Marty_Jenkins - MartyJ | All Comments

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18th December 2007 MartyJ	Hi Nancy - From: It's Nice to Be Home Hi Nancy - it is good to hear from you and to know that you are living in Singapore and working with such a diverse group of kids. I went to Singapore 30 or so years ago and remember how very clean it was and that - at that time it was a benevolent dictatorship. When I recently added you to my blog distribution I thought you would be probably interested in what I had been doing and I was thinking it would be fun to return to your class and share with your kids. I have fond memories of sharing about Light Up the World with your kids. I have subsequently become involved with another light - which you can find at http://www.bogolight.com/.
18th December 2007 Agris	Glad to have you back - From: It's Nice to Be Home Dear Marty, It's great to have you back safe and sound with renewed spiritual desire to help the less fortunate in our world. Hopefully, you will be able to share your experiences with us on a personal bases. Merry Christmas and Blessing for a Happy New Year.
18th December 2007 Nancy Martin	Hi Marty- It really is a small world and we're all in it together or not. - From: It's Nice to Be Home I haven't been keeping track of what you're up to, but I'm very interested in microcredit and improving and meeting people's basic needs. I'm in a different world, but I'm all ears and eyes and learning a lot. I'm teaching in Singapore and working with people from China, Myanmar, Korea, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, Australia, England, Uganda, Singapore and the U. S. Everyone has his own ideas of how things work. The children and their parents are more diverse. Yet, I see people really want to help each other and want to care for the earth, even when they blame other cultures or governments for handling things wrong. In Singapore they are interested in solar energy and recycling. The news of Southeast Asia is reported quite openly and precisely. It's easy to see there are lots of problems. Some governments cut off the internet and broacasting companies, but it's becoming more difficult for governments to keep things secret or quiet. Everyone carries a mobile (cell) phone with a camera or video camera. I'm going to Cambodia this week. I do want to learn more. I'm still interested in a little light everywhere and not too much anywhere, and lately I'm more concerned about water..too much and too little. I'm also concerned with the fighting and repression. I guess we have to start with concerns and then figure out what we can do.
17th December 2007 Martha	Glad you're back - From: It's Nice to Be Home Hi Marty, We are glad you arrived home safe and sound, and have experienced much on your illuminating journey outside of our USA. Of course it seems like so much was an inner journey too which reached into your heart and the hearts of many others. I'm sure you will never be the same.... God has so many amazing ways to touch and change us all in just the ways we need! See you Jan. 15. Martha Ghan
17th December 2007 Kathy Wertheim	Check out Witness for Peace - From: It's Nice to Be Home Have you ever heard of Witness for Peace? They send delegations of people to poor countries so they can see the work for themselves. As part of their agreement, each person must do a presentation at their church or congregation when they return on what they have viewed. You might want to check out their website: www.witnessforpeace.org, and then you should consider creating a presentation for local congregations and service groups like Rotary and Kiwanis.
14th December 2007 Lynn Cederquist	A Night to Rember - From: Meeting the Head of the Largest NGO In The World Marty, I don't think it was an accident meeting all the right people at the perfect time. There is, as the photo of you and Mr. Abed Night, a 'light behind' all of this. Good job. Lynn
13th December 2007 Agris	Happy for you - From: I Have Returned to Dhaka Dear Marty, As I read your blogs about your experiences I can see what a wonderful effect it has on you. I am happy to see you have found your calling. Namaste'
11th December 2007 Kathy Wertheim	Great blog, Marty! - From: My New Friend - Rana This blog is really terrific, Marty. You've done a great job explaining about Bangladesh, microcredit, even the sleeping accomodations. I think it's terrific that you're investigating this work so thoroughly. I hope to go to one of your presentations when you return. Best wishes and safe travels!
10th December 2007 Niranjan	Hi! - From: Marty Goes to the Mosque Great gping Marty! I am visiting your travel blog regularly. Regards, Niranjan
8th December 2007 Daudi Kaliisa	Yunus salary - From: Yunus Office & Salary marty, that is really amazing - professor Yunus earns $450 a month. What does a dollar buy in bangladesh? That man really deserved the nobel prize! You are so lucky to have shook hands with Yunus. I admire him for what he has done in the lives of those in real need.
8th December 2007 Daudi	Your meeting with BRAC - From: BRAC - Another Wonderful Experience Thank you for sharing BRAC's approach. It sound like they would be more ideal for what we apre planning to do in Miseebe and the surrounding communities. I am especially interested in learning how they intend to make health care a sustainable approach in Eastern Uganda where they are heavily invested. I am more intersted in knowing the evaluation techniques they use before they go into a village. ANy information you can get on that will be very helpful. Also how they eveluate their borrowers, what tools? See if you can get their monitoring and evaluation instruments. I am also intested in knowing how they count beneficiaries of their program. Counting beneficiaries is a very tricky topic in development.
8th December 2007 Daudi	BRAC center - From: BRAC - Another Wonderful Experience MARTY, Is that tall building owned by BRAC or are they renting?
8th December 2007 Daudi	& hour ride sounds like a very good experience for you. - From: The Faces of the Women Borrowers Marty, I am so proud of you. I did not know you were that flexible. have you been able to interview the borrowers? How do they gauge the services and their impact on the receipient? I need to know know more about how those in rural areas feed themselves? Are they like in Miseebe where almost everyone in the village has access to a piece of land to grow something to feed the family even though not enough. I undersnat the population density in that part of the world is unbealievable. What kind of living conditions of those who have not been able to access BRAC program? What infrastructure is in place? Latrine, water system, road system, school and medical services? I do dnot mean the ones in the urban areas but those in remote areas far away from bright lights and paved roads?
8th December 2007 Daudi Kaliisa	That must have been a very enriching experience. - From: Marty Goes to the Mosque Looking at those photos and reading about your commnet about where the women were during the prayer time reminded me of the first day I entered the mosque in Uganda. My sister (the youngest in our family) is married to a moslem guy who is a sweet and intelligent fellow. We ghad to go to the mosque for the wedding and I was at a loss just like you when I got in. We all arrived in a big carravan but by the time I finished taking off my shoes I looked back to see my sisters, aunties and cousins who had come with me in the car but they had been directed to another place and I did not see them again until after all the ceremonies in the mosque were over. Great photos.
8th December 2007 Lynn Cederquist	flash back - From: Marty Goes to the Mosque Marty, I had a 'flash back' on your experience. Remember the program on TV when the experience was to 'Step into Anothers Shoes' and the Christian visited other religions and his feelings of not knowing what to do, only that he wanted to understand the other religions, well your experience brought this to my mind. I was surprised that you were able to take all the wonderful photographs inside of the Mosque. The Mosque they are building a few blocks from your house is proceeding. The have erected lumber to show the ski line, which by the way block the mountains. I was interested in the fact that outside the Mosque there were lines of beggars. Is this the usual coarse of behavior? or was this because of the special holy day? I can imagine begging outside a religious site brings in more money, because hearts are more open and giving at that moment. Did the men in the Mosque inter into conversation with you after the service? In our churches there is community socialization after church. Did this occur? and did the women mingle with the men afterwards? Reminds me of the clostered nuns who hide from the congregration. Were you the only man without a scull cap? How long was the service? Oh, so much to learn. Fascinating experience you are having, Lynn
6th December 2007 MartyJ	Still In Dhaka - From: The Faces of the Women Borrowers Hi Lynn - I don't go to Ranpur until tomorrow. I tour Dhaka today. Most of these photos of the women are at their weekly center meeting. I don't know where the men were at that time. No need for asking for approval to shoot. The food situation here at BRAC Inn is great - I would guess that I am not loosing weight while here. Sleeping is great. The mattress is not as thick as we are used to - but it is thick enough not to hurt my back. The weather is pretty much unchanged - maybe a couple of degree cooler - which is good. It has never gotten cool enough to put on a jacket. I have sent my laundry out for cleaning twice. One day service and reasonable rates. I'll tell you about the bus ride in a couple of days. Thanx for the questions.
6th December 2007 Lynn Cederquist	pictures - From: The Faces of the Women Borrowers Marty the pictures of the women are wonderful. It appears to me that the women are more relaxed and friendly. They do not seem reluctant to have their picture taken. Where are the men? Did you need to get permission first before snapping a photo? How is the food situation? and sleeping conditions. Does the weather continue to be moderate? How do you wash your clothes? What was the 7/hr ride on the bus like? were there animals allowed on the bus? did you talk to people on the bus? Lynn
6th December 2007 Lynn Cederquist	Differences - From: BRAC - Another Wonderful Experience Marty, I am interested in really understanding the differences between the two lenders, Barac and Gramen. Sounds as if it is more on a philosophical level, as they both want to help lift people up to a better standard of living. Glad you are having the 'One-on One' as that will give you greater understanding. Just amazing, this whole journey. Did you get your request? "softer bed" and food without spice? Lynn
6th December 2007 Lynn Cederquist	Fabulous pictures - From: My Last Day With Grameen Marty, how simply wonderful it is to see the simple surrounding, furniture of Yunis. Make one realize all that is needed is an active mind, paper and simplicity of cluter to create dreams. Love the blue silk shirt. Also love the Big Hug picture. The have to love hugging this big teddy bear from California. You bring to them some thing so special. Thanks for showing them there are those of us that really care. Lynn
4th December 2007 Agris	Your calling - From: The Beggars Sorry I have not responded to your e-mails. My dad died 111/18 and we took him back to Indy for a burial. Just got back last night. Have seen your logs and I applaud you for your devotion. It seems like this might be your calling. See you when you return. Namste' Aggie
3rd December 2007 MartyJ	Solar in Bangladesh - From: Exciting Day Off Yesterday I met with Grameen Shakti which is their alternative energy business that focues on Solar lighting. They have installed 120,000 home systems. A 50 Watt solar system using flourescent lights sells for $400 and there are various microcredit programs to pay for it. I hope to go back today and actually see the system. They purchase the solar panel from Kyocera in Japan and the integrate components. I hope to learn more. The provided lots of literature that I have not had time to study.
3rd December 2007 Rose Wills	- From: Exciting Day Off Hi Marty, It would be interesting to hear about the use of solar energy in Bangladesh/India. What have you discovered? Rose
3rd December 2007 B & R Keller	Hi Marty - From: The Beggars This is fascinating, reading your blog - Ron J. told us about it, and mentioned how happy he and your mom will be when you return. What an adventure! My cousin lived in India many years ago, and she agreed with you about the poor children. If you help one of them, hundreds more suddenly appear, and you're overwhelmed. Well, keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing it with us. Ron K. and Barbara
3rd December 2007 Lynn Cederquist	Santa in Bagladesh - From: The Beggars Marty, even if you would have taken your Santa Suit and walked down the street you could not have looked more like Saint Nick with the begger kids. What a wonderful happy smile is on your face. I think these children sense that you will be bringing them a better world in the near future. There is a glow about this picture that warms the heart. Glad you are there planting seeds for their future. Lynn
2nd December 2007 MartyJ	Response - From: Exciting Day Off Hi Lynn - I appreciate your feedback each day. You and Ron and Jane are the only ones responding - it is nice to hear from people. I don't know what the normal room rate is here - it is a part of my $1,500 package for the 10 or so days. I'll ask at the desk. My back is better since getting back to a real mattress. Several of us have been fighting off colds - primarily drippy nose - but doesn't seem to be getting worse.
2nd December 2007 Lynn Cederquist	Amazing Hospital - From: Exciting Day Off Marty this is a fasinating journey you are taking. Now you can tell every one 'first hand' about the hospital, cost of surgery etc. Maybe we could round up people for a 'Group Rate'... How much is your hotel per night? Maybe you could fack a bad back and slip over to the hospital for a night or two for a better bed. I gave your Blog information to Jane from the Quaker community. Glad to hear all is well. Lynn
2nd December 2007 MartyJ	You are correct - From: How It All Started - The Original Borrower Hi Jane - you are correct - she is a Muslim and apparntly they don't get that close to men other than their husband and don't let men enter their home. She did not all another fellow in the group in - while at the same time she welcomed a woman in, Hope all goes well for Fonkoze at the fair. A number (six or so) are from Grameen Foundation in the US and know Fonkoze and Anne well. They have been very active in supporting her and her operations.
2nd December 2007 Jane Fehrenbacher	hi - From: How It All Started - The Original Borrower Nice to get your notes and pics. I am curious if the lady is a Muslum as that may explain why she seemed to lean away from your hand on her shoulder? I may be way off on this observation and forgive me if so. Tomorrow is the Global Faire at the Old Mission where 10 nonprofits will be represented including Fonkoze and the Zimbabwe orphans. You will be telling good stories when you return. Best, Jane
1st December 2007 Lynn Cederquist	more people - From: The Environment - How Is Marty Doing? Hi Marty, I am having fun telling people that you are on this journey. I have given your Blog address to lots of people so your numbers will grow. People are truely amazed at what you are doing. Mary (care giver to Lidia) was in today and she took it down so you may hear from her. Can't imagine sleeping on a hard board. Maybe setting up a business with blow-up mattresses would be a good idea??? All is well here. Lynn
1st December 2007 Lynn Cederquist	photos - From: How It All Started - The Original Borrower Great picture of the basket lady. Notice the 45 degree angle she is leaning almost out of the picture. It is amazing you even got her in this picture as it is obvious she is not comfortable. This is going to be womderful interview material in the States, once you return. Loved the bed picture. Makes your pillow a shrine... Lynn C.
30th November 2007 Martha	Blessings - From: The Environment - How Is Marty Doing? Hi Marty, Darrell and I received and read your blog for the first time today and looked at your pics...They are really amazing! Our prayers and good energy is coming your way. May you remain safe and healthy on your special mission to help the people of Bangladesh. I told Usha you were there now, and she sends her blessings along with the crew at the studio...I believe your transformational purpose is funded with love too, and will spread wherever you go....Martha
30th November 2007 MartyJ	Your Comments - From: Overview Hi Lynn - I think that many of your questions were answered in a blog I subsequemtly wrote and others I will include in future blogs. Now it is mid-night and I will try to get back to sleep. Tomorrow the hotel will have my laundry done and back same day.
30th November 2007 Lynn Cederquist	pictures - From: Overview Marty, what do the villages look like? and would love to see the women weaving baskets. How is the weather? How do you do your wash? Are you loosing weight? Enjoy seeing the pictures of the area. Do they consider you a giant? You seem to tower over the people. How do the children respond to you? Lynn
29th November 2007 Lynn Cederquist	Up date - From: What is happening next Hello Marty, we are all anxious to get the next up-date of you travel into the villiages. Also, looking forward to more pictures. I have sent this Blog information on to our local Toastmaster clubs. You may be hearing from them. I continue to keep in touch with Ron and your Mom. Lynn
26th November 2007 DJ	Thanks. - From: What is happening next Sounds like you are enjoying your time. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Please keep up the good work.
24th November 2007 Steve	Cool Pictures - From: Hello From Bangladesh Hello, looks like fun. Certainly a worthy cause. Have a safe journey. Steve and Sharon et al :-)

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