EPIC Bush Telegraph
SPF Logo
December 2008
 Zambia08 Chilunga TreeGreetings!

Welcome to the first issue of The Simon Poultney Foundation newsletter.  The name of the newsletter - EPIC Bush Telegraph - is a combination of the acronym of our slogan "Empowering People In Community" and the common term for how news travels in Africa - bush telegraph - being by word of mouth.

You are receiving this newsletter because you have been on our regular e-mail list.  If you do not wish to receive updates in the future please unsubscribe yourself - see below. 
 
We welcome any comments and feedback on our publication and look forward to questions that we can address in future issues or suggestions for future articles.
 
For those of you in regions outside Canada we are making plans to have newsletters specific to our activities in your area - look for that in the future.

Photo : Tree at Chilunga School, Zambia 
 Chilunga School DonationKakulu in a Nutshell ? by Jenny Poultney

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photo : On Canada Day 2008 we donated school supplies and resources to Chilunga Community School.  See linked story for more
 
How do I begin to try and put in a nutshell our Kakulu, Zambia experience 2008 ?

I kept hearing from community members things like :

"Everything is changing  for the better here since the Canadians started to come ."
 
"Our prayers are being answered - we know now that God is hearing us !"
 
"We can't believe you would come out and help us - most NGO's  don't want to come into the bush - they help people close to the cities. "
 
"You have given us hope for the future."

It was such a privilege to spend time in Kakulu and see first hand the hope the people have for a better future. It is definitely a community filled with hope.

Read the rest of the story ......
CSPP Logo CSPP now under SPF
 
The Coordinated Suicide Prevention Program of the Parkland Region has now become a program of the Foundation.

It is most appropriate that we have been able to do this and we are looking forward to working in the community with CSPP to combat suicide and to support others who have already lost loved ones. 
Christmas Tree Fundraising

We are continuously raising funds for our  activities and have set several targets for some specific projects.

With Christmas fast approaching why not consider a gift idea in support of SPF.
 
Instead of buying gifts, make a donation to SPF on behalf of the intended beneficiary.  Choose a specific project to support, from the list we have set.
 

 Jameela's Jangles CoverAnother Gift Idea

We have just received a new supply of Jameela's Jangles which make ideal stocking stuffers for all ages.
 
We now have a companion CD of Jenny reading the story so that young ones can listen and follow the story.  The CD is included in the price of the book which remains unchanged.
 
Net proceeds from the sale of the book go to support our African projects.
 
Thanks to Daniel New in Australia who recorded and produced the CD for us.
Quick Fact
Christmas Tree
We have set up a micro financing fund in our Zambian community. Since April 2007 49 families - mostly lead by women - have benefitted from interest free loans to help them start small businesses and improve their personal income.

You can support this work by making a donation to the fund. 
 
Thank You For Your Support
 
Thank you to everyone for your support during 2008 - financially, donations of goods, prayer, time in volunteering for events and programs or going to Africa to work on projects.  Without you we would not have been able to achieve all that we have.
 
If you want to make a last donation before the end of the tax year we now have the facility to accept donations online on a credit card.  Visit this page and follow the DONATE link.

We are looking forward to a stellar 2009 and wish you and yours a happy and peaceful festive season.

Contact Information
Gordon Poultney
Executive Director 
1-780-289-1803