BonaResponds

Listen to Jim's interview with Natalie. What is aquaponics? Why is BonaResponds talking about it? How is it related to STEM? How is it going to be used in the Olean area? In Haiti? In the classroom? Come find out this weekend! Here is a video Natalie made describing the program: https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=4s&v=w1HA16JRnw4

We discuss the BonaResponds trip to Dickinson Texas where over 50 volunteers helped the area recover from Hurricane Harvey.

A rather short update on the trip to Dickinson Texas over spring break where we will be doing disaster recovery work out of the Mount Olive Baptist Church. Here are the drywall (sheet rock) videos I mentioned; https://www.evernote.com/shard/s244/sh/77c501cc-9529-4dbf-926b-79184bf8b1d5/9fec3da9cb7e0412bb58972502b4ee44

Bob Hammond and Bill McGrath are two of my favorite people anywhere. They have volunteered with us many times (and we have eaten and stayed at their homes many more times, they are simply wonderful. And they are from Texas now. And they are coming with us to help in Dickinson. They both talk with Jim about the trip and why you should come with us!

Adam and Jim give a fast update on trip planning and ask for volunteers to drive vans down before Feb 23 and return After March 3. Otherwise, the plan is to fly in to Houston (Hobby if possible) and then get to work! (we will pick you up and house you and feed you). Sign up for more info at https://BonaResponds.org

Wow, if I didn't know better I would like Pastor Amos had read every blog post of ours since we started in New Orleans. It is very rare we run into someone with the same outlook and goals. We really, really hope we can get the living quarters behing the church set up and use it as a base for our trip. Thanks Reed and Adam for joining in! This has made the scouting trip worthwhile!!

A fascinating interview! Adam and Jim talk with Onel Dossou on the Haitian Economy, Haitian Schools, as well as his tree nursery. The podcast ends with an update on Hurricane Relief efforts and the need for a new vehicle for BonaResponds.

In 2014 we began working with Bishop Nelson's CYC Africa group. It was during the Ebola crisis. His team was saving children as well as feeding the hundreds and teaching the community how to not catch the horrible disease. CYC (with the sponsorship of BonaResponds and PositiveRipples) has been educating the children since. We now have 53 children that we would like to sponsor for $150 a year. WITH YOUR HELP, WE CAN! Bishop Nelson was in the USA so we had him stop in for 10 days. Here is a talk with him that you don't want to miss. Takeaways: Liberia is poor, never give up on people (Nelson had been a gang leader as a child living on the streets of Monrovia), Ebola is an awful disease, you can't just leave orphans once the news media leaves, YOU CAN HELP! To donate: 1. Donate money at PositiveRipples.org 2. Donate school supplies in the Atrium of the Swan Business Building. 3. Sign up for our Pen Pal program. https://goo.gl/forms/3sQDsUc6CBLYRRuo2

Jim and Adam talk about the upcoming events for BonaResponds and Enactus for the Fall 2017 semester with special emphasis on Hurricane Relief efforts. And of course, how you can get involved

Stacy is a Bonaventure alum (former XC runner!) who allowed us to stay with her family on past BonaResponds scouting trips and advance team trips. I spoke with her today on the flooding from #Harvey and our planned BonaResponds response (big trip Feb 23-March 3).

An update on jobs of last weekend and a talk with Jerry and Jen who have been with BonaResponds since 2006, but are now moving to New Mexico.

A SUPER fast podcast (I have been beyond awful at getting these done!). This is not great, but it will get me back into the swing of things. We will get more out soon! Short version: Doing well doing good, and need leaders and volunteers!

So good to hear from Onel on his tree planting. They planted 516 trees and are ready to plant more---you can help $1 for 1 tree! (donate to http://PositiveRipples.org)

Rob and Caitlyn were great volunteers/leaders during their time at SBU. They are now graduated and married. This conversation took place at SBU where they were back from a basketball game.

An update from Rochelin and Sergot on the seed program we funded after Hurricane Matthew hit Haiti. to donate: http://PositiveRipples.org More pictures: https://www.dropbox.com/sc/wgf0qra5opxoftl/AABPrvOMSqOJM0X3477GH2CMa

This week we hear from several of those we work with in Haiti about what Christmas is like there. You can donate to help them at http://PositiveRipples.org Happy Holidays to you all!

One of my favorite episodes in quite a while. Jean Emmanuel Verdier is a friend and leader of multiple NGOs in the Les Cayes #Haiti area. He often speaks at the UN and is a good friend that we are proud to work with on many projects. This is a great update on what is going on in Les Cayes with Tout Moun Se Moun, BonaResponds, and PositiveRipples since Hurricane Matthew. "We cover 12 houses. We distributed 2000 aquatabs. We cleaned roads, high school courts, canals. We distributed 200 food packages (kits) spaghetti, cooking oil, rice , bean and milk for children."

A 10-minute podcast on the aftermath of #Hurricane #Matthew in #Haiti and the #Bahamas. Rochelin telling of the living conditions is harrowing. Short version: it is bad and they need your help. You can donate at http://BonaResponds.org/donate.html

SUPER fast report on the flooding in Les Cayes Haiti. More to come in a bit.

Onell Dossou is a great guy who is doing wonderful work in Haiti. Here we talk about his reforestation efforts, his gardens (that pay for others to go to school), and much more. Great work Onell! Thank you!