Very special post here today folks!
I want to give a big ole thank you thank you thank you to Ryan V. for being the first one to donate to the Path of Papers Send Kate to Uganda fund!!
Ryan V. is an amazing guy! Not only is he generous, but hes an amazing musician! Watch him jam on youtube or on facebook! If youre in Richmond, you'd be wise to give him a listen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smKJPAqtD8c&feature=related
http://www.facebook.com/ryanvillamusic
I'm honored, and we really appreciate it! Thanks Ry!
Saturday, October 29, 2011
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/uganda.htm
Need to figure out which shots I need to get! Think it may just be typhoid and figuring out some malarial drugs...
I'm debating if I want to take any malarial meds. If I do get malaria ( which I managed not to do throughout the 2 1/2 years I was there as a PCV while only taking mefloquine semi regularly), I can always buy a quick fix over the counter there... something to think about! I've been mentally preparing myself to have a case or two of diarrhea.. super fun! But since I'll be shocking my system with meat for the first time since I left (!!) and probably bad water, its kind of inevitable.. lets just hope it doesn't take days off my trip.
A member from the organization where I work is very excited to give me candy, some tshirts and toys for the kids and some jewelery and wraps for Sharifa. I'm so excited to give these out and be able to share her generosity.
Also, I've decided I do need to take part of this trip as a vacation for myself. I haven't figured out how best to do that. I'd like to go somewhere new where I can relax with a Pilsner ( warm or cold, really) and enjoy some great scenery... but a trip to the Karmoja with Rick sounds like a blast too..we're meeting up this week ( finally!) to revist whats possible... we'll have to see!
very excited!
Need to figure out which shots I need to get! Think it may just be typhoid and figuring out some malarial drugs...
I'm debating if I want to take any malarial meds. If I do get malaria ( which I managed not to do throughout the 2 1/2 years I was there as a PCV while only taking mefloquine semi regularly), I can always buy a quick fix over the counter there... something to think about! I've been mentally preparing myself to have a case or two of diarrhea.. super fun! But since I'll be shocking my system with meat for the first time since I left (!!) and probably bad water, its kind of inevitable.. lets just hope it doesn't take days off my trip.
A member from the organization where I work is very excited to give me candy, some tshirts and toys for the kids and some jewelery and wraps for Sharifa. I'm so excited to give these out and be able to share her generosity.
Also, I've decided I do need to take part of this trip as a vacation for myself. I haven't figured out how best to do that. I'd like to go somewhere new where I can relax with a Pilsner ( warm or cold, really) and enjoy some great scenery... but a trip to the Karmoja with Rick sounds like a blast too..we're meeting up this week ( finally!) to revist whats possible... we'll have to see!
very excited!
Sunday, October 16, 2011
To do lists!
Here are all the things I need to do before getting on the plane to Uganda:
1. Meet again w/ Rick to discuss travel plans
2. Email Peter and find a cheap laptop to bring for him ( ....)
3. Find out which shots I need to update..and get 'em!
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/uganda.htm
4. Meet with Momma O and compose a list of what needs to be communicated while I'm in Iganga
5. Send emails and make phone calls to my Ugandan friends to let them know when and for how long I'll be coming
6. Send a mass email to friends/family telling them about my trip and requesting that in lieu of birthday presents, they help to pay my airfare!
7. Find old GRE scores, decide if I want to retake them, and take steps towards that and looking into what school in NY have non profit management programs that are interesting to me.
8. pack
1. Meet again w/ Rick to discuss travel plans
2. Email Peter and find a cheap laptop to bring for him ( ....)
3. Find out which shots I need to update..and get 'em!
http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/uganda.htm
4. Meet with Momma O and compose a list of what needs to be communicated while I'm in Iganga
5. Send emails and make phone calls to my Ugandan friends to let them know when and for how long I'll be coming
6. Send a mass email to friends/family telling them about my trip and requesting that in lieu of birthday presents, they help to pay my airfare!
7. Find old GRE scores, decide if I want to retake them, and take steps towards that and looking into what school in NY have non profit management programs that are interesting to me.
8. pack
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Monday, September 19, 2011
I'M GOING BACK TO UGANDA!
Hey everybody!
I have some exciting news to share about Path of Paper. It all starts with a Saturday morning brunch not that long ago.......
Rick Barley, another Peace Corps Uganda Volunteer who is 6 ft 5," great at guitar, and was my roommate when I first moved to New York City met my brother, my brothers friend, and myself, for brunch with big news! Rick had decided to go back to Uganda in the beginning of December! Rick outlined his trip to me, and since these plans were only a few months (2 to be exact) before mine, no decision needed to be made; I was travel with my friend.
In addition to meeting with the Gemakumyino Women's Group in Iganga, I am blessed to have the opportunity to visit an affiliate organization to the clubhouse where I work in New York city, Fountain House. (The link is below, please check them out!) So, Michelle Rodriguez, a coworker of mine who volunteered at an orphanage in Gulu, Uganda decided to join the trip and now I'm excited to be on the same flight with her!!
There will be an increasing amount of updates from here until December 4th, but I wanted to point that December 2nd will be my 27th birthday and if you are a family member, friend or anyone who would have given me a Birthday or Christmas present, I'm asking that instead you donate money (through our pay pal account) to my trip. I've done a lot in my [almost] 27 years, but saving thousands of dollars was not one of those things! Helping me to pursue my passion and reconnect with Ugandan friends is the best gift you could give me this year...
There are several reasons I want to go back to Uganda. I'll admit some of them are personal, I want to reconnect with the friends I made in Uganda, and the people who became my family. I have framed pictures of several of the children who touched my life while I was in Uganda and I've been amazed at the strength of the pull I feel to go back and see them. Knowing it is a possibility removed it from being an option long ago. It was only a matter of time; of when, not if, and although no time is ever perfect, putting the trip off until I am older, wiser and wealthier began to feel like something I told myself to make me feel better.
Of course, Path of Paper is the main reason I'm going back to Uganda. But,this for me has always been a mix of personal and business. The women who make up Path of Paper (and the people who help at UAOWF- link below) became my family in Uganda. They protected, taught, nourished, and enlightened me. Their personal well being and the well being of the business are linked completely. When we don't have money coming in, they go hungry, their children's health and education is at risk, and the clothes on their back become more fragile. Communication can only be so good over Skype conversations and emails, especially when communicating about things as miniscule as the design of a necklace, a color scheme, not to mention trying to describe this blog and the tax forms the American side of business has filled out this year. To ensure that Path of Paper can run sustainably, and transparently I NEED to touch the hands of the women who make the beads, I need to eat food with them, and I need to give them all the paperwork my saintly mother and I have been trying to organize and understand since I left.
Along this vein, I should say a few words about how business outside of my big trip back to Uganda is going. Recently, we've encountered a new problem, and I'm hoping its one that can be solved. First, we delayed and delayed sending money to Uganda, trying to amass enough money for the wire transfer fees to make sense. When we finally got everything pulled together and sent money, it wasn't long before we received reports from the secretariat of UAOWF ( and my Peace Corps supervisor who helps to monitor and advise the producers for Path of Paper) as well as the Akusa Muguwa, (who is, in business-ese the communication representative between Path of Paper and myself) that the money did not arrive in Iganga. My mother, Cyndi, immediately called Wells Fargo, and tried to figure out where the money could have gone astray. As of right now, we have a tracer on the wire transfer, and Wells Fargo has confirmed that the money did get to at least Uganda. So we are holding our breath as we continue to follow through with this. There are so many options that could have gone wrong with this money, and there is the potentiality that this is a lethal blow to Path of Paper, and the money and hard work of many is lost, we are doing everything we can to figure out exactly what happened and make sure that justice is met. We don't call ourselves path of paper for nothing, and we'll figure out where our transfer went astray!
I'll leave off here for now, there will be many more updates in the future, as a I navigate re-upping on my necessary shots ( where is my WHO card?), planning the itinerary for the trip and speak more and more to my friends and family. So stay tuned!
If you are a supporter of Path of Paper, and want to help us continue to support the lives of women in Iganga, now is the time to donate. Pay pal is easy, just click the button on this blog! Every little bit helps!
Thanks for all the support.
Lots of love,
Kate O'Grady
POP CEO#1
http://www.fountainhouse.org/
(site where I work in NYC, I will be visiting an affiliate organization in Kampala, Uganda while I'm in country)
http://www.freetocharities.org.uk/uaowf/
(website for the organization where I worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer; an organization that continues to help support Path of Paper)
I have some exciting news to share about Path of Paper. It all starts with a Saturday morning brunch not that long ago.......
Rick Barley, another Peace Corps Uganda Volunteer who is 6 ft 5," great at guitar, and was my roommate when I first moved to New York City met my brother, my brothers friend, and myself, for brunch with big news! Rick had decided to go back to Uganda in the beginning of December! Rick outlined his trip to me, and since these plans were only a few months (2 to be exact) before mine, no decision needed to be made; I was travel with my friend.
In addition to meeting with the Gemakumyino Women's Group in Iganga, I am blessed to have the opportunity to visit an affiliate organization to the clubhouse where I work in New York city, Fountain House. (The link is below, please check them out!) So, Michelle Rodriguez, a coworker of mine who volunteered at an orphanage in Gulu, Uganda decided to join the trip and now I'm excited to be on the same flight with her!!
There will be an increasing amount of updates from here until December 4th, but I wanted to point that December 2nd will be my 27th birthday and if you are a family member, friend or anyone who would have given me a Birthday or Christmas present, I'm asking that instead you donate money (through our pay pal account) to my trip. I've done a lot in my [almost] 27 years, but saving thousands of dollars was not one of those things! Helping me to pursue my passion and reconnect with Ugandan friends is the best gift you could give me this year...
There are several reasons I want to go back to Uganda. I'll admit some of them are personal, I want to reconnect with the friends I made in Uganda, and the people who became my family. I have framed pictures of several of the children who touched my life while I was in Uganda and I've been amazed at the strength of the pull I feel to go back and see them. Knowing it is a possibility removed it from being an option long ago. It was only a matter of time; of when, not if, and although no time is ever perfect, putting the trip off until I am older, wiser and wealthier began to feel like something I told myself to make me feel better.
Of course, Path of Paper is the main reason I'm going back to Uganda. But,this for me has always been a mix of personal and business. The women who make up Path of Paper (and the people who help at UAOWF- link below) became my family in Uganda. They protected, taught, nourished, and enlightened me. Their personal well being and the well being of the business are linked completely. When we don't have money coming in, they go hungry, their children's health and education is at risk, and the clothes on their back become more fragile. Communication can only be so good over Skype conversations and emails, especially when communicating about things as miniscule as the design of a necklace, a color scheme, not to mention trying to describe this blog and the tax forms the American side of business has filled out this year. To ensure that Path of Paper can run sustainably, and transparently I NEED to touch the hands of the women who make the beads, I need to eat food with them, and I need to give them all the paperwork my saintly mother and I have been trying to organize and understand since I left.
Along this vein, I should say a few words about how business outside of my big trip back to Uganda is going. Recently, we've encountered a new problem, and I'm hoping its one that can be solved. First, we delayed and delayed sending money to Uganda, trying to amass enough money for the wire transfer fees to make sense. When we finally got everything pulled together and sent money, it wasn't long before we received reports from the secretariat of UAOWF ( and my Peace Corps supervisor who helps to monitor and advise the producers for Path of Paper) as well as the Akusa Muguwa, (who is, in business-ese the communication representative between Path of Paper and myself) that the money did not arrive in Iganga. My mother, Cyndi, immediately called Wells Fargo, and tried to figure out where the money could have gone astray. As of right now, we have a tracer on the wire transfer, and Wells Fargo has confirmed that the money did get to at least Uganda. So we are holding our breath as we continue to follow through with this. There are so many options that could have gone wrong with this money, and there is the potentiality that this is a lethal blow to Path of Paper, and the money and hard work of many is lost, we are doing everything we can to figure out exactly what happened and make sure that justice is met. We don't call ourselves path of paper for nothing, and we'll figure out where our transfer went astray!
I'll leave off here for now, there will be many more updates in the future, as a I navigate re-upping on my necessary shots ( where is my WHO card?), planning the itinerary for the trip and speak more and more to my friends and family. So stay tuned!
If you are a supporter of Path of Paper, and want to help us continue to support the lives of women in Iganga, now is the time to donate. Pay pal is easy, just click the button on this blog! Every little bit helps!
Thanks for all the support.
Lots of love,
Kate O'Grady
POP CEO#1
http://www.fountainhouse.org/
(site where I work in NYC, I will be visiting an affiliate organization in Kampala, Uganda while I'm in country)
http://www.freetocharities.org.uk/uaowf/
(website for the organization where I worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer; an organization that continues to help support Path of Paper)
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
mpola mpola
Hey everybody,
I just added a paypal donate button to this blog ( pretty big deal for a die hard luddite like myself)! I'm hoping that we can raise money to aid in funding my trip to Uganda in February, as well as take one step closer to being able to sell beads online, and make it easier for anyone who wants to donate to our cause.
About two weeks ago my business partners and I ( my mother of course, and my Aunt Val who uses her business degree to help us create necessary paper work, sell beads, etc etc) met up in Milwaukee Wisconsin and worked on, amongst other things, our Fair Trade Federation Application. It seems we're back on this route again; trying to get Fair Trade Certified to up our credentials, and hopefully get us into some stores!
As we spoke, the list of things we need ( and want) to do in order to keep Path of Paper running grew by the second. We are well aware of our limitations and realize quite fully that we might be in over our heads, but the good thing is that our motivation is back! So be ready for lots of updates, lots of changes and a whole lot more professionalism!
Path of Paper is improving and I'm already counting down the days until I am back in Uganda.
I just added a paypal donate button to this blog ( pretty big deal for a die hard luddite like myself)! I'm hoping that we can raise money to aid in funding my trip to Uganda in February, as well as take one step closer to being able to sell beads online, and make it easier for anyone who wants to donate to our cause.
About two weeks ago my business partners and I ( my mother of course, and my Aunt Val who uses her business degree to help us create necessary paper work, sell beads, etc etc) met up in Milwaukee Wisconsin and worked on, amongst other things, our Fair Trade Federation Application. It seems we're back on this route again; trying to get Fair Trade Certified to up our credentials, and hopefully get us into some stores!
As we spoke, the list of things we need ( and want) to do in order to keep Path of Paper running grew by the second. We are well aware of our limitations and realize quite fully that we might be in over our heads, but the good thing is that our motivation is back! So be ready for lots of updates, lots of changes and a whole lot more professionalism!
Path of Paper is improving and I'm already counting down the days until I am back in Uganda.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Going Back
I've decided that I need to go back to Iganga. My mom and I have hit a road block in filling out the non-profit status application,plus with a full time job, I've found it hard to be as pro active about POP as I should be. But I've been working on establishing a similar business at my 9-5. I've worked with some really inspirational people and their insight has reignited my passion for the women in Iganga.
I also recently got an email from Peter Nsubuga, who was my supervisor when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Uganda. He told me that the political dust has settled, but that food prices have doubled in the last 3 months!! That's outrageous! Can you imagine paying double what you pay for groceries by October? Especially if you're struggling already, it must be so stressful. Plus, the rains have been delayed in coming, making growing personal crops impossible.
Anyways, my goal is to go back to Iganga in February or March of 2012. Until then, my mom and I are back onto filling out the non profit application and getting the word out about our group.
I'm praying for the women of Iganga. I hope my own selfishness won't stop me from using the great opportunity I have to help women elevate their status and their families.
I also recently got an email from Peter Nsubuga, who was my supervisor when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Uganda. He told me that the political dust has settled, but that food prices have doubled in the last 3 months!! That's outrageous! Can you imagine paying double what you pay for groceries by October? Especially if you're struggling already, it must be so stressful. Plus, the rains have been delayed in coming, making growing personal crops impossible.
Anyways, my goal is to go back to Iganga in February or March of 2012. Until then, my mom and I are back onto filling out the non profit application and getting the word out about our group.
I'm praying for the women of Iganga. I hope my own selfishness won't stop me from using the great opportunity I have to help women elevate their status and their families.
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