the story so far

Q1 2009 UPDATE:

Well, we had Corey Robbins who won the auction for a a shiny new piece of PS3 kit, and that auction (donated by Eaton Powerware) raised £140 for the children in Bulembu. We've also got news on the Directors! Two new Directors have been "sworn in" so Steve can step down and focus on some other things... Will Shepherd will also be stepping down. The new crew are Richard Davis and Mish Constant. Bio's and a full new site update are going to follow soon....

NOVEMBER 2008 UPDATE

It has been a busy couple of months. Money raised, kids helped.. things done! Difference made! THANK YOU to everyone getting involved...

James Woller from Bulembu came to the UK and we discussed numerous things (how to introduce "Wollerism's" to the world among them!) But more seriously we also worked on the planning for next year and how the LFF could engage people to build 4 houses and support 24 children... so:

Goal setting for 2009:

More about our next project will follow through December. In 2009, we will be looking to raise £24,000. This will mean that through 2009 we will build 4x houses for 24 kids in Bulembu. We will also be looking for £2,000 per month (that's only £5 per person for 400 people!!) to support them for all their needs - food, education, clothing.. more data will follow, but the cost-analysis per child means that this is one of the most effective ways to support children... we will be posting much more detailed analysis and ways to engage through the next 3 months... We are going to look at a fundraising dinner in Spring 2009. We have an online raffle planned.. prizes already donated.. LOTS TO DO!

PALM TREE HELPED: Beds and cupboards

Big thanks from the Lightning Fast Foundation to Andy and Fiona who graciously donated £2,000. This was earmarked for the Palm Tree Care center and was transferred this month.

This money has paid for over ten cupboards and some bunk beds for the children there. These are really fundamental things that we take for granted but make such a difference to children in their daily lives and their upbringing.

COMING UP:

We're also going to change to logo for LFF.. and update this website... so watch out for that!

Thanks to everyone for supporting the Lightning Fast Foundation

Steve & the LF team

SEPTEMBER 2008 UPDATE #2:

1) SWAZILAND: We have been working with Bulembu for two years now. See http://www.bulembu.org/video/  for a snapshot of the situation in Swaziland and how Bulembu is helping. Our engagement with Bulembu in Swaziland (see www.bulembu.org) has taken an exciting turn. We are working on a new project to refurbish houses and directly support 6-12 children over the long-term for their full spectrum of daily needs; a comprehensive care package. Building refurbs are estimated at as little as $20,000 and support could be around $2,000 per month for the small housing community. The costs in comparison to other projects are extremely low, which means donors money goes a very long way.

We are also investigating student trips to Bulembu in 2009. On Saturday 13th September we are presenting to a UK based Student Organisation to discuss the potential for long-term plans in helping UK students participate in self-funded trips to engage with Bulembu.

2) SOUTH AFRICA: Our work with the Palm Tree Care Center in Kwa Zulu Natal, South Africa has seen £3,000 raised towards their work with orphans. In South Africa this amount of money will go a long way, however the need is great. We are also in contact with a number of other established groups locally, including one building a rape crisis center. One of the Directors there (independent of theLightning Fast Foundation) is a civil engineer, and has extensive experience with building projects. He is providing practical building help and advice to the Palm Tree Care Center.

3) OTHER: A work which we have followed for years is Global Community Partnerships, and the Manly - Manado work. We want to encourage individuals who are serious about making a difference to both developed and developing communities to explore this model and how they can replicate it in their environment. See them here: http://www.manly-manado.org.au/index This is the model LFF wants to see replicated around the world.

Also, we will begin actively seeking additional help with various adminstrative duties on the Foundation at some point during the month of August. A contact form will be posted on the site. We will look for project manager who has experience with NGO / Charitable work - ideally work in Africa - and also a part time PA. based in the South East of the UK. We would look for these positions to be filled on a voluntary basis.

Currently you can sign up to the cause on Face Book. Please sign up to our news letter so we can update you as we build additional engagement processes to enable more people to become personally involved. Lightning Fast® and the Foundation seek to empower individuals to build plans within their own communities so that they can connect with other communities.

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Lightning Fast Foundation is a registered Company in the UK: 6612590