Hi, and thank you for your continued support!  I just wanted to take some time and give everyone a quick update. 

Our microcredit program is continuing to do phenomenally well, and we have doubled the number of participants over the past couple of months.  More recently we have also been working with a group of women in Rwanda who are applying for a loan to buy some cows and chickens.  The women are very enterprising and have a solid business plan.  Again, this reminds me of why we do what we do.  The people of Africa, who are living in extreme poverty, are incredibly resourceful, and are driven to provide a better life for their families.  Every time I am in Africa, and hear these women’s stories and plans I am amazed at their entrepreneurial spirit and “can do” attitude.  Microcredit is simply a tool to allow them to achieve these dreams and radically change their current circumstances.  It is not a hand out that only builds dependency upon others, but it is a proclamation of trust and responsibility.  It allows the recipient freedom to invest in the market place with the goal of creating a better living situation for her and her family.  It is a bottom up approach that slowly changes lives over time, but makes a lasting difference.  It is certainly not the all inclusive answer to the issues of extreme poverty, but it is valuable tool that has dramatically impacted this region of the world. 

With this in mind I am currently focusing on two primary projects.  One is to dramatically grow our microcredit program, and I am exploring multiple ways to effectively do this.  Secondly, we are raising money to build a dormitory for New Hope Orphanage in Busia Uganda.  This is a huge need for the children currently living there, and will also pave the way to bring more children off of the streets.

Thank you again for your continued support!!