NextAid's Blog

Spring Planning Sessions
- Posted on 04.09.09
February and March were busy months on the site of our Children's Village and Community Center in Dennilton, South Africa! NextAid is fortunate to be working with water expert, Dan Tormey of the Los Angeles firm, ENTRIX (pictured on left). Dan has proved to be a wealth of knowledge and expertise in areas of hydrology, geology, and alternative energy. He is generously donating his time to consult with us in designing our water infrastructure plan for the site. Dan spent 10 days in South Africa in late February surveying the site, meeting with borehole drillers, plumbers and the agricultural department. Recently returned to LA, Dan is working up a plan to solve our water needs for the center and we hope to start implementing his recommendations in the coming months. Dan is being assisted on the ground by a new member of NextAid's team, Matt Styslinger. Matt is about to get his Master's in Sustainable Development from SIT Graduate Institute in Vermont and is spending some time in South Africa, assisting with our grant writing and environmental projects.

The crew in Dennilton excitedly welcomed the arrival of both of NextAid's founders, Craig Keys and Lauren Segal-Avenna who visited the site in early March.

The trip was certainly a momentous occasion! Their visit boasted many accomplishments including a very successful meeting with the board of our partner organization, intensive planning sessions and development of some very exciting future programs to run from the center. They also made time to play with the adorable kids. NextAid and YWAV have laid out an ambitious plan of action for this year and into next, including the establishment of a South African non-profit company to faciliate local fundraising opportunties.

Our goal is to complete the following structures by June 2010: nursery school, 3 more children's homes, the caretaker's residence, guesthouse, playground and sports facility.Help us make this plan a reality... we need all hands on deck to raise funds for the remaining buildings! We are planning a grand opening of the center to coincide with the 2010 World Cup held in South Africa. Do you want to celebrate with us? We are in the early stages of planning an amazing donor trip... let us know if you're interested.

Related causes: Community

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