Early April updates

So much happening!

BIG announcement:

BIG NEWS!!!

Next trip: May 15-22 (assuming we get people signed up) back to Dickinson Texas. We'd love to have you along with us!

Other updates:

* Spring into Bonas went very well! Thank you to those who came out and helped!

* The aquaponics program at Portville school is almost ready. Great great work by Natalie and Evan of UrbanBiosphere!

* On April 19 we have 25 high school students coming from Olean High School to Campus to see what a day in college is like. If you are on campus and can help, we would LOVE the help!

* BonaResponds/Positive agreed to buy approximately 500 coffee trees in Les Cayes. $150 a year will be given back to an agriculture fund once the trees start producing.

* 20 fishermen ended their three days of training on loans for nets. Tomorrow they will clean up the beaches by where they fish. Next week they will be able to go back to their jobs for the first time in 18 months (since Matthew). EXCELLENT work by Jean Emmanuel Verdier and his crew!

* Harvests in Sierra Leone went great. Bangura Alimamy Tejan is doing a great job over there and we hope to be long-term partners.

* I think we are now over 115 microloans (mainly through Tout Moun Se Moun and PositiveRipples ) in Les Cayes and Leogane Haiti have all been paid off :)

* FINALLY getting updates from Bishop Nelson Sampson Boegbah and his crew in Liberia. This has been our most difficult program this year. The need is so great there, but we need a better system. A work in progress :) :) The Ebola orphans cannot be forgotten. PERIOD!

* Refunds for Praebibo should finally have gone out this week. Sorry for the delay.

* We are looking for a used van/truck. Possibly Explorer? Any suggestions/donations would be great!

* The Trails have taken a beating due to the winter storms. We have been out numerous times already but there is much work to be done.

* Two great videos focusing on BonaResponds/@Chris Branche came out this week for Spring Into Bonas:

--By Gabe: https://www.dropbox.com/s/69xi2nt8pq0odbp/Bona%20Responds%2C%20Dickinson%2C%202018%20%20short.mp4?dl=0

--By Danny Bush: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=dLd5wBGRg3s

* Next big things internationally: WE HOPE: water well near Les Cayes Haiti, aquaponics near Leogane Haiti, a Cassava farm in Sierra Leone, another payment for the Ebola Orphans in Liberia, and a shipment of medical and school supplies (maybe some sporting goods too?) to Haiti.

* Coming up locally: many many wheelchair ramps are lined up as soon as the snow leaves.

Thanks everyone!!!

(to donate for the international projects, please donate at https://PostiveRipples.org)

jim

Spring break sign up!!!

It is time to sign up for the BonaResponds trip to Houston

It is not too late to sign up for the Spring Break trip to Houston to help with rebuilding after Hurricane Harvey

We will be there from Feb 23-March 3.

How does it work? 

Step 1: You buy airline tickets (Cleveland -Houston has been cheap)
Step 2:  Pay $50 (non-refundable) to reserve your spot (it will also be used to buy shirts, food, supplies, and tools)   

  sbu.afford.com/paynow?storeid=1618 

• (NOTE: if you can not afford it, there are some scholarships available based on need and the number of previous BonaResponds local work days you have done.)

 Step 3: Forward your flight info to BonaResponds@gmail.com and JMahar@sbu ASAP.  Use Subject line: Houston BR flight Information

Step 4: fill out form at BonaResponds.org (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeEv8d4t2MTy_PI8-tb_jX7t13XUYMH9hX1b4TWM5JRS4_TuQ/viewform)

BonaResponds Harvey Trip docs.google.com

Step 5: look for upcoming meetings and announcements on details of the trip to be coming soon! We will likely have a meeting next Tuesday to answer questions and help with flight booking. 

Note:   depending on fundraising, we HOPE to be able to reimburse SBU students, Faculty, and Staff some of the airline costs.  This will happen AFTER the trip and will be contingent on funding and service in Houston. 

1. Yes, this is open to everyone!  A great way to meet up with family and friends you don't get to see all the time!
2. Food and shelter are provided.
3. You should have a good pair of work boots. 
4. You can come for part of the time.  
5. You can (as many alumni are doing) get a hotel nearby, but it really is more fun to stay in the church hall.
6. You will need a sleeping bag.
7. We will arrange ground transportation.  (Pickups will be much more common at the Hobby airport, so please try to fly in there.  If you fly into George Bush Intl airport, you should be prepared to wait for a ride--of course Uber is a choice--I was told it costs $70)--our pickup and drop off is free---NOTE: we must have times by Feb 9 for this option).
8. Most important things to bring?  A good attitude and a willingness to make a difference!   

It will be the best spring break trip you can make.  It will be work, but it will also be fun and you will not only make new friends but make the world a bit better too!