IConnect - December 2003


InterConnection's IConnect Newsletter www.interconnection.org

December 2003

IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

1. Nivaclé Donation Gifts
2. InterConnection to Support El Pilar Program in Belize 
3. New InterConnection Board Members 
4. Board Members Sought 
5. Computers to Tanzania, Bangladesh and Ecuador 
6. InterConnection in Paraguay 
7. A Plea for Laptops 
8. Volunteer for InterConnection 
9. Coming Soon 
10. WEBSITE DONATION SHOWCASE

It's been a few months since our last newsletter. We've been busy! The following is an excerpt of some highlights.

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1. Nivaclé Donation Gifts! Just in time for Christmas! 
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InterConnection is seeking funds to help develop its international volunteer program, Global Connect. Make a contribution to InterConnection and you will not only support this exciting program, you will also receive a hand-made, woven belt created by one of our website support recipients, the Nivalcé indigenous community of Paraguay. These unique belts are made of the extremely durable caraguatá, a bromeliad species. Caraguatá threads are colored with natural dyes, made of boiled leaves, roots, vines or resin. The belt buckle is made of palo santo (holy wood). The Nivaclé use palo santo as a spiritual incense and a natural insect repellant.

Every contributor that DONATES at least $75 receives a belt. View the gifts: www.nivacle.interconnection.org/belts.html View the Nivacle's website: www.nivacle.interconnection.org

DONATE NOW => www.interconnection.org/support/funding.php Quantities are limited, so hurry!

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2. InterConnection to Support El Pilar Program in Belize 
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This summer, InterConnection will take part in a project to help preserve the El Pilar Archaeological Reserve for Maya Flora and Fauna. El Pilar, located on the boarder of Guatemala and Belize, encompasses 5000 acres and is recognized as one of the largest archaeological destinations in Belize.

The community-based organizations Help for Progress and the El Pilar Program work to preserve this area through ecological-archaeological tourism, environmental education, cultural exchanges, and dialogues addressing the conservation of shared resources.

InterConnection will send volunteers to work with Help for Progress and El Pilar. Volunteers will provide computers, and conduct computer, Internet and website design training programs with the El Pilar Forest Garden Network. Volunteers will assist in the construction of websites, and establish an ongoing support system for Help for Progress and their Forest Garden Network. Our thanks go to Dr. Anabel Ford with Exploring Solutions Past Maya for including InterConnection with the PRODOMA proposal of Help for Progress entitled: Cultivating Common Goals - El Pilar Forest Garden Network.

For more details on El Pilar visit the Amigos de El Pilar website at www.interconnection.org/elpilar

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3. New InterConnection Board Members 
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 InterConnection has added two new board members, Tim Gillman and Jeremy Bennett. Mr. Gillman has more than 18 years experience in sales and marketing management and 11 years in embedded software. Mr. Bennett has over a decade of experience with technology, which includes work experience in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, with an interest in development work in Latin America using business and technology.

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4. Board Members Sought 
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InterConnection plans to further expand its board of directors in 2004. New members will be selected from the Seattle area. We are hoping to add members with experience in grant writing, nonprofit management, international development, accounting or Internet technology. If you believe in InterConnection's mission and have experience or resources that could add value to InterConnection's work, please contact us for a board member application. info@interconnection.org

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5. Computers to Tanzania, Bangladesh and Ecuador 
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InterConnection continues to support World Computer Exchange's efforts to bridge the digital divide and provide donated computers to schools and non-profits in developing countries. InterConnection recently managed two computer shipments for WCE Seattle. On October 11, 175 Pentiums and 50 Power Macs were shipped in a 20-foot container to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. These computers were received by the Episcopal Diocese of Musoma and Save the Children of Tarime (SACHITA). The computers will connect 20 schools with 10,000 youth.

On December 3, a 20-foot container of 230 Pentiums and 80 extra hard drives were sent to Bangladesh to Presidency University, to connect 5,250 youth in 25 schools to the Internet.

The next computer shipment is scheduled for January 7, 2004. A total of 410 PCs will be sent to Ecuador to support Fondo Ecuatoriano Populorum Progressio, a program of 25 Peace Corps Volunteers working with 6,200 students in 50 local schools. These computer donations would not be possible without the support from individual computer donators and our partnership with Total Reclaim, www.totalreclaim.org

For more details on World Computer Exchange visit www.worldcomputerexchange.org

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6. InterConnection in Paraguay 
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InterConnection's director, Charles Brennick, recently visited Paraguay. He met with the director of U.N. Paraguay, the director of Peace Corps, the director of U.S. AID Paraguay and various Paraguayan NGOs. All were extremely interested in InterConnection's technology assistance programs. We look forward to working with these organizations in the future and strengthening our relationships.

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7. A Plea for Laptops 
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We receive an overwhelming number of requests for laptop computers from non-profits abroad. We need laptop donations to meet some of these requests. You can donate your laptop by bringing it to InterConnection's Seattle office. If you do not live in Seattle, we are willing to pay shipping costs if the laptop is a new model, 500 MHZ and above.

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8. Volunteer for InterConnection 
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If you live in Seattle and believe in the mission of InterConnection we can use your help. We are seeking volunteers in the following areas: Virtual Volunteer Coordinator Enhanced Website Design Services Sales Accountant Volunteer from home or at our Ballard office, conveniently located above the Tractor Tavern. Contact brennick@interconnection.org

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9. COMING SOON 
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New Global Connect Program Enhanced Solutions specials InterConnection's First Public Fund Raising Event Ecuador Computer Donation * NGO Website Forum

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10. WEBSITE DONATION SHOWCASE 
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The list below showcases websites recently donated by InterConnection and our Virtual Volunteers. To date, InterConnection has provided 116 websites to non-profits in 40 countries.

SEAMOS, Bolivia www.seamos.interconnection.org Works to prevent drug use and offer social assistance and health care. Designed by Belén Cosmea

Morona Santiago, Ecuador www.moronasantiago.interconnection.org Provides news and information on the community of Morona Santiago Designed by Nancy S Robinson

Joys Memorial Education Society, India www.joys.interconnection.org Committed to educating underprivileged groups in Andhra Pradesh — women and children in rural areas, landless laborers, widows, destitutes and orphans — who need our specialist care for their survival. Designed by Andrew Boulton

Global Action for Development Organization Network (GADONET), Nigeria www.gadonet.interconnection.org An international coalition of over 2000 development-focused responsible individuals, community based organizations, non-governmental organizations that share the common goals of collective participatory development in their local communities and Africa. Designed by Katherine Harter

Robertson International, Nigeria www.robertson.interconnection.org Aims to improve the local economic development in less-privileged local communities with the mission of education and enlightenment on topical issues to advance communities in Nigeria. Designed by Andrew Carothers

Youngstars Foundation, Nigeria www.youngstars.interconnection.org Facilitates youth empowerment for self-actualization and participation in nation-building. Designed by Sarah Cudworth

Budi Net, Sudan www.budi.interconnection.org Budi Net is the Community website for the collection, conservation, interpretation and study of material relating to the people of Budi Community, South Sudan. Donated Hosting

Help One Women's Organization, Uganda www.help-one.interconnection.org Alleviates poverty among rural women, empowers women through socio-economic activities, and provides vocational skills. Designed by Ted O’Connor

Ntulume Village Women’s Development Association, Uganda www.nviwoda.interconnection.org Works to increase income of women members through provision of entrepreneurship skills, training and development, Micro-Credit support, and information sharing, so that they play an effective role in sustainable development. Designed by Andrew Boulton

****************************************** If you would like to suggest a resource for IConnect let us know by writing to iconnect@interconnection.org