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Overview:

With the support of the Prem Rawat Foundation, Wine to Water, People Water, 224 fundraisers and 806 individual donors, The Adventure Project funded the training of 186 well mechanics in India last year.

These gifts are truly transforming water services for communities, schools and health clinics, so people will no longer be forced to return to unsafe water sources or rely on external organizations for assistance in repairing or replacing their water systems. In addition, people will now have good jobs, increasing their livelihoods and dignity for themselves and their families.

Current Progress:

So far, 148 people are currently hired and receiving training in how to become a well mechanic. Through this program, they will/have received a bag of tools, education, and a one-year stipend to help get their enterprises off the ground.

Job Status:

SOUTH 24 PARGANAS

Fifty Jalabandhu were slotted to be trained in three blocks in the district of South 24 Parganas (Kakdwip,Budgebudge I and Budgebudge II), in the state of West Bengal, India. However, after meetings with the local government leaders and completing an analysis of the water points to be served by the Jalabandhu, it was decided to start with 42 well mechanics for now. The three blocks have a total population of about 567,000 with approximately 1,600 water points, which works out to approximately 38 to 40 water points per well mechanic. Of the 42 well mechanics, only five are female. This is a very conservative area, so it is unusual for women to work outside their homes. We are hoping that the five women become positive examples, prompting other women to join in the future. This February we captured one of the women’s
stories, Rani, which you can read here.

Sheohar

To support the Jalabandhu program in the district, with our funding, Water For People has hired and trained a Jalabandhu Program Officer who will be responsible for training and coaching the 106 Jalabandhu in the district. Trainings are currently wrapping up, and it’s anticipated that all 106 Jalabandhu will be repairing water points by the end of March 2013.

Purulia

Sadly, Maoist rebel activities have led to security issues in Kashipur block of the district of Purulia. Plans were to train 30 well mechanics in this area, but staff report feeling unsafe walking in public and riding the buses. Water for People India decided to pause the program in Purulia as a safety measure.

Therefore, the funds to train 30 well mechanics have been reallocated for a refresher course in South 24 Parganas. Thirty-eight well mechanics who were hired in 2010 and 2011 have signed up for the refresher course. These refresher trainings are critical in understanding the challenges the Jalabandhu are facing in the field, and building their technical and troubleshooting skills to address these problems.

The refresher course brings together the Jalabandhu to share and discuss the issues they are facing as a group, work together to identify solutions and provide additional technical guidance on repair and maintenance of pumps. In addition, these refresher courses will expand the skills of the Jalabandhu trained in 2010 and 2011 by including training on water quality testing, using simple test kits and water sampling for government testing laboratories.

While we are sad that Purulia will not receive 30 new well mechanics that are needed, we are proud to support the reallocation of funds, as it is a safe and wise decision. Our goal is to always do what’s best for the local partner.

The program is going so well, we are now working to bring it to Africa! We are so honored by how everyone has supported and rallied behind this effort.
Thank you!

…….

On International Women’s Day, we thought we’d share a few women who inspire us every day.

Caitlin Martinelli- Our first intern ever. Caitlin took the road-less-traveled and headed to India after graduation. We’re so proud of her.	Tesi Klipsch- As if five children aren’t enough, Tesi is a licensed foster mom, taking in kids who need a temporary home. She also is the host of the annual “Wine to Water” event, raising funds for well mechanics in India. See photos.

Nicolette Skidmore- This young mom is one of our first Tribe members. Juggling her adorable son with full-time classes, we’re so lucky to have her energy and support.	Meg Duerkson- We are awestruck by Meg’s creative blog. She’s also a entrepreneurial force. Check out her Craft Weekends!

Esther Havens- Traveling the world, Esther captures stories and photos that move people to action. Check out her blog, here.	Anna Lorenzen- Every year Anna helps to host a Women’s Breakaway event in her community, to bring women together in fellowship and service. Plus, she’s a rockstar tennis player! See photos here.

Katherine Wolf- Mom and model, Katherine has a powerful and inspiring story. We’re excited that it will come to life, thanks to crushing her Kickstarter campaign. Bonus: today’s her birthday!	Lauren Collins- One of core interns last year, Lauren is now geeking out at Warby Parker. She recently gave up her birthday for our stove program in Haiti, crushing her goal.

Julie Gumm- Mom and adoption advocate, Julie wrote a book on how to “Adopt Without Debt.” She’s wonderful.	Amber Constantino- Amber is Becky’s fake PR person, rallying sorority sisters to nominate The Adventure Project for numerous press and awards. She always goes out of her way, and we love her for it.

Susan McPherson- Susan is the working woman we most admire. More often than not, someone will say, “Have you talked to Susan yet?” She is “famous” for her willingness to help others. Also, we love her tweets!

Watch the video to find out!

Congratulations to the winner of our “Win A Trip to Haiti” Contest! We had over 450 entries and surpassed our goal of sponsoring 1,000 stoves for Haiti this month. Thank you so much to everyone who entered and supported. Check out the progress here!

Hello from Haiti,

Our team has arrived and we are off to meet the women who are selling the stoves. Photos coming soon. In the meantime, here are four things you should know about Haiti:

1. It’s Getting Better.
We’ve read the reports about funds not sent to the right places, cholera, and hurricanes. Serious challenges remain, but you should know it’s getting better. 95% of the debris has been cleared since the earthquake. The country’s homicide rate is now the same as Long Beach, California. And 1.27 million children are now enrolled in school, many for the first time. If you donated to emergency relief, we want you to know your funds made a difference.

2. Your stove is made in a carport.
If you sponsored a stove last year, or you choose to sponsor one now, you should know that it’s made in a carport. It’s not glamorous or flashy, but like so many start-ups, this enterprise started in a garage. Our next goal is to help move them into a proper factory, so they can produce stoves faster, at a lower cost. Click below to watch a clip.

3. Stoves drastically improve health and the environment, but that’s not why people buy them.
Cooking over open fires is one the world’s biggest – but least known – killers. But families buy these stoves because it saves them money. 40% percent of a poor family’s income is spent on charcoal to cook with, and these stoves use 50% less charcoal than open fires. Which is a big deal. It would be like cutting your NYC rent in half. It’s money people use to send their kids to school, buy food, and even start a business.

4. One Thousand Families.
In less than two weeks, over 300 people helped us exceed our goal. One thousand families will be breathing easier, saving money – and that’s incredible. But our work is not done. We will continue to support this program all year, and until they become sustainable.

There are 24 hours left to enter our “Win a Trip” contest. We would love for you enter and potentially see the progress firsthand. Or give $20 to sponsor one stove for a family in need. It will make a difference.

Hello, long-time supporter. You’re coming to this page because you are an early adopter, and we love you for it! Here are the older links to our monthly giving. PS: You are wonderful.

1. Shea Weaver Grubbs
Campaign page: http://hunger2012.causevox.com/Grubbs
Raised so far:  $1200
What She Did:  Shea and her daughter baked their favorite fall treats and brought them to anyone who donated $25 or more to their campaign.


“I feel this is a great opportunity to not only allow my daughter to be a part of the campaign but to spend time together, especially while baking (which we already enjoy doing together), to discuss why it’s important to love our neighbors and to want them to have the same opportunities we’d want for ourselves. It’s a simple physical gesture of love that I hope plants deep seeds in her heart for a future of fruitful advocacy.” -Shea

2. Julie Gumm
Campaign page: http://hunger2012.causevox.com/juliegumm
Raised so far: $593
What She Did:  Julie worked with an artist friend to sell handmade necklaces with all the proceeds benefiting the farmers in Kenya. You can read more about her campaign on her blog:  http://juliegumm.com/2012/10/handmade-necklace-fundraiser-for-kenyan-farmers/

3. Nicolette Skidmore
Campaign Page:  http://hunger2012.causevox.com/nicolette
Raised so far:  $245
What She Did:  Nicolette gathered her talented and creative friends to make this fun video about why it matters to her.  So cute!

Join these girls on our Hunger fundraising team!  Gather your friends, create your own page. Every $400 helps one farmer in Kenya.

Hello all,

I just wanted to write you to say thank you, and update you on the incredible progress of our Health campaign.

I met with a few of the women on Thursday and Friday and it is amazing to see how the program has grown, and the impact they are making in their communities. Living Goods has almost doubled the number of women health promoters they’ve hired since last year. It’s remarkable.

Esther Havens is also with me to help shoot photos and stories of the impact.

The photo of the mom hugging her three kids is Gertrude, who is such an inspiring woman. She told us her husband died two years ago, leaving her widowed and without an income (she said she was terrified). Fortunately, Living Goods was expanding to her community and she was hired as a community health promoter.

As she was starting out she visited a home where three kids had terrible cases of malaria. Their mother was beside herself, because she didn’t have any money to buy the drugs. Gertrude knew the mom was truly desperate so she decided to trust her, and bought the medicine for her. Two days later the mother repaid Gertrude, and then told everyone in the community that Gertrude saved her children. Ever since, Gertrude business has been booming, and she is earning enough to send her three kids to school.

Gertrude’s 14-year-old daughter, Helen, said that everyone in the community tells her, “your mom is the kind one.” Helen later whispered to me, “When I grow up I want to be a nurse, like my mom.”

…

I love stories like this. Where the benefits of one job can send children to school, save three kids from malaria, and give a widow purpose and light.  These are stories that will continue to grow long after we’re gone, swelling and rippling to help thousands of people I may never meet. I feel like my heart has grown three sizes this week.

I’m in Kenya now, and will be visiting Kickstart’s irrigation pumps tomorrow. Thank you so much for joining us since the beginning. Your support is making a profound difference, and I am so fortunate to watch it grow.

- BECKY STRAW – co-founder & chief adventurist

Out of 2,400 Nominees, we are honored to find out we made it as a Top 5 Regional Finalist for the CLASSY Awards! In fact, we have been nominated in two categories, “Best New Charity” and best “Disaster Relief and International Aid” organization.

This is a huge deal for us. If we win, it will give us a great platform to spread our message

Help us move on to the next round by casting your vote before July 26.

Takes two minutes, we promise!
1.

2. Select EAST from the regional menu…(because we’re mainly in NYC)

3. Then scroll down…and click:

4. Scroll and click again (all the way to the bottom, now):

5. Submit and Share!

………………………..

WHILE YOU’RE AT IT:

Vote for our friends who are also nominated:

WEST COAST:
Mama Hope – MOST EFFECTIVE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN BY A CHARITY
Architecture for Humanity – MOST EFFECTIVE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN BY A CHARITY
KickStart International – HUNGER AND POVERTY RELIEF (our partner in Kenya)!

MIDWEST:
Bright Pink – MOST CREATIVE FUNDRAISER BY A CHARITY

EAST COAST:
She’s The First – MOST CREATIVE FUNDRAISER BY A CHARITY

SOUTH:
Raven & Lily – PHILANTHROPIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Voting ends July 26th, so please join us in showing the world that creating jobs in developing countries is critical to ending poverty!

Thanks again,

Jody and Becky (and team)

PS: Here are some sample tweets and facebook posts:

tweet:

I just voted @Ad_VenturePro as Best New Charity for the @ClassyAwards. Join me: http://bit.ly/voteTAP 

facebook post:

I just voted for The Adventure Project as Best New Charity for the Classy Awards. I’m proud to be a part of the journey, helping to create over 300 jobs around the world in only 18 months! Join me in voting for The Adventure Project here: http://bit.ly/voteTAP 

The Adventure Project s thrilled to have partnered with the classy transportation service Uber to provide attendees with discounted rides to the Spring Gala! Ride in style to the event for half price! Uber will also be donating $10 from each trip to The Adventure Project.

How does it work? Using Uber’s free iPhone/Android app (or a text message), you can request a pickup and a black car driven by a professional driver will show up in minutes. The ride is 50% off and tip is included in the ride so there’s no need to carry cash. To activate the promotion, simply follow these steps below:

1) Download the free Uber iPhone/Android App (or sign up at uber.com for the SMS feature)

2) Sign up with all your information and enter promo code APGALA. Enter the code when you sign up!

3) Request your car about 5 – 15 minutes before you want to be picked up on Thursday night and then request again when you’ve danced your way out of the after party!

Existing users can enter the promo by clicking here.

Questions? Email josh@uber.com