Elon Periclean Scholars

Update from the Zambian Development Support Foundation

By Tom Arcaro | Published January 15, 2014

logoZDSF

The Zambian Development Support Foundation, a micro-finance program, began as a result of the partnership between the Class of 2009 and villagers in the Copperbelt Region of Zambia (near Ndola) with which they worked.  Below is a report submitted by Mr. Voster Tembo, board member of the ZDSF and partner with the Periclean Scholars since late 2008.

FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Happy New Year to everyone especially to our supporters and the beneficiaries of loans. It is a great start for the year for Zambian Development Support Foundation (ZDSF) to highlight the project background and its long-term vision of expanding its work to other communities within and outside of Copperbelt province.

ZDSF1Here is a photo of some beneficiaries of ZDSF loans.

From left to right: kneeling, Augustine Phiri, Rosemary  Mulenga, Florence  Mvula ,Bernadette Mwila and Rodah Muwowo and standing from left to right: Calolaine Kadewele, Barnabas Chisha, Milo Baila, Nkandu Ngosa, Enaya Chama,Sara Muna, Susan Chibale, Mary Bwalya, Grace Mwenge, Chileshe Chama, Mary Bwalya (ZDSF community Treasurer) and Jedo Chibale.

 

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

ZDSF was founded and officially registered in May of 2013 and is possession of  certificates of registration with regulatory bodies of the Republic of Zambia namely Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) and the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA)

  • Vision:  To economically empower communities for sustainable development around Zambia
  • MISSION:  The organization’s mission is to empower small- medium scale business traders particularly women through provision with of loans.
  •  GOAL:  To increase the capital base from the current $6, 300.00 to $30,000.00 by August 2014 for the expansion of project in communities around Copperbelt.
  •  GOVERNANCE:  Zambian Development Support Foundation is a Community Based Organization born out of community interest and demand for capital access to grow and expand their small to medium business locally in Chipulukusu community. Therefore the organization leadership consists of the 5 local members of the Board of Directors with the representation of four men and a woman. The Core function of the ZDSF Board is mandated mainly to govern the operations of the organization, including approving loan disbursements; management of loans recoveries and reporting to supporters on regular basis
  • OPERATIONAL AREAS:  The Zambian Development Support Foundation (ZDSF) is currently operating in Chipulukusu community in Ndola, where micro finance pilot project is being implemented. The organization uses the revolving fund system to provide group loans to community members interested with the repayment within period of 3 months. The approach to providing group loans guarantees fully recovery of loans from each group. The pilot project has so far worked well in the community with an overwhelming response from the current beneficiaries the need and increasing demand to access loans to expand on their business. As it is usually the case and said, Great things start small
  • INITIAL PROJECT CAPITAL:  Zambian Development Support Foundation (ZDSF) started the micro lending project with an initial capital funding of $ 2,400.00 from its major funder, Pericles Alumni Association of Elon University, North Carolina of the United States of America. The funds were received in the organization bank account held with the local Barclays Bank Plc. In addition, the project received IPAD equipment, as the donation from Pericles Alumni Association of Elon University of North Carolina, United States of America to enhance administration and data management of the project. The Board of Directors decided to invest $1,900.00 (79.17%) of the total initial capital on loans disbursements to group members The balance of $500.00 (20.83%) was administrative costs on stationary, monitoring and evaluation and communication.

The ZDSF further received the total donation of €3,000.00 for the project from the close friend and friend to him, who were approached and showed interest to support the project too. The identities of two individual donors who donated €1000.00 and €2,000.00 respectively have been withheld at request.   .  The monitoring and evaluation exercise was recently carried out to beneficiaries’ of ZDSF group loans disbursed in Chipulukusu community in Ndola.

Here are photos highlights from individual beneficiaries’ sampled type of businesses that are running.

ZDSF2Mary Bwalya at her small shop at Chipulukusu market: she used to sell only two tray of eggs but is able to order eight. She has been able also to buy a sewing machine that will be paying in installments. All this is as a result of the two loans she has obtained from ZDSF.

ZDSF3

 

 

The Zambian Development Support Foundation (ZDSF) Board of Directors and on behalf of its clients express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Periclean Scholar Alumni Association of Elon University for social and financial support in setting up the project to become a reality. The funder supported with the ideas and the initial capital for the project. Our sincere thanks is extended to two friends and supporters from the Ireland Republic for their generous donation that demonstrate their belief and trust in our ideas and extending their hearts and love to the people of Zambia through our institution, ZDSF.

 

 PROJECT ACTIVITIES

  • Training in financial management
  • Training in skills development and entrepreneurship for youths
  • Disbursement and recoveries of loans at 10% fixed interest rate on total amount loaned.
  • Training in HIV/AIDS to the target group

 

ACHIEVEMENTS

Zambian Development Support Foundation has record successes since the month of May 2013 when it was established;

  1. Registered with Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), a regulatory Board mandated with registration of companies, associations and foundations. The organization received approved certificate of registration on the 30th May 2013.
  1. Registered with Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), a regulatory Board mandated with registration of companies for tax purposes and clearance. The organization received approved certificate of registration.

3. Disbursed group loans amounting to $5,355.76

  • $1, 900 (79.17%) of the initial funding received from Periclean Scholar Alumni Association was first disbursed as loans to 3 groups of 5 members with each group having the chairperson and treasurer elected. The total individual beneficiaries add up to 15.
  • Project monitoring tools such as receipt with headed official self-carbonated pages as complied with the national laws of Zambia.
  • 100% loan recovery was recorded within the three month repayment period as at 23rd December 2013.

4. Received additional funding of €3,000.00 from two individual donors that resulted in increase of the capital base for the project.

  • Managed to disburse second loans from two funding streams that have resulted in increased number of groups from initial three to six groups of 5 members with an extra individual to form the seventh group. Therefore, the total individual beneficiaries accessing loans currently stands at 31 with 8 on the waiting list.

5. Received iPad, an office equipment as the donation from Periclean Scholar Alumni Association of Elon University of North Carolina, United States of America.

  • The equipment is being used for administration and data management purposes for the project.

 

ZDSF4Jedo Chibale and his daughter Bupe in their hardware store at Chipulukusu market, he got the loan to restock his store that was almost closing.

 

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Aqui & Alla/Here & There book launch event FRIDAY!!

By Tom Arcaro | Published January 15, 2014

All Pericleans are invited to come this Friday beginning at 5:00pm, January 17th, to the Lakeside Meeting Room for the official launch of the new book  Aqui & Alla/Here & There.  This book was authored by Blanca Nienhaus and translated by Dr. Brian Nienhaus, Mentor for the Class of 2013 and tells the story of ‘D’ a young immigrant woman from a very small village in Chiapas, Mexico.  Members of the Class of 2013 traveled to 

InvitOKelly‘D’s’ home village in January 2013 and met her brother who had lived in Alamance County before he was deported back to Chiapas.

The launch event this Friday will include comments by both Blanca Nienhaus and ‘D’ and will be attended by several members off the Hogares Sanos group that was originally formed by the Class of 2013 and is now in partnership with the Class of 2016.

Proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to support activities of the Hogares Sanos women.

Click here for the E-Net announcement of the event.

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Pan-Periclean January Term Social

By Tom Arcaro | Published January 11, 2014

Hi all,

The Pan-Periclean social will be taking place Sunday, January 12th in Moseley where Octagon used to be.  Bring a dish native to your class’s region of focus and let’s see which cuisine is best!  The Moseley kitchen will be available for use from 4-7 pm, but for those not cooking come hang out, enjoy the bounty, and catch up with everyone at 6.  All are welcome; feel free to invite non-Periclean friends. We look forward to seeing you there!

Best,

Libby [Gormley, ’15]

Screen Shot 2013-08-19 at 4.34.35 PM

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A new year with growth and change

By Tom Arcaro | Published January 5, 2014

Pericleans, partners and friends,

I trust that you are all renewed by our recent break and are now ready to re-double your efforts to work together in partnership toward the goal of a better world for all.

Nam flagOur program is growing, and we will induct our twelfth Class of Pericleans this April under the Mentorship of Dr. Carol Smith.  I am excited for this new Class because they will re-engage with the nation of Namibia, the country of focus for the inaugural Class of Pericleans, the Class of 2006.

As most of you know I will be leading the Elon semester in Costa Rica this spring.  Our family departs for San Jose on February 3rd and we are deep into negotiating the many details that come with preparing for such a long and intense travel experience.  Dr. Steve Braye, Mentor for the Class of 2009 and also the incoming Mentor for the Class of 2018, will serve as interim Director.  He will chair the Steering Committee this spring semester and work with the current Mentors to insure a great semester.

Just before the holidays Catherine Parsons –program assistant for Project Pericles- and I met with three key Elon staff persons concerning accounts associated withlogowoborder the Periclean Scholars program with a central focus on accounts related to alumni Classes.  At this meeting were Sara Peterson, Director of Donor Relations, Beverly McQueen, Coordinator of Gift Records, and Lorraine Allen, Director of Accounting.

Important accounting changes that came from the meeting include the following:

Effective at the end of this fiscal year (May 31, 2014) all funds that remain from any Periclean alumni Class will be transferred to the Periclean Foundation, the 501(c)(3) that was established as a legacy of the Class of 2012.  Board members of the Periclean Foundation will decide on the distribution of those funds. Have our assurance that each Class will retain absolute control over funds directed toward their specific projects.

There will be a phasing in of this policy beginning immediately with new donations. Therefore, if an alumni chooses to donate to their Class project, it must directly be sent to the Periclean Foundation. If it goes through Elon University, it will be used for current Periclean Classes. Those alumni who are currently making automatic monthly contributions will have until the end of the current fiscal year to make the transition. One key reason for this policy is that we have been made aware that according to IRS guidelines, gifts to Elon accounts need to be used for current Class activities and that Elon accounts should not be used as “in-out” accounts for gifts going to alumni partners.

I will be working with University Advancement and key alumni in the next several weeks to develop multiple ways to communicate this change (e.g., web, a video and email blast).  A major part of this communication will be elaborating on the nature and structure of the Periclean Foundation and the assurance that each Class will retain absolute control over funds directed toward their specific projects.

Beginning immediately we request that all communication from alumni Classes concerning accounting or gifts should be channeled through the Director and copied to Catherine Parsons cparsons@elon.edu.

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns as we move forward.

On a closing note, I want to again thank all of the current Mentors for their dedication to the program and also Catherine Parsons for being an absolute rock as an administrative assistant.

Best,

Tom Arcaro
Director

 

 

 

 

 

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Season’s Greetings from the Elf

By Tom Arcaro | Published December 20, 2013
Wishing all Pericleans and their families Happy Holidays!

Wishing all Pericleans and their families Happy Holidays!

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Class of 2016 Fall 2013 Resume

By April Post | Published December 17, 2013

Periclean Scholars Class of 2016

Country of focus: Honduras

Mentor: Prof. April Post

Partnerships

  • Hogares Sanos – since fall 2013
  • Hope for Honduran Children – since fall 2013

Research

Books

[fall 2013]

  • Reichman, Daniel R. The Broken Village: Coffee, Migration, and Globalization in Honduras. Ithaca: Cornell UP, 2011. Print.
  • Levine, Peter. We Are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For. New York: Oxford UP, 2013. Print.
  • Gelderloos, Peter. Consensus: A New Handbook for Grassroots Political, Social and Environmental Groups.  Tucson: See Sharp Press, 2006. Print.

Articles

[fall 2013]

  • Meyer, Peter J.  “Honduras-U.S. Relations Report.” 24 July, 2013. PDF file.
  • “Honduras 2012 Human Rights Report. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012.” 2012. PDF file.

Book Chapters

[spring 2013]

  • Donini, Antonio. “Humanitarianism, Perceptions, Power.” In the Eyes of Others. Ed. Caroline Abu-Sada. US: MSF-USA, 2012. 183-92. Print.

[fall 2013]

  • Gold, Janet N. “Daily Living and Lifestyles.” Culture and Customs of Honduras. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2009. 69-77. Print.
  • Leonard, Thomas M. “Honduras Today: The More Things Change, the More they Stay the Same.” The History of Honduras. Santa Barbara: Greenwood Press, 2011. 163-76. Print.
  • Pine, Adrienne. “Violence.” Working Hard, Drinking Hard: On Violence and Survival in Honduras. Berkley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2008. 25-35. Print.
  • Wolseth, Jon. “Contesting Neighborhood Space in Colonia Belén.” Jesus and the Gang: Youth Violence and Christianity in Urban Honduras. Tucson: The University of Arizona Press, 2011. 27-49. Print.

Films

[fall 2013]

  • Inside El Porvenir. Dir. Erika Harzer. PS Film GmbH, 2011. DVD.

 Speakers

 [fall 2013]

  • Barahona, Liliana, Melany Galeano, and Tesla Mellage. “¿Vos qué harás por Honduras?” Cargill. Elon University, NC , San Pedro Sula, Honduras. 18 Sept. 2013. Skype conversation.
  • Godt, Karen. “Hope for Honduran Children.” Hope for Honduran Children. Elon University, NC, Cleveland, OH. 28 Oct. 2013. Skype conversation.
  • Levine, Peter. “Strategies for Civic Renewal.” Turnage Foundation. Elon University, NC. 2 Oct. 2013. Workshop.
  • Malburne-Wade, Meredith. “National and International Fellowship Opportunities.” National and International Fellowships. Elon University, NC. 21 Oct. 2013. Presentation.
  • Mejilla, Suyapa. “Honduran Cooking Class.” Hogares Sanos. Elon University, NC. 11 Sept. 2013. Workshop.
  • Springer, Jason. “MBTI Results.” Academic Advising. Elon University, NC. 15 Nov. 2013. Presentation.
  • Sutherland, Lauren. “Lumen Prize.” Lumen Prize. Elon University, NC. 7 Oct. 2013. Presentation.
  • Tennant, Shannon. “Periclean Scholars 2016 Library Research Guide.” Elon University Library. Elon University, NC. 23 Sept. 2013. Presentation.

Class Projects

[fall 2013]

  • Abate, Morgan. “Growing Up Motherless.”
  • Adams, Jennifer, Annie Goldberg, Erin Lanzotti and Bethany Stafford-Smith. “Honduran Food Fiesta.”
  • Bacher, Libby, Renna Durham, Christine Harris, Amanda Lazarus, Dawson Nicholson, Isabel Sackner-Bernstein, and Abby Senseney. “Cookies to Go-Go Fundraiser.”
  • Berk, Meredith, Christian Gilbert and Juliana Sierra. “Fall Fundraiser.”
  • Best, Charlotte. “Spring Induction Ceremony Planning.”
  • Brown, Arianna. “Raising Awareness about Honduras at the Speaker’s Corner in 2014.” ???
  • Cianciara, Nicholas, Megan Griffin, Caley Mikesell and Erin Robertson. “Honduran University Outreach.”
  • Davitt, Liam, Anna De Dufour, Erin Luther, and Casey Morrison. “Hogares Sanos.”
  • Dimos, Drew. “Sticker for Periclean Class.”
  • Dyer, Aidan. “Reaching Consensus and Class Organization.”
  • Durkin, Kerianne. “2013 Honduran Presidential Elections.”
  • Fischer, Lauryl. “Establishing an Online Presence through Social Media.”
  • Harris, Sydney, Jenna Mason and Lexie Melanson. “Creating Awareness about Periclean through Multimedia Presentations.”
  • James, Caroline and Savannah Peery. “Gauging Students´ Opinions on Foreign Aid.”

Fundraising

[fall 2013]

$322.37 through Cookies to Go-Go to support the class
$103.25 through a Honduran dinner to support Hogares Sanos and the class
$155 through discount cards to support the class

Media

[fall 2013]

Accomplishments

[fall 2013]

  • 12 of 34 students discussed applying for fellowships with Meredith Malburne-Wade, Associate Director of National and International Fellowships at Elon University.
  • 6 of 34 students submitted an entry to the Human Rights and Social Justice Writing Competition at Elon University.

 

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Finding Order and Accord

By adyer5 | Published December 12, 2013

Over the course of the semester, the Class of 2016 was faced with minor problems of unequal power distributions in class discussion as well as argumentation circularity with a lack of moderation. Realizing the potential for problems if these issues were left unhandled, the class began researching methods of countering such problems. We believed that it was important to create a type of structure, albeit a flexible one, to motivate, facilitate, and foster a method to reach agreement between diverse opinions. The consensus committee was created in order to brainstorm, research, and produce a process for the class to use to increase efficiency and equal communication.

Everyone had a different role in the committee. Initially it was only three students, however two more joined. We began by analyzing and researching other formats of organization in business and social structures. As a class we were asked to read a excerpt from a book about consensus, and then brainstorm ways to solve the problems of discord. The consensus committee then took the collection of ideas and formulated a basic outline that was presented to the class. Finally as my final project, I formalized the ideas and produced a article titled reaching consensus.

This work can be used to organize anything from businesses, to small social organizations, to corporations. For a quick summary the process works on a scaling principle, the larger organization is broken down into smaller structures, which mirror each other. Our class found that small groups produce themost communication and participation, while at the same time are sensitive to the needs of the individuals and therefore do not oppress those who are less comfortable at talking. The small structure allows everyone to feel involved and increases responsibility and accountability. The small groups then reform into a larger group, and reporters from each of the smaller groups share their findings. The groups of reporters mirror the smaller group, and the entire class has the ability to speak if their reporter does not accurately describe their conclusions. Then the consensus committee takes the ideas produced by the class and creates a proposal of consensus that the class then votes on. Finally after a maximum of two rounds of voting, an agreement is reached.

While this may seem overly complicated, it is flexible and open for change. Depending on the issue that needs to be addressed, the general process can be modified. The consensus committee is in charge of this process but remains separate from the topics at hand to prevent a power structure. Below, if you are interested, I have linked the presentation from prezi as well as the final article (which is not completely finished as there will always be room for improvement, I will most likely be fixing it in the future as we refine and better it.) Keep posted next semester or maybe during J-Term for additional revisions or thoughts on the article! If anyone has any suggestions or additions especially those from previous classes, please let me know at adyer5@elon.edu!!!

Consensus-Document

http://prezi.com/ewlmegidivoe/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

 

575x270-panoramic_Collaboration_Hands_Together_14362

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The Adventure Begins

By ddimos | Published December 12, 2013

On November 11 2013 The class of 2016 furthered out look into some of the issues of Honduras as we discussed the film “El Porvenir”. This Film highlighted issues within the prison system and how directly related to Honduran life gang related issues are. This discussion lead our class to talk about ethics and values and issues that we felt strongly lead to pursue. We broke up into small groups and talked about how the film affected us and what we thought were important issues. After coming back together to share some of our thought we moved on to our feasibility study.
This idea was presented by a class member a while ago and fortunately was now being carried out. The idea is that we split up into groups and talked researched a potential issue and partners that would be associated with that issue and present them to the class so that nit everyone had to do extensive research on a topic. This class was the beginning of this process. we brainstormed ideas on what topics to focus on and then joined a group depending on interest. This was an exciting class, knowing that we would soon be moving towards making the big decision on what we will be doing in the future, but the process has only just begun!

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Myers Briggs test results proves useful for Class of 2016

By mabate | Published December 12, 2013

On Nov. 25, the Periclean class of 2016 received the results of the Myers Briggs test it took back in late October. Jason Springer came to our class to explain what the results meant and how we can use those results to our advantage. But there are some challenges that we as a class will have to overcome because of the different MBTI personalities that exist within our cohort of 34 students.

 

According to Springer, the overwhelming majority of our class is extroverted. Contrary to what many believe, extroversion vs. introversion has nothing to do with being outgoing or shy. It refers to where you draw your energy from. Extroverts gain their energy from large crowds and socializing. Introverts are the opposite. When they spend a lot of time with people, they feel exhausted and need to recharge by having some alone time.

What this means for our class: Since our class is overwhelmingly extroverted, the extroverts need to speak up less and encourage those who don’t contribute often to voice their thoughts. Introverts need to throw themselves into a conversation, with or without an invitation.

 

The second letter in the Myers Briggs personality stands for Sensing (S) or Intuition (N). This refers to how you gather information. Sensors follow a pattern. They enjoy following a step-by-step process. Intuitive personalities like finding unique, original ways to get to an answer.

What this means for our class: We are pretty split in this category. We will have to negotiate on how to do projects, find partners, fundraise, etc.

 

In the last two categories, Thinking  or Feeling and Judging and Perceiving, our class is also split. Thinkers follow logic while feelers follow their gut feeling. Those with judging personalities are organized. They like things in the right places and may lack spontaneity. Perceiving personalities do not like as much organization–they find it confining.

What this means for our class: We have a lot of negotiating to do between these two personalities. It is hard to get Ts and Fs on the same page. And Js and Ps will have to meet in the middle on organization, like duties and committees.

 

Out of all of these, Thinking and Feeling will affect our class the most. It involves decision making. Some of us use our hearts to decide what is right or wrong, or what we want. Others think through the consequences and possible successes of certain decisions. We have come to several conclusions as a class after learning our personalities:

1. We need to acknowledge the different personalities in our class. 

2. We need to spend more time discussing what we want to do, not the process to get there.

3. We need to become comfortable with a decision-making process or timeline. 

 

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Blast from the Past – Our Trip to April’s

By speery | Published December 11, 2013

In the midst of a busy academic semester, the Periclean class of 2016 took time out to enjoy what really matters – great food, and even better company. We all clambered into vans and headed on over to our mentor, April Post’s, charming home just a few miles from Elon’s campus. Two giant Great Danes greeted us warmly upon arrival, and Steiner, the more mischievous of the two even gave a few of us some special hugs. From there, we were thrilled to find an impressive spread of home cooked treats and coffee – all with various pumpkin flavors of course, who could resist fall’s best flavor? Entirely sated, we then sat back to chat about our fall breaks, take turns on the rope swing, pose for silly pictures, and generally just have a great time enjoying each other’s company.

It was an amazing opportunity for our class to spend time together beyond the classroom. So much of this program relies on teamwork and strong relationships, and without time to nurture those bonds, it can be almost impossible to accomplish those. I personally loved wandering around to visit the much anticipated chickens or traipsing through Professor Posts’ impressive grape vines with my fellow Pericleans. Despite our differences in major, or hometown, or dream jobs, we were all drawn to this program because of a shared interest and a common goal. The more we know about each other, the better we will work together in the future. I can’t speak for anyone else, but I know my affection and respect for my class grew tremendously just with this small outing. I think this field trip reminded many of us that we still have a long ways to go before we’re a perfect team, but I know that we’re enjoying every step of this journey so far. periclean

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