The NABUUR Blog has a new home

Dear all,

It's been quiet around these parts - and now we're packing up and moving. Yes, the NABUUR blog has finally found its permanent home on our website.

Check it out here.

Starting today, you'll read regular updates and announcements from NABUUR, including featured success stories in villages and projects. For those looking to get actively involved, we've got you covered: volunteering opportunities will be showcased on a weekly basis.

You can expect lots more, including guest bloggers, so don't miss one bit - subscribe to the RSS feed now, and make sure to visit us often.

Looking forward to connecting with you there!

the NABUUR team

p.s. If you have suggestions of success stories to cover, we want to hear them! Send an email to info@nabuur.com with the stories you feel we should feature.

Meet2Connect Kampala: Lots of people and lots of energy

35 local community representatives (28 from NABUUR villages), 500 business cards, 1 entertainment group and a welcoming venue made up for a successful Meet2Connect event in Kampala, Uganda on 21 February 2009.

"I now have people to turn to directly, when I am facing challenges"
"Two heads know more than one"

The purpose of the event was to connect local community representatives so that they get to know each other and their projects. And it worked!

After a practical introduction to networking, which really boosted the energy level in the room, it was time to put the networking in practice: groups were formed based on location -"I finally got to know the people who are around me" - and on issue, successes were shared and a lot of ideas, contacts and addresses were exchanged: 500 blank business cards, to be personalized by the local representatives with their details, were gone by halfway into the afternoon.

For an impression of the day, see the attached video and pictures.

Just the beginning…More meetups to come!
During the day a group of Local Reps spontaneously decided to form a meet-up group: they will be meeting on a regular basis to learn from each other’s projects & experiences. If you missed this during the day or were not able to attend the event, but want to join this group: you can still contact Paul Bulenzi at paul@behod.org.

Sander van Zanten (ICU) invited all Local Representatives to drop by at the ICU Service Centre, Bazzekukketta Road, Rubaga, Kampala, whenever they are in the area. The ICU Service Centre serves as a hub for anyone working on development projects in Uganda. For more info see http://www.icuganda.org/servicecentre/index_eng.htm (keep in mind they recently moved to Bazzekukketta Road)

Interest from outside parties
The event didn’t only attract people from NABUUR’s and ICU’s network. Some local Lions and Rotary chapters also expressed an interest to be in touch with this group of local representatives, although they were not able to attend the meeting. Contact with the meet-up group is being established.

Right after the event had taken place, the president of the Uganda Journalists’ Association, mr. Joshua Kyalimpa got in touch. As they would like to share more news from the grassroots level, they’re interested to hear stories from the NABUUR villages. Contact details are available with the meet up group and Sander van Zanten.

Watch the video and get inspired!

NABUUR's first Volunteer of the Year is...Jennifer Wells!

From everyone at NABUUR, we'd like to extend a hearty congratulations to Jennifer Wells who was voted by her peers as NABUUR's first ever Volunteer of the Year!

Jennifer, your tireless work with the communities, and the care and warm personal touch that you bring to your volunteering work is inspiring. On behalf of those whose lives you touch on a daily basis, thank you ~ and congratulations!

Congratulations also go to Mary Smith and Barb Briggs who came in a close second, and whose efforts we also applaud today. And of course, a special mention to the rest of the volunteers nominated.

We hope to feature a short story about Jennifer and her work very soon. Thanks to all those who helped to make this first Volunteer of the Year celebration one to remember!

The NABUUR Team

Voting is underway for NABUUR's first ever Volunteer of the Year Award!

We'd like to extend a big Thank You to all those who made a nomination for NABUUR's first ever Volunteer of the Year award!

A wonderful and talented group of people has been nominated; all having achieved many results and inspired others by embodying the true spirit of a NABUUR volunteer.

Meet the nominees, read their stories and vote for the individual you feel has earned the title of Volunteer of the Year.

Congratulations to all the nominees - stay tuned as the winner will be announced on February 13, 2009.

Apply now to become an online project manager with NABUUR.com

Are you proactive? Results-minded? A team player? If your answer is yes, consider applying to become a NABUUR project manager (known on NABUUR as a facilitator) for one of our many online projects.

A little bit about the role:

In this unique and rewarding volunteer role, you will:

-Expand your project management skills.
-Build up a network with like-minded people from around the world.
-Get international and multi-cultural experience.
-Have a direct impact on an entire community.
-Add an official recommendation to your resume/CV.

If you like to organize projects, work with diverse people, and mobilise volunteers to produce results, you could make a great Facilitator. A Facilitator is a host, moderator and project manager. They welcome new Neighbours, makes sure the Village website is up to date and defines the project and its priorities, together with the Local Representative.

And a little bit about what we're looking for in the ideal candidate:

- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Culturally sensitive; travel experience is an asset but not required.
- Experience with online project management is preferred (though not a requirement).
- Fluent in English.
- Available for a minimum period of 6 months, and able to be online at least 4-6 hours per week.

Sounds like a volunteering opportunity you'd like to tackle? Send your resume (nothing fancy; a summary of your work/academic/volunteering experience will do) to info@nabuur.com with the subject line: 'facilitator application.'

We'll be in touch with you to follow up on your application and discuss the online training. If you'd like to speak to an experienced facilitator first to get an idea of what the role entails, let us know and we'll gladly arrange that for you.

Hope to hear from you!

Romina

Happy Holidays from all of us at NABUUR!

Dear all,

As we enter the holiday season and the year comes to a close, we'd like to wish you a peaceful and joyous holiday, and also extend our gratitude for your support and commitment to local communities around the world. It's been said before but bears repeating: NABUUR is not possible without the dedication and energy of each of you - Thank You!

Before heading out to your holiday plans, take a minute to read the latest happening at NABUUR.

Stories
To see just what kind of a year it's been, have a look at these inspiring stories featuring developments in villages during the past year.

What's new and what's coming up in 2009
You may have seen some of the changes on NABUUR.com, and you're probably asking yourself what's coming up in 2009...Here's your chance to get the latest scoop. And please let us know what you think by contributing to the online discussion.

Last but not least...
NABUUR is happy to announce its first Volunteer of the Year Contest, and we're inviting you to take part in nominating and selecting the winner. Find out more, and post your nomination here! Nominations will be accepted until January 15, so get yours in today!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

the NABUUR Team

Webmaster wanted for www.kabondopoverty.org

You may have come across the amazing website put together by volunteers to raise awareness for the Kabondo Orphan Care Project.

Now this website is in urgent need of a webmaster: a dedicated and thorough volunteer who can write content and update the website as needed. If this sounds like you, read on for a message from Barb Briggs, facilitator of the Kabondo project, outlining the full description of the voluntary duties you'd be undertaking.

Webmaster Needed!
In order to attract potential donors, increase awareness and promote Kabondo, and allow for 'online' donation a website was developed at www.kabondopoverty.org.

We have webhosting for 2 years but now require a webmaster.

Duties include:

- Writing content for the website
- Posting updates at least monthly, but preferably every week
- Posting photos, videos and other links
- Maintaining a list of registered users that sign up on the site
- Developing new pages as the site grows
- Minimum 6 month commitment

Expertise or skills required:
- Experience in working with Joomla
- Experience writing
- Strong English writing skills
- Excellent internet skills
- Ability to add photos, videos and other resources to the site
- Experience in updating a website
- Able to maintain a spreadsheet

If interested, do let them know! Leave a message on the Kabondo discussion board here.

Next step

Two years ago, on June 2006, I started at NABUUR.

Then NABUUR was an Internet site on which 5,000 online volunteers (Neighbours) collaborated with the population of 60 local communities (Villages) from Africa, Asia and Latin America to find new solutions for local problems.

Now, at the end of 2008 NABUUR is an open platform where soon 20,000 Neighbours from 152 different countries will assist the population in 200 Villages with projects which are linked with the millennium goals.

NABUUR became a self-organising platform and as a result the team of employees and thereby the operational costs can be much lower. Moreover NABUUR is well on it’s way to secure a group of committed partners and financial supporters and with that it has been insured a stable future.

I am glad that I have made my contribution to this growth in the previous years. There were turbulent, sometimes uncertain times in which I have cooperated gladly with colleagues and partners and above all have learned much from the local representatives and the volunteers.

Your feeling for justice, commitment, perseverance and allegiance is infinite and will continue to inspire me both in work and private life!

As of 1 January I will start working at‘’de Baak’’ (www.baakblue.nl). Last autumn NABUUR hosted the Dutch Innovation seminar (organised by the Baakblue). There I experienced the work area and got to know the people. From the first meeting I felt like a fish in water and realised that I in my next job I want more personal contact and variety in subjects and organisations. That is what the Baakblue can offer me.

NABUUR `gets under your skin'' and that’s why I want to conclude with stories of developments reached in the Villages the previous years:

http://www.nabuur.com/news/stories

I hope that this only beginning ...... Thank you very much for cooperation!

Gerdie Schreuders

Projects, projects and more projects - How do You Choose One?

With hundreds of online projects on NABUUR.com, how do you decide which one to help? Some volunteers have their mind made up as soon as they register, beelining it for the project of their choice.

But many of us are grateful for a little time to peruse what's available - so, if you've asked yourself the question 'how do I choose a NABUUR project?' you're in luck as today, we bring you some tips to make sure you start off your NABUUR experience on the right foot from the get-go.

1. A quick way to select an online project is by browsing the Villages tab. On that page you'll see villages and projects categorized by topic and location. Pick at your heart's content!

2. You can't beat a search engine! Type in your chosen keywords (skills, interests, location, task names, etc.) and find your way to quick results in seconds.

3. Peers know best. Chat with your fellow Neighbours: they are the ones with the pulse on all the latest happening on NABUUR, and they'll likely know of a project where your skills and interests would fit right in.

4. Stay on top of the NABUUR news! Opportunities for help within villages and projects are often advertised by the news items, so don't miss one bit!

5. Contact info[at]nabuur.com if you'd like some guidance on where to start. Don't forget to tell us a bit about yourself (your preferences for a volunteering opportunity; your work/academic experience; your likes/dislikes) and we'll help match you up with a project of your choice.

If you're not quite ready to dive into a project, no worries, there's heaps more you can do: check out the '10 Things You can do' page. We know there's something in there that's bound to get your full attention!

We hope you find this information useful in helping you get started - Have a great day everyone!

Two ways that you can help the Nairobi Eastlands Support Centre

It's been a long time since we showcased available volunteering opportunities, so today we bring you a project - and concrete ways that you can help - that we hope will catch your attention.

A few months ago we introduced you to the Nairobi Eastlands Support Centre when we proudly announced that the centre had earned its NGO status, and was now formally and legally recognized as an organization. This time we visit the project and give you ways to help out - without setting foot in the community, and simply by sitting behind your computer and spending some time on the Internet.

For those who didn't read the previous post on NESC, here's a quick recap of the project, explained by the project's facilitator Lynley MacKay:

"HIV/AIDS in Nairobi-Eastlands is spreading at an alarming rate, and with high rates of substance and poor health, the community needs access to affordable health care.

The community has established a health care and support centre. The centre will provide both medical and counselling services." (A more detailed overview on the project can be found here.)

While a lot has been accomplished, thanks to the tireless work of the project's team, there are a couple of urgent tasks that would welcome your offer to help.

1. Sort and Prioritize Resources: NESC has a large bank of potential funding and support organizations listed in the project room's resources. These organizations were selected partly because they have a similar focus to NESC, but now they need to be revised and prioritized according to their potential/likelihood to fund NESC.

If you can help with this task, which shouldn't take up more than 2 hours, please drop your name in the discussion thread.

2. Write a Funding Proposal: NESC has a mission statement, aims and objectives set out, a project and business plan, a proposed budget, a logo, and a web page. All it is missing is for a few volunteers to collaborate together on a proposal/funding document which will be submitted as the main source of information when applying for funding opportunities.

Sounds like something that you could do? Let the team know here.

There you have it: two concrete ways to offer your assistance to a crucial and inspiring project in Nairobi. Feel free to browse around the project's other tasks, and join in the conversation. See you online.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Happy International Volunteer Day from all of us at NABUUR!

Dear NABUUR Volunteers,

Today, December 5, is International Volunteer Day; a day which celebrates the collective spirit and work of volunteers around the world.

To mark this day, the team at NABUUR would like to take a moment and honour the commitment you have made to help local communities around the world achieve their goals and dreams.

The core of NABUUR – our online neighbour network - would not function without the work put in by each and everyone one of you, and we say a heartfelt Thank You to everyone involved.

As a means to celebrate your achievements, we have compiled a few stories that represent the tremendous efforts made this past year by NABUUR neighbours, facilitators, and local representatives. We invite you to read the stories and please don't hesitate to share them with friends and family. Enjoy!

With gratitude, we wish you a Happy International Volunteer Day – You wholeheartedly deserve it.

The NABUUR team

Give a Gift with Meaning: The Kyomya Calendars are now on sale!

The holidays are fast approaching, and what better gift to give than one that will have a lasting impact on a community in a developing country.

To raise funds to build a school and further other projects in Kyomya, Uganda, two NABUUR volunteers, Barb Briggs and Raul Alberto Caceres, have put together a calendar with stunning photographs taken from their travels this year to the community of Kyomya East. The calendar is now on sale, and eagerly waiting for your orders!

The price of the calendar has been reduced to $15 USD with a new printer on board. Your calendar will come with a white envelope to ship it on as a gift to a friend.

Postage in the US is no more than $2.50. If you can afford to, please round it up to $20. For more than one calendar, the postage on priority mail that can hold up to 6 calendars is $11.95 USD.

Postage to Canada, Australia and Europe is a flat rate of $11.95 USD, which can hold up to 6 calendars delivered in 6-10 days.

To place your orders just send an email to kyomyacalendar@gmail.com with the number of calendars you wish to order and the delivery address.

You will receive an email with instructions on how to process a secure payment using Paypal. Once the payment is confirmed the calendars will be delivered to the address specified in the email.

Make sure to order yours today!

And if you'd like to be a part of the Kyomya online team, click here to see what else the team is working on - and how you can contribute.

There's always a story to tell at NABUUR - Why not be the person telling it?

If you're a journalist, a writer, or someone with an interest or talent for storytelling, you're in luck as today we present you with a new and exciting volunteering opportunity.

There is always something cooking in NABUUR Villages. When you're participating in the Villages as a Neighbour and are right smack in the middle of the action, your volunteer time is better filled with researching solutions for the project, making contact with organisations, working on the assigned tasks, etc. All these efforts may not leave much time for other things, but there are Neighbours who may wish to take on a reporting role and write stories about the developments taking place in the Villages.

This is the reason why NABUUR is looking for volunteer storytellers. Each storyteller will get 20 Villages to monitor (check the news, stay on top of the results, get an update from the Facilitator and the Local Representative) and will write updates about the developments in this Village.

As storyteller, you will to act as the Village reporter and create stories (within a given format most of the time). If you like to keep a blog or post your stories outside NABUUR you are more than welcome as well.

If you can spend 5 hours a week, whenever it suits you, for the next 6 months, join us in the storytelling group where you'll find all you need to know on getting started as a NABUUR storyteller.

Preview page: 10 Things you can do on NABUUR

A very interesting discussion is taking shape on the Social Actions website on the topic of engaging volunteers.

Some excellent suggestions were brought forward and we have incorporated these into a brand new feature that will allow new and existing Nabuur volunteers to quickly get a sense of how they can start contributing.

A page has been created with a '10 things you can do' list. You'll find the things on the page range from becoming a Neighbour to taking on bigger tasks like becoming a Facilitator. The page is not live yet, and it's still a work in progress, but we wanted to give you a preview and would love to hear if you think this page will work for new volunteers to get started:

Visit the page here.

Let us know your thoughts, and if you feel inclined, join us on Social Actions to continue the discussion!

154 Votes on Give Meaning...and Counting!

Remember a few days ago when we shared with you the efforts of Yoshinkel and Gamauli to raise votes on Give Meaning? It seems quite a lot of you were listening, and took swift action to make sure that the vote count rose through the GM roof!

Within 48 hours, the goal of 100 votes was reached - and the votes are still coming in...Now showing 153...154...

Talk about fast and furious teamwork! We saw lots of promo links being posted on NABUUR users' Facebook accounts and other social networks; announcements sent on Twitter channels; emails being forwarded to friends and acquaintances asking to please vote, etc.

You ALL did it! Virtual high-fives going out to all of you! :)

Now onto the fundraising part...But if the voting phase is any indication of how quickly this team can get to its goal, raising funds will be a piece of cake.

Want to get in on the action? Here's how to do it.

How your Vote can help school children in Nepal

Now here's a great way to start the week off...Take a minute or two and vote on Givemeaning.com for a NABUUR project aimed at providing winter clothes to school children in Nepal.

Angelika, facilitator for Yoshinkel, tells us more below.

"Your vote on Givemeaning.com goes out to both the women of Yoshinkhel and the children of Gamauli today :) the two Nabuur villages have entered into a partnership to provide the needy children of Gamauli with winter clothes.

Our neighbour Jennifer has posted information about our proposed project and partnership to Givemeaning.com. In order for the project to "go live" and fundraising to begin, we need to first secure 100 votes. I am asking that all of our volunteers here please visit the Givemeaning.com site and cast your vote.

Click here to go to the project:

http://www.givemeaning.com/proposal/gamauli

Please get your friends to vote as well! Voting closes December 8th. The sooner we can get to 100 votes the better.

And if you do feel that this is a worthwhile cooperation, please do consider funding as well: You can buy a set of clothes for a child for EUR 5 / USD 6 already, ensuring that that child can attend school over winter! And of course the women and children in Yoshinkhel benefit too, as the women are paid for their work on the products."

---

There, easy as it looks. A couple of minutes to register an account on GiveMeaning and a quick click of the Vote button. Please pass this on to your friends and acquaintances before the deadline.

I voted - Have you?

The Stephen Lewis Foundation Visits Kabondo

NABUUR woke up today to some heartening news from the project in Kabondo, Kenya.

Here's Eric Ochanji, local representative of Kabondo, to share with you the exciting news.

"Dr. Lucy Steinitz visited Kabondo on 1st and 2nd November to carry out an assesment visit for possible funding on behalf of the Stephen Leiws Foundation. Dr. Steinitz is co-founder of Catholic AIDS Action in Namibia and co-founder and chairperson of the board of CAFO; The Church Alliance for Orphans. She also works with Family Health International.

It is the policy of The Stephen Lewis Foundation to send a representative to any project they are actively considering for funding. We were privileged to host her to meet the board, asses the management and financial systems in place and also visit the beneficiaries of the project. The visit took 2 days and a report will be forwaded to SLF to help them make a final decision.

Dr. Lucy visited children supported by the project and a widow who is struggling with a small business that earns her less than a dollar a day (KShs 50) to feed her four children and help her provide the basic necessities. Though she is semi literate, Dr. Lucy was inspired and moved by Mrs Benter Owino's courage and strategic plan and donated KShs 5,000 of her own monwy to help her expand her business capacity to be able to make at least KShs 300 a day.

We thank Lucy for helping Kabondo Poverty Alleviation Organization(KPAO) reach out to one widow who has shown the way that hard work and determination can help the poor make great strides away from dependence."
Eric
Local Representative of Kabondo

Running the Mumbai Marathon to raise funds for a school in India

Creativity and resourcefulness are two qualities that can aptly describe NABUUR volunteers - Jegan, local representative for the community of Koliyonkulam in India, is a perfect example of these attributes being used to the max when it comes to finding solutions for the projects.

To address the lack of education for children in the village, an evening school has been set up where children are taught English and other subjects, helping them prepare for a better future.

The HELP (Human Education and Liberation for the Poor) school runs on minimum resources and seeks donations or partners that will allow it to improve its services.

When registration for the Mumbai marathon came up, Jegan immediately saw an opportunity and signed up...

"Jegan is showing his commitment to the evening school and his genuine intent to help the children through HELP evening school! He is running in the Mumbai marathon (on January 18, 2009), Asia's biggest charity event for NGOs. He is participating in the Half-Marathon. He is pledging funds and he has created a website to promote his effort. Here is a great opportunity to sponsor the evening school."
Tanja (online volunteer in Koliyonkulam)

We invite you to check out the website for more information and to make a pledge to help the school. (All pledges will be overseen by the United Way Mumbai.)

Best of luck Jegan - We know you'll make everyone proud!


Students at the HELP School in Koliyonkulam

A Shout-out to the Yoshinkel Project Team

The artisan women of Yoshinkel (Nepal) needed a catalogue to showcase their beautiful knitted wear, and to present to Third World Craft to be included in that organization's order plan for this fiscal year.

The Neighbours in the Village, led by facilitator Angelika, and supported on site by the local community representative Sabina, have stepped up to the plate and made everyone's head spin with the speed and progress the task has made in mere weeks.

We'd like to give the team at Yoshinkel a NABUUR shout-out and say Thank You for the fantastic teamwork. The team exemplifies what NABUUR is truly about; the Global Neighbour Network.

Kudos to all - We can't wait to see the final product!

[Check out the discussion - and see samples of the catalogue - here. And don't forget you too can join the project and help out. For more opportunities within the Yoshinkel project, visit their project room.]

The catalogue-making team

Who can really change the world?

Look at this extremely funny video about the President elections and see the connection between Obama, McCain and Neighbours @ NABUUR!

Here you go:

http://www.aarpvote08.org/?d=TkFCVVVSIE5laWdoYm91cnM=

(or click the title of this posting for a direct link)