I spent most of my time yesterday on the tennis courts with the kids. It is good to be back, and especially good to see the fruits of our labor. Our kids are doing very well in Academics relative to their peers in school, our tennis program is thriving--we have 7 kids in the top 10 in the country in their age groups. Our new chess program is very popular and the music program is now really taking off as well.

Funding remains the constant challenge of course. We intend to build our own facililty but getting the land issues resolved and the construction budget filled out, is very critical to us now. We cannot survive another year in our rented facility.

In spite of the frustrations and challenges, I only need a few hours around the kids to remind me that there is no answer beyond moving forward and finding solutions. Shutting the program down simply is not an option. We have 100 kids that come every day and learn life-skills, academics and sport, and without this little edge, the chances dramatically increase that they would be another statistic of the effects of poverty.

Several days ago I got the news that one of our primary sponsors would no longer be able to support us. At the same time, someone who offered to donate some artwork that we could sell for donation to MYO withdrew that offer for personal reasons.

 However, I had a great meeting with some fantastic hollywood folks are going to help us with a fundraising promo trailer and I am now waiting for word from a private foundation that is having their board meeting today to discuss a significant contribution.

The anxiety of fundraising is difficult, but the thought of failure is just not acceptable. There is no way we can pull back from our kids what we have shown them is possible.

We will find a way to get there. I am hopeful this forum brings more supporters, more enthusiasm and moral support. 

It's time to put our shoulders to the wheel

I just returned from a brilliant workshop and conference in Windhoek. In addition to myself, the board of directors for both Rossing Uranium and Rossing Foundation were in attendance, as well as several government officials including the prime minister.

There is a growing optimism in Namibia that is encouraging to see and wonderful to be a part of. A new era of collaboration seems to be on the near horizon and I think we will find that MYO finds itself in a position to play a significant role in developing a new generation of youth development programs around the country. We will bind ourselves through common goals of education-based development, a commitment to delivery execution and quality assurance, and a focus on consistency. I think we can attain the reach of a larger organization while maintaining the focus and efficiency of small business.

For MYO, we have two hard years ahead of us. It is critical to our long term survival that we raise the funds to build our own facility before mid-2007. It is a massive effort, but one that will pay dividends for the next 25 years or more. This is our biggest challenge, but one that is achievable, and once we achieve it, we can look forward to working with 250 children every day. From that point, our contribution to the rehabiliation of the youth of Namibia will align with our original vision.

Very best to all, and of course,

PEACE - Rob