By this Author: Foundation

Pretty In Pink. Photo by Isadora

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces.
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here.
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun and I say it's all right.

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...

Thank you to George Harrison.

Greetings Happy Campers

Yes, I'm back. (Didn't think it would be so soon, did you?!) Little secret - I pop in when least expected just to keep everyone on their toes! The sun is shining brightly. The birds are singing (loudly) and there is the slightest soft scent of freshly mown alfalfa wafting in through the windows. Smiles are returning to some faces too. (Thought I didn't notice?) I believe it's going to be a fine day in the TPF neighborhood. So, let's take a stroll around the grounds, as it were, and see who else may be out and about....

It does appear several people you really need to meet are on their way to work. Come on, let me introduce you. It won't take long at all.

Please Say Hello To:

Bukiro Women's Group, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

José Armando Tzoc Velásquez, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Olga Virginia Menchú Casía, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

La Pomarrosa (Flat) Group, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

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

WTPF LATEST LOCAL NEWS UPDATES

Oh yes, my friends, there is new news to be shared. Why not take a seat on the park bench which just happens to be under that big old shade tree...

KIVA.ORG

June came to a close with $495.80 in the Kiva coffer. The month of July has seen repayments of $153.32 from loan recipients (so far). The $100.00 in the PayPal account was also transfered to Kiva on July 24th - making for a grand total of $749.12 - WOOHOO! No, wait. That's wrong. We really have $549.12 as a balance. Why, you may ask? Well, you have just met the latest 4 Entrepreneurs on their way to work.

I do have some "not so happy" news too. We have 2 Entrepreneurs who have been delinquent in their July repayments. They have not defaulted, just haven't had the money to make this month's payment - yet. I am sure the sun will smile down on them soon. They deserve our patience.

To follow the TPF loans, checkout: Travellerspoint Foundation on Kiva.

TRAVEL UNRAVELLED BLOG

Nada. (Which means no earning for July - still 4 days left...)

But, now is a good time to let new readers in on the secret of the Travel Unravelled Blog.
It's very simple! And, it's an excellent project! Once upon a time, someone (we'll just call him Peter) had the wonderful idea of starting a blog where travelers (or travellers, depending on your whereabouts) could help other travelers be better travelers. Great concept! What we're lacking - travelers willing to write an article or two - okay, one (article, that is) would be grand. We've all learned something useful while wandering around our chosen parts of the world. Write about it! Submissions are easy and we make links and stuff back to you. Here's all that's required:

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. The TP Foundation earns $5.00 from every published submission.

THE BOOK CLUB

There has been one new submission to the Book Club during the month of July:

Letters From My Windmill By Alphonse Daudet - Reviewer: Irise Rain

Again, info for new visitors:
Have you read a book lately? Would you like to tell someone about it? It doesn't need to be travel-related nor a good review. If you have read something that was absolutely not worth anyone's time, say so. But, join the "Club" and say something because:

The Book Club is affiliated with the Amazon Associates Program. Follow a link in a review, make a purchase (books, products, gift cards, etc.) and the TP Foundation earns a percentage of the purchase price.

If you would like to contribute a book review, please contact Peter, Eric or Gretchen (me). You can also get in touch with me through foundation [at] travellerspoint [dot] com.

ADSENSE PROGRAM

Our current balance in the AdSense account (since last pay out up to this very minute in time) is: $114.92 and counting. The day ain't over.

AMAZON ASSOCIATES PROGRAM

We're rollin' in dough on this one. Okay, I kid. A lot. We have a current balance of $0.46 for July. It will grow. It's $0.46 more than we had before. Someone go shopping, please!!!

A Space In Time

Yes, more loans will be forthcoming. Until then, I have a date with Ten Years After (Alvin Lee), played on the real record player that still plays old vinyl, while I do the whole mapping the photos thing. Thank you for spending this time with us. And, that's just my two cents worth...

Monument Valley in the mirror. Photo by Utrecht

I Should Learn to Shut Up...

Back in April, I made an apology to everyone involved with the Foundation and it's workings. Little did I realize then I would be repeating myself a second time. But, here we are. I will spare you the repetitive rhetoric and simply say "I an very sorry for the many days between posts".

WAY Past Due

The following are Kiva loan recipients from May 1, 2010. So, please welcome:

Gborbaah Group, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Flor De María Díaz Sosa, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Djikiya Group, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Julius Khamalishi Imbali, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

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

WTPF LATEST LOCAL NEWS UPDATES

KIVA.ORG

With these 4, TPF has made a total of 44 loans of $50.00 each. Currently, 16 recipients have repaid in full and we have 28 outstanding. There have been no defaults. Again, not too bad!

Following these distributions, $211.96 remained in the Kiva account. The month of May saw repayments of $104.76 and $179.08 was repaid in June for a grand total of $495.80 in the account.

To follow the TPF loans, checkout: Travellerspoint Foundation on Kiva.

TRAVEL UNRAVELLED BLOG

There has been one new submission to the TU blog during the months of May and June:

Returning Home by Jon Shapiro (jonshapiro) of Vagabonding at 60.

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. The TP Foundation earns $5.00 from every published submission.

THE BOOK CLUB

There has been one new submission to the Book Club during the month of May:

Madam Bovary By Gustave Flaubert - Reviewer: Irise Rain

The Book Club is affiliated with the Amazon Associates Program. Follow a link in a review, make a purchase (books, products, gift cards, etc.) and the TP Foundation earns a percentage of the purchase price.

If you would like to contribute a book review, please contact Peter, Eric or Gretchen (me). You can also get in touch with me through foundation [at] travellerspoint [dot] com.

ADSENSE PROGRAM

On May 1, 2010 - AdSense released $103.86 and deposited that amount into the TPF bank account on May 25th. On June 9th, $100.00 was transferred to the TPF PayPal account. The current TPF bank account contains $13.86 with another AdSense payment to be deposited very soon.

AMAZON ASSOCIATES PROGRAM

During the months of May and June, no one purchased anything. So, no money in the TPF coffers this time around.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anyway, stay tuned as another update is forthcoming. Yup, more loans and money talk. But, to pass the time, please enjoy this little concert by Los Lobos (from Los Lobos Goes Disney):

When you wish upon a star
Makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires
Will come to you

If your heart is in your dream
No request is too extreme
When you wish upon a star
As dreamers do

Fate is kind
She brings to those who love
The sweet fulfillment of
Their secret longing

Like a bolt out of the blue
Fate steps in and sees you through
When you wish upon a star
Your dreams come true

Thank you for stopping by and that's just my two cents worth...

Charco Verde Lagoon. Photo by marlis

It's Been Awhile

I feel the need to take this time and apologize to all of you. It's been several weeks since our last Kiva contributions - for that, I am truly sorry. I realize most of us have "real world" things that get in our way sometimes and I am no exception. Unfortunately (for TPF) my "real world" stuff demanded my attention longer than anticipated. But, we're back in business. As of April 17th, four more Kiva loans have been made. I hope you like my choices this time around.

*On that note, if anyone has suggestions for the types of loans they would like to see, please let me know: foundation [at] travellerspoint [dot] org

PLEASE WELCOME:

Pahuichi Group, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Bilma Bonilla Cruz, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Selepa Falesa, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Javier Alvarado Rojas, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

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

WTPF LATEST LOCAL NEWS UPDATES

KIVA.ORG

As of April 17th, TPF has made 40 - $50.00 loans to Kiva Entrepreneurs. Of those, seven have been repaid in full. The remaining 33 recipients are in repayment mode at this time and, again, we've seen no loan defaults. In just over a year, we have been able to make loans totaling $2000.00 USD. Not bad for "a penny here and a penny there" project. (Okay, that's simply put but that's exactly how we started out last year.)

The Kiva project has truly become self-sufficient. Our loan repayments equaled $167.76 for Feb/Mar and $131.03 for Mar/Apr. (Repayments are made on the 15th of each month - in case you were wondering.) Between the repayments and funds received from AdSense and Amazon, our Kiva balance was $591.35 - that was until the last four loans were made... We're at $391.35 now. Oh look, we can make four more loans in two weeks! WooHoo!!! Seriously!!!! WooHoo!!! (I'm jazzed, what can I say... I know - shut up and get on with it.)

To follow the TPF loans, checkout: Travellerspoint Foundation on Kiva.

TRAVEL UNRAVELLED BLOG

I am sad to say there have been no new submissions to the TU blog.
Someone please send an article. I hate having to cry in public. Our editors are really, really, really bored. Send two or three. We'll make them look pretty. Pictures and everything. Include your own photos. We're easy - and at the moment- free!!!

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. The TP Foundation earns $5.00 from every published submission.

THE BOOK CLUB

There has been one new submission to the Book Club:

The Blue Sweater By Jacqueline Novogratz - Reviewer: Eric Daams (dr.pepper)

The Book Club is affiliated with the Amazon Associates Program. Follow a link in a review, make a purchase (books, products, gift cards, etc.) and the TP Foundation earns a percentage of the purchase price.

HIPPO ROLLER CHALLENGE

The Hippo Roller Challenge was hoping to have 20 million characters added to the Travel Guide (Wiki). That would have donated 63 rollers to villages in Africa. Alas, that goal was not reached. (We also had the offer of 2 rollers being donated by Michael Burn (Utrecht), out of his own pocket, had we reached the goal.) But, 17 million characters were added and now 7 Hippo rollers will be donated to the Hippo Water Roller Project.

Let's give all those who participated in the challenge a round of applause as they deserve our recognition!!!!

ADSENSE PROGRAM

On February 24, 2010 - AdSense transfered $124.45 to the TPF account. Since that pay out, the account now holds $90.22 and growing quickly.

AMAZON ASSOCIATES PROGRAM

On february 24, 2101 - Amazon transfered $96.52 to the TPF account. Since that pay out, the account now holds $6.88 and growing slowly. Could someone please click on some Book Club links and buy a few things? Please? Pretty Please???

IN THE END

Regardless of all my whining for more TU submissions and Book Club reviews, the Foundation has been doing a phenomenal job at earning funds and making Kiva loans. The Hippo Roller Project has also been a huge success. Thank you to everyone and that's just my two cents worth...

I wish I knew how, it would feel to be free
I wish I could break, all the chains holding me
I wish I could see, everything I had to see
Sing it loud, sing it clear, for the whole round world to hear

I wish I could share, all the love that's in my heart
Remove all the bars, that keep us apart
I wish you knew, how it would feel to be me
Then you'd see, and agree, everyone should be free

• Thank you to the Derek Trucks Band for being my inspiration on soooo many levels.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO TRAVELLERSPOINT FOUNDATION!!!!!

Okay, so I've picked really obnoxious disco music for this one but I happen to like the song. Plus, at this particular moment in time, it fits. We have things to celebrate!

As I write this, it is still March 6th in my time zone. But, for the person who originally asked me to become involved in this project, it's already March 7th. (Thank you, Peter! And, I can't leave out Sam and Eric either as we all know TPF came about through Team Daams.) ;-)

For those who are not familiar with the background of the TP Foundation, March 7th marks the day the first Adsense earnings were contributed to the cause - a whole $13.50 - woohoo! It wasn't much but it's what we had to work with at the time. Since then, the Foundation has grown and prospered in many ways. Over time, funding through the Amazon Associates Program (via The Book Club), and the Travel Unravelled blog have been added. We also have earned a certain amount of income from competitions, such as generated by the Tour de France wiki article contributions. All in all, we have been able to make 36 - $50.00 (USD) loans over the past year. It took awhile to see the funds actually available for those first 4 loans, but it's been on-going process ever since.

Anyway, let me introduce you to our latest Kiva Entrepreneurs. I will finish with some really awesome stuff after the picture show. (Don't go away!)

Edward Chuula Akanga, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Chyibylova Aysalkyn's Group, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Sour Mok, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Pen Ra, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

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

WTPF LATEST LOCAL NEWS UPDATES

KIVA.ORG

Here comes the awesome news!

As stated above, TPF has made 36 - $50.00 loans over time. Of those, we have had 4 completely repaid and 32 are in repayment stage. We have not had one default, refund or any other hiccups. In fact, of the 4 who have finished their repayments - all were completed ahead of the scheduled time frame.

I have made a point of not choosing just those who would be the "safe bet" on repayments. Instead, I have made the choices across the board in regards to sector (agriculture, services, etc), region and need. The "ability to repay the loan" became a non-issue for me early on - a non-issue I plan to continue following. Having failed myself at times, I believe everyone (at least in my mind's eye) deserves a chance to succeed.

To follow the TPF loans, checkout: Travellerspoint Foundation on Kiva.

TRAVEL UNRAVELLED BLOG

There has been one new submission to the TU blog:

The Art of Shared Sleeping by Maaret Virtanen (Ofelia)

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. The TP Foundation earns $5.00 from every published submission.

THE BOOK CLUB

There has been one new submission to the Book Club also:

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba - Reviewer: Eric Daams (dr.pepper)

The Book Club is affiliated with the Amazon Associates Program. Follow a link in a review, make a purchase (books, products, gift cards, etc.) and the TP Foundation earns a percentage of the purchase price.

ALL AND ALL...

Over the last two weeks, TPF has received funds from Travel Unravelled, AdSense and Amazon Associates. A total of $275.00 has just been transferred to Kiva. We have a balance of $292.56 and will be making 4 - $50.00 loans again on March 13th. Stay tuned to meet the next recipients!!!

Until next time, that's just my two cents worth! Now, go and celebrate!!!!!!!

I do realize that I have food-related themes going with my titles once in awhile. That's what happens when you like to cook, you like to eat and the shoe fits. Well, shoes aren't always edible. Okay, never met an edible shoe but it doesn't mean they aren't out there somewhere. I'm sure some celebrity has a pair sitting in their closet. But, that's not why we're all here today...

Welcome To A New Year!!

So, I thank you all for gathering here together to usher in a new year and a new set of Kiva loans. We have been exceptionally fortunate to have received $160.30 in loan repayments during the month of January. These have brought our total up to $244.30 in the Kiva credit account. Without additional "outside" contributions, we've been able to assist four new Entrepreneurs this morning (or afternoon or evening, depending on your time zone). We have also had one of our earlier recipients repay their loan in full though I'll get to that shortly. But first, please say hello to our newest partners in business around the world.

PLEASE WELCOME:

Qamet Samadov, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Hassan Namatsi Ayoyi, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Maria Doroliza Camacho, Photo Courtesy of Kiva.org

Warlito J. Quidet, 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 do have great news about one of our previous Entrepreneurs - Ben Ruhinda's Group in Ibanda, Uganda. Their full loan request was $4700.00 to purchase additional drugs and supplies for a veterinary pharmacy, which services the local farmer's livestock. Their repayment period was over 6 months beginning November, 2009. The Group began payments in October and the debt fully repaid by January, 2010. Thanks to the Ben Ruhinda Group!!!

TRAVEL UNRAVELLED BLOG

Since my last report on new blog entries, three articles have been posted:

How to Plan an Epic African Bike Ride - Part 2 by Rob and Polly Summerhayes (robandpol)

Let The Milk of Human Kindness Flow by Kris Kalav (beerman)

Finding the Right Bag... by Rich Perkins (Gelli)

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS!! 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. If things don't pick up soon, our Editors are all going to go traveling themselves and I'll never find them again. Please keep them busy so I know where they are... Just a thought...

PS: The TP Foundation earns $5.00 from every published submission.

THE BOOK CLUB

Only one book has been reviewed recently:

Don't Stop The Carnival by Herman Wouk - Reviewer: Me (Isadora)

I know people are reading books. It says so in The Book Club thread in the Off Topic forum. Hey guys! Come on over to The Book Club blog and review what you've read. We'd love to read about your selections. Really! We like reading! A lot!

PS: Just as a reminder, The Book Club is affiliated with the Amazon Associates Program. Follow a link in a review, make a purchase (books, products, gift cards, etc.) and the TP Foundation earns a percentage of the purchase price. Valentine's Day is just around the corner...

A Final Word...

I shall end here and let you get back to your regularly scheduled activities. Mine is working up the end of the month earning for January so I can report back soon. Thank you all again for being excellent contributors and followers of the Foundation. Enjoy and that's just my two cents worth...