Christmas ‘14 Newsletter

In our Fall newsletter, we planned to repair our two installed systems that had equipment failure. There was some urgency because the rainy season was coming, which due to the isolated locations, would put them out of reach for several months. The communities were anxious to get power back into the schools and a non-working system is worse than no system at all. We needed $2000 to send an electrician with the new parts to get everything back on. Thanks to our generous friends, we were able to complete the repairs by early November. Here you can see the truck at one of the schools - the sky is not cloudy yet - and Duncan, the electrician at work.

Because of the need for repairs and Thomas’ schedule which did not permit time to travel this year, we have not installed a new system this year. However, we do know where there is a need, so we are working on plans for 2015. The technology continues to improve and commercial interests are also taking note of rural Africa with its vast need for modern infrastructure. However, electrifying schools is still not a priority, in part because communities find it difficult to pay utility fees. So, there is still need for GLP to lead the way in making better futures for the next generation. In addition to relying on our friends for support, we are also engaging some key corporations to see if they will leverage our experience and contacts with their resources. These things take patience and persistence.

Thanks again for your interest and support. You have made a huge difference for children who can now attend school with lights and computers. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so  online through CanadaHelps or mail a cheque made out to Royal View Church with the notation GlobalLight Projects to Wayde Foss, 4 McManus Pl., London, ON N5V 4X2. Donations over $10 will receive a tax deductible receipt. If you would like to make a donation as a gift in someone’s honour, we will be happy to send a GLP card for you to notify your honouree. Just include a note with your donation.

From all of us at GlobalLight Projects, may you have a blessed Christmas season!

If you have  a question or comment Contact us.

If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way.

~Napolean Hill

Your GlobalLIght Projects Team

Thomas, Wayde, Peter, Marilyn & Doug

Merry Christmas

Fall '13

 

Fall '13 Newsletter

The Globallight Projects team is pleased to announce that the school in Kayola, Zambia received a solar installation this year. Kayola is in the same general area as our previous installations, although more remote. It was a challenge to get there, crossing dry river beds, having to unload the truck to do so and carry all supplies in. But the community was excited and prepared, all went well and the lights are on! Thomas reports that this is our best installation yet, as we continue to learn as we go. Now GLP has helped three schools in Zambia with lights, 2 of which have a computer and projector.

Of course, none of this would have happened without a lot of support. The fund raising dinner in the spring hosted by the Social Justice Mission of Mary Immaculate Church as a great success, providing sufficient funds for this year's project. Royal View Church has provided the umbrella under which we work and to whom we are accountable for all funds.  Thanks again to all those who have supported GLP - you are making a difference!

We are working on plans for 2014,which we hope to announce soon. The school in Kayola needs a computer and projector to enhance educational opportunities. We also would like to provide more training for the teachers in how to get the best value from these new tools. If you can help us in either of these areas, that would be great!

The members of the GLP team serve as a labour of love and have been busy in a variety of other ways. It has been some time since we provided updates, so here goes:

• Doug and Wayde together lead the Ark Aid Street Mission in London. 
• Marilyn works for Elgin Business Resource Centre, presently as Acting General Manager and this year  earned her certification as a Professional Economic Developer through the University of Waterloo. 
• Thomas has completed a program at Lambton College in alternate energy technology and has recently begun designing and installing solar arrays for a major company in London. He is also studying for a degree in adult education and digital technology in UOIT. 
• Peter is busier than all the rest, with his great-grandson and many other adventures!

If you would like to help with GLP's 2014 project, please visit our donation page. If you would like to make a gift to GLP in someone's honour, please let us know and we will provide a card to inform them. Thanks!

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_inspirational.html#kYRZXzKSvMlDH35H.99

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_inspirational.html#kYRZXzKSvMlDH35H.99

Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.
John F. Kennedy
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/john_f_kennedy.html#QOuASzSCvXMuholV.99

Things do not happen. Things are made to happen. 

~ John F. Kennedy

If you have  a question or comment Contact us.
 

Your GlobalLight Projects Team
Thomas, Wayde, Peter, Marilyn & Doug

March 2013 Newsletter

Mary Immaculate Mission Ministry’s

Candlelight Dinner

April 5, 2013 @ 6 pm

at St. Joseph Hall

(corner of Trafalgar St & Admiral Dr, London)

Entertainment:

Chasaya

Tickets: $20

Contact a GLP team member

Proceeds to:

GlobalLight Projects 2013 African rural school electrification

For those who are in the London area, we would love to have you join us for this special evening. Mary Immaculate’s Social Justice Mission has been one of GLP’s best supporters from the beginning, and we deeply appreciate their providing this event. It will be a great meal, music with a Zambian flair and a GLP report of what we have achieved so far and our plans for 2013.

If you can’t attend, you can still donate to this year’s school electrification project.

Merry Christmas

Christmas 2012 Newsletter

It was a good year for Globallight Projects! Thomas made two trips to Zambia, in June and August. On the first trip, he traveled with with 3 members of SIFE from Lambton College, where he graduated this summer with a diploma in Alternative Energy Engineering Technology. A major purpose of the trip was to introduce these representatives, a teacher and two students, to the needs and opportunities for them to bring their skills and resources to southern Zambia. The local communities received them very well and we are pleased to say that new partnerships are being formed that will be of benefit to Lambton College and to the people of Zambia.

Some pics from 2012 trip - notice the panels & batteries

On both trips, the recent installations were improved. Thomas upgraded some equipment in Chona and extended the installation to another building in Kasaka. We are very pleased that both systems are working well. The folks in Kasaka have been especially creative, providing movie nights with the videos that we provided. A small admission is charged and the money is saved up to purchase a TV so that the life of the projector Globallight Projects provided will be extended. The videos are educational, such as National Geographic, so adults and children are learning together some of the wonders of our world while working together to improve their own community. That is what we hoped would happen: give folks a hand up and they will take it from there!
Since the summer, we have been working on plans for next year. There are a couple of possibilities, but these things always need some nurturing. We are also exploring more partnerships. There is just too much to be done to do it alone! Globallight Projects values working together with others of like mind and now that we have a track-record of successful installations, we bring proven skill and experience to potential partners. We look forward to being able to announce results of this ‘behind the scenes’ work.
One thing we do know, is that we intend to send Thomas to Zambia in 2013. We are committed to carrying out at least one project each year. We are very pleased and grateful that we have some funds already on hand for 2013, primarily though the very kind and generous support of the Social Justice Committee of Mary Immaculate Church in London. They have proved themselves to be great partners and supporters in each of our projects. But, we still need substantial funds to do all we’d like next year.
So many trusted and helped us before we had proven we could fulfil our dream of making a difference for somebody in the developing world. Thank you! Now that we know a little bit of what we are doing, there is so much to do! We will be so grateful if you would consider investing in Globallight Projects this year. Some folks make a donation at Christmas in lieu of exchanging gifts. We can send you a special GLP card to announce your gift. Or, a donation in the first part of 2013 will help another community in southern Zambia have electricity in their school. As we always have, your gift will be used 100% for the overseas project - the GLP team pays all overhead expenses here. Donations can be made to Royal View Church and will receive a receipt for income tax purposed. Please visit our donation page for more information.
Thank you for your continuing interest in Globallight Projects. We continue to believe that today’s children deserve better prospects than their grandparents had. But that will only happen if we do something!

Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.

~ Robert Louis Stevenson

If you have  a question or comment Contact us.
Your GlobalLight Projects Team
Thomas, Wayde, Peter, Marilyn & Doug

June 2012 Newsletter

We are pleased to announce that Thomas is on his way to Zambia today along with 3 members of SIFE, Lambton College. As we noted in our last newsletter, the purpose of the trip is to upgrade on of our existing installations and to guide the SIFE members in their fact-finding and assessment to determine future work in Zambia by the College. We are very pleased that the Globallight Projects work inspires others. There is so much to be done!

Thanks to all those who made this year’s trip possible. Nothing would happen without the support of our friends.This is our third trip in less than 2 years. We appreciate you!

One of our great supporters has been Mary Immaculate Church. For those in London, the church is holding a yard sale this coming Saturday, June 16. The church has committed funds from previous sales to our work and have promised to do so again. So, we need to help them make it as successful as possible. If you have items you would like to donate to the sale, you can drop them off at the church Friday afternoon or during the week at one of homes of the Globallight Projects team members. Then, go get some great bargains for yourself on Saturday morning. Let your friends know, too. Mary Immaculate Church is on Trafalgar Rd. just east of Clarke Rd. Send us an email if you would like more information or to let us know you are dropping something off.

We’ll give you a report on Thomas’ trip later in the summer. We would be happy to come and share in person, too. Thanks again for your interest and help. Have a great summer!

If you have  a question or comment Contact us.

Sorry; I have no space left for advice. Just do it.

~Donald E. Westlake

Your GlobalLight Projects Team
Thomas, Wayde, Peter, Marilyn & Doug