Merry Christmas from Mwandi

We’re raising Money & my Trip is Booked!!

THIS WEEKENDS SAUSAGE SIZZLE

Apparently people don't go for Hardware, Garden Supplies or a Snag as much at the beginning of a heat wave!! However, we still raised a nice $180 for the feeding program which is great, and really does go a long way in Mwandi. A BIG THANKS to MITRE 10 Hallet Cove, my family and Sandra & Bevan (who have been to Mwandi 3 times now helping at the project) for their help. Despite being a lil' warm it was fun and again, so nice to be at the receiving end of people's kindness. With some left over goods I hope to do another one early next year close to the raffle draw date so look out for that update later.

ALL BOOKED READY TO GO!!

The lovely girls at EscapeTravel Marion were great in getting all my flights booked for a good price and saving me money! Highly recommend them for anyone looking to book a holiday / flights. Unfortunately due to uncertainty with work commitments next year I can only confirm my availability for 6 weeks in Zambia instead of the planned 3 months. I will just have to make sure I put in some good planning to see that my 4 weeks at the project is as constructive and rewarding as possible (Traveling the country for the last 2 weeks). Again, I'll post updates closer when I know exactly what I'm doing, but at this stage I know it will involve working with the Police, and hopefully to get support agencies working together to provide support for the project and abused kids.

RAFFLE UPDATE

I still only have about ½ all the tickets out there selling so will continue to recruit sellers to help out. We still have a few months so hopefully if more families can sell a book at the next reli-bash or Xmas Shows (that will be coming up soon) we'll get there!

Become a follower soon so you can stay informed about the Project!

Thanks,

Nicole

Fundraising for the OVC Project… YOU CAN HELP!!

Once learning about this project it was a little hard to sit around and do nothing! The project relies on funds donated to feed, care and educate these children so they need our help now, not just my time when I go there… I've organized a few things to help raise some money so here's how you can help;

RAFFLE TICKETS!

I've put together a pretty good raffle to hopefully raise $6,000 for the project. The money, every cent, will go directly towards supporting the feeding program and income generating projects. The raffle will be drawn on the 19^th February 2010. I am still only half way there and need more kind people to acknowledge this cause and help by selling a book of tickets – Tickets are just $2 and there are 25 tickets per book. If you aren't in a position to help sell tickets but want to help you are welcome to buy a book for $50. Prizes include a weekend away to a holiday house at Yorke Peninsula, a camera, picture frames, coffee machine, wines, monarto zoo and meal vouchers.

SAUSAGE SIZZLE

We all love a sausage sizzle! My best friends at Mitre 10 Hallet Cove have been very kind to support the cause and organize a sausage sizzle for us on SATURDAY 7th NOVEMBER 2009. I will be there with my family & friends running it, and I'll have tickets selling there as well. Come along for a snag and talk to me and my friends about the project.

CHILD SPONSORSHIP

The Mwandi Support Team is based at Port Lincoln, from the Port Lincoln Uniting Church. They also have organized a child sponsorship program where you can pay for a child's education. These children are the future of Zambia so I consider this part of the project very important. Sponsorship starts at only $85 per year, more expensive for higher education but the kids are interviewed and granted support only when they demonstrate that they are suitable. I have been sponsoring Mushabati for a year now and can't wait to meet him next year!

OTHER SUPPORT

If you are a business or just want to make your own financial contributions to the project you can contact the Mwandi Support Team; fionamwanditeam@yahoo.com.au

Unsure if your help will make a difference???

$6 will feed a child for a week…

$15 for a blanket will keep a child warm…

$70 to travel to capital Lusaka for free medical…

THE AVERAGE DAILY WAGE IN ZAMBIA IS $1.30 – YOU DO THE MATH!

Every cent you contribute is so much more valuable in Zambia and it WILL help – So THANK YOU for supporting this Project

youtube Video at the Project

www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6Bo5NFXqY0

Welcome to my Blog

Thank you for checking out my new blog page. I've set this up so I can keep all those people interested in my travels, involvement & fundraising for the Orphans & Vulnerable Childrens Project in ZAMBIA. I know what a difference it makes knowing someone that is actually involved in a cause plus this will also give you the opportunity to see that you have helped, for real! For now I'll just be keeping you informed of the progress of fundraising and updates from the project, then while I'm there in May/June/July 2010, I will update you all with stories and photos of the people of Mwandi. Lets be honest, by the time your part in my fundraising challenge is over you may forget about this project... so I encourage you to become a follower so you can be emailed a notification that there has been an update posted. There will be stories, photos & videos for you all to enjoy so don't miss out!

For more info about the Project visit the official site: www.mwandiovc.com