Through GlobalEyes

Dear Tobias:

Thanks so very much for looking into that and I hope it wasn't too much trouble. Hopefully I'll get the customs fees paid today. I will send you a note to confirm.

Veronica

Dear Veronica,

I visited the Kisumu DHL office and they said I can collect the parcel from there. I also talked to Nairobi office this morning. Both said that I could give the go a head to the Nairobi office to clear so that you pay at the office in New Orlearns as this would make the process faster. So they wanted me to confirm with you if I can give the the go a head.

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Tobias:

I spoke to DHL and it will be a few more days to work through the customs process. Also, the DHL representative I spoke to was concerned about forwarding the shipment to Kisumu. Have you received shipments via DHL at the location in Kisumu? I know there is a DHL affiliate in Kisumu, not only because you told me, but the DHL office I shipped the package from also confirmed the Kisumu location.

Perhaps you could provide some information that I can relay to the DHL representatives here in the US who are unfamiliar with the circumstances. I am sorry this is taking so long.

Were you able to review the Tropical Focus page on our website? You may review online at:

http://throughglobaleyes.org/page/initiatives

Also, we will launch our next micro-goal, hopefully at the end of this week. I've attached a spreadsheet of potential goals. Could you please confirm the cost estimates?

Best, Veronica

potentialgoals.xls

Dear Veronica,

Thanks for that. I just saw your last e-mail when I wanted to resend the message. The money already arrived in our account, so if the issue of camera is cleared soon, we shall withdraw the money, purchase it and deliver to CRM. Thanks so much.

Thanks Jessica for forwarding the message to Veronica.

Regards,

Tobias

Dear Tobias:

Please disregard my previous note as Scott forwarded me the email about the DHL issue. First of all, please know that this is not your problem and we will work something out. I will try to get in contact with DHL to see if they can counsel me as to what to do - I will try to pay the fees with my credit card so as to avoid wiring money again.

By the way, did the funds for the water tank arrive in your account?

That is fantastic and exciting news about the delivery ceremony.

Hopefully the camera will be in your hands to document the event.

Hope you are well.

Best, Veronica

Dear Tobias:

I just checked on the DHL shipment and it is in Nairobi, so I guess it will be to Kisumu tomorrow or Saturday.

I've attached the financial log with added rows for each category.

I've also attached a word document with the content for our new website's "Partners and Projects" page, on which Tropical Focus is featured, for your revision and approval. I know the Obede Feeding Program information needs to be updated, but please make additional changes as you see fit and add any information you feel is important.

Best, Veronica

TFMAYFinancialLog.xls

TropicalFocusPage.doc

Dear Veronica,

DHL informed me by phone that the parcel has arrived. They informed us that we need to pay duty amounting to about Kshs. 8,500/=. However, we seem to have hit a snag because I,ve contacted other members and no one is able to raise that amount. Today DHL sent us the break down by e-mail as attached. Now I'm really stranded of how to get that amount.

On another note, we discussed with the rest about the water tank and it was generally felt that this would be a good opportunity for publicity. So we agreed that we organize for a government official to conduct some delivery ceremony, probably with some news coverage if possible. We'll need about a week to organize that. We'll be checking tommorrow if the money has arrived.

Regards, Tobias

Note: forwarded message attached.

————— Forwarded message —————

From: "Beatrice Lukose (DHL KE)"
To: tobiasounga
Date: Thu, 24 May 2007 10:07:18 +0300
Subject: AWB 7870434600

Good morning Tobias,

Please find attached a copy of the assessment, also note that the amount is not inclusive of kshs. 434.00 dhl administration fee.

Kindly advice if we may proceed to clear.

Rgds, Lukose

Dear Veronica,

Thanks so much for all your efforts and the assistance. I'll keep monitoring on the web and also I will check with the bank after Friday. It seems the camera will almost arrive at the same time with the money or a head of the money, so the purchase will be probably when we have received the camera. The process we use at the moment for procurements is simply by walking round the various suppliers and checking for the lowest so it may not take long. I would prefer that we withdraw the money only after we pick the camera, because the one I've been using is not reliable it must have been one of low quality.

Best regards, Tobias

Dear Tobias:

I just checked our bank account and the transfer cleared on our end, though I think it will be a few more days before you can collect.

I mailed the camera via DHL yesterday. The instructions I gave on the packing slip were for the Kisumu office to hold the package and call your mobile number when it arrives, though I don't know that they will actually call you. I am sure you are familiar with the location of the DHL agent in Kisumu, but the DHL office here said that it is behind the Barclays. The tracking number is 787 0434 600, which you can use to track on DHL.com if you have internet access. I will be checking it regularly, and the office here projected that the package should arrive by Friday.

I will check in again soon.

Best, Veronica

Dear Tobias:

I will send the camera out this afternoon and I am glad to hear that batteries are readily available in Kisumu.

I checked with the bank and you should see the transfer of 35,000 Ksh Thursday or Friday. Will you be able to purchase the water tank right away?

I suppose it is a bit of a process with transportation and installation. Please inform us of what the process it like when you have time. I think this would be a great topic for your first blog entry for our website! Also, if the camera does not arrive before you buy the tank, please do take pictures with your current camera.

Ideally, we would like to have a collection of photos and a short video to share with our donors.

Best, Veronica

The address you have indficated is sufficient as I would collect it personaly from the DHL office. I will check with DHL tommorrow. The batteries are quite available even in Kisumu, the AAA and the smaller ones. It is OK if the USB cable is also available, this is the same way I've been connecting. Otherwise thanks and best regards.

Tobias

Dear Tobias:

I will mail the camera tomorrow using DHL. The address I have noted from a few months ago is:

Tobias Odhiambo Ounga
Tropical Focus for Rural Development
Kisumu, Kenya

Is this correct? I am uncertain as to whether I need a P.O. box number or street address.

The camera is battery operated so you won't have a problem with charging, but, will it be a problem to purchase relacement batteries?

I will include extra batteries with the package. I will also include a USB cable to connect the camera to the laptop. Is that the method you have been using to get the pictures off of your current camera?

If you have any questions or concerns about this please send me a note.

You should look for the wire transfer to be in the Tropical Focus account on Tuesday or Wednesday, though it was probably held over the weekend and may not appear until later next week.

Thank you and hope you are well,

Veronica

Hey Scott:

Hope the conference is going/went well. A few things...

I've been meaning to get the specs of the camera that Bill donated for TF to you to be sure it's ok. I think it's great for their purposes, and best of all, it is battery powered! Here are the specs:

Sony Cybershot DSC - W7 7.2 megapixels mega movie feature 3x optical zoom

I'll send them extra batteries and a USB cable.

Also, I don't know if you've had a chance to review the materials I sent you, but the more I think about it, the more I don't think I did a very good job describing the micro-goals. Will you please take a careful look at that section and make changes as you feel necessary? After all, it is your idea :).

Finally, I wanted to share a note that I received from a donor. She wanted to say how effective she thinks the micro-goals are, mainly because they are so focused. She said that donating, especially to orgs that work internationally, can be overwhelming and uncertain, and this approach really offsets those concerns. I have gotten so much positive feedback about this, even though many people did not choose to donate yet.

Thanks for all - talk to you soon,

Veronica

Dear Veronica,

Thanks for all the info and for the tank, it will be very usefull for saving water for the orphans for use during the dry seasons. The two most reliable parcel services are UPS and DHL. Both have services to Kisumu. Please do not send by EMS or Kenya post they may not be safe.

The links to the online com logs open very easily, so it is o.k we shall be using them. I managed to read even the older communications.

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Tobias:

I realize you probably won't respond to the updates on the communication log until next week, so I just want to confirm with you that I will transfer the money for the new water tank into the Tropical Focus account tomorrow.

Also, I would like to get the digital camera off to you as soon as possible so that you can take pictures when you purchase and install the tank. Please advise as to the best way to send the camera.

Thanks, Veronica