Thursday, April 12, 2012

This Blog is on the Move

This blog is moving to a nice shiny new location and I think you will like it.  I will no longer be posting here. However, there is a new blog called www.keeponclimbing.com which will provide this and much more information. Thank you so much to the 8,000 plus viewers who dropped by to see my posts here. Please continue to follow at the new site. I look forward to seeing you there!!

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Interviews

I did an interview on The Authors Show yesterday that should be aired in a few weeks. The show is the number 1 ranked show out of 882 million competitors when anyone googles "author radio" so I am pleased to be a part of it. My interview with 100 Huntley Street (Canadian TV show broadcast nationally) will also be aired in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned for dates!

Monday, March 12, 2012

Writers for a Cause

I am very pleased to be a part of Writers for a Cause. By crafting and marketing books spanning a variety of genres, the website has a number of professional authors who "improve quality of life through financially supporting a myriad of non-profit, non-political organizations serving communities."

We direct the money we raise to Plan Canada International for various projects. The most recent is to help youth and young women establish small businesses in Tanzania. A portion of the proceeds of book sales is used for that purpose.

Check out the philanthropic authors at the website.

Writers for a Cause

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Kilimanjaro and Beyond Wins!

The final results are in and Kilimanjaro and Beyond won first place in the Spiritual/Inspirational category in the Reader Views Reviewers Choice Awards. Yay!!!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

New Interview

I really enjoyed doing this interview with Donna Brown for her blog, Book Bags and Cat Naps. Thanks Donna!

Interview for Book Bags and Cat Naps

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Kilimanjaro and Beyond Up For an Award

I am very pleased to announce that Kilimanjaro and Beyond is a finalist for an award from Reader Views in the spiritual and inspiration category. Results will be anounced sometime in March.

Stay tuned!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Update on the Economic Security Project

We are starting to plan some fantastic events for 2012 to raise more money for the micro finance project in Tanzania that will help young uneducated people, most of whom are women, start small businesses. I am happy to report that we raised $9,510 in 2011 so after the federal government contributes their share, that is $38,040 raised directly and indirectly through our projects.  Thank you to everyone who contributed!!

I just received a report from Tanzania through Plan Canada that speaks to the kind of work that was done in Year 1. A total of 94 Village Savings and Loan Associations were established in three different communities in Tanzania. This was slightly below target for the reasons mentioned below, but still an amazing accomplishment. Having seen the associations in action, it means that there are many more entrepreneurs in Africa starting self sustaining businesses so they can feed their families and send their children to school.  It is one more important step in lifting them from the cycle of poverty they have found themselves in.

The Africans face tremendous challenges that we don't even think about and I thought it would be interesting to reprint the exact quote from the report.

"In some communities, participation was slow at the beginning of the program as communities were busy working in their fields. The farming season was a constraint as farmers migrate to farms for harvest making it difficult to get groups/people on time to Village Savings and Loan (VSL) meetings during week days. In the dry season, participation rates were much more positive. A period of heavy rains also made some of the program areas inaccessible for Plan and Partner staff. The rainy season caused road blocks and delays in activities. This situation persisted in Ifakara and Mwanza from March to May 2011. For example, areas in Ifakara were flooded, making it difficult for VSL groups to meet regularly as well as field visits. Due these factors, project implementation was delayed in both Quarter 1 and 2 of Year 1."

In spite of the challenges, work is progressing and we are continuing our efforts to do our bit.  Stay tuned for updates on upcoming events and, of course, I would be happy to make presentations on the work we are doing.  A portion of the proceeds from our book, "Kilimanjaro and Beyond" also goes to the project.

One final point I would like to mention again is that we have partnered with the Atma Foundation in Oregon.  As mentioned in a previous post, they have already sent school supplies to the classroom we collectively helped to fund and they will continue to do so. I am grateful to Alysha Atma and her dedicated team for the work they are doing.