Volunteer

I'm sure some of you have been wondering why there haven't been Kiva loans made recently. I'm also sure those of you following this blog will have read the The Primrose, Pine Nuts and Post-It™ Notes entry explaining the Foundation's dwindling resources. Whether you read that entry or not, doesn't matter in the long run - we were fund challenged for a short time. It's going to happen again. It's just the way the game is played at this time. In a nutshell - we earn money, wait for the release of that money, transfer that money and finally get to use that money. It's a process that takes time and patience. I have the time and I know all of you have the patience. So, let's move on to the good news, shall we?! Yes, there is good news! There's always some good news!

THE GOOD NEWS

On November 6th, we were once again able to make 4 - $50.00 loans to Kiva Entrepreneurs. The Foundation received earnings from both the Google AdSense Program and the Amazon Associates Program. The Kiva account has also seen several repayments from previous recipients which have helped fill the coffers for this round of loans. (Please keep in mind, Kiva Entrepreneurs repay loans as we would - a certain amount per month.)

Without further ado, let me introduce you to our latest Entrepreneurs! Take it away Gang of Four!

Ayandiji Ayamakinde, Nigeria Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Mrs. Srey Mao Srun Village Bank Group, Cambodia Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Sabouratou Owatunde, Togo Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Isabel Sanchez De Vargas, Peru Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR ENTREPRENEUR'S MAP!!!!

WTPF LATEST LOCAL NEWS UPDATES

In case anyone is wondering about the "WTPF" thingy - it's TP Foundation's FM radio call letters - or would be if we actually had a radio station. I like pretending we do...

KIVA.ORG

When last reported, we had a whopping $46.54 in the Kiva account. With the influx of funds from Adsense, Amazon and loan repayments, we had a grand total of $249.44. We're now back down to $49.44 with several loan repayments due around November 15th. We may end up having to skip another loan period but as I stated above - it's the name of the game. To view our Entrepreneur repayments, please click here.

TRAVEL UNRAVELLED

Sadly, we've had only one entry published in the TU Blog this month. Sadder yet - it was written by me. But, if you want a scintillating read - check out The Scoop on the Poop. Hey, it's everything everyone wants to know and it earned TPF $5.00. (Now you understand the HELP WANTED sign up at the top.) We need help!!!!! Submissions good and they aren't that hard to write. Really! Please contact us at unravelled [at] travellerspoint [dot] com with an article. We have 4 editors who really, really want to read your stuff!!! No, really!!!

THE BOOK CLUB

My, my, my... The Book Club has seen only one review this month also. But, it's another good one!

Reading Lolita in Tehran: A Memoir in Books by Azar Nafisi - Reviewer: Kris

We received a transfer of $11.02 on October 28th. Currently, we have $10.46 in the Associates account which will be released at the end of November. Please keep in mind that Amazon funds take 60 days processing time. We will see that money in January, 2010. So, until then - shop early and often for the holidays and don't forget to follow an Amazon (book review) link. All purchases, including gift certificates, made through one of our links adds funds to the TPF account. You don't need to buy just books. Honest. It says so in the fine print.

ADSENSE

Google Adsense transferred $109.27 on October 27th. We have $43.52 currently in the account. It's going to take a few more clicks to reach our next $100.00 threshold. As with Amazon, AdSense funds have an approximate 30 day processing time. It's gonna be a bit before we see another transfer. (Patience.)

PAYPAL ACCOUNT

With the transfer of the Amazon and AdSense funds ($120.29), we had a total of $128.42 in the account. A transfer of $125.00 was made to Kiva so our ending PayPal balance is now $3.42. WOOHOO! Hey - beats a poke in the eye with a sharp stick (eeewwww) and more will be joining that small amount before too long.

END OF STORY

Now that I have introduced you to our new Entrepreneurs, made my pitches for our assorted money-making "schemes" and given you the financial report - I think it's time to just shut up and finish with "That's just my two cents worth".

Oh wait - here's a little song for you too. It'll help pass the time while we wait on the "A" lists to give us more money. Take it away Bobby McFerrin!

Here is a little song I wrote
You might want to sing it note for note
Don't worry be happy
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don't worry, be happy...... ;-)

Shadow Walk Photo Courtesy of Isadora

WELCOME ONCE AGAIN

Okay, you caught me. The title of this blog has nothing to do with it's content. But, admit it. You were curious. I can see the look on your face. What is this crazy woman talking about now?! To be honest, I'm here to talk about the TP Foundation once again. If you'd prefer, I could launch into my best rendition of "Let Me Entertain You" by Gypsy Rose Lee. Who is Gypsy Rose Lee, you ask? Well, I'll let you look that one up for yourselves. (Natalie Wood portrayed her in the 1962 film Gypsy".) But, I digress and now will return to the topic at hand. (Just thought I'd throw a little teaser in here for fun.)

For those of you following this blog, you will notice we do not have pictures of this week's Kiva Entrepreneurs. There's a reason for that. Yes, this was to be a "loan" week but we're a little shy on funds presently. Our objective was to make 4 - $50.00 loans every other week. We've done wonderfully so far - 20 loans given since August 5, 2009. Hey, that's nothing to sneeze at and a round of applause is given to all participants!! I know I say thank you a lot. Guess what - here it comes again... Thank you all!!!

Sands of Time Photo Courtesy of Isadora

THE LOWDOWN

WTPF LATEST LOCAL NEWS UPDATES

KIVA.ORG

Our Kiva Credit Account had held steady at $46.54 until yesterday (Oct. 15th) when we received 18 loan repayments totally $73.74. We now have a grand total of $120.28 just waiting for some more friends to arrive. We need $79.72 and we'll back in business. Luckily, we should have that and a tad more by the end of the month. To view our Entrepreneur repayments, please click here.

TRAVEL UNRAVELLED

During the month of September, the TU Blog had three blog entries published for a total of $15.00. YAY!!!!!!!!! Since that time, nada. Not nothin'. Not nowhere. I'm bummed. I seriously have 4 subjects pending (H1N1, Prescription Drugs & Travel, Entering The US With A Criminal Record and (the most important - trust me) Dealing with Diarrhea.) Now, I could write articles all day long but the blog isn't called Gretchen's Gallery of Goo or Isadora's Inn of Important Information. (It could be - but it's not.) PLEASE!!!!!!!!! Someone contact us at unravelled [at] travellerspoint [dot] com with an article. Our editors are really starting to nod off big time. They're even thinking about traveling themselves. We can't have that!

THE BOOK CLUB

The Book Club has two new published reviews for your reading pleasure:

• Take Me With You by Brad Newsham - Reviewer: Rebecca B

• The Lost Continent: Travels In Small-Town America by Bill Bryson - Reviewer: Me

Amazon should be depositing $11.02 into the TPF bank account at the end of this month. To date, we have earned a total of $14.33 through book club clicks. (Basically, we can thank Peter for ordering all those gift certificates for the photography competitions.) Again, Christmas is coming so follow a link, shop early and often!!!!

GOOGLE ADSENSE

We have reached out second $100 threshold through the AdSense program. In fact, there will be $109.27 that will find it's way to the bank account in the next few days.

PAYPAL ACCOUNT

There is a sum of $8.13 waiting patiently for company.

BOTTOM LINE

Everyone likes knowing the bottom line figure so I thought I'd include it. Between March 7, 2009 and September 30, 2009, the Foundation has earned a grand total of $1,142.06. This does not take into account the October Adsense donations. (It's not the end of the month - yet.) Add another $15.35 (as of this exact moment) for a total total. (The day ain't over yet either.)

ENDING STORY

Well, I don't really have an ending story so I'll just say thanks again and that's my two cents worth...

"If service is the rent you pay for your existence on this earth, are you behind in your rent?"
Robert G. Allen

Okay, you caught me. I'm stuck in "quote" mode this week. If Robert Allen isn't your cup of tea maybe a little Andrew Carnegie might work..

"I resolved to stop accumulating and begin the infinitely more serious and difficult task of wise distribution."

Or, perhaps a touch of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe...

“Don't say that you want to give, but go ahead and give! You'll never catch up with a mere hope.”

I could continue on with some witty repartee or even a few more quotes for the day but I don't think that's why you are here. I'm betting you'd rather get to know our latest recipients instead. We have just completed loans 17-20, covering construction, food, transportation and clothing. (I chose a little of everything this time around.) So, instead of boring you further with my banter, I will let our newest Entrepreneurs introduce themselves.

OUR LOAN RECIPIENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

Mikayil Heydarov, Azerbaijan Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

La Paz Group, Nicaragua Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Soronzonbold Banzragch, Mongolia Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Together As One Group, Sierra Leone Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR ENTREPRENEUR'S MAP!!!!

WTPF LATEST LOCAL NEWS UPDATES

KIVA.ORG

As stated above, we have completed 20 loans to date. We had an ending balance of $42.37. We have gained an additional $4.17 from Aminata Ndao's repayment today bringing us to $46.54 in available funds. Thank you, Ms. Ndao!!

TRAVEL UNRAVELLED

The TU Blog has published two new articles:

• Get Lost! by Maaret Virtanen (Ofelia)

Maarat has written a great article on choosing your travel destinations when you just don't know where to go.

• Do I Need a Visa? by Greg Wesson (GregW)

Greg has also written a great article and covers the important issues surrounding visa applications.

Again, each published article means a $5.00 donation to TPF. (Thank you Maarat and Greg for the $10.00!!!!!)
If you have an idea for a TU entry, please send an e-mail to unravelled [at] travellerspoint [dot] com. Include your subject, a short description of the material you would like to cover and a request to be added as an author. If possible, send a short sample of your entry. Yup, our Editors are still bored - happy, but bored.

THE BOOK CLUB

The Book Club has also seen two new reviews published:

• Europe on a Shoestring by Lonely Planet - Reviewer: Dave (TLWH)
• Paradise Updated by Mic Looby - Reviewer: Me (Isadora)
• Stay tuned as there is another review just waiting for the reviewer to click that magic publish button!

I could give you all a taste of the book reviews but that would take all the fun out of it! Besides, if you check out the reviews themselves, you may just follow a link and make a purchase on Amazon. (Hint, hint!!! Our Amazon balance is still $13.31. Oh look - a numerical palindrome!)

THE END

The Google AdSense account has reached it's second $100.00 threshold and awaiting review (before release of funds). Since March 7th, we have raised $212.66 - all done one click at a time. Keep up the good work and thank you all!!!!

Last quote of the day (promise):

"Anyone who works is a fool. I don't work - I merely inflict myself upon the public."
Robert Morley

And that's just my two cents worth...

SAY HELLO!!!!

By now, you all know what time it is! So, pull up a comfy chair, sit back, relax for a bit and I will tell you this week's tale of good fortune!

Tada! We have just completed the fourth set of loans to Kiva Entrepreneurs and as luck or fate or whatever you would like to call it prevailed, a light from above shone down on the Foundation this time around. I'm goin' with aliens from the star system Baba Ganoush or maybe the worms from Men In Black 1&2, but that's just me. Okay, I got it, on with the story. Anyway, as laid out in earlier entries, the category of health was to be the "Pick of the Week". It wasn't lookin' good for the home team and hadn't been for over a month. No Entrepreneurs. Not one. It appeared that Plan B (education) or even Plan C (transportation) would have to take health's place...

Au contraire!! Whether aliens or the worms, some little voices said to check Kiva on September 14th so what did I spy with my little eye - our first two Entrepreneurs. Mr. Djumakhoni was just $50 shy of his $500 request. By the following morning, Dr. Chanthy was fully funded and Ben Ruhinda's Group had made a request. (Being formally trained as a veterinary technologist, I had to definitely go with that one. They will be using the loan to purchase medications and supplies for Mr. Ruhinda's veterinary pharmacy.) With no additional (health) loan requests and none available under education, our fourth loan did indeed go towards Plan C - transportation for the delivery of fruits, vegetables and consumer goods in Lebanon.

Now, with having said all that, I shall leave you to become acquainted with our latest Entrepreneurs. I also take this time to say thank you once again for everyone's participation and support of the Travellerspoint Foundation. Oh, Don't forget to keep reading. I'll meet you back at the bottom of the pictures for more Kiva, Travel Unravelled and Book Club updates. Hey, there's news to share down there. Stop by.

OUR LOAN RECIPIENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 16, 2009

Dilshodi Djumakhoni, Tajikistan Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Vith Chanthy, Cambodia Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Ben Ruhinda's Group, Uganda Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Ali, Lebanon Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR ENTREPRENEUR'S MAP!!!!

WTPF LATEST LOCAL NEWS UPDATES

KIVA.ORG

TPF has made 16 Kiva loans revolving around food, clothing, shelter, health and transportation. Of those 16 loans, 6 have begun repayments totaling $42.37, to date. Only one loan is still in the funding stage. Our current Kiva account balance is $242.37. Four more loans are scheduled for September 30, 2009. (Maybe something under education will come along between now and the 30th.) The Kiva account also received an additional $50 from the TPF PayPal account.

TRAVEL UNRAVELLED

The TU Blog has seen 8 entries so far, the latest being: I GET THE HEX! - by Gretchen Wilson-Kalav (Isadora)

Again, each published article means a $5.00 donation to TPF. Peter recently transfered the TU Blog earnings ($40.00) to the PayPal account for a total of $58.13. As mentioned above, $50 has now been moved over to Kiva leaving $8.13 in PayPal.

TU Blog article submissions are open to everyone. If you have an idea for one, please send an e-mail to unravelled@travellerspoint.com. Include your subject, a short description of the material you would like to cover and a request to be added as an author. If possible, send a short sample of your entry. One of our very happy (and bored) editors will gladly work with you on getting an article published. (Hey - see your name in lights!!! As soon as we find that damn switch!)

THE BOOK CLUB

A new entry has been made in The Book Club Blog by Rob Atkins (magykal1). Please check out Secrets of the Red Lantern: Stories and Vietnamese Recipes from the Heart. This book is going on my Christmas list (and hopefully, I'll be able to find tamarind at my local grocery).

Along with Rob, I've been able to add 3 additional authors so stayed tuned for more reviews!!! No, I'm not going to say who they are. You'll just have to check the blog to see what is recommended (or may not be recommended) for your reading pleasure. And yes, I will have Paradise Updated (Mic Looby) reviewed soon too. I'm not a slow reader, just a busy one.

To date, The Book Club has earned $13.31 for TPF. Of that, $11.02 should be coming our way at the end of October. (Amazon Associates works on a 60 day release cycle.) So, read a review, click on a link and make some purchases. Christmas is coming. Nothing like getting a head start on the season! Really! TPF will thank you!!

THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

Yup, and that's just my two cents worth...

Thank you Phillip Moffitt for a fitting title.

ROUND THREE

As stated in previous blog entries, we're spreading the "wealth" around and this week's contributions have been made in the name of housing and construction. All four of the recipients are using their loans to improve their living conditions - from installing an indoor bathroom to adding a room for their children to building a new house large enough for their family to purchasing equipment to accommodate their rental rooms.

Since I don't have much else to say until the end of this entry - please say hello to out newest Entrepreneurs!!!

OUR LOAN RECIPIENTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2, 2009

Marcos Antonio Cardenas Medrano, Nicaragua Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Laurice Enomar, Phillippines Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Mohammad Yousef Abdul Rahman, Afghanistan Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Jackeline Argentina Mairena Carache, Nicaragua Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any.” - Mahatma Gandhi

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT OUR ENTREPRENEUR'S MAP!!!!

WTPF LATEST LOCAL NEWS UPDATES

TRAVEL UNRAVELLED

Since out last update, two more entries have been published. This brings the TPF contributions to $35.00 with another entry waiting in the wings for editorial input. (Funds are only contributed upon entry publication.)

Please check out:

A Few Ways to Avoid Getting Robbed in Central America - by Marina K. Villatoro (mvillatoro)
This entry will give you some tips and tricks for keeping you valuables (documents, jewelry, money, luggage, etc.) safe while in transit. Marina shares her experiences (and those of some friends) as "victims of theft". Along the way, you will also be given sound advice on how to avoid the same fate.

TAXXIII!!: THE ART OF GRABBING A CAB IN THE BIG WIDE WORLD. - by Derek Logan (Piecar)
Travel along with Derek as he takes the cab rides from Hell. Okay, not all of them - but some. Learn which drivers can be trusted and which can not. You'll never look at a cab driver the same way again.

Stay Tuned for: I GET THE HEX! - Mwahahahahaha!!!!

THE BOOK CLUB

I'm afraid nothing has changed since the last blog entry. We're still sitting at $11.02 and we won't see that come available until the end of October. (The Amazon Associates Program takes 60 days to release funds.) So, until that time - somebody please read a book and write a review! I'm begging! Really! On hands and knees!

Oh, on that note, another review will be in the works shortly. Thank you Dr. P. (Eric) for having a book sent to me by a Affirm Press. It arrived a few days ago and I have begun the journey through it's pages. It is Paradise Updated by Mic Looby who is a former Lonely Planet guide book author. I'm 50 pages in and it's proving to be an interesting ride through the guidebook industry. (Now, if a review on a book such as this doesn't garner some interest...)

END OF MONTH STATS AND WHATEVER

To date, we have the following funds waiting in the wings:
AdSense: $71.54
Amazon: $11.02
Travel Unravelled: $35.00

To date, we have made twelve loans to Kiva Entrepreneurs. Of those twelve, nine have been fully funded and most repayments begin October 1, 2009. For more information about our funding, please check out:

Travellerspoint Foundation - Kiva Entrepreneur Recipients

Havana Good Day, Evening, Night - depending on your time zone - and that's just my two cents worth...