The idea to start this organization was a result of the friendship developed between Janet Sisco Brown of Nashville, TN and Glen Harris of Battle Creek, MI while Janet was living in Zimba, Zambia.
Janet was commissioned to Zambia through her church after they had experienced 5 years of serving the Zambian people long distance. Multiple projects were funded and started but few realized completion. Janet's main responsibility when she arrived in Zambia was to determine why so many projects were incomplete.
Glen had visited Zambia before Janet's arrival in 2007 to discover how his church could be of assistance to the Zambian people. His church like Janet's found that the end result was not always what they expected.
We have a tendency to assume the worst in such situations. We automatically think that the money was used inappropriately. This is not always the case. When you do work in a developing country there are many factors that affect projects. Foreign exchange rates, inflation and time are just a few of the factors. In addition, the knowledge or lack of knowledge of the local people to forecast the budget of a project may enter into the equation also.
Janet's biggest accomplishment while she lived in Zambia was the completion of two housing blocks that provided homes for hospital staff. She was able to oversee the planning, purchasing, hiring, construction and finishing of the project using the local people in the community. Projects weren't incomplete because the nationals couldn't do the work, they just need help with the fiscal accountability and decision making.
Glen played a similar role in the projects funded by his church. He was able to assist in updating the water and sanitation system at the hospital in Zimba while living in the USA. This was accomplished by email and short trips every few months. In doing so, he also assisted the nationals in fiscal responsibility and decision making.
Both experienced the rewarding experience of working with nationals to accomplish projects that benefited the poor, the sick, the orphans and the aged.
There are many projects throughout the world that need to be planned, budgeted, funded and completed. There is not always someone available locally to make sure this happens. PROJECT CONNECT is being organized to address this problem. PROJECT CONNECT will solicit funding for projects both in the planning stages and those that have been started and abandoned. PROJECT CONNECT will work with the local people to assist and teach them to be better stewards of the funding they receive from donors. PROJECT CONNECT will report back to donors the good news that their generosity accomplished much for the needy throughout the world.
Please join us in prayer as we proceed with the required documents for recognition by the United States Federal government as a 501(c)3 organization. This recognition will allow us to receive tax deductible donations. Pray that the funding needed for administration and managing of this organization will be made available. Pray for wisdom and discernment as the board develops policies and procedures for assisting the beneficiaries.
For more information please contact us at ProjectConnectInc@gmail.com
