Hi-

Please spread the word on this great fundraising event  Saturday  Nov

8th 7:30PM in Ojai at Sacred Space 410 Bryant Cir, Ojai, CA.. Global Resource Alliance is based 
in Ojai and is doing amazing work in Africa in the areas of

permaculture, holistic medicine, AIDS support, and more.

For More Information

If you have questions regarding Global Resource Alliance,

Global Resource Alliance, Inc.
963 Oso Rd.
Ojai, CA 93023
PHONE: (805) 646-4439

E-mail us: info@globalresourcealliance.org

Global Resource Alliance
 http://www.globalresourcealliance.org/about.htm

History
 
Global Resource Alliance, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)3, non-profit organization headquartered in Ojai, California. It was founded in April 2002 to provide financial and technical support to community organizations in the world's least developed regions working for social, economic and environmental change.

Vision
We believe that each person on earth has a right to the resources necessary to enjoy a life of dignity and an environment that fosters personal growth and development. We believe that natural, holistic and environmentally sustainable solutions are the best path, and that through sharing, cooperation, accountability and grassroots participation, this vision can become a reality.

The strong community spirit found throughout Tanzania, and other African nations, has given rise to a host of non-profit, community based, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dedicated to one aspect or another of sustainable community development. We feel fortunate and honored to collaborate with these organizations in achieving our shared goal of bringing hope, joy and abundance to communities shackled with poverty, malnutrition and disease.

Kinesi Village Project

GRA is currently focusing much of its attention and resources on a rural East African community called Kinesi Village. Like many small villages in the Lake Victoria region of Tanzania, average per-capita income is less than 50 cents a day. Many of the comforts we take for granted - like safe water, plumbing, electricity, telephones and television - remain distant dreams to all but a handful of village residents.

The Kinesi Project is GRA's small contribution to meeting the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which aim to halve the number of people in the world suffering from abject poverty, hunger and lack of access to clean water and basic sanitation by the year 2015.

GRA and its village partners have identified nine key areas of development essential to achieving a life more abundant for the people of Kinesi:

All GRA's programs and projects are designed and implemented in collaboration with local residents and organizations through a process called Community Participatory Development, where all residents are represented and claim a stake in the positive outcome of projects.

Hopefully, the natural, holistic and sometimes unconventional approaches which prove successful in Kinesi will serve as models for other sub-Saharan communities striving to improve their quality of life by living in harmony with nature and working cooperatively to ensure that each member of the community enjoys a life of dignity, joy and abundance.

Water is essential to overcoming hunger, poverty and disease, yet worldwide, more than one billion people still lack access to safe drinking water. Five million people, mostly children, die each year from water-borne diseases - double the number of deaths caused by AIDS. Some 60% of all infant mortality is linked to infectious and parasitic diseases, most of them water-related.

In December 2003, the UN General Assembly proclaimed the years 2005 - 2015 to be the International Decade for Action, "Water for Life" - an international drive to bring safe water and basic sanitation to communities around the world. The goal set by the UN Millennium Project is to halve, by 2015, the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.

GRA has responded to the call by initiating a bold and unconventional water resource development project called "Maji Mengi" (Abundant Water). Utilizing innovative techniques developed by the late Stephan Riess, of Ojai, CA, we will begin drilling boreholes and developing wells in communities throughout the Mara region of Tanzania suffering from severe water shortages. The project's leader, Pal Pauer, is a protégée of Riess with over thirty years experience locating and tapping the abundant, crystalline water found in fractured primary rock.

Kinesi, a village of 5,000 residents in the Tarime district of Tanzania, will be the first site developed beginning September, 2007. Residents presently use polluted, untreated water from Lake Victoria for drinking, bathing, cooking, irrigation and laundry. Clean, safe water will not only dramatically reduce the incidence of cholera, typhoid, dysentery, schistosomaisis and other parasitic infections, but also demonstrate the potential of "earth generated" water to enhance the quality of life in communities currently without access to safe sources of water.

About Primary Water
Primary water is created within the Earth's interior and travels toward the surface via fissures and fractures in primary rock. It is accessed by drilling directly into bedrock, often at depths of just 150 to 300 feet. Also referred to as new, juvenile, or earth-generated water, discussions of primary water can be found in modern literature, although it is not generally recognized by the hydrological community. It's potential to ameliorate the world's growing water crisis remains largely unrealized.

Evidence of primary water comes from a variety of sources. Natural springs, for instance, can be found throughout the world that have been producing thousands of gallons of pure, fresh water per minute continuously since biblical times. Many of these, like the Fountain of Apollo in Libya and the Ain Feigh in Syria, have seeded civilizations. Others, like the giant spring gushing from solid granite in Kings Canyon National Park, are merely wonders of nature.

In addition to these naturally occurring springs, primary water is often encountered accidentally when tunneling through rock for mines, roadways or waterways - even at high elevations, far above any drainage basin. The famous Comstock silver mine on the Eastern slope of Mt. Davidson near Nevada City, for example, pumped over 5 million gallons a day out of flooded mineshafts until the pumps failed and the mine was closed in 1886. In the 1950's water was struck tunneling through the Santa Ynez Mountains in Santa Barbara that flowed at over 13 million gallons a day. Construction was halted until the gushing fissure could be sealed.

Many castles in Europe, built hundreds of years ago on high rocky promontories, have wells hand hewn in solid rock that have been producing fresh, pure water non-stop for centuries. More recently, in the past ten years, exploration projects in Sudan, Somalia and the West Indies islands of Trinidad and Tobago have successfully tapped the abundant water locked in fractured bedrock. By defying conventional hydrological wisdom, an innovative engineering company was able to obtain yields of up to 50 times that estimated by the "experts", at a fraction of the cost of other alternatives.

Utilizing techniques perfected over many decades of experience, GRA's primary water project will demonstrate practical, economical approaches to locating and tapping the Earth's abundant water to meet the needs of communities suffering from severe water shortages.

Organic Gardening

Organic gardening is a method of growing food without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Instead, mulch and organic compost is used to enhance soil fertility and natural botanical substances like neem are used to discourage pests. Fruits and vegetables grown organically are high in enzymes, vitamins and minerals, making them both more delicious and more nutritious than conventionally grown produce. By eliminating the damaging effects of synthetic and chemical inputs, the local environment also benefits from growing food organically.

Currently, GRA is funding organic gardening projects in both Musoma and Kinesi Village. Both courses are lead by Jackson N'garaga, a local expert and talented, caring teacher with over 10 years experience in organic agriculture.

In Musoma, guardians of AIDS orphans participating in the GRA funded Lea Mtoto (Care of the Child) program have received training in organic methods and many have established gardens at their homes. Those lacking sufficient space have come together, with the help of Jackson and Lea Mtoto social worker Christopher Gamba, to create an extensive and productive community garden on about two acres of land near Lake Victoria.

In Kinesi, a village of 5,000 residents on the shore of Lake Victoria one hour by boat from Musoma, Jackson is conducting the first ever organic gardening program for about 75 adults and over 100 8th grade students. The local government has donated 2 plots of land for use by the students who are enthusiastically creating productive gardens to grow food for the entire student body. The year-long program is funded by the New England Biolabs Foundation and includes an art component for all participating students.

Tree planting campaign

Trees are a wonder of nature and an abundant source of many resources essential to the path of sustainable development. In addition to food, fuel and medicine, they provide shelter and shade for humans and animals, enrich the soil, increase precipitation, prevent soil erosion and enhance the natural beauty of any environment - among many other blessings.

Inspired by Wangari Maathai, recipient of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize and the founder of the Green Belt Movement, GRA is committed to helping grassroots organizations in Kinesi Village and the surrounding Lake Victoria region plant thousands of trees over the next several years. These trees will be used to create natural fencing, desalinate the soil and provide medicinal and nutritional supplementation for the people participating in the tree planting initiative.

Permaculture

In October, 2007, we will host a Permaculture Design Certificate course for area residents and students from around the world interested in exploring the potential of permaculture for sustainable development in a rural, East African environment.

 

Alternative Health

We believe that natural, affordable, locally grown herbs and trees provide an important, and often overlooked, solution to the many health challenges facing residents of Tanzania's Lake Victoria region. Our main efforts in this area has been promoting the use of neem and moringa oleifera and increasing the resources available to volunteer midwives struggling under very difficult circumstances to assist women in rural areas give birth at home.

For several years, we have also been providing financial support to the AIC Clinic, one of the regions only health clinics growing, preparing and prescribing natural remedies to prevent and cure many of the diseases endemic to the area. Much of AIC's inspiration and practical knowledge comes form the German NGO, anamed (Action for Natural Medicine), which presents week long intensives each year at the clinic.

Moringa Oleifera
Moringa Oleifera, a fast growing, drought resistant local tree, is said by practioners of Ayurvedic medicine to prevent over 300 diseases. The leaves of the moringa tree also have extraordinary nutritional value - 7 times the Vitamin C of oranges, 4 times the Calcium of milk, 4 times the Vitamin A of carrots, 3 times the Potassium of bananas and twice the protein of yogurt. They make a perfect and economical supplement to the diet of people in the region that both strengthens the body and prevents many common diseases.

Because of moringa's amazing health benefits, GRA subsidizes its purchase for the daily use by hundreds of orphans in the programs we fund.

Moringa seeds are also well known for their ability to purify water. Most people in the area don't have access to clean water, and can't afford charcoal to boil water from polluted sources before drinking it. Typhoid fever, cholera, and parasitic infections are the all too familiar consequences. GRA has funded several programs by local non-profits that include instruction in the use of Moringa seeds for water purification.

Neem
In natural medicine, the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is recognized as an effective treatment for many diseases. The first records of its use date from about 4,500 years ago. And although neem has been used in India for thousands of years, this natural treatment was not introduced to the Western world until recently. The uses of neem are many and varied - crop protection, insect repellent, treatment of various skin disorders as well as systemic bacterial, viral and fungal infections and for the prevention and treatment of malaria, among others.

In 2005, GRA introduced a homeopathic neem tincture in the Lake Victoria region that was originally developed by the Abha Light Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya for the prevention and cure of malaria. This homeopathic remedy is an ethanol based tincture carrying the medicinal properties of neem leaves. The tincture is easily produced, and a six-month supply for one individual in Tanzania costs only about 40 cents US.

GRA is training small groups to produce the homeopathic neem tincture to offer for sale within their communities. We are also supporting studies in the region conducted by a local MD, Dr. Makuke, to determine the preparation's effectiveness. The region's top public health officer has also expressed interest in the use of neem drops and would like to involve the government in further studies. Preliminary data suggests that the neem tincture is highly effective for malaria prevention, as well as in treating patients with chronic malaria.

Home Birth
Most women living in rural villages in the Lake Victoria region give birth at home, with the help of other women that have received some training and basically work for free. On our last visit to Tanzania, we became aware of the difficult conditions under which they operate and the scant resources available to support this important event in a human being's life. GRA has responded to the need of making home birth safer, providing grants for basic tools like pots to boil water, scissors to cut the umbilical cord, clean cloths and bicycles to facilitate fast transportation for midwives.


Malaria Control

Malaria is the number one health challenge for people living in the Lake Victoria Region of Tanzania. According to UN estimates, one child in Africa dies every 30 seconds from malaria. It accounts for 1 in 5 childhood deaths. GRA is responding to this crisis by promoting and subsidizing the use of a homeopathic neem tincture effective in preventing malaria and Long Lasting Insecticide Treated mosquito bed Nets (LLITNs) - through what we call the Buzz-Off Malaria Campaign.

Neem tincture
In natural medicine, the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is recognized as an effective treatment for many diseases. The first records of its use date from about 4,500 years ago. And although neem has been used in India for thousands of years, this natural treatment was not introduced to the Western world until recently. The uses of neem are many and varied - crop protection, insect repellent, treatment of various skin disorders as well as systemic bacterial, viral and fungal infections and for the prevention and treatment of malaria, among others.

In 2005, GRA introduced a homeopathic neem tincture in the Lake Victoria region that was originally developed by the Abha Light Foundation in Nairobi, Kenya for the prevention and cure of malaria. This homeopathic remedy is an ethanol based tincture carrying the medicinal properties of neem leaves. The tincture is easily produced, and a six-month supply for one individual in Tanzania costs only about 40 cents US.

GRA is training small groups to produce the homeopathic neem tincture to offer for sale within their communities. We are also supporting studies in the region conducted by a local MD, Dr. Makuke, to determine the preparation's effectiveness. The region's top public health officer has also expressed interest in the use of neem drops and would like to involve the government in further studies. Preliminary data suggests that the neem tincture is highly effective for malaria prevention, as well as in treating patients with chronic malaria.

Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITNs)
Most malaria carrying mosquitoes bite at night, making mosquito bed nets especially important in the prevention of the disease. When treated with insecticides, their effectiveness is greatly improved. Trials with treated mosquito bed nets in the 80's and 90's showed that they reduced deaths by an average of 20% and malaria incidence by 50 % in children less than five years of age.

There are a couple difficulties with this type of net, however. One is the fact that they need to be re-treated every 2 to 4 months to remain effective. Often, this step is skipped by users who either don't realize the importance of re-treating their net, or can't easily afford the frequent purchase of additional insecticides. Even when nets are re-treated, the residual insecticides are usually improperly disposed of and find their way into the local environment. Another drawback is the net's relatively short useful life of just 2 to 3 years.

In the last few years, to overcome these shortcomings, Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITNs) were developed. These nets, originally from Japan but now manufactured in Tanzania, have permethrin, an insecticide deemed safe for children by the World Health Organization, embedded in tough plastic fiber. Their insecticidal properties remain effective for about five years, which is also the life span of the net.

GRA has subsidized an average of about 85% of the LLITN's US$ 7.00 purchase price for over 5,000 families living in Musoma and Kinesi Village. Since 2 to 3 people generally sleep under the same mosquito net, the total number of individuals benefiting is considerably higher.

Much remains to be done, however, as only a small percentage - some estimates as low as 1% - of the children in Africa sleep under mosquito bed nets. GRA will continue to raise funds to address the challenge of malaria far into the future.

Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Mosquito Net in action

 
  Sustainable Technology

GRA's pursuit of sustainable technologies, focused in the rural Tanzanian village of Kinesi, is still in its infancy. Included under this heading are future projects in solar energy, wind energy, jatropha oil cook stoves and compressed earth block construction.

In early 2006, we completed our first sustainable housing project using compressed earth block. Bricks are generally manufactured in Kinesi Village by forming blocks from soil high in clay content and then firing them for 24 hours in large, outdoor, mud-covered stacks. The resulting bricks are irregular, brittle and generally have to be carried, usually on one's head or the back of a bicycle, a considerable distance from the firing site to the construction site. Worse yet, the process exacerbates the already severe problem of deforestation and diminishes air quality in the village.

We heard about a motorized compressed earth block machine manufactured by a South African company called HydraForm. It was advertised to produce about 1,000 interlocking bricks per day that could be stacked without mortar for the first 12 to 15 courses, saving a considerable amount of time and money in the construction of a dwelling. We decided to build an experimental house using these bricks and donate it to someone in the village. Fortunately, we were able to rent a HydraForm machine from Madaraka Nyerere, youngest son of Tanzania's founding father, Julius Nyerere.

UVIMAKI Rural Development Association, one of our local partners, chose a woman named Agnes to receive the donated home. She is over 70 years and was living at the time with two AIDS orphans of primary school age in a one room, mud and stick home. The older boy, Sheban, fishes in Lake Victoria, and sells whatever fish is left over after satisfying the nutritional needs of the household. On a good month, the family may earn a mere seven or eight dollars.

Agnes was overjoyed upon completion of the house which ended up costing a total of just under $3,500. While the final product was quite acceptable, we decided that a manual earth block press was more appropriate for the area, considering the high initial cost of the HydraForm equipment and ongoing expense for fuel, maintenance and transport - not to mention the noise pollution and air pollution that accompanies its use.

In March, 2007 a volunteer from GRA and a brick maker from Kinesi Village will undergo two weeks of training at Auroville, India in the use of their highly acclaimed Auram 3000 earth block press. If the equipment meets our expectations, GRA will import one or two presses to Kinesi to be used by village-organized sustainable building cooperatives.

GRA Fund for Microfinance

Microfinance - making small loans to poor families that enable them to create and maintain their own micro-enterprises - has proven to be one of the most successful approaches to sustainable poverty reduction. These loans empower borrowers - predominantly women - to create their own path out of poverty through personal initiative and the use of their own creative potential.

Our Fund for Microfinance is invested in small, registered microfinance organizations that have received technology and training in computerized accounting from GRA and have proven themselves to be effective in financial management and committed to the needs of the poorest of the poor.

To date, GRA has invested over $33,000 in 4 different rural East African microfinance organizations. Interest revenue derived from these investments supports our work with AIDS orphans, constituting an important source of sustainable funding.

By Fall, 2007, we expect to complete a handbook titled QuickBooks for the Small African Microfinance Organization, written in conjunction with our Tanzanian partner UVIMAKI Rural Development Association.

GRA is addressing this demand for educational opportunities through scholarships, infrastructure grants and “Abundant Living Education” programs.

Our scholarships include secondary school and vocational educational grants to AIDS orphans in GRA funded programs and post secondary education scholarships, including the "Bernard & Ethel Achterhof and Robert & Gertrude Muir Scholarship" to the best student each year at the Buhare Community Development Training Institute in Musoma.

"Abundant Living Education" grants go to individuals and organizations providing practical, hands-on educational projects in the following areas:

AIDS Orphans Support

GRA is committed to supporting AIDS orphans in the Lake Victoria region through our partnership with several non-profit organizations in the area. The need far outweighs our ability to meet it, but we do our best to respond to the growing demand. Already, hundreds are being helped by our combined efforts, and we hope to reach many more as time goes on.

One of the organizations funded by GRA is the Ukombosi Nursery School, provides meals, clothes, education and loving attention to nearly 200 children each day. These children spend several hours daily at the facility, and then return to the homes of their guardians. Without Ukombosi's help, most of these children would go to bed with tattered clothes and empty stomachs. The orphans range in ages from 4 to 7 years.

Another project funded by GRA is Lea Mtoto (Care of the Child), organized and operated by Foundation HELP, Tanzania. The program provides essential support for about sixty AIDS orphans including:

In addition to direct support, GRA promotes microfinance as a way to increase the incomes of families taking in orphans by allowing them to start or expand micro-enterprises - raising chickens, sewing clothes, repairing bicycles, selling vegetables and the like. To date, we have donated $5,500 to create special funds for cero interest loans to AIDS orphans guardians.