I have been conteplating for a couple years about starting a charity to build group homes for Orphans and Widows in Africa. The funds would be to build a small group homes ran by widows to care for orphans. Not more than a 1:8 ratio. Without getting into all the mechanics... they would be small, family atmosphere verses orphanage atmosphere. The homes would be sustained by faith based groups in the local area but the start up cost and building would be funded by the Charity.

I have training in Relief and Development as well as training in indegenous sustainable programs in the African Context.

My questions to you are....
Is there a "market" for such charity from people that love Africa like on this forum?

I have also toyed with the idea of water well boreing and other ways to help eliviate suffering...

Aaron

Just want your imput... thanks

I would certainly be interested in hearing more!

There are several groups aready doing this - Rafiki House for one. If you want to help, do not start something new but join with a well established outfit/aid agency that is already grounded there. Good intentions are usually followed by money that does not end up where you want it. Join with an outfit that has already gone through the learning curve.

Mr. Rust: I concur with dogcat's advice above. Four years ago I did just as dc advocated. I work with a group called Opportunity Int'l, raising money to benefit AIDS orphans and providing micro financing that provides such services as the ones you're interested in doing. You can check my work out at bwanamoja.com. There's also a group called Something More Safaris. somethingmoresafaris.com. It's a relatively new operation run by a couple real go getters Eric Keller and Dave Dunn.

You'll find there are many charitable intentions and people who "talk about it". The two groups mentioned above are two agencies that actually "do it." Good luck and you can gimme' a call at 312 226 4047 if you have any questions. If I'm not there the lovely Moja-ettes will assist you with all your charitable needs.

Aaron ...

What you propose is a GOOD IDEA which has to be thought through carefully to ensure that the specific local populace benefit and not the FAT CAT beuracrats ..

My thoughts are keep it local and specific to a particular villiage area or district and work closely with the local Chief.

I tend to favour things like boreholes clinics and schools BUT the emphasis must be that the locals are NOT going to get a (Total Handout) they must participate with their labour and cooperation to make it work.

The last thing we want to see is the old school "do gooder" or feel good ideas of (throwing good money to the wind) and seeing it go down the proverbial black hole of corruption.

The old saying of teach a man to fish rather than giving him the fish needs to be applied IMHO

Cheers, Peter

This is the great thing about this site. I do not have a lot of money but I have been looking at a program that accepts volunteers for 3 months or so and was wondering if I could combine that with a hunting trip - a full African experience if one might call that.

I know someone from a church in another city (part of our larger church group) who goes to Zim each year and is involved in housing projects there. He gets to do a bit local hunting as well. I do not know the details. I know another guy to whom I sold a Swarovski scope - he actually "owns" a concession in Cameroons & has done 16 trips to Africa. Surprising how many people are involved in such work and keep a low profile. Good luck.

Aaron,

I am part owner of the Munyamadzi private game (hunting) reserve here in Zambia and we support two schools in Luembe which was simply approved and endorsed by His Royal Highness Senior Chief Luembe. One school - Ambo - we are building from top to bottom and is almost completed. The other school - Mushilila - my wife supports by fund raising from the American International School here in Zambia.

If you wanted to consider the Luangwa valley as your venue then we at Munyamadzi would look after you whilst you implemented your projects.

Note we desperately tried raise enough funds to build a dormitory for boarders at Mushilila after man eating Lions (lionesses) attacked some kids who have to sleep outside as there is no overnight accommodation. See www.mushilila.blogspot.com

However we failed to raise enough money to build and spent the money in putting in a much needed well and solar water system. We also had pontoon made which I have not had time to install, but we did test it and it works well. My plan is to float it down river. The kids currently cross by canoe and there have been a number of incidents involving croc and hippo.

Food for thought?

Thanks all for your advice... and food for thought. I have people in Namibia and Zambia that are would be partners but not opposed to more...

Why not help them help themselves?

http://www.1000classrooms.org/

See what a motivated 11 year old can do!

quote:

Originally posted by Aaron Rust:
Thanks all for your advice... and food for thought. I have people in Namibia and Zambia that are would be partners but not opposed to more...

Aaron ..

If you have anyone/partners interested in our local area of Zambia being (Southern Kafue Park) about 50km south of Lake Itezhi Tezhi then my brother whom operates his private ranch there may be interested to consider ideas !!

Cheers, Peter

Our church sponsors the Eden Project, along with many others.

In 2009 we contributed more than $50,000 to:
1. Dig 60 boreholes
2. Plant over 100,000 seedlings from nurseries the Project funded in years past.
3. Pay a living wage (in Africa $$$) and housing benefits to over 200 Black Africans and 20 missionaries who are planting the seedlings, harvesting them at 2 years old, and replanting them all over the beltline of Saharan Africa to help stop the southward creeping desertification.

In 2010, with God's help and guidance we hope to double the $$$ and the numbers 1,2, & 3.
There are also schools and churches being built, that out of separate funding.

This is simply sharing both the love of God, and making a better life for thousands in the affected area.

Rich
DRSS

Good idea. It seems like I read something somewhere about how helping widows and orphans was a good thing to do. Maybe it was James 1:27.

I have been working in and/or for Africa for nearly 10 years. What I haven't got involved in seems to be most on my heart. Due to unforseen circumstances and new contacts I am rethinking what and how we are doing things.

I have one contact in Lusaka and one in Livingstone and many all over Namibia and one in Gabarone.

I have made friends on this board that have been better friends and supporters than in the church world. Gun guys are simply great people.

On the group home thing... First one trys to find extended family. If no extended family can be found then one can look at a group home.

One thing that many programs miss is that the homes they build are better then the homes that the general area and it make entering society a hardship after such a group home. The group home must be on the same level as the place they will live after the program. If it is a dirt block area the group home should be the same... tin shack... the same... Plus creating dependancies needs to be avoided at all cost.

Micro enterprize is also another avenue for sustainable homes.

Idaho, sounds like you belong to a great church.

If any of you skype or yahoo messanger I'd be glad to discuss some of this with you.
skype is aaronrust in andover kansas or aaronrust@hotmail.com
messanger is aaronrust1966@yahoo.com
Aaron

+1 for Rafiki. Our church supports this charity, I support this charity, and my wife and I visited/helped for a couple of weeks at their site in Zambia after a hunt we did in Zim in '07.

Like any charity, there are some minor things I don't necessarily agree with, but on the whole, they do operate for the greater good with a full Christian education curriculum, not just handing out food and clothing. Regarding Aaron's concern about differences in levels of housing to the surrounding community, they are the envy of the area, but they do try to help the community outside of the children's home with periodic medical clinics, etc.

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
Our church sponsors the Eden Project, along with many others.

In 2009 we contributed more than $50,000 to:
1. Dig 60 boreholes
2. Plant over 100,000 seedlings from nurseries the Project funded in years past.
3. Pay a living wage (in Africa $$$) and housing benefits to over 200 Black Africans and 20 missionaries who are planting the seedlings, harvesting them at 2 years old, and replanting them all over the beltline of Saharan Africa to help stop the southward creeping desertification.

In 2010, with God's help and guidance we hope to double the $$$ and the numbers 1,2, & 3.
There are also schools and churches being built, that out of separate funding.

This is simply sharing both the love of God, and making a better life for thousands in the affected area.

Rich
DRSS

Well done Rich. Put that money into the community which we support in Luangwa and I will give you a buffalo hunt.

That is what is called a blatant bribe.

I was going to suggest you rather invest in a Conservation through Sustainable Utilisation Project; AKA A Hunting Venture, and in turn let the community benefit from its success.

And then I read Fairgame's post and see what he's doing is exactly what I meant!

Well done

fairgame,

PM me some more information and I will do just that. We are committed to the Eden Project, but I can take this in front of the board.

I have a suggestion for here. You could make it a raffle of sorts. I am sure many here would buy in to that.

Rich
DRSS

Rich,

Just packing up for the bush. Refer to the website above. You handle it how you want. The Mushilila school is the most desolate on earth, and the Luembe community not much better.

The last chap who gave us a helping hand with one of the schools was given a PG hunt and is welcome in my camp any day.

Cheers

Andrew

Rich,

www.mushilila.blogspot.com

More info contact my wife Julie at the American International School - jbaldry@aislusaka.org

Speak to you on my return.

Andrew

Aaron

Hi How you doing

There is a few "Charities" trying to help Aids orphans, I have been involved in 2 of them, both where mostly feeding schemes. I have learned that its success is mostly due to some individuals who truly believe and want to make a difference. I have lost touch with both due to circumstances. I will be very willing to help with meat, since you are a hunter you can even come and shoot it yourself, makes my life easier. I am not an outfitter just a farmer owner willing to help.

Flip,

Good to hear from you... When we get there I'll take you up on that!

Aaron