So it went quiet here.....

It went quiet here because I have been looking at our Internet presence and changed a few things. At the same time there was a lot of work to be done with regards to the last board meetings for 2011, preparation for 2012 and so on. Now busy preparing travel schedule for January while finishing up things for the year.

The news items from the last few weeks:

Heifer Kenya has awarded the sisters of Grace & Compassion a Golden Talent Award for their work at the their Farm in Mundika (close to Busia).

Sr. Beatrice has received the award and a U$ 1.000,-- cheque.

Read more here.

Wollega University of Nekemte-Ethiopia has signed a five year agreement with the University College Utrecht and the University of Utrecht. Also involved are Gotland University as well as the Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences, the Hubrecht Institute and the KNAW (both from The Netherlands).

In the mean time we have been involved in financing a VSO volunteer for the NCS office in Nekemte. Hopefully the;

• Health Program, running 1 primary eye unit, 11 clinics and 4 health posts in West Shewa, East Wollega and Kelem Wollega where over 200.000 people get service every year, provided by 109 staff working in the health sector and the
• Education Program, running 11 schools in the various areas with on average more than 8.000 students enrolled each year where education is provided by 197 staff and the
• Gender and women promotion program, the vicariate runs 9 women promotion centers, with 22 staff,

will benefit from his presence.

The same goes for the Rotary Doctors Netherlands who will be looking at the Health Program of NCS in the Dembi Dolo region in 2012 (and possibly the Nekemte region as well).

The Rotary Doctors Netherlands are now preparing for a trial year that will hopefully lead to a longer term commitment in 2013 and future years.

Have been fairly busy with all of the above and at the same time some other activities like the trial that is being conducted at the North West side of Majete in Chikwawa District in Malawi where The Hunger Project Malawi is setting up an epicenter and as it looks now things are going well and above expectations.