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Post by billhammond on Jan 12, 2007 15:03:58 GMT -5
1. Yes, electrics more than acoustics, but all are needed. 2. Bass strings are like hen's teeth there, very appreciated! 3. Repackaging is unnecessary, but the bulk packs are more efficient. 4. A few times Sekh has included little business-sized cards in the pcks that say "JAMBO from a musician in Canada" or some such. Wonderful! Anything personal like that just spreads more love. JAMBO, of course, stands for Just A Martin Backpacker Overpriced.
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Post by Village Idiot on Jan 12, 2007 16:21:58 GMT -5
Originally posted by Knobtwister: A cash donation would be more than welcome. I would, however, ask for a home address so a receipt could be mailed to you. The only drawback of a cash donation is that you miss out on the opportunity to physically hold something that is going to be handed to someone in Africa. Some of the physicalness is gone. But cash donation welcome? Absolutely. As far as depackaging the strings, well, it might not necessarily have to be done, but it sure helps out a bunch of good kids. The reality of special education students transitioning to life outside of school is that, in these modern times, it is becoming increasingly difficult for mentally retarded folks to find jobs that can't be done by a machine. As a result, many wind up with pity jobs instead of real jobs that need to be done. One smart teacher I know has addressed that issue by stressing the importance of volunteer work. His classroom does things for the VA, collects, packages and sends various sundries to Haitti, and packages strings for our campaign as well. Click on the picture below to see a slideshow (click slideshow button found on upper right) of these kids doing a terrific and purposeful job for us:
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Post by iamjohnne on Jan 12, 2007 17:07:39 GMT -5
VI, that is a wonderful thing you do.
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Post by Cosmic Wonder on Jan 12, 2007 20:32:37 GMT -5
Hens have teeth in Africa? Wow, it is a different country. Mike
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Post by Village Idiot on Jan 12, 2007 21:04:53 GMT -5
The beauty of Strings to Africa is that individuals don't do much at all. No one works hard at it. It's the collective response that makes the difference. I think it's that ease that has made it last so long.
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Post by theevan on Jan 12, 2007 21:13:58 GMT -5
Truly it is, Todd. Even once in Africa many share the load. In Tanzania, my friend Ans Mwambepo (a splendid singer & leader of his singing group) distributes them to several who then distribute them further. In Uganda/Kenya Henry Musana does the same. Both have express a number of times how much they enjoy it and how delighted people are when they receive one of our offerings of simple friendship. I think receiving them & shipping them off must be the single biggest job.
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Post by Village Idiot on Jan 12, 2007 22:24:53 GMT -5
Ans Mwambepo and Henry Musana have the biggest job. Recieving them and shipping them is all wrapped up. A group of people in Vinton who wish to remain anonymous have someone designated to check the PO box and notify me of what comes in, while the entire group mails the strings and absorbs the cost of doing so. All I do is take phone calls from them, email forumites to let them know that their goods have arrived, and drop strings and sundries off to the good people who depackage them. In other words, I get to do all the fun stuff. I have the real pleasure of having face-to-face encounters with people who are involved. Evan has the pleasure of having face-to-face encounters with people on the other end.
Strings to Africa is a real organization. We haven't, though, sought to be an official organization because it's members, which comprises all of us, whether we donate or give spiritual support, don't seek recognition. Like Evan said, we're just trading a Maidrite for a handshake.
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Post by theevan on Jan 12, 2007 23:40:28 GMT -5
"Like Evan said, we're just trading a Maidrite for a handshake"
Uhhh, I'll take the handshake, to go please.
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Post by Village Idiot on Jan 12, 2007 23:55:17 GMT -5
Uhhh, you'll get the Maidrite. That's all I'm offering.
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Post by sekhmet on Jan 13, 2007 9:29:26 GMT -5
Sorry that I am so late to this thread. I will be sending a bunch of strings - hopefully some bass strings, which I try to make my specialty in this ... I might have a Canadian flag strap left. I will send a bunch of Jambo cards, and I think I will change the wording to "a musician in North America". I expect picks would be welcome?
It is best to send directly to Village's address. It appears that our yearly Canada World Youth exchange with Tanzania is not happening here.
Good for us for still doing this! It's really wonderful.
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Post by theevan on Jan 13, 2007 9:50:01 GMT -5
Picks are welcome, though I've yet to see an African use one. They, like proper guitarists the world over, use their fingers. HAH!
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Post by Village Idiot on Jan 13, 2007 12:57:47 GMT -5
So, Evan, are you taking along some sort of recording device so we can hear Ans Mwambepo when you get back?
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Post by theevan on Jan 13, 2007 16:38:18 GMT -5
Yep. I bought an Edirol for that purpose...mostly to record the Maasai. But that'll be in May. This go-round I'll practice field recording whatever I chance upon.
And post it here.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2007 17:05:54 GMT -5
I just ordered 50 string winders and will add a few lbs. of fret wire to that.
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Post by Village Idiot on Jan 13, 2007 23:47:02 GMT -5
Wow. When 50 Africans learn what a string winder is, they'll fall in love with the things. And the fret wire will go over great.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2007 11:43:49 GMT -5
If not too late, I'll send some off today.
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Post by knobtwister on Jan 17, 2007 14:40:32 GMT -5
I think the deadline is Feb 10th. At least I hope it is. St Louis Music just called to confirm my order so it might not get here until Monday.
Don
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Post by Village Idiot on Jan 17, 2007 22:42:52 GMT -5
zippytone, it is very cool that you have made the decision to give to Strings to Africa, because it shows that you feel that this is a comfortable place to be. It feels good to us that you are willing to jump into the culture of this forum and hopefully stick around, despite the fact that your avatar really does look like a bat on a wall. We always welcome new members, and we sincerely welcome you.
We like to contact people after things have been mailed to Strings to Africa to assure them that goods have arrived, and to thank them for what they have given. Most people's email is available by clicking on where our name is written in blue, please contact anyone, me, in this case, so you can be assured that your goods have arrived. It's been said before, but welcome to the forum, zippytone.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2007 0:20:39 GMT -5
Thanks. They're on the way.
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Post by sekhmet on Jan 18, 2007 20:57:12 GMT -5
ZT, that is very cool.
Village dear, it is a dog with a ball in his/her mouth. Which beats pantyhose.
ZT, Village's dog is the forum mascot, so please be understanding.
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