As you can imagine, starting a non-profit can be a lot of work! We are all having a lot of fun with it... Here's our main project right now.
Trip to Penyem, May 18-29, 2006
This summer, a group of us will travel over to The Gambia to live in Penyem for about a week to work on repairing the water delivery system in the village that has been rendered non-functional by thieves who have stolen some of its parts.
There is a flyer going around that has more information about the trip. Currently, we are working to recruit volunteers to make the trip. We'll keep the blog updated as people sign on...
We're looking to get around 10. Email us if you are interested, and we'll send you the flyer! To sign up, you need to send a $200 deposit to:
Friends of Penyem
273 Bunker Hill St. #1
Charlestown, MA 02129
The deposit is to allow us to reserve a flight for you. That's why we need it ASAP - to ensure we get the best airfare possible.
About us...
There are three of us on the "Board" of Friends of Penyem for Education and Development, Inc. - Alieu Nyassi, Seth Blackley and Brae Blackley. Here's a little bit about us and about some others we work with...
Alieu Nyassi is a Gambian native who currently lives outside Detroit with his lovely wife and beautiful daughters, Oumi and Binta. Alieu grew up in Penyem, and many of his family members (including his mother) still live there. Alieu works with many organizations that do charitable work in Africa and has lobbied to bring more support to Penyem. Friends of Penyem is the first organization that was organized specifically to help the residents of Penyem. With Alieu's expert knowledge about Penyem and his vision for its future, Alieu is the President.
Seth Blackley lives in Boston and is working toward his M.B.A. at Harvard Business School. He and his wife, Brae (see below), married in May of last year. Seth grew up in North Carolina and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Seth will make his first trip to Penyem in May 2006. With his keen eye for the numbers and steady control over the books, Seth is the Treasurer.
Brae Blackley also lives in Boston with her husband, Seth. Brae grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and earned a bachelor's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, as well. After graduating from law school in D.C., Brae has begun working as a lawyer at Ropes & Gray LLP in the corporate department. Brae lived in Penyem during the summer in between undergrad and lawschool (2002) with a group from Operation Crossroads Africa. With her superior writing and organizational skills, Brae is the Clerk.
Alieu, Seth and Brae are on the Board of Directors.
Andrew Gomez is a Gambian living in The Gambia and attending computer engineering classes a at a technical school in Banjul, the capital. Andrew recently graduated from Gambia Senior Secondary School (like a U.S. high school). Last winter, Andrew came to the U.S. for the first time to visit Brae and Seth. Andrew works as the Friends of Penyem liason with the village leaders.
Ebou Nyassi is a Gambian living in The Gambia. Ebou works as a hospital equipment technician for MRC. Ebou is Alieu's cousin and also works as a Friends of Penyem liason with the village leaders.
Alieu Nyassi is a Gambian native who currently lives outside Detroit with his lovely wife and beautiful daughters, Oumi and Binta. Alieu grew up in Penyem, and many of his family members (including his mother) still live there. Alieu works with many organizations that do charitable work in Africa and has lobbied to bring more support to Penyem. Friends of Penyem is the first organization that was organized specifically to help the residents of Penyem. With Alieu's expert knowledge about Penyem and his vision for its future, Alieu is the President.
Seth Blackley lives in Boston and is working toward his M.B.A. at Harvard Business School. He and his wife, Brae (see below), married in May of last year. Seth grew up in North Carolina and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Seth will make his first trip to Penyem in May 2006. With his keen eye for the numbers and steady control over the books, Seth is the Treasurer.
Brae Blackley also lives in Boston with her husband, Seth. Brae grew up in Jacksonville, Florida and earned a bachelor's degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, as well. After graduating from law school in D.C., Brae has begun working as a lawyer at Ropes & Gray LLP in the corporate department. Brae lived in Penyem during the summer in between undergrad and lawschool (2002) with a group from Operation Crossroads Africa. With her superior writing and organizational skills, Brae is the Clerk.
Alieu, Seth and Brae are on the Board of Directors.
Andrew Gomez is a Gambian living in The Gambia and attending computer engineering classes a at a technical school in Banjul, the capital. Andrew recently graduated from Gambia Senior Secondary School (like a U.S. high school). Last winter, Andrew came to the U.S. for the first time to visit Brae and Seth. Andrew works as the Friends of Penyem liason with the village leaders.
Ebou Nyassi is a Gambian living in The Gambia. Ebou works as a hospital equipment technician for MRC. Ebou is Alieu's cousin and also works as a Friends of Penyem liason with the village leaders.
Start-up
On Jan 12, 2006, we finally incorporated in Massachusetts. Thanks to Ropes & Gray for taking on the project on a pro bono basis!
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