The 20×20 Project has officially concluded and I am thrilled to report that through the generosity of our supporters we were able to raise $3,280 from 132 donors! This amount far surpassed the $2,000 goal we had initially set and could not have come at a better time. Plastic bladders, the most important part of the biodigester, recently went up in price. This price increase caused our initial estimate of $2,000 to be insufficient to fund the project. The extra $1,280 that our supporters donated will allow us to keep our commitment to the people of Nicaragua and fund all 20 biodigesters!

I cannot thank you all enough for your response to this initiative. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 1.3 million people, mainly women and children, die each year as a result of respiratory problems from the smoke created by dirty, wood burning stoves. The 20×20 Project may not make a huge dent in that number, but when you are dealing with a life, saving just one is a huge step to someone.

Keep an eye out for updates on the implementation of this project through emails and facebook!

Again, thank you for your support. $10 can make a huge difference.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

-On behalf of the EOS International Staff and Board, Joe Lamusga – Finance Director

After two weeks, the 20 x 20 Project has raised almost $1,300 due to the generosity of more than 60 people! We are over halfway to our goal of raising $2,000 and halfway to our deadline of May 20th.

If you haven’t donated to the 20×20 Project yet, this is your chance!

If you have already donated, we thank you so very much for your generosity!

Your $10 donation will go COMPLETELY towards defraying the cost of a biodigester in El Valle De San Antonio, Nicaragua.

Click on the link below to donate $10 TODAY – with your help we can reach our goal of raising $2000 to fund 20 biodigesters by May 20th!

Want more information on what a biodigester is and how it benefits the rural poor in Nicaragua? Go to www.eosintl.org/technologies to find out more.

(Don’t have a paypal account? No problem! Click on the link next to “Don’t have a paypal account” to securely use your credit card)

Interested in finding out more about EOS or getting involved? Visit www.eosintl.org/getinvolved to fill out a volunteer interest form, or email info@eosintl.org indicating how you would like to get involved and one of the EOS International staff members will respond.

Thanks!

-The EOS International Staff

EOS International announces a new initiative, The 20 x 20 Project. We want to fund 20 biodigesters in Nicaragua by May 20.  A biodigester is a simple technology that converts animal and organic wastes into biogas and nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. The biogas can be piped to a simple gas cooking range and used as fuel, while the fertilizer can be put back on crops to increase yields.

We can reach our goal by bringing together 200 people who are interested in helping out and willing to chip in just $10.

$10 apiece on 20 biodigesters = $2000 and 200 people making a huge difference!

Click on the link below to donate $10.  May 20th is closer than you think!

(Don’t have a paypal account? No problem! Click on the link next to “Don’t have a paypal account” to securely use your credit card)

Want more information on what a biodigester is and how it benefits the rural poor in Nicaragua? Go to www.eosintl.org/technologies to find out more.

Interested in finding out more about EOS or getting involved? Visit www.eosintl.org/getinvolved to fill out a volunteer interest form, or email info@eosintl.org indicating how you would like to get involved and one of the EOS International staff members will respond.

We are approaching a tipping point for this organization. In 16 days through countless hours of conversation with Wes and numerous productive meetings across the country, we finally identified the specific ways EOS will begin to create lasting change in rural communities throughout Nicaragua and Central America. We also validated that there is a pressing need for our services, and thus, EOS recently began informal partnerships with multiple NGOs and local groups that want to work with us.

We are now working closely with the Peace Corps, Opportunity International, and an eco-tourism co-op called Enlace in Nicaragua to promote our core technologies (drip irrigation, fuel-efficient barrel ovens, and biodigesters) and train others how to implement, use, and maintain them. With this approach we can reach more people in an effective and sustainable way.

With the help of Wes’ growing contact base in Nicaragua, we also began the process of registering as an international NGO in Nicaragua and are in touch with authorities at two Nicaraguan universities who are helping us with the process of hiring a Nicaraguan engineer for our project technician role that we hope to fill by this June.

The last two weeks will pay dividends to EOS for years to come. Just three months into this calendar year, I can confidently and happily say that 2010 is the year of EOS.

Cheers,
Greg

Managua, Nicaragua – 3/13/10

They need support. They need aid in many forms from all over the world and in mass quantities. While EOS International is not currently working in Haiti, I pledge to do what I can to support remotely by creating awareness about the severity of this issue and letting people know what they can do to help. Financial contributions to aid organizations with people already on the ground in Haiti are most helpful now. Here are three links to websites with more information and links to these organizations:
- http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/
- http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/01/haiti_earthquake_how_to_help_a.html
- http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/

Second to financial contributions, creating further awareness and encouraging people to do their part is something each of us can do to reach out to those Haitians who survived this disaster.

Haiti already had many challenges facing it and after the destruction to Port-au-Prince, Jacmel, Leogane, and the villages in between, the road ahead will be tough. It literally will take the whole world coming together to help rebuild this nation. Food and water will be short for a long while to come.

Haitians are some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They share what little they have and are grateful for even the fact that you came to visit, to learn about their country, culture, and history. They are hard working and humble. Their country will never be the same. Please do your part today, and in the coming months and years, to help rebuild this nation.

Keep the support flowing their way,

Greg

It has been roughly one year since the formal process of starting EOS began. Looking back on the past 12 months, it is amazing how much I have learned about starting and running a non-profit organization (along with many other related topics) and inspiring what many friends and volunteers have been able to create. A hearty thanks goes out to each of you.

All other like-minded people out there who dream big, want to start (or have started) your own organization, or desire to create positive change in the world – this blog was created for you. We are walking similar paths and can learn a lot from each other. I hope my thoughts, stories, and lessons learned offer inspiration and insight as you pursue your own dreams.

To those of you waiting to go after your dream or big idea, I ask, “Why not start now?”

Cheers,
Greg