Laying the Groundwork - March 2009

Hello. Just a quick note to let everyone know we are close to launching the MicroAid website (microaidinternational.org). I am very happy with the way it turned out and a big thanks goes out to Tracy Hopcus of Inkling Studios for pulling it all together. As for our international projects, I have been in touch with all the partners in Sri Lanka and they are awaiting my return to help build houses and community centers, replace tools of livelihood, and support tsumani orphans. (Once the website is up we can start the fundraising drive for this work. Please see “What We’re Working On Now.”) The intensified civil war in Sri Lanka has caused additional hardship for the innocent people caught in the crossfire–there are an estimate 100,000 refugees now without homes. MicroAid will try to help where it can, but we will also remain focused on those still in need from the devastating effects of the tsunami–in many cases, these are the same people. Here in Los Angeles, I have been working every Wednesday with Habitat for Humanity building three houses in the city of Lynwood (south LA) for low income famillies. The framing and roofing is complete, and insulation and sheet rock are going in. They expect a completion date of late June. If all goes according to plan, I should be back in Sri Lanka by then working on the various MicroAid projects I identified in December. Thanks for all the support. Jon