Through GlobalEyes

Dear Veronica,

We confirmed the wire transfer today and we managed to withdraw and purchase a gas stove, cylinder, hose pipe and regulator. Thanks so much for all this. I'll go there tomorrow to show them how to operate it and get some photoes. We have just finished and I left Caren on the way to CRM to deliver the items. The rest ammount we shall use on food items. I'll give you breakdown of costs of the items after tomorrow. Floods were very extreme in some areas very close. The closest was about 20 km away at a place called Kano in Nyanza - as you approach Kisumu from Nairobi about the last 15 km stretch just before Kisumu town. The other badly affected place was about 130 Km away near Kenya Uganda border. The villages we currently operate in were safe due to ragged and slopying terrain. Otherwise if we had capacity, we should have tried to assit the Kano people. There are very few NGOs operating there although the government insists they (govt) did enough to avoid blames during elections. They also down play the Nyanza (Kano) case so it does not reduce there popularity in the region - Nyanza always complain that the govt. is innefective.

Again thanks so much. And meanwhile, are there any plans about the school supplies? Especially uniforms?

Regards,

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

Please find attached brief about the water tank. Unfortunately the ceremony did not go well as planned because the officials invited could not make it, as I mentioned before. The photoes are therefore not so widespread, while also no video was taken. I was not able to send these infos by the day I had promised due to work engagements that kept me out of town from very early in the mornings until night, so that I’ve been unable to get to cyber. At least with smaller attachments, I’m always able to send even at night using Blue tooth in the house.

Meanwhile, we have had some bit of poor time as Caren fell ill again some days ago and the hospital said that she needs further check up in Nairobi for heart conditions. She has had spells of weaknesses.

Regards,

Tobias

Attachments to this email have been made into the next post

Dear Scott,

Thanks for the information. The main plans we had for the Malaria activities are to purchase mosquito nets and distribute to households with orphans and also hold some community awareness campains in the villages. We'll capture the activities and send over. Please pass alot of regards to Jessica we are so greatfull for what she and the rest of you are doing.

Regards,

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

Thanks for the info. We purchased the water tank and materials and delivered to Children Rescue Mission on 11th as planned. I also took some photoes of the process (I'll e-mail these probably tomorrow). Unfortunately the officials we invited did not come. The President of the country was in Kisumu the same day and the guests changed their plans in the 11th hour. Otherwise it was big exitement to the children and to Agnes, the caretaker when they saw the tank. It was hope for great relief considering that during dry seasons, Agnes and even George had to make 4 kms trek to fetch water for use at the centre. I'll send to you more notes with the photoes. Otherwise best regards for now.

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

The Camera arrived in Kisumu today. I collected it from the DHL office in good condition together with the cable and batteries. Thanks so much for a lot of efforts. I'm working on the communication log so that you get them by tomorrow.

Regards,

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

We are fine. The arrangements about the water tank ceremony are that we contacted an official of the District Children’s Department to come to CRM and officiate over the handing in of the tank. He has time from next week so, we plan the delivery for any of the first three days of that week depending on which would be best for him. We will confirm this by Wednesday.

About schools, the current term (second) will end on 3rd August while the third term will begin on 3rd September.

I saw the website. It contains quite a lot on the activities so I don’t think we need to add more at the time being. We shall be reviewing it with time and communicating to you our suggestions incase of need for updates. Thanks so much for the information, I’ll check on with DHL from tomorrow.

Best regards,

Tobias

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

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 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

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 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

Dear Veronica,

Attached please find the updated microfundraising list. The changes are highlighted.

Regards,

Tobias

microfundraisinglist spread sheet 290407.xls

Dear Jessica,

Thanks so much for what you have done. We were informed that you conducted a succesfull event on "Swim against Malaria".

Pass our regards to Mr. Chacon.

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

Attached please find communication log for March week 3.

Nb: Sorry again for the lateness, we had problems with power in Kisumu most of yesterday and internet was down.

Regards,

Tobias

TropFocusGE_ComLogMAR2007(1).xls

Dear all,

Pleased to inform you that the wire transfer went through. We checked yesterday and found our standard bank account credited. Thanks so much.

Regards,

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

Thanks so much for all that effort. We are sending Scholastica to go and check, although we think that it will as you say, take some few days. Lets all hope that wiring direct will work out. Attached please find the communication log for week ending 24th (yesterday).

Meanwhile Caren has been sick (probably you saw on my e-mail to Margee copied to you) for the past 3 days and most of yesterday I was assisting her and her husband to get to the hospital

TropFocusGE_ComLogMAR2007(1).xls

Hi Veronica,

Hope you are all fine. I'm really do apologise for delaying in communication for last week. I had a journey to south western Kenya where there were no internet connections and only managed to be back yesterday.

No much is new on last weeks com log apart from issues of the final week of February, since most had not been attended to.

For the accounts, it is fine we can still do with Western Union for the time being. We only hope that the routine will be solved so that things are simplified.

Greeting to all,

Tobias

TropFocus-GEComLog_MAR2007(1).xls

Hi Veronica,

Hope all are fine. We have been hearing of tornadoes arround California. Ourselves we are fine. I have hereby attached the communication log for this week. Unfortunately it was not so easy to include the expenditures as I have stated in the communications log. You'll probably get them next week once you make the adjustmets. Meanwhile I have also attached more photoes of beneficiaries of the mosquito nets which I did not managed to attach last time.

Regards,

Tobias

TropFocusCommunication 020307.xls

Hi Veronica,

Thanks for the revised forms. Meanwhile find attached filled communication log and needs form. I have included needs for school feeding within the raws for CRM. We'll transfer these information as we do the revised ones next week. Also find attached some of the photoes (excuse me they are really many. I still have more) during distribution of the mosquito nets. Otherwise, regards,

Tobias

microfundraisinglist spread sheet 240207.xls

TropFocusCommunication spread sheet 240207.xls

Dear Veronica,

Hope all are fine. We received the formats you prepared for communications log and financial reporting. They are quite relevant and well designed. They will really simplify our communications. The idea of using particular day is also quite important. Friday is Ok for us as by then, we shall have had time to source any informations that require week days. We have few recommendations though: -

1. Within both the financial statements and communications log, there should in addition be space for School feeding programmes.

2. The outreach feeding should be refered to include orphan - "outreach orphan feeding" to distinguish it from school feeding.

Otherwise we shall start using them this week - probably we send the first weekly communication on Friday while the financials at end of February.

We are still working on the needs sheet, so that we also send it by Friday this week.

I will send you the findings of the survey and photoes for distribution of mosquito nets as soon as they are ready.

For the internet, we concur that Scott handles it.

Bye for now and best regards,

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

That idea on disclosure is quite fine. It is probably advantagious as it would promote our activities among people willing to support. I,ll find out about costs of installing internet facilities and inform you soon. Meanwhile we can still be relying on commercial cybercafes, although costly especially interms of time. I'm currently available to maintain the follow ups and communications. We could also train other person such as Scolastica to assist. I have a personal digital Camera which I used to take those photoes but it seems to be having some problem in that on click, it takes about 2 minutes to load into memory - something must be wrong, so I think it is better to get one for Tropical Focus together with video camera. We arer so happy to hear that Scott and Jessica are joining GlobalEyes board - at least this means more forces.

Best regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

Attached please find comments on your response on the above subject.

Regards,

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

Thanks so much for all the efforts and for the funds. I read the mail this morning and immediately phoned Caren. She managed to collect the funds as stated ammount. They will help a great deal. Sorry for the frustrations you were getting. We really understand how bad one feels when things are not moving as you want. I’ve seen the response on the Food-for -yields Agrilivestock and tailoring projects we shall be discussing them this evening and will send you furhter comments by afternoon (Kenyan) tommorrow.

Meanwhile, I have herewith attached statements of expenditures and funds we received in December 2006 and January 2007 (excluding what we have just received today). Of the ammount we have received, we shall spend some to clear part of outstanding bills.

For Obede activities, there are new developments in that Caren has been transfered to another neighbouring school. We have not resumed the feeding program so far. We decided that we shall reconsider the feeding activity after the changes are settled.

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

Hope you are fine. We here in Kenya are fine enough. We have been going through the Food-for-yields Agri-livestock and School Uniform Tailoring projects. You have refined it so well. We also noticed that you incorporated the vehicle co-funding. Can I now go ahead and inform Onemen?

We however propose some amendments (see attachment) on the proposals. We feel that these adjustments would be quite critical for the smooth running and success of the projects.

Regards,

Tobias

Veronica,

Thanks for all the efforts. The nearest western union is at Kisumu city. Caren can collect the funds on our behalf, hence,

Recipients first name: Caren Recipient’s last name: Jakoyo

We’ll go through the Rotary document and get back to you soon.

Regards,

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

Hope you are fine. Attached please find information on the tailoring and food & Livestock exchange proposals.

Are there any developments so far on the sending of the other funds and on Onemen vehicle co-funding?

On Obede feeding program, we have not yet resumed the lunches due to lack of funds. Traders are unwilling to give us further credits until we pay the previous.

Best Regards,

Tobias O. Ounga

Hi Veronica,

It would be fine to send by Western Union as we wait for that account, so far, it is the safest here other than wire transfer. I have once received money through them. If I can remember, there is a code and secret question and answer that you will have to send to us by other means – probably e-mail.

Otherwise we are quite fine here and gearing for activities for this year. Schools are opening on the Monday 8th.

The National Bank, Harambee Avenue is in Nairobi. There is a branch in Kisumu but it is the Nairobi Harambee Av. branch that bears the Swift code for our account at Postbank.

Best regards,

Tobias

NB: Please bear with us for some few more days about the other informations on tailoring and feeding/livestock exchange, I’m still gathering them.

Hi Veronica,

Hope you both had Merry X-Mass and happy new year. For ourselves we had good and peaceful festive. I have herewith attached document for the financial statement for October and November 2006. Sorry for the delay in sending it, I had expected to give an earlier version in hard copy to Margee during her visit here, but when we did not meet I felt it was better to update it to update it and include issues for whole of November.

The status with co-financing by Onemen as I understand it is that there is a requirement that Tropical Focus explains how the vehicle will be maintained if Onemen provide funds for purchase. So we are requesting if GlobalEyes could help us raise such funds (amounting to about Kshs. 60,000/u003d). Not necessarily that the funds be availed already but so long as there could be the commitment. In our view, since we already have transport expenditures on ongoing activities such as purchases for CRM and Obede activities, we could lamp these together with budget for the planned projects of outreach feeding/livestock and tailoring then outline these as the commitments for maintenance of the vehicle. We thought this could work since the vehicle is requested for use on these projects, for which such expenses are already ongoing.

About the latrine at Obede, the latrine the amount of funds required if deducted from the funds raised, would too little to accomplish substantial work. In addition, we are currently in need of funds for activities that are already ongoing – support to CRM orphans. It is preferable to address these first then plan the rest for future fundraising. We also don’t recommend that purchase of mosquito nets be shelved, because the nets are quite important for control of malaria which is much higher than HIV in causing deaths especially among children yet poor households (as the poor guardians of HIV/AIDS orphans that we target) rarely use their meager income on such purchases.

For recruitment of volunteers from university students, it was not successful since we could not meet fares or accommodation needs for those that were interested.

On the tailoring and the food/livestock exchange, we did not do any further updates on the drafts since sending them to you, however we can work on any additions if necessary.

I’m still collecting the additional information you needed on the tailoring and the food/livestock exchange projects – most relevant offices are resuming from 3rd January 2006.

So far, the computer is working quite well. It’s quite fast once working within a document, but I’ve noticed that sometimes it takes comparatively longer time to open folders and programs. Again, it refused to open Excel files that I pasted from my flush disk, including financial statement for Oct & Nov which I had to redo again (may be some viruses from where I had done them).

Best regards,

Tobias.

NB: Would it be fine to send receipt for Jessica’s contribution by mail or do we wait and pass it to Margee when she comes in February?

Hi Veronica,

All these are O.K. You can as well go ahead and use any information I already provided to you including discussing with others for further improvements. Our hopes here are to see benefits to poor communities. Meanwhile, just allow me few days to gather for you the info about the tailoring, food/livestock concepts and other. For Rotary, we already made contact and they promised to phone and give an appointment which we are still awaiting.

You are quite welcome to stay here for that programme. I don’t think there is any issue with using info about the food and livestock exchange for study, we shall assist you in getting more information.

Regards,

Tobias

Hello Veronica,

Hope you are fine. Thanks a lot for the laptop. We received it, together with the other items comprising of children text books, the cash in USDs and check for George’s allowances, in good order. We were however not able to meet Margee personally but got the parcels through a person she left the items with.

The computer will be quite helpful to us for storing records and document processing. Our efficiency will now be much better. We also saw the power point document that was used for fund raising. The details were so good. It read as if it was prepared by someone who is always stays with the individuals targeted. Thanks so much for all these efforts. Please find attached notes on some issues for discussion.

Otherwise best regards and wish you merry X-mas and happy new year.

Tobias

Thanks for the infos. We shall expect her visit at any time. Its quite good to hear that Jessica's initiatives were succesful. Thanks also for the contact, I'll send her a note.

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

Hope you are doing fine and going on well with your course. This side we are fine enough except Caren who got some small malaria.

I'm writing to inquire if there might already be specific dates for Mergee's travel. As you had mensioned, it was to be sometime about end of November.

Again, are there any issues you would like us to handle concerning her visit?

How's Jessica's plan fairing on? I thought that I had her e-mail address but realised that I do not, so please pass her regards and word of thanks for her efforts, from us. Otherwise we are still busy with the routine and oter activities to get the organizations operating. Please mension to Mergee that we have so far not yet linked up with the local Rotary - we visited them and we agreed that we are to make an a pontment to discuss with the Chairman but we are yet to make the appointment.

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

Quite pleasing to hear of several good news. Thanks for your efforts.

At least now with the account on that side, things will be faster. It is also quite nice to hear that Jessica is planning a function. Please tell (I'm sending her separate mail) her we are really pleased with her plans. There are various categories of mosquito nets depending on sizes and durability. A type suitable for the orphans would be about Kshs. 650/= each(about US$ 5). The nets would be very important also for distribution on outreach to our target area to help orphans who do not have opportunity of care in children's homes.

On transfer of the funds, we shall still wait and procure the tank when we receive them. Pupils will also be closing school for end year vacations, impliying that we will not need funds for Obede feeding untill then. For the tailoring, we could commence activities late December 2006 or January 2007 to target uniform market of April 2007.

Any specific dates for Mergee's coming? Our wish is that she spends longer period this time. Otherwise for now, its best regards from us to you all. Also warm greetings from Caren and the rest at Children's home and Tropical Focus.

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

Hope you are doing o.k. This sides we are also at least fair. We have been making follow up visits to Obede and so far the feeding programme is going on well. The pupils are quite happy with the lunches provided and even some can be seen to change in their body conditions. Caren says that attendance rates have increased and lateness, dozing in class have reduced. We managed to get some photoes of th pupils during a feeding time as I have attached here.

So far, we reallocated the funds that was intended for water tank for the Children's home into purchasing food for Obede as we had informed you earlier so we shall replace when we get funds for Obede. Meanwhile, at Tropical Focus, we are developing a web site which shall be online in afew days time. This can help us more in raising funds for our activities. I hope it would be fine if we include GlobalEyes on the web. We are also developing proposals for which we would seek for funding from various organizations.

On this proposals, I also request that GlobalEyes alows us to quote them as our partners on technical suppport and funding -at least this would give us good credibility. Probably some of the proposals could be developed as co-funding arrangements since GlobalEyes has already given some funds already, we could request for other poporrtions from other organizations.

Otherwise I hope you are going on well with the Masters course. Wish you all the best.

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

Hope you had safe journey back from Kisumu to Nairobi. I saw txt message that you sent by phone, although, my phone unfortunately only registered it as word "data". Anyway thanks. Again, on behalf of Tropical focus and Children Rescue Mission, Kenya, I would like to thank you and your team for having considered to bring your team to our activities in Kisumu. All the people you met were quite happy of your visit. To us, it enhanced our confidence that what we are doing is relevant.

So far, we have now obtained the letter of authoriztion to open a bank account, so the account should be available in the next few days. I've also got costs of items and services that we've been following up on, but as I was compiling, I realised that the cost of shorts for boys were not obtained, so I've just asked Scholastica to go and find out today.

Pass our greetings to the rest,

regards,

Tobias

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

Dear Mergee,

Greetings. I've read on Veronica's e-mails that they ought to have been in Kisumu by yesterday evening. However, we have not been able to contact each other. Unfortunately for the arrangements, I had travelled to Nairobi and had not got time to read her mail of 17th and of 19th only until this morning. I've also tried to call you on a number that Veronica stated on e-mail; xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx but not suceeding - somehow I'm told by the bureau that the digits are too many. So please if you get in contact with them, let them call me on xxxx-xxxxxx or Caren on xxxx-xxxxxx. I'll also keep monitoring my e-mails probably every hour incase of you reply or theirs.

Otherwise, regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

We are fine so far. Those arrangements are quite fine. We shall discuss details of planned activities for the orphans, widows and the school when you come. That arrangement about the account is also quite good - thanks alot and wish you all the best.

Greetings from Caren and other group staff and members whom you have never met.

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

Thanks alot for all that information. We are very happy to hear that the fundraising was successful. I believe we will be able to do alot. At least you will see more about our plans when you come. And you will be able to let the contributors back in USA know how helpful the contributions "will" be.

Also thanks for the information about your travel - we are still anciously awaiting the visit. On accommodation, it is OK if you shall prefer to make alternative arrangements, otherwise, on our side, we would have prefered that you stay with us and know about our groups even better.

About the money, we still do not have any other account that may be compatible with the wiring systems of banks in the USA or Europe. We have tryied to open suchaccounts but the minimum balance required were beyond our reach at the moment. They need about Ksh. 50, 000 minimum which we have been unable to raise in one go. We attempted to open when we received a prevous funds from USA but again at the time there were alot of other needs for the Children's home that we had to address. I'm however sure we shall soon open one. Due to the above, probably the best is for us to wait so that you bring it with you, if this will not be inconveniencing much.

About the statement, does this refer to some receipt or to bank statement? Otherwise, we shall be able to officially receipt it. Tropical focus has receipts for funds received. Otherwise, thanks again once more for all what you are doing for the community in our villages.

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

Greetings and hope all are fine. There is one issue we wanted to confirm from your end. We were discussing about your teams coming with Caren and Rachel (Caren's daughter). Out of that, we realised that we at least need to know about your preferences on meals and any other small items you may need for accommodation.

Secondly, we decided to have an addition place for accommodation which is more spacious than Caren's. This is at Tropical focus premises - it is a premises within a home, not very far from the children's home. It is a cool place and we have had a place for accommodating volunteers from far. Right now there is only our Program Coordinator, Scholastica Rassiere who was staying there, but there are two additional rooms and facilities. According to our view we felt that this place would be better in terms of space. Rachel and Scholastica will also be with you on the compound. If this is OK with you then we shall organize to have you stay there, unless you prefered Caren's better - You may also view the place first upon your arrival before you pick on whichever. Otherwise, best regards and hope to meet the team.

Tobias

Hi Veronica, Thanks for all that, we shall proceed with the arrangements from this end. Also thanks alot for considering the issue of the laptop.

Meanwhile, greetings from Caren. Probably also have our phone contacts incase of any need: -

• Caren's; +xxx-xxx-xxxxxx
• Mine (Tobias); +xxx-xxx-xxxxxx

Otherwise, Regards,

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

Greetings. Hope you are all fine and proceeding well with the fundraising activities. You must be quite busy now. Anyway I was just writing to confirm about how many of you will be coming. We are tying to arrange, if OK with you, so that we accommodate you at Caren's. I think some of you must have stayed there during the other time you were here.

Secondly, I wanted to request if possible to get any used laptops for donation to Tropical focus - one or two. Right now we are quite incapacitated with document processing and record keeping. The manager has to keep travelling to bureaus which are also expensive. If not possible, fine but if you manage to get, it will be realy useful to Tropical focus. Perhaps the weight may also be an issue, may be if the funds raised could allow for some small luggage?

Again back to travel, I was thinking that in order for you to see more during the time, you could hire some self drive. I know an agent who could get us good and neat 2-wheel cars in Nairobi for Ksh. 3,000 per day. You could even choose to drive from Nairobi, or it can be delivered in Kisumu. The car would be useful especially considering the distance from Caren's place if you will be staying there, and also for your movements to field.

Otherwise thats all for now. say hullo to all.

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

Hope you are fine. Attached please find some data on the situation of HIV/AIDS in Kisumu District, the area where those villages are found.

The proportions in the villages are generally similar to the District picture. Unfortunately the most recent data we could find was 1997.

Regards,

Tobias

HIV Data (Google Docs)

Hi Veronica,

Thanks alot for those updates. I concur that those arrangements would even be better.

Regards,

Tobias

Dear Veronica,

I've been going through the requirements and procedures for registration with the IRS for tax exemptions from the link you gave me. It would indeed be important that Tropical focus get registered - this would probably encourage more donations. I've compared the required status with the prospectus (articles of organization) of Tropical focus and found them eligible. I'll proceed to organize to complete the forms so that we submit.

On the side of contacts, this also will be really important. What would be the best way of going about this; in terms of name of office (liaison office, US office, regional iffice, etc) if necessary, title of contact person, responsibilities, TORs, etc - I suggest the contact be "DIRECTOR ......us liaison office? And I suggest you be the one because you are already assisting alot in this direction.

Another item is that Tropical focus as well as the children's home still both do not have web sites. I had wanted to set up but backed up due to uncertainty of source of funds to maintain subscriptions. But if more donations come then I would go ahead.

Otherwise for now, bye and thanks,

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica,

It would be quite good to have Tropical Focus registered in USA. I'm sure there would be a lot of benefits to the course of the organization. Please go ahead with any arrangements towards this and let us come in on any areas as may be necessary.

Regards,

Tobias.

Hi Veronica,

I hope all is fine with the fundraising and plans for travel to Kenya. I wanted to inquire if you would like us to make some local arrangements for your stay in Kisumu, and in Nairobi.

Of the inquiries you made about our status of registration for tax and operations, are there any implications on the activities you had planned to undatake before you come?

For the other data, I'm on some brief travel, but meanwhile I left the issue with a volunteer to follow up. I'll pass them to you as soon as he sends them to me.

Regards,

Tobias

Hi Veronica, We are only registered with Kenyan revenue Authority, and the PIN No. that I provided is for the same authority.

Veronica Ensign wrote:

Hi Tobias-

There are a few items of information that I'm wondering about for tax purposes. Was the tax ID # you provided issued by a Kenyan authority or the US? Are you registered in the US as a charitable organization?

Thanks again for your help answering these questions, Veronica

Hi Veronica, nice to hear from your end. I'm quite happy to hear of the plans you have. I've just gotten the messages today, I'll get back to you soon enough (probably in one day), with that information.

You are much welcome to visit when you'll be in Nairobi. Please try and get down to Kisumu to see the Children's home. The number of children are slightly more - currently about 8, thanks to the help we received from your side last time, we managed to add some few facilities to accommodate few more. ...and,..which months would the summer period be?

Meanwhile, the official name of the Childre's home is CHILD RESQUE MISSION, KENYA. I'll get you more soon. Thanks and bye

Tobias

Dear Mergee,

Thanks again for that financial assistance for the children's home. it brought alot of relief to the orphans.

I wanted to ask if it can be possible from your end to assist us seek funding for some proposals for widows & orphans and for vegetable farming among poor families. At least some that can work with small local growing organizations like ours. Because of our small operation it has been difficult to get attention from other agencies. Infact since we registered we have never received funds of the kind your group sent. We have always been asked for what we have done before - but how do we do before if we dont start somewhere? Even the Kenyan NGO's registration once asked us to send our annual expenditures which are not even there because we had nothing to have spent - they might have even deregistered us because of this. However, we plan to follow up with them for reinstatement.

Caren might have probably informed you already that we proposed a new name for the children's home - CHILDREN RESQUE MISSION, KENYA. This is because the previous name appeared very unclear. She is assisting with follow ups for registration of the name. Caren should also be able to update you on what expenditures the funds were put into.

Thanks again and regards.

Tobias