Through GlobalEyes

Hi Veronica,

Good to hear that you had safe journey. Once again, we thank you so much for that contribution you gave and for all that you are doing. We were quite hapy of your visit.

We have been visiting offices and places for these information as we had agreed and have managed to get quite a number of information on the costs.

I have the costs for the power installation (I took the electrician to the house on Friday - electricity company charges Kshs. 32,000 while completion of wiring needs about 41,000), for the fabrics and finished material (varied), for the payment of the trainer for tailoring (she agreed on Kshs 11,500 per month - in Kenya this is usually for 8 hours of 5 days a week. To make it into weekly wages, we shall divide by 4.3 and prepare an agreement based on weekly payment), range of price for motorbike (about 320,000 to 360,000 for 175 cc) and for the uniforms for students. However, we are still getting them to be typed all together and we shall give you the details in a more organized maner probably by Friday - I have some, Caren some and Scholastica some as we had divided ourselves on tasks.

For the bank account, there is a letter required from the Kenyan NGO registration board which I am now in Nairobi to try and get (probably by Thursday this week - it would otherwise take too long if we wait for their reply by mail.

The widows that need to be trained are many probably 25 - 30. Once trained, we would organize them to work as a group so that they are paid for labour, share profits and probably do expansions if sales would allow.

We confirmed that the electric sewing machine is both manual and electric, although just as you note, it would be possible to produce more with availability of electricity.

I discussed about shifting the tailoring activity to Tropical Focus with other members who were not present and they understood and agreed that it is OK - it is quite in line with the objectives of support to Widows. Once I am through with Nairobi I'll get back and organize to get the sewing machines ready.

Its good to hear about possibilities of those companies please go ahead and contact them all these will fill up on our requirements.

Meanwhile I'll follow up on the other issues such as on maintainance of motorbike, actual price of water tank and cost of stove and fuel for 6 months.

For the receipt I will definately prepare it for you before you go back - I hope your plans to come back to Kisumu before going back to USA is still on. However, I'm now in Nairobi till about Sunday I could also ask Caren to send the book to me in Nairobi so that I prepare it and hand to you.

Otherwise thanks and regards

Tobias