Friends - I am in Africa until June 20. I look forward to connecting with you all. Enjoy the month off if you aren't working on any projects for us. THANKS for all you do.
-Ryan
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
April 28th Research Needs & Update
Research Team - I am in the process of dividing some of my duties to other people as I prepare to move to Boston. I'll be at the Harvard Kennedy School starting this fall. I will still be the President of Forgotten Voices, but will really focus on fundraising, managing projects in Africa and growing our Boston presence, where I am originally from. A lot of my other responsibilities are being divided by a team of people that will manage Forgotten Voices.
Kathy Goss from this Research Team will be serving as the main point of contact between Forgotten Voices and this group.
We are going to streamline the process a bit and are working out the details. Right now, postings on this blog come from conversations I have with our African partners, then I put them on the blog after I talk about the needs with a few people. The future process will look like this: Reports will come in from Africa, including the Research Questions they need help with - and those Research Questions will be posted here by Kathy. That removes me and a whole host of other people from the process and gives you more context for the need.
I'll occasionally ship stuff to Kathy that I need help with for African projects on a more global scale, not just a specific partner. This research WILL NOT be for my graduate school. :) I think my professors may frown upon this. :)
With all that typed - Kathy and I will be updating the group on moving forward once we have a plan in the next couple weeks.
------
As for research for this week - Would someone be willing to look into Researching laws regarding non-profits giving grants to individuals? Microfinance projects can be given to individuals, but I have heard that grants to individuals is generally frowned upon. However, I want to know what the law says? It is probably an IRS rule related to 501c3 designation. I'd LOVE for someone to look into this and see what they can dig up.
Specifically, I'm looking for any specific wording on what is allowed by the IRS for granting money to individuals.
Here's the context: with inflation in Zimbabwe now at 162,000%, we are looking at giving more money to individual businessmen in Zimbabwe that have access to USD through US bank accounts, rather than give to Zim organizations that must use Zim Banks and pay a fraction of market value. For example - send money to a bank account in Utah that is connected to a Forgotten Voices business leader in Zimbabwe. He gives out the money at a fair rate to the orphan care project leaders, similar to a bank, and tracks expenses (money in/out) for Forgotten Voices. To carry the example forward, we are also looking at making the man an "employee" of Forgotten Voices and open up a joint account that he has access to and just uses our money.
But the first and fundamental question is this: would the IRS allow this scenario to an individual IF we can prove that the man is handling funds on behalf of Forgotten Voices and our African project partners.
Hope that helps. To put your minds at ease, I have also asked a few lawyers to look into this, as well. :) But I'd also like a non-lawyer to look at what we can find on our own.
Happy hunting!
Kathy Goss from this Research Team will be serving as the main point of contact between Forgotten Voices and this group.
We are going to streamline the process a bit and are working out the details. Right now, postings on this blog come from conversations I have with our African partners, then I put them on the blog after I talk about the needs with a few people. The future process will look like this: Reports will come in from Africa, including the Research Questions they need help with - and those Research Questions will be posted here by Kathy. That removes me and a whole host of other people from the process and gives you more context for the need.
I'll occasionally ship stuff to Kathy that I need help with for African projects on a more global scale, not just a specific partner. This research WILL NOT be for my graduate school. :) I think my professors may frown upon this. :)
With all that typed - Kathy and I will be updating the group on moving forward once we have a plan in the next couple weeks.
------
As for research for this week - Would someone be willing to look into Researching laws regarding non-profits giving grants to individuals? Microfinance projects can be given to individuals, but I have heard that grants to individuals is generally frowned upon. However, I want to know what the law says? It is probably an IRS rule related to 501c3 designation. I'd LOVE for someone to look into this and see what they can dig up.
Specifically, I'm looking for any specific wording on what is allowed by the IRS for granting money to individuals.
Here's the context: with inflation in Zimbabwe now at 162,000%, we are looking at giving more money to individual businessmen in Zimbabwe that have access to USD through US bank accounts, rather than give to Zim organizations that must use Zim Banks and pay a fraction of market value. For example - send money to a bank account in Utah that is connected to a Forgotten Voices business leader in Zimbabwe. He gives out the money at a fair rate to the orphan care project leaders, similar to a bank, and tracks expenses (money in/out) for Forgotten Voices. To carry the example forward, we are also looking at making the man an "employee" of Forgotten Voices and open up a joint account that he has access to and just uses our money.
But the first and fundamental question is this: would the IRS allow this scenario to an individual IF we can prove that the man is handling funds on behalf of Forgotten Voices and our African project partners.
Hope that helps. To put your minds at ease, I have also asked a few lawyers to look into this, as well. :) But I'd also like a non-lawyer to look at what we can find on our own.
Happy hunting!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Research for April 21
Friends - Who would like to take on researching organizations that deal with physical rehabilitation models for patients with HIV/AIDS? I'm looking for organizations that focus on helping people regain strength in motion that they lost from HIV/AIDS infections. I'm not sure if anyone out there is doing it and I need someone to find out.
Please find:
Name or organization, Website, description of care model/program, contact info to learn more
Please let me know if you are interested. :) Thanks!
-Ryan
Please find:
Name or organization, Website, description of care model/program, contact info to learn more
Please let me know if you are interested. :) Thanks!
-Ryan
Monday, April 7, 2008
Research Report on 2M Children with HIV/AIDS
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=51371
Friends - would one of you or a couple of you work on following up with this report? I'd like all the background to it, abstracts/copies of the cited works.
Let me know if you'd be willing to take on this challenge and we can lay out a plan.
Thanks!
-Ryan
Friends - would one of you or a couple of you work on following up with this report? I'd like all the background to it, abstracts/copies of the cited works.
Let me know if you'd be willing to take on this challenge and we can lay out a plan.
Thanks!
-Ryan
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Election Map
I was sent the following information by a good friend of mine. It is an interesting assessment of on the ground conditions in Zimbabwe. The election conditions are mapped out, with clickable layers to show different instances of conflict or trial.
Continue to pray with me and our local partners.-Ryan
--------------------------------------------
http://www.sokwanele.com/map/all_breaches#mapping
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
For Week of March 10th
Research Team, Just came across 2 needs if some of you are looking for another assignment.
1) Research Lists of Christian Non-profits on the web that Forgotten Voices should be part of. Examples: Ministry Watch. See note below for more details on what I'm looking for.
2) Research General Lists of NGOs working in Africa that Forgotten Voices should be part of. Example: GuideStar. See note below for more details on what I'm looking for.
In short, people sometimes make decisions based on information provided by ratings companies like these 2 examples. We will need to be including our information in these lists over the next year, as we are eligible. A general search for ministry databases, separated by 2 lists above, is what I'm after. Some of these lists may appear in each category, especially if 2 different people do it.
If possible, I'd like you to put this in an excel spreadsheet so I can import this into our databased of potential tasks for our volunteer leaders.
Here's what I would need for each list you find:
1) Name of List
2) Website address to submit info
3) Information required to submit to list
4) Any other info that jumps off as interesting about list (not req for each entry)
Please let me know if you have questions about this. Thanks!
-Ryan
1) Research Lists of Christian Non-profits on the web that Forgotten Voices should be part of. Examples: Ministry Watch. See note below for more details on what I'm looking for.
2) Research General Lists of NGOs working in Africa that Forgotten Voices should be part of. Example: GuideStar. See note below for more details on what I'm looking for.
In short, people sometimes make decisions based on information provided by ratings companies like these 2 examples. We will need to be including our information in these lists over the next year, as we are eligible. A general search for ministry databases, separated by 2 lists above, is what I'm after. Some of these lists may appear in each category, especially if 2 different people do it.
If possible, I'd like you to put this in an excel spreadsheet so I can import this into our databased of potential tasks for our volunteer leaders.
Here's what I would need for each list you find:
1) Name of List
2) Website address to submit info
3) Information required to submit to list
4) Any other info that jumps off as interesting about list (not req for each entry)
Please let me know if you have questions about this. Thanks!
-Ryan
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Research for Week of March 3
Friends - Long time no write. I know you all have been keeping busy with your various research projects. Here's what I need next when you are done...
Church & Orphan Care Focus: Find research papers that argue that local churches are effective care providers in AIDS orphan care specifically in Africa. I've found some really good research on the web, but I'm looking for more. Michigan State has a good website for Africa, as well as Johns Hopkins & Harvard. Google, Wiki, and grounds like UNAIDS are great places to also explore. Specifically, I'm looking for arguments that support the assertion that churches deliver the most effective care because of their existing network and local knowledge of communities.
In contrast, I'm also looking for research that points out why local churches are NOT effective care providers in AIDS orphan care specifically in Africa. The most common arguments are ineffective business managers; they care more about spiritual and neglect spiritual; and church structure breeds power struggles in Africa.
Vague task, but I'm looking for a collection of resources on the topic because I'm being asked to talk on college campuses more. I'd like to find scholarly papers that address these issues. World Vision & Geneva Global may also be helpful places to check out.
Thanks! Let me know what you can find.
Thanks! THANKS! THANKS!
Also - I won't be posting March 10 unless something pressing comes up. I'll be traveling back from Nashville, TN that morning so I won't have much access to the web. THANKS! Take the week off. :) Nice of me eh?
Church & Orphan Care Focus: Find research papers that argue that local churches are effective care providers in AIDS orphan care specifically in Africa. I've found some really good research on the web, but I'm looking for more. Michigan State has a good website for Africa, as well as Johns Hopkins & Harvard. Google, Wiki, and grounds like UNAIDS are great places to also explore. Specifically, I'm looking for arguments that support the assertion that churches deliver the most effective care because of their existing network and local knowledge of communities.
In contrast, I'm also looking for research that points out why local churches are NOT effective care providers in AIDS orphan care specifically in Africa. The most common arguments are ineffective business managers; they care more about spiritual and neglect spiritual; and church structure breeds power struggles in Africa.
Vague task, but I'm looking for a collection of resources on the topic because I'm being asked to talk on college campuses more. I'd like to find scholarly papers that address these issues. World Vision & Geneva Global may also be helpful places to check out.
Thanks! Let me know what you can find.
Thanks! THANKS! THANKS!
Also - I won't be posting March 10 unless something pressing comes up. I'll be traveling back from Nashville, TN that morning so I won't have much access to the web. THANKS! Take the week off. :) Nice of me eh?
Monday, February 11, 2008
Week of Feb 11
Friends - this is just a repeat of last week. Kathy is doing #1, but I still need #2 if someone is willing. Thanks for all your help!
-Ryan
--------------------------
I need someone to take on the following tasks:
1) Research verses in the Bible that discuss caring for widows & orphans and organize them as a resource I can upload for people to download. I envision this looking like a reference that has 2 parts: 1) Verse references that are separated by caring for widows & orphans; widows; orphans; 2) Rather than just list verse reference: list the actual verse and reference. Then try to organize this information into a new document: Landscape, 2 columns.
2) I'd like someone to take on the same task, but look at 3 major religions and their references to widows and orphans. Islam, Judaism, Buddhism. Don't look for catchy sayings, but references from their holy books (Qur'an for example from Islam). Wiki has a reference to Major US religions that may be a helpful starting point.
Thanks all! Your help with all of this is saving me SOO much time, allowing me to focus on other things! THANK YOU! Sincerely. You are really helping us make a larger, more informed difference.
-Ryan
-Ryan
--------------------------
I need someone to take on the following tasks:
1) Research verses in the Bible that discuss caring for widows & orphans and organize them as a resource I can upload for people to download. I envision this looking like a reference that has 2 parts: 1) Verse references that are separated by caring for widows & orphans; widows; orphans; 2) Rather than just list verse reference: list the actual verse and reference. Then try to organize this information into a new document: Landscape, 2 columns.
2) I'd like someone to take on the same task, but look at 3 major religions and their references to widows and orphans. Islam, Judaism, Buddhism. Don't look for catchy sayings, but references from their holy books (Qur'an for example from Islam). Wiki has a reference to Major US religions that may be a helpful starting point.
Thanks all! Your help with all of this is saving me SOO much time, allowing me to focus on other things! THANK YOU! Sincerely. You are really helping us make a larger, more informed difference.
-Ryan
Monday, February 4, 2008
Week of Feb 4
I need someone to take on the following tasks:
1) Research verses in the Bible that discuss caring for widows & orphans and organize them as a resource I can upload for people to download. I envision this looking like a reference that has 2 parts: 1) Verse references that are separated by caring for widows & orphans; widows; orphans; 2) Rather than just list verse reference: list the actual verse and reference. Then try to organize this information into a new document: Landscape, 2 columns.
2) I'd like someone to take on the same task, but look at 3 major religions and their references to widows and orphans. Islam, Judaism, Buddhism. Don't look for catchy sayings, but references from their holy books (Qur'an for example from Islam). Wiki has a reference to Major US religions that may be a helpful starting point.
Thanks all! Your help with all of this is saving me SOO much time, allowing me to focus on other things! THANK YOU! Sincerely. You are really helping us make a larger, more informed difference.
-Ryan
1) Research verses in the Bible that discuss caring for widows & orphans and organize them as a resource I can upload for people to download. I envision this looking like a reference that has 2 parts: 1) Verse references that are separated by caring for widows & orphans; widows; orphans; 2) Rather than just list verse reference: list the actual verse and reference. Then try to organize this information into a new document: Landscape, 2 columns.
2) I'd like someone to take on the same task, but look at 3 major religions and their references to widows and orphans. Islam, Judaism, Buddhism. Don't look for catchy sayings, but references from their holy books (Qur'an for example from Islam). Wiki has a reference to Major US religions that may be a helpful starting point.
Thanks all! Your help with all of this is saving me SOO much time, allowing me to focus on other things! THANK YOU! Sincerely. You are really helping us make a larger, more informed difference.
-Ryan
Monday, January 28, 2008
Week of January 27th
Friends - Long time no talk. I hope you all are well.
I have 2 time sensitive issues and 1 more generic.
1) Research ACTEA: Accrediting Council for Theological Education in
Africa (ACTEA. Forgotten Voices is exploring ways to partner with this group for expansion across southern Africa. Therefore, try to find the following information:
a) General info on ACTEA, including overview of mission, key contacts, contact information, locations of ACTEA members (focus on southern Africa and Uganda, if a member)
b) Any mention of HIV/AIDS programming within their website
c) Do a quick search to find opinions of ACTEA - pro or con on the web. You most likely won't find anything like this, but you never know. :)
As an FYI - I know the President of ACTEA, Joe Simfuekwe, Principal at TCCA in Ndola, Zambia. So don't feel too much pressure to find things. Anything is helpful.
2) Research the Uganda Christian University in more depth. Briana did this initial research - info below. But I'm looking for additional information.
a) Who are their partners in the USA? They are part of the CCCU network, but which American schools have programs with this Ugandan university?
b) More importantly, any information about AIDS programming?
Finally - More generic: Research websites that highlight the good things about Africa. I'm sure there are websites dedicated to painting a happier portrait of Africa. I'm looking for web resources and stats/stories that highlight the good things about Africa in a fun way. Perhaps some trivia game? Or picture gallery or somethign else. Basically - I want to link later this month to online resources to help people see hope in Africa - they could be of animals, natural resources, great stories from Africa, etc. I'm not sure what I'm looking for, other than an online resource for Americans to learn more about what makes Africa great and not a black hole of problems. I'd like to blog about this in mid/late February and include your collection of links. Please categorize them based on the kind of info about Africa: Animals, Business, General Info, Fun Facts, Art, etc. so I can easily cut and paste.
Thanks! As always, feel free to contact me. I'm around all week and not going anywhere.
I have 2 time sensitive issues and 1 more generic.
1) Research ACTEA: Accrediting Council for Theological Education in
Africa (ACTEA. Forgotten Voices is exploring ways to partner with this group for expansion across southern Africa. Therefore, try to find the following information:
a) General info on ACTEA, including overview of mission, key contacts, contact information, locations of ACTEA members (focus on southern Africa and Uganda, if a member)
b) Any mention of HIV/AIDS programming within their website
c) Do a quick search to find opinions of ACTEA - pro or con on the web. You most likely won't find anything like this, but you never know. :)
As an FYI - I know the President of ACTEA, Joe Simfuekwe, Principal at TCCA in Ndola, Zambia. So don't feel too much pressure to find things. Anything is helpful.
2) Research the Uganda Christian University in more depth. Briana did this initial research - info below. But I'm looking for additional information.
a) Who are their partners in the USA? They are part of the CCCU network, but which American schools have programs with this Ugandan university?
b) More importantly, any information about AIDS programming?
Here is Briana's research:
Uganda Christian University
http://www.ucu.ac.ug/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
-- UCU is one of the oldest and most respected schools of Theology in South Africa. They may be a good resource for funding and collaboration on major projects. Their ties with universities in the United States as well as the main body of the Church of Uganda likely will contribute to a fruitful relationship, and may be a source for capacity building in the first stages of FVI development in Uganda. --
Uganda Christian University is located 23 kilometres from Kampala, in Mukono town, on the the main road to Jinja. It is a private university, chartered and fully accredited by the President of the Republic of Uganda, through the Ministry of Higher Education and Sports, and the National Council for Higher Education.
UCU is owned by the Province of the Church of Uganda, and has campuses in Eastern, Western and Northern Uganda.
The University was born out of Bishop Tucker Theological College. The college was founded in 1913 in response to a growing need for pastors in the Church.
Uganda Christian University has all the necessities for an excellent education. It is recognised internationally and nationally. The Most Rev. Henry Luke Orombi, Archbishop of the Church of Uganda is Chancellor, and the Rt. Rev. Dr George Carey is our Patron.
Uganda Christian University is the first African affiliate member of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities in the United States, and a member of the Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion.
Motto
Alpha and Omega: God the Beginning and the End
Vision
A Centre of Excellence in the Heart of Africa
Mission
Uganda Christian University is dedicated, through teaching, scholarship, service, spiritual formation, student development and social involvement, to preparing students for thoughtful, productive lives of Christian faith and service in their respective professions and places.
Finally - More generic: Research websites that highlight the good things about Africa. I'm sure there are websites dedicated to painting a happier portrait of Africa. I'm looking for web resources and stats/stories that highlight the good things about Africa in a fun way. Perhaps some trivia game? Or picture gallery or somethign else. Basically - I want to link later this month to online resources to help people see hope in Africa - they could be of animals, natural resources, great stories from Africa, etc. I'm not sure what I'm looking for, other than an online resource for Americans to learn more about what makes Africa great and not a black hole of problems. I'd like to blog about this in mid/late February and include your collection of links. Please categorize them based on the kind of info about Africa: Animals, Business, General Info, Fun Facts, Art, etc. so I can easily cut and paste.
Thanks! As always, feel free to contact me. I'm around all week and not going anywhere.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Topics for Week of Jan 14
Sorry for the delay. Was in NYC and DC these past 5 days.
I don't have research needs this week, as I need to read all your work over the past 3 weeks. Thank you all for the good work you've done!
I'll post more on Monday.
Have a good week off!
-Ryan
I don't have research needs this week, as I need to read all your work over the past 3 weeks. Thank you all for the good work you've done!
I'll post more on Monday.
Have a good week off!
-Ryan
Monday, January 7, 2008
Topics for Week of Jan 7
The only additional topic I am looking for research on this week is the following:
1) Explore the ministry SIM and identify HIV/AIDS programming occurring in southern Africa. Particularly, I'm looking for information on projects (if any) in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawai, Swaziland and South Africa.
Those in bold are the most important to focus on, if you need to for time reasons.
For context, I am going to South Africa in February to meet with HIV/AIDS officers at SIM to discuss partnerships. They are one of many meetings while I'm there and I need to know what they are doing and where.
Thanks, all!
-Ryan
1) Explore the ministry SIM and identify HIV/AIDS programming occurring in southern Africa. Particularly, I'm looking for information on projects (if any) in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawai, Swaziland and South Africa.
Those in bold are the most important to focus on, if you need to for time reasons.
For context, I am going to South Africa in February to meet with HIV/AIDS officers at SIM to discuss partnerships. They are one of many meetings while I'm there and I need to know what they are doing and where.
Thanks, all!
-Ryan
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