Thanks Nyasha. I rather fear though, that with all the financial chaos going on right now, the last thing people will do is invest in the African continent. But - on the positive side - they couldn't do much worse than they already have done with supposedly solid 'reputable' institutions such as Lehmans etc. I am determined to see this happen in some form or other and will continue to lobby people to see if we can get something off the ground.

Any information or views that you have, would be good. Best, Frances

Dear Nyasha,

I recommend looking at two of E-Bay's new products that were launched this year. First is the World of Good which brings products from all over the world to be sold on the web. They may have a good connection for you to have products from Zimbabwe sold in the world markets. www.worldofgood.com

Next is the new MicroPlace website, which can be found at www.microplace.com. This website is similar in some ways to Kiva, however they target a higher investment threshold and they pay a return on investments. Kiva is a bit more of a lending model for charitable purposes, while MicroPlace looks at the base of the pyramid as a place to invest and they pay returns of up to 3%, which in today's market is better than anything you will see on Wall Street.

Best wishes,

Jim

Hello Nyasha
what amazing work you're doing and wonderful determination!
i wanted to write and share with you about the global women's organisation which I founded because we are currently developing projects in Uganda with our Ugandan community members, working with women's groups there to empower women.
I'd love to know more about your own work, Nyasha.
And so I thought i'd pop by and say hi - hoping very much to hear from you, whenever you've time.
Blessings,
Chris

Hi Nyasha
I'm so very happy that you have joined our community.
There are so many women out there doing wonderful work and, as you say, it can feel so isolating at times.. and women are so good at connecting and working together and generally building bridges across cultures, religions etc.
Nyasha, i would so love to put you in touch with our lovely friends in Uganda, too. And I will certainly email you more about our work there. Thanks a lot for your address.
Mine is chris.crowstaff@womenforachange.org
Blessings
Chris

Hello Nyasha,

I am in the due-diligence phases of starting a business similar to yours out of South Africa. At some point, I would love to hear what have been your biggest hurdles in operating this type of business.

Regards,

Will

If you would you be interested in helping me get a film production going in Zimbabwe with the present deplorable conditions, I would be most grateful. I am tough enough from battling the numerous hardened criminals of Nigeria. Happy 2009.

Thanks Nyasha, pituity@gmail or niyiepega@hotmail are the two emails I use. Do you yourself have any dramatic action/adventure stories to tell us about Zimbabwe?