I�d like to introduce AR members to a worthy project my family and I are putting together this Christmas. Please read on to see if you have any interest in participating.

In the summer of 2004, my son Zack and I traveled to Namibia for a wonderful African plains game safari in Namibia, put together for us my Mims Reed of Dallas. This was a first (hopefully of many) trip to Africa. We were hosted by Helmke and Dagmar Satorious von Bach, owners of Farm Beulah and Kamanjab Trophy Hunting, a cattle and wildlife ranch. The von Bachs are very active in local community affairs, and in the course of our visit, we learned of the recently developed kindergarten in the nearby village of Kamanjab. Kamanjab is home to several hundred residents and the source of the trackers, skinners, and ranch workers for this and many nearby ranches.

Kamanjab is in the rugged desert hills of Northwest Namibia. Farm Beulah is part of the 500,000 acre Loxodonta Conservancy, established by Helmke and other landowners, to manage the wildlife of the area. The country is home to elephant, leopard, cheetah, kudu, gemsbok, mountain zebra, and many other species. The village of Kamanjab is 100 miles from the nearest small town, has a grocery and general store, a mechanics shop, and a new kindergarten school. We saw elephant and warthog crossing signs, instead of school crossing signs. As beautiful as the area is, however, poverty and under-development are serious problems. In a recent email, Dagmar wrote:
�It might be difficult for you or your family to understand this, but these children have never seen a pencil, pen or scissors in their life before. Kids that do not go to a preschool, have never held a pencil before they enter school!!!�
The new school provides hope and opportunity for the area�s families and children. The school is available for children aged 3 through 7 and currently has 20 to 30 students. After age 7, children will attend boarding schools.

Distant as it is from the capital, school supplies are difficult to obtain and quite expensive. To perhaps repay a bit for the wonderful memories we took from our visit to Kamanjab, we would like to give something back. The adults in our family this Christmas are making contributions for school supplies rather than exchanging gifts.

We have enlisted the assistance of Southwest Teacher Supply in Houston, Texas, who has agreed to be the vendor and shippers of school supplies to be sent to Kamanjab Village School. Southwest has agreed to sell supplies at a 20% discount for this purpose so that our donated dollars can have the most impact possible. Dagmar Sartorious von Bach and Kathy Pierce from Southwest Teacher Supply will choose items which will be most helpful to the students.

There are no funds used for anything besides goods and shipping, so 100% of the funds we collect will benefit the Kamanjab Kindergarten. If you would like to participate this Christmas season, or beyond, you may send a contribution to Kathy Pierce at Southwest Teacher Supply, 7497 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074 or email Kathy at info@southwestteachersupply.com and reference �Kamanjab Kindergarten.�



Thanks for your assistance,

Bob & Zack C

bobc,



I'm going to mail a check today. I feel this is a very worthy cause.



Should the check be made payable to Southwest Teacher Supply?



Thanks,

-Bob F.

Thanks, Bob. Check is for Southwest, and reference "Kamanjab Kindergarten" You can also call and use a credit card, Kathy Pierce is helping us out, 713-771-8506. Appreciate your help. Hope we cross paths again before too long. Bob