I would like to bring to your attention a new project that I have gotten into that I could use some help on.  Natalie and I have purchased a fixer-upper home at 1304 W. Dalke.  We are going to clean up and remodel this house and resell it with the net profit being donated to International Assistance Program (IAP) for the purpose of financially supporting the Letta Micro-Finance Institute, an Ethiopian microloan enterprise supported by IAP.  Letta is owned and run by evangelical Christian church leaders in Ethiopia, and their purpose is to help very poor members of the church develop small businesses to support their families.  Many of you know that I traveled to Ethiopia in May/June 2008 to become acquainted with the staff, clients and operation of Letta.  Since then I have been involved with a dedicated group of volunteers, plus IAP staff, in helping support Letta.  At this point Letta relies heavily on the financial support that IAP offers, but of course our goal is to raise enough capital to get them to a point at which they are self supporting.  I feel that this house project can help us achieve progress toward that goal.

 

Here's how you can help:  The house needs some repair and upgrades, and also a substantial amount of cleaning.  We would be grateful for any time you would be able to spend.  As we are taking possession tomorrow (Aug. 31), I will plan on starting the work on the home at about 9AM Monday, 8/31.  There are several areas in which I could use some help - minor demolition, cleaning, minor framing, sheet rock repair/taping, a couple of window repairs, minor plumbing, extensive electrical (I'll probably sub this out), some siding replacement, some trim replacement and lots of painting.  If any of you would like to help please let me know by email or give me a call on my cell (509.290.4849).  Of course this is very short notice so I would be real surprised if any of you were able to help this coming week. (go ahead, surprise me!) 

 

For more information on IAP and Letta, click on the following links.

 

Thanks for your consideration!   

 

In Christ -

 

Neil Z.

509.290.4849