Books for Kids Ghana Africa

1st Quarterly Report CSAG Footprint Books for Kids Org #68120

A. 2d Shipment Received – The Covid19 pandemic stretches around the world and has also impacted our affiliate NGO In Ghana Africa. Although the books were received over a month ago the children have been kept out of the classroom as is the case in many parts of the world. Finally the day came when they could come back, go to school, break open the boxes of books and start to learn. It was a great day with great smiles which you just can’t fake. A great tribute and thanks goes again to Books for Africa who has agreed to send less than container loads of used books. It is difficult to collect the funding needed to send two pallets. But, trying to send 20 or 22 would have been impossible. But thanks to Books for Africa we can send individual pallet loads of books. Each pallet can hold 1100 books, pamphlets and learning aids. 2200 books in two pallets goes a long way in any school.

Thank you as well to Ghana book trust. They are the primary NGO that receives the entire containers of used books. They were very gracious in receiving, storing and then helping deliver the books to CSAG. Let’s not end here. Let’s not stop with 2 shipments. I need help in getting a 3d shipment started. Please help send 2, 3 even 4 pallets of books this next time. Each book delivered with freight and duties and documentation to Ghana Africa from the United States is less than $.75. You could not buy these books new in the US at a bookstore for this price. Please help. Please donate. Specify that you want your donation to buy used books. Then check back and see how much good so little money did for so many children. Thanks.

B. MTU iDesign Program: CSAG Water Supply System – We are please to present the final design report (DSR) from Michigan Technological University (MTU) for the fresh water sourcing, transport, storage and distribution system designed for the village of Adjei Kojo, Ghana. The school and future Library are in an area without these services, which are basic to the good health and future of the children we serve. The DSR was provided in two packages which I explain;

MTU estimates Phase 1 of the project, to supply Zone 1, to cost $96,300. This would include the Dam pump station, intake structure, piping main, Zone 1 tank and distribution network. It also includes the entire village Ring Main. The other Zone water tanks, plus their distribution piping, would follow in subsequent Phases.

Only Zone 1 is detailed in the DSR with a full set of drawings. 400 homes are included in the Phase 1 DSR effort. Total cost of the project, with all 9 Zones, their Tanks and piping, is $833,000. This can be reduced by use of local labor. The DSR provides some steps that can be taken going forward. An important item is water Filtration. The network will pump raw untreated water. This water must be treated first before its potable. Options must be developed and finalized. The DSR provides some suggestions, such as point-of-use filtration.

Links:

• 16Jan21 FPP CSAG 2d Book Shipment Distribution
• 24Feb21 MTU iDesign CSAG Ghana Water Waste Water System
• Footprint Possibilities Inc Donation Site

• 1st Quarterly Report 2020 CSAG Footprint (PDF)
  

Memo: Quarterly Report CSAG Footprint Books for Kids Org #68120

Fundraising – Fundraising continues but at a much reduced rate; things are getting back to normal slowly.  But, we had a book shipment to send, so one last push was made for funding.  In total we entered the 4^th Qtr with the account balance of $1637.25!  This allows funding for more books.  Books for Africa was contacted and they agreed once again to send pallet loads of books to Ghana for Footprint.  This avoids buying entire containers, is a great help and is much appreciated.  A pallet holds 1100 books and the final cost per pallet, door to door, has sadly gone up; pandemics it seems drive prices in both directions, some down and some up.  Last shipment we were able to land a pallet in Ghana for $515; new shipments will cost $700 which is 36% more.  This is not Books for Africa’s fault its just that during the pandemic trade and shipping is disrupted and prices for the few containers that move is higher…sad. So that meant we could not send 3 pallets as we had hoped, but two instead.  Even with this increase it still only costs 64 cents to send a book to Ghana!  Still a great value…thanks to Books for Africa, GlobalGiving and our benefactors…books on the way and delivery is set of 30Oct20.l9

MTU iDesign Program: CSAG Selection – Michigan Tech (MTU) has mobilized for the iDesign effort.  Working with the local community leader we are getting a design for water supply and waste water treatment ready.  This will go hand in hand with the Library that will be built, hopefully with Embassy of Japan funding (an update next quarter for sure).  But, the design is proceeding from Preliminary to Final and will be ready in November, 2020.  

The task for the students is significant; there are 16,000 inhabitants in the greater area of Adjei Kojo.  But, the design is modular and will encompass areas of the village organized in Zones having up to 2500 persons.  This will allow scaling of the project and progressive funding.  Building projects in modules like this also builds community spirit and makes ‘believers’ out of doubters.  But, step by step...MTU will provide the final design with Drawings, Specifications, Bill of Materials, O&M Manual, Schedule and estimated Cost.  Stay tuned.

Each Zone will have its own water distribution network.  Within each zone multi family septic tanks will also be constructed.  Elevated tanks will store water that is transported to the community via a new water main.  A ‘ring main’ will circumnavigate the entire area to provide water from all directions.   Water that goes into homes will be collected, treated and via biological filtration, returned to the water table.  Solid, proven designs.  Thanks!

Links:

• 20Sep20 FPP CSAG Books for Africa Shipment #2

• 4t Quarterly Report CSAG Footprint Books for Kids (PDF)