNets coordinator Catherine
Brumbaugh (center) surrounded by
enthusiastic guests. (Photo
courtesy of Chris Watkins
www.chriswatkins.com)
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LifeNets Puget Sound (LNPS) supported
the Event by selling tickets, obtaining
auction donations and sponsorships. LifeNets
members sold over 30 tickets for the Event.
Sponsorships included a contribution
of eight cases of wine by Chateau St.
Michelle/Northstar wineries to sell by the
glass at the Event. For the auction St.
Michelle donated a 2005 Northstar a Merlot
in a 3 liter etched, hand-painted bottle and
a 2005 Artist Series Meritage 3 bottle set
in a limited edition, custom box. This was
negotiated by LNPS member Alain Stefanin.
1st Security Bank purchased a table
sponsorship through a LNPS member's
efforts. Auction donations included nature
photo montages by Jill Stefanin; ocean photo
groupings and montages by Catherine
Brumbaugh; an original oil painting by Larry
Hardison; a power drill by Roberto Parada;
an opal ring, spa basket and girls bath
basket by Carla Hendrickson and a tupperware
basket by Mary Roscoe. Kathleen King donated
a handmade baby quilt with custom storage
box.
LifeNets members also obtained
donations from local area persons and
businesses, including a rose quartz necklace
by Gibson Designs, a jasper gem stone
necklace by Ceanne, a wine tasting party
from the Seattle Wine Outlet and services
from Prolumina, the Networker and Pacific
Legal, among other items.
This Event was a wonderful opportunity
for LNPS to work with Seattle Skyline Rotary
and in the process significantly increase
LifeNets' exposure throughout the Seattle
area. LifeNets is identified as a sponsor
www.seattleskylinerotary.com/casinonight
on the Event's website and identified with
some of its auction donations.
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Quick Links...
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Contact Information
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LifeNets
3707 Turfway Ct.
Indianapolis, IN 46228-2095
317 216-0802
317 679-7676 mobile/sms
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LifeNets | 3707 Turfway Ct. | Indianapolis | IN |
46228
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