We are excited to say that we have been the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Loyola Foundation!  This is a real blessing for LeapingStone and for the children of Dédékè, Togo.  What this means is that we are $4,000 away from having all the funds necessary to complete our primary school project — the final three classrooms and office for the teachers.

Thanks To Loyola, LeapingStone is Now Just $4,000 Away From Full Funding!

We are so grateful to the Board of Trustees and to

Mr. A. Gregory McCarthy IV of the Loyola Foundation for their generosity and for their confidence in LeapingStone.

Mr. McCarthy was willing to give his time to answer all our questions and his genuine kindness and the charitable effort of Loyola Foundation is truly making a difference in this world.

Now, when I say us, I really mean Donald Peterson.    He should get the credit for winning this grant.  He led us through the process from start to finish.  He helped us to draft all the correspondence starting with the Letter of Inquiry all the way through to the grant itself.  He spent hours writing and rewriting, making sure every detail was accurate.  He was invaluable to us and deserves all the glory for this achievement.

We are pleased to announce we will be participating in the      Annie B Fund drive again this year.  This drive runs from August 1 to September 30.  Our goal is to raise the last $4,000 needed to complete construction on the school.

More about this to come!  Thank you to everyone who has supported us.  We could not do it without you.

Cheers,

Natalie

This last trip to Togo gave us a deeper understanding of Togolese culture and what it will take to continue to help the people of Dédékè make the changes they want.  Change is hard.  Just think of things you would like to change in your life, and you realize the commitment needed to accomplish those changes.  The changes are happening, slowly, slowly.

The women’s group is strong and well organized.  They have a bank account and have managed to save over $200 US.  Considering that the average adult in the village earns a little over $200 per year, this is a major accomplishment.  The building to house the cassava mill will be completed by August.  Claire will then purchase the mill and provide the women with the training to properly prepare and mill the cassava.  They will then sell the cassava meal at the Thursday market.  They will also be able to offer the service to others wishing to mill their cassava.

Enjoy!

Women’s Group
There were 50 births in Dédékè last year.

This means the need to complete the school is stronger than ever before.

Why am I talking about Japan?  Well, some months ago, Claire Quenum had approached the Japanese Government regarding a cassava milling project.  She had  traveled to the Ivory Coast to meet with the Japanese Ambassador.  Their Embassy covers many of the West African countries, including Togo.  She asked that they fund a cassava milling project that would involve four villages in Togo, including Dédékè.  The Japanese Government agreed to fund the project.

Of course, this was before the massive earthquake and tsunami.  If ever there was a reason to back out, this would be it.  But they have honored their commitment.  The project has been funded and is moving ahead.  The location for the building has been secured and the sand for making the cement bricks has been delivered.

The new building will house the mill as well as a place to dry the product before it is milled.  Once the cassava is milled, they can  sell the meal.  They will also be able to charge other people for milling their cassava.  They will have both a product and a service to provide to others.  Another part of the project is to train the villagers in how to maintain and repair the mill.  This is exactly the kind of program we feel will most benefit them and create a self-sustaining community.

Claire also reports that the women’s committee has opened their own bank account.  The President, Secretary, and Treasurer of the committee are in charge of the account.  Little by little they are saving money by selling goods at the Dédékè  Thursday market.  Once the mill is up and running, they will have another product to offer.

What an Improvement!

Here is that photo as promised…  Remember what they had before?

Cheers,

Natalie