eNewsletter 1/2011 Tuesday, 26 July 2011

Since its founding on 29 March this year, the Logged On Foundation has made great strides in establishing a presence in the community and initiating its first program of assistance. We are proud to present our first eNewsletter.

Prepare for an extravagant night on Friday 5th August 2011 as we celebrate our first charity fundraising event in Melbourne. For more information and tickets, visit the Nepal 2011 Charity Dinner website at: www.loggedon.org.au/2011

TICKET SALES END 2ND AUGUST.

Our next fundraising event will be held in Perth later this year. On their way back from Nepal, Mark Pinoli (President) and Peter Bach (Secretary) will be stopping in Perth to host the event and report on the outcome of the first project.

Online press article available at: waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/your-news/story/high-tech-and-a-helping-hand-in-nepal/

Thanks to Mr Michael Broomfield, Manager of the WA Office of the Australian Scholarships Group, we have formally establish a Scholarship Fund.

The Fund will open the door for Nepalese students who cannot otherwise afford school expenses, vocational training courses, University tuition and living expenses, to be able to pursue their dream of a quality education without obstacle.

The establishment of a Scholarship Fund will allow us to fulfil one of our missions: to identify outstanding students and foster their education by providing student scholarships.

Funding was provided by the Nepalese Government for a new school building to be constructed in the village of Astam. The building will house a library and the new computer facility that will be provided by the Logged On Foundation.

The photo left, taken in May 2011, shows the the completion of one set of rooms with the foundations for the Computer Center completed and ready for construction to commence.

In-country assistance has been extended to the Foundation for computer equipment, wireless networking and technical support.

We are currently in discussion with Inveneo about supplying computer equipment including solar powered systems. Inveneo and their in-country partners design and deliver highly sustainable and affordable solutions for organisations that provide vital services — education, healthcare, economic development — in rural and under-served areas of the world.

Wireless Nepal have offered their assistance in the project and we look forward to developing a relationship with them. Wireless Nepal's aim is to effect a positive socio-economic transformation of rural villages by optimum use of information and communication technologies. The organisation was founded by Mahabir Pun who, in 1997, had the dream of connecting his village to the internet. His work began with four computers donated from a Melbourne High School. We hope to strengthen the connection Australia has with information technologies and Nepal.

• We welcome Michelle Slattery to the team. Michelle will be taking on an active role in advocacy and community relations.
• Thanks to Dipesh Chaulagain from Namaste Melbourne Radio for promoting our new organisation in the community.
• Thanks to Dr Bruce Mackintosh and Dr Russell Harwood for their assistance and advice.
• Thanks to Nazia Mastali who is helping with the development of teacher training resources.

The Foundation has been endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a Charitable Institution. This is an important milestone for our organisation because the money we receive through gifts and fundraising efforts will not be subject to tax. This means that more money will be available for the communities we serve. We are committed to our cause and are pleased that we have met the strict Government requirements for Charitable Institution endorsement.

Information Communications Technologies (ICTs) "have become the great enablers of modern society, helping people communicate across distances and cultural divides, facilitating trade and commerce, and providing access to critical resources such as health care and education. Recent events around the world have also highlighted the catalytic role that mobile phones and social media can play in galvanizing public opinion against repression" says UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.