Returning to New York, where she teaches at the Chapin School in Manhattan, Chessa wanted to continue to contribute to the children she came to know and love. Through her art, she has found a way. Chessa recently sold four of her beautiful photographs and donated the proceeds, $600 to Positive Planet. Chessa, your photographs are made even more beautiful by your generous gift. As we say in Uganda:

This photograph is entitled Curiosity, and was one of the works sold by Chessa Forer

Brick by Brick Masons Digging Foundation

This week construction began on the construction of a new building at Lwamaya Primary School. In partnership with the local community, which has made significant contributions, Brick by Brick has begun to build a 3-room structure which will house a classroom, a new library stocked with books, and a storage room. This will complete a multi-year construction project funded by the students of the Mary McDowell Friends School in Brooklyn, New York. By mid-February this building is scheduled for completion so that each student will now have a safe and secure classroom in which to learn, and a library to access books. Thank you to the students, parents and teachers of Mary McDowell for your dedication over the past 7 years!

Brick by Brick Manager Max Ssenyonga shows off new sign

Brick by Brick Construction is off to a promising start in Year I. We have built 12 rain water harvesting tanks ranging in size from 10,0000 to 30,000 liters, and a new school library using Interlocking Stabilized Soil Brick (ISSB), environmentally-sustainable technology. This month, we begin construction of a 3-room classroom-library block for the Lwamaya Primary School. Our team of professional masons, led by Manager Max Ssenyonga, is proving that social entrepreneurship works to provide revenue for much needed community-based projects, while making an investment in the local economy. Brick by Brick is starting a marketing campaign to expand our business and build on the success of our first year. In addition, to a road side sign post, we will soon complete an array of marketing materials that will spread the word about the valuable services provided by this innovative company.

Starting next year, local school administrators who have experience managing lending libraries, will assist their neighbors to ensure that their skills and knowledge are shared fully. For the first time, over 2,000 students will be able to do what we all take for granted, open a book and learn.

We have also embarked on an ambitious marketing plan to broaden and expand our customer base. This will include appearances on local radio programs, road side advertising, and community education and outreach. In addition, at the request of our masons, we have designed and produced new uniforms, which have been received with tremendous enthusiasm. Our goal is to create a successful and profitable business that will address the need for quality construction, sustainable solutions to critical gaps in the availability of safe water and sanitation, while generating revenue for our community-based programs. So far, our business model is proving successful and everyday we are learning more of what it takes to make an ambitious project like this work. Stay tuned!

This month we completed our first construction project, a 10,000 liter water tank for the Matale Hill Parish in Kalisizo. Click below to view two videos of the brick-making process and the actual construction of our first tank. Brick by Brick is off to a fast start with 12 customers waiting for our services. See Laying the first blocks

           Rosalie Sklar

Rosalie Sklar, a long-time supporter of Positive Planet died peacefully on Saturday, December 11th. Rosalie was a lifelong advocate for social justice. She requested that donations in her memory be made to Positive Planet.

Our most recent partner, Professor Jacquie Jacob, of the University of Kentucky, is providing much needed expertise in poultry science which is already showing results. Check the Positive Planet blog for regular updates.

Twenty-one teachers from six Universal Primary Education schools participated in the workshop. Positive Planet will work with Raising Voices over the coming year to ensure that each of our schools develops a plan of action that begins the process of change. Stay tuned for more on this exciting initiative