LIFELINERS INTERNAL NEWSLETTER APRIL & MAY 2012

1730 Connecticut Ave NWSuite B1Washington DC, 20009 USA

T: +1 202 986 0719W: lifelinefund.org

Users of the Okelo Kuc stove in Uganda.

Why Lifeliners?With over 16,000 miles between HQ and our three field offices, and a team of over 100 staff

and volunteers, it is sometimes difficult to feel like we are one team. Lifeliners is our very own internal newsletter where we hope to bring together the people of Lifeline and spotlight the very important work that you all do. We hope that this will also become an informal forum where we

can get to know one another regardless of whether you work in Haiti, Uganda, Kenya or in Washington DC. And while our organization operate in four very different regions of the world,

with people from different walks of life, we are still one team with one mission of serving the world’s poor.

So no matter where you work, under the International Lifeline Fund umbrella, we are one. One organization. One goal. One Life. Let’s make it a meaningful one.

Since the first issue of Lifeliners, we have received very positive feedback from management and the field. Rest assured that Lifeliners will become a permanent feature of ILF. However, we will now release Lifeliners every two months. That way, you will have plenty of time to get your

photos and stories in!

Thank you team! HQ

FROM HEADQUARTERS

On 30 April 2012, Lifeliners from Haiti, Uganda, Kenya and HQ met for the first time under one roof. Over the course of five days, we discussed ideas for the entire organizational direction of ILF. Each country was given special attention, as the team developed a strategic plan to professionalize ILF and lead us into the future.

While the strategic planning seminars were intensely productive, we also had a blast getting to know each other during the team bonding dinners. Together, Lifeliners traveled to South East Asia at Raku Pan Asian restaurant, to Italy at Pizza Paradiso (arguably the best pizza in DC!) The week ended with HQ’s housewarming where we celebrated our new home with ILF’s partners, colleagues and friends. Sara and VJ at ILF’s strategy meeting. Hang on,

is that VJ wearing a.....TIE?!!??!!!

FROM KENYA

A Burundian Lifeline staff performs a poem in a workshop. She designed her own "Lifeline" dress and won the award for Best Performance.

Lifeline Kenya’s team-building activities include role playing and baseball. (Right): Yoko, Lifeline’s Program Manager, shows us he can “swing”.

One of the most outstanding aspects of Lifeline’s Kenya program is the emphasis on not only achieving Lifeline’s mission, but doing so as a team. As one.

This month, we share with you just some examples of team-building activities by Lifeliners in Kenya, under the leadership of Yoko. What a better way to “swing into Spring” than with a baseball bat and your colleagues?

FROM UGANDA

(Left and Above): Recently, Lifeline hosted the Environmental School Day Activity for the World Food Program project.

Meet the team from the Environment program in Uganda: Ambrose Felix Okello, Data Entry Clerk and Jennifer Auma, Commercialization Officer.

We are thrilled to share that our WASH team in Uganda recently rehabilitated eight boreholes in partnership with Three Avocados. With each borehole serving a community of about 500 people, the work of Lifeline’s WASH team will help nearly 4,000 people get access to clean water! A big congrats to the WASH team!

AN ODE TO AMA

This month, we recognize the work and contribution of Lifeline’s Country Director in Uganda - Amadine (or “Ama” as she is affectionately referred). Ama has been living and working in Uganda since 2002, predominantly in war-affected Northern Uganda, as well as Southern Sudan. Amandine’s work has taken her to IDP camps where she has witnessed the atrocities of the LRA attacks firsthand and seen the associated confinement and trauma experienced by the local population. She continues to be inspired by the resilience of those affected persons she has had the opportunity to know and work with. Amandine holds two masters degrees, one in social science and another in humanitarian assistance.

Ama came to ILF in May 2010 with the ethos that every team member is important to the smoother and effective running of the organization. We all missed Ama at the HQ strategy meeting so this is our way of saying THANK YOU AMA for all your hard work!

FROM HAITI

The team in Haiti has worked tirelessly to s t rengthen L i fe l ine ’s commerc ia l i za t ion program. One of our most treasured partners is The Adventure Project, headed by two extraordinary women: Becky Straw and Jodie Landers. Most recent ly, The Adventure Project announced a funding in the amount of $65,000. We thank The Adventure Project and acknowledge the hard work of Christine and her team in Haiti.

In other news, Laura (ILF’s Finance Officer in Haiti) has been working nonstop to complete a financial audit for Lifeline. Together with Kim (Finance Officer from HQ), they have managed to consolidate all of Lifel ine’s financial documents for the past two years!

In addition to working together at Lifeline, Christine and Laura also share an apartment. The couch in this apartment has hosted many Lifeliners from abroad, the most recent being VJ. The photos here show a romantic dinner for “three”, all handmade by the girls and VJ, using fresh herbs homegrown on their balcony.

April and May were busy months for our Haiti office who hosted international guests almost every week! First, they hosted Sara and the Adventure Project team. Then, VJ came to stay, and finally Lisa and Debbie made a visit to gather new photography from our marketing and communications department.

(Right) Debbie hard to work with our beautiful vendor/ model.

IN OTHER NEWS (COMING, GOING, BABIES, DOGS AND

LIFE’S OTHER RANDOMNESS)

We would like to congratulate Jennifer Auma (right) from ILF Uganda who is expecting a child within the next month. Will she have a boy or girl?? Any Guesses???

DID YOU KNOW... HQ’s new “staff” members

Riley (Sara’s baby) and Oreo (Lisa’s baby) have become quite a fixture at HQ. They are our “welcoming party”, delighting guests who visit our office. Riley and Oreo also act as our “security guards”, giving staff ample “notice” (also known as lots of excited barking) if we have a visitor. Most of the time though, they just scare the hell out of the UPS guy.

The photo above shows them attending a Lifeline HQ Staff meeting. I guess now we know how they feel about carbon credits....

WHERE’S VJ?We knew you would love the “Where’s VJ?” section. Returning this month, The Where’s VJ? section takes you to the beach! It seems that our beloved Deputy Director hardly ever takes a vacation so we’ve decided it’s time he goes on one. Now.... where is VJ?!?!????

THE LIFELINERS

HAITI

ChristineLaura

KENYA

Yoko

UGANDA

AmandineNateJessica

Can you guess who this is???

Answer will be revealed in our next issue.

VERY VERY IMPORTANT NOTE:(hence it’s pink!)

Please please email Lisa about stories from the field, special announcements or things you think should go into this newsletter - we would really appreciate it!

The deadline for submission is the third Monday of the month.

Please email lisa@lifelinefund.org if you have any questions. Thank you

HEADQUARTERS

DanVJSaraRachaelDebbieLisa KimEmilieThuong

*** In future newsletters, we will endeavor to include local staff as well. ***

BABY PHOTO

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

DanDeborahJayMarkRobert Lionel

Last month’s baby photo was: Lisa from HQ!