FYI ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Spark MicroGrants (http://www.sparkmicrogrants.org/) is a new initiative that capitalizes on the potential of local innovators by hosting contests in which community members propose their own solutions to social problems. After selecting a winning proposal, Spark provides seed funding in the form of a small "microgrant". Past competitions have focused on water & sanitation, promoting safe pregnancies, and food security. Spark is seeking volunteers with computer skills to help create a new website to help manage MicroGrants. Please email info@sparkmicrogrants.org if interested. Spark is also seeking volunteers (with our without technical skills) to be Advocates for current projects in Rwanda and Uganda, including: - Karambe Village, Rwanda: People of Karambe Village have to walk 3-5 kilometers before they reach a tap that is often dry. They are currently designing a project to drill a well and water tank to improve access to water for the over 500 village members. - Wanteete Village, Uganda: Eighty women in Wanteete Village have come together to address their concerns about pre-primary education. Their children have to walk miles to over crowded classrooms and many do not have pre-primary education. Advocates are paired with the MicroGrant community of their choice and work remotely to support and promote their competition. Advocate responsibilities include: helping to raise the money for the community project; reviewing and commenting on proposals written by community members; advertising and promoting the grantee's heroic work in the press. No prior work experience is needed-only enthusiastic compassion! In addition to helping a community in need solve its own problems you will learn about a pressing issue for those living in extreme poverty, and get a ground-level view of how they can be addressed. The time commitment is approximately 2 hours per week for at least two months. Students can build class projects around MicroGrants. Although Advocates may have the chance to review grant submissions and discuss projects with experts in the field; Spark MicroGrants is really about enabling the community to define their own problem, design their own project and carry out the work for it. Please email info@sparkmicrogrants.org or apply at http://microgrants.supportlocalsolutions.org/get-involved/advocates if interested. -- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe@gmail.com cell: + 254 722 518 744 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com