Thursday, November 25, 2010
4 Year Plan - Pro-Business Initiatives
The 4 year Plan - what's pro-business in it - read Newmarket Partnership's take on it - http://newmarketpartnership.newsweaver.ie/newsletter/dbx34e44oni. Newmarket is a sponsor of the David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
10 things to do before the Budget
10 things to do before the Budget - tips from one of the DMA Award sponsors - Newmarket Partnership http://newmarketpartnership.newsweaver.ie/newsletter/1q3x218oded
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
9th & final shortlisted entrepreneur - Anne Bedos, Rothar
Anne Bedos founded Rothar – a bike shop with a social focus - in 2008 after working in the charity and community development sector for more than 10 years. Rothar is a not-for-profit organisation that recycles discarded bikes and provides training and job opportunities to people from disadvantaged communities. Operating from Phibsboro, Dublin, this community-based bike shop sells refurbished bicycles, accessories and second hand parts and offers classes on bicycle repairs.
Originally from France, Anne moved to Ireland in 2004. A political scientist specialising in social inclusion and gender equality, she is also an enthusiastic cyclist - and Rothar combines all these passions!
Since May 2008, Rothar has salvaged over 250 bikes, diverting 4 tonnes of waste from landfill. Rothar works closely with youth groups to train at-risk youth in bicycle mechanics as well as building skills in basic business concepts. With a steady revenue stream from the sale of refurbished bicycles, Rothar is financially self-sustainable. www.rothar.ie
Originally from France, Anne moved to Ireland in 2004. A political scientist specialising in social inclusion and gender equality, she is also an enthusiastic cyclist - and Rothar combines all these passions!
Since May 2008, Rothar has salvaged over 250 bikes, diverting 4 tonnes of waste from landfill. Rothar works closely with youth groups to train at-risk youth in bicycle mechanics as well as building skills in basic business concepts. With a steady revenue stream from the sale of refurbished bicycles, Rothar is financially self-sustainable. www.rothar.ie
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
8th shortlisted entrepreneur - Victoria MacKechnie, Kids in the Kitchen
Here is some info on our penultimate shortlisted entrepreneur - Victoria MacKechnie:
One in four Irish children, between the ages of 5 and 17, is overweight or obese but teaching children how to cook healthy meals has been shown to impact greatly on their diets. In 2008, Victoria Mackechnie set up Kids in the Kitchen to teach children how to cook healthy meals for themselves. Kids in the Kitchen is about giving kids a skill for life.
According to Victoria, ‘It’s the tactile, creative process involved in cooking that appeals so much to children’. Less than two years later, Victoria now works with 11 primary schools in Dublin and has taught over 350 children how to cook. She hopes to continue rolling these courses out to specifically target children in DEIS primary schools throughout Ireland.
Victoria was a finalist in the Young Entrepreneurs Competition at the age of 15 and lives in Ringsend, Dublin. www.kidsinthekitchen.ie
One in four Irish children, between the ages of 5 and 17, is overweight or obese but teaching children how to cook healthy meals has been shown to impact greatly on their diets. In 2008, Victoria Mackechnie set up Kids in the Kitchen to teach children how to cook healthy meals for themselves. Kids in the Kitchen is about giving kids a skill for life.
According to Victoria, ‘It’s the tactile, creative process involved in cooking that appeals so much to children’. Less than two years later, Victoria now works with 11 primary schools in Dublin and has taught over 350 children how to cook. She hopes to continue rolling these courses out to specifically target children in DEIS primary schools throughout Ireland.
Victoria was a finalist in the Young Entrepreneurs Competition at the age of 15 and lives in Ringsend, Dublin. www.kidsinthekitchen.ie
Monday, November 8, 2010
7th shortlisted entrepreneur - Myles McCorry, Bike Pure
Myles McCorry - having raced bicycles for 25 years and fed up with the sport’s doping scandals, Myles McCorry set up BikePure with ex professional Andy Layhe to tackle the endemic use of drugs in cycling. BikePure tackles the root causes of doping and utilizes the organisation's eclectic membership, to propose improvements to the testing procedures and restore trust to the sport.
What started two years ago in a spare bedroom in Omeath, Co. Louth has grown to an organisation with the backing of over 40,000 members in 89 countries. BikePure has 44 volunteer ambassadors coordinating the members around the world and over 600 professional cyclists and triathletes use the BikePure brand to tell the world they ride clean. The organisation earns income from branded clothing and cycling equipment, with any additional funds reinvested back into developing the social mission. In just over two years, BikePure has become a worldwide brand, associated with anti-doping and athlete protection.
Myles says, “We aim to extend the BikePure model to tackle endemic drug in five other key sports which are plagued by endemic drug use. PlayPure aims to stand as a beacon of sportsmanship and restore honor and respect to sportsmen and women, globally.”
www.BikePure.org
What started two years ago in a spare bedroom in Omeath, Co. Louth has grown to an organisation with the backing of over 40,000 members in 89 countries. BikePure has 44 volunteer ambassadors coordinating the members around the world and over 600 professional cyclists and triathletes use the BikePure brand to tell the world they ride clean. The organisation earns income from branded clothing and cycling equipment, with any additional funds reinvested back into developing the social mission. In just over two years, BikePure has become a worldwide brand, associated with anti-doping and athlete protection.
Myles says, “We aim to extend the BikePure model to tackle endemic drug in five other key sports which are plagued by endemic drug use. PlayPure aims to stand as a beacon of sportsmanship and restore honor and respect to sportsmen and women, globally.”
www.BikePure.org
event for female entrepreneurs
As part of the EU programme for female entrepreneurship, Dublin Chamber is hosting an event this Friday 5th November to encourage women who want to set up their own business http://www.een-ireland.ie/eei/assets/documents/uploaded/events/PowerfulStrategiesForWomeninBusinessPR.pdf.
Friday, November 5, 2010
our 6th shortlisted entrepreneur - Ed Hendrick, Sonru
Ed Hendrick
While participating in the South East Enterprise Platform Programme in Waterford Institute of Technology in 2007, Ed Hendrick spotted an opportunity to save people time and money during the interview process. He founded Sonru – a company which enables corporates to transform their first round screening process using secure online video technology.
Originally from Rathfardon, Clonroche, Co. Wexford, Ed worked in the motor industry in retail and wholesale sales before setting up Sonru. Clients include
eircom, Allianz Worldwide Care, Dell Perot Systems and PaddyPower.com with Sonru facilitating interviews across all continents from the Americas to Asia. In April of this year, Sonru signed a strategic partnership agreement with Denis O’Brien’s SaonGroup.com and is currently rolling out its product offering across IrishJobs.ie, Jobs.ie, NIJobs.com, MyJobGroup.co.uk and Candidate Manager.
In 2010 alone Sonru has won six major awards including: Innovation Award IIA Net Visionary Awards 2010; Innovate100 Pitch Slam Dublin 2010 and
Bank of Ireland Bright Ideas Challenge Grand Final 2010 (€110K prize).
Ed’s vision for the future is that all first round screening interviews in the world will be conducted using its video interview platform. Sonru operates out of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. www.sonru.com
While participating in the South East Enterprise Platform Programme in Waterford Institute of Technology in 2007, Ed Hendrick spotted an opportunity to save people time and money during the interview process. He founded Sonru – a company which enables corporates to transform their first round screening process using secure online video technology.
Originally from Rathfardon, Clonroche, Co. Wexford, Ed worked in the motor industry in retail and wholesale sales before setting up Sonru. Clients include
eircom, Allianz Worldwide Care, Dell Perot Systems and PaddyPower.com with Sonru facilitating interviews across all continents from the Americas to Asia. In April of this year, Sonru signed a strategic partnership agreement with Denis O’Brien’s SaonGroup.com and is currently rolling out its product offering across IrishJobs.ie, Jobs.ie, NIJobs.com, MyJobGroup.co.uk and Candidate Manager.
In 2010 alone Sonru has won six major awards including: Innovation Award IIA Net Visionary Awards 2010; Innovate100 Pitch Slam Dublin 2010 and
Bank of Ireland Bright Ideas Challenge Grand Final 2010 (€110K prize).
Ed’s vision for the future is that all first round screening interviews in the world will be conducted using its video interview platform. Sonru operates out of Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. www.sonru.com
Thursday, November 4, 2010
5th shortlisted entrepreneur - Dr. Emmeline Hill
Our 5th shortlisted entrepreneur - Dr. Emmeline Hill
Traditionally Thoroughbred horses have been selected using only a mix of visual assessment combined with historical bloodline data to infer their likely genetic composition. However, research led by Dr Emmeline Hill at UCD in 2009 resulted in the world’s first successful identification of a performance-related gene in Thoroughbred horses. This gene was found to predict sprinting ability and stamina potential, which can immediately identify a Thoroughbred as a potential sprinter, middle-distance or long-distance horse. Following this breakthrough, Equinome was co-founded by Dr Hill and Jim Bolger, the well known Irish horse breeder and trainer, and the Equinome Speed Gene Test was commercially launched last January.
The company has already secured major clients in Australia, France, Ireland, UK and USA and with new products scheduled for 2011 and 2012, Equinome’s vision is to become the global industry standard for the provision of genetic information to the Thoroughbred horse industry. Other members of Equinome’s team are Donal Ryan, Managing Director and Professor David MacHugh, Scientific Director.
www.equinome.com
Traditionally Thoroughbred horses have been selected using only a mix of visual assessment combined with historical bloodline data to infer their likely genetic composition. However, research led by Dr Emmeline Hill at UCD in 2009 resulted in the world’s first successful identification of a performance-related gene in Thoroughbred horses. This gene was found to predict sprinting ability and stamina potential, which can immediately identify a Thoroughbred as a potential sprinter, middle-distance or long-distance horse. Following this breakthrough, Equinome was co-founded by Dr Hill and Jim Bolger, the well known Irish horse breeder and trainer, and the Equinome Speed Gene Test was commercially launched last January.
The company has already secured major clients in Australia, France, Ireland, UK and USA and with new products scheduled for 2011 and 2012, Equinome’s vision is to become the global industry standard for the provision of genetic information to the Thoroughbred horse industry. Other members of Equinome’s team are Donal Ryan, Managing Director and Professor David MacHugh, Scientific Director.
www.equinome.com
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Mary Kelly of FeePay, our 4th entrepreneur
Our 4th shortlisted entrepreneur and the first featured in the Business category -
Mary Kelly is the Founder and Managing Director of FeePay, which operates out of the Synergy Centre, Tallaght. As membership secretary of Shankill Tennis Club, Mary researched the costs and logistics of setting up a credit card payment system but found it too expensive and too complex a process for the Club. So she decided to set up an affordable and accessible system which would enable clubs and small businesses to accept debit and credit card payments.
FeePay was established in 2008 and offers six different web-based solutions all under the FeePay brand – Enrol, Cart, Console, Invoice, Integration and Mobile. 60 organisations nationwide are using one or more FeePay applications – including Leinster Rugby and Munster Rugby who use the enrolment system for taking bookings for summer camps, schools using the shopping cart to accept payment for schoolbooks, schools using FeePay for enrolment into adult education classes and several businesses using the console application to process telephone orders. Currently employing 4 (1 full-time and 3 part-time), Mary’s business plan predicts staffing levels to reach 35 full time staff by 2014. Mary credits the advice given by mentors at the Synergy Centre, Institute of Technology Tallaght, for helping FeePay to achieve its growth to date. www.feepay.ie
Mary Kelly is the Founder and Managing Director of FeePay, which operates out of the Synergy Centre, Tallaght. As membership secretary of Shankill Tennis Club, Mary researched the costs and logistics of setting up a credit card payment system but found it too expensive and too complex a process for the Club. So she decided to set up an affordable and accessible system which would enable clubs and small businesses to accept debit and credit card payments.
FeePay was established in 2008 and offers six different web-based solutions all under the FeePay brand – Enrol, Cart, Console, Invoice, Integration and Mobile. 60 organisations nationwide are using one or more FeePay applications – including Leinster Rugby and Munster Rugby who use the enrolment system for taking bookings for summer camps, schools using the shopping cart to accept payment for schoolbooks, schools using FeePay for enrolment into adult education classes and several businesses using the console application to process telephone orders. Currently employing 4 (1 full-time and 3 part-time), Mary’s business plan predicts staffing levels to reach 35 full time staff by 2014. Mary credits the advice given by mentors at the Synergy Centre, Institute of Technology Tallaght, for helping FeePay to achieve its growth to date. www.feepay.ie
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
3rd shortlisted DMA 2010 entrepreneur
Our 3rd shortlisted entrepreneur - Angel Luis Gonzalez developed Ireland's first international festival of photography. The PhotoIreland Festival successfully engaged with more than 60 organisations to develop 35 exhibitions in 35 venues showcasing the work of more than 250 photographers. It attracted 45,000 visitors
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3u3vYMWT1o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3u3vYMWT1o
Introducing Helium - our second shortlisted entrepreneur
Helene Hugel is the second of our 9 shortlisted entrepreneurs: She established Helium in 2009 to develop arts experiences which have the power to transform a child’s experience of hospitalisation. www.helium.ie
Formerly a puppeteer and children’s theatre-maker, Helene has a qualification in hospital play. She also worked as a clown doctor for five years with Northern Ireland Clown Doctors.
An estimated 200,000 children 0-18 are treated in hospital in Ireland each year and they can feel isolated, helpless and unhappy. Children with chronic illnesses necessitating multiple hospital attendances, difficult procedures and having low energy levels are twice as likely to suffer from low self-esteem and have mental health issues as adults, than healthy children.
There are currently 25 hospitals in Ireland with paediatric wards accounting for 990 inpatient beds. Helium aims to bring its arts programmes to all of these and also into Northern Ireland. Already Helium has helped 450 children, 220 family members, 21 artists and 40 healthcare workers.
Originally from upstate New York, Helene lives and works in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
Formerly a puppeteer and children’s theatre-maker, Helene has a qualification in hospital play. She also worked as a clown doctor for five years with Northern Ireland Clown Doctors.
An estimated 200,000 children 0-18 are treated in hospital in Ireland each year and they can feel isolated, helpless and unhappy. Children with chronic illnesses necessitating multiple hospital attendances, difficult procedures and having low energy levels are twice as likely to suffer from low self-esteem and have mental health issues as adults, than healthy children.
There are currently 25 hospitals in Ireland with paediatric wards accounting for 990 inpatient beds. Helium aims to bring its arts programmes to all of these and also into Northern Ireland. Already Helium has helped 450 children, 220 family members, 21 artists and 40 healthcare workers.
Originally from upstate New York, Helene lives and works in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
Monday, November 1, 2010
An introduction to Dnote - arts entrepreneur
Over the next few days, we're giving an insight into each of our 9 shortlisted entrepreneurs - first up - Peter FitzGerald & Margaret Corcoran of Dnote. Peter and Margaret saw a need for a high quality information system for Culture in Ireland and so began sending Dnotes in August 2009 – an e-notification of all things cultural that were happening in Dublin. The aim of Dnotes is to encourage the general public and tourists to engage more with our art and cultural institutions, to go and view art in private galleries and in public art spaces.
Peter edits Circa Art magazine and Margaret is an artist, represented by the Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin. They are developing a website and app for Dnotes and want to extend the service nationwide. They also plan to include sport, music and theatre shortly. Peter and Margaret who are married (to each other) are from Dundrum, Dublin.
http://www.dnote.info
Peter edits Circa Art magazine and Margaret is an artist, represented by the Kevin Kavanagh Gallery, Dublin. They are developing a website and app for Dnotes and want to extend the service nationwide. They also plan to include sport, music and theatre shortly. Peter and Margaret who are married (to each other) are from Dundrum, Dublin.
http://www.dnote.info
2009 winner feature on Bloomberg
Well done to 2009 DMA winners, RendezVu who featured on Bloomberg as part of a piece on how "Ireland may be the EU's Comeback Kid"
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/64099210/
http://www.bloomberg.com/video/64099210/
Friday, October 29, 2010
6 beastly habits to avoid in online conversations!
6 beastly habits to avoid in online conversations - this and other spooky nuggets of info from DMA sponsor, Islandbridge! http://tinyurl.com/2w7xzvb
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Social Entrepreneur - Victoria MacKechnie
See Victoria MacKechnie of Kids in the Kitchen,one of our shortlisted Social Entrepreneurs - on You Tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPUqZaUC1OI
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
DMA Arts Entrepreneur Shortlist 2010
Congrats also to the shortlisted entrepreneurs for our Arts Entrepreneur category:
Peter FitzGerald & Margaret Corcoran, Dnotes www.dnote.info - for their e-cultural guide to Dublin
Helene Hugel, Helium www.helium.ie - use arts experiences to transform kids' experience in hospital
Angel Luis Gonzalez, PhotoIreland Festival www.PhotoIreland.org - developed Ireland's first photographic festival
The winner of this category will be announced in Mid November - overall winner to be announced Jan 2011
Peter FitzGerald & Margaret Corcoran, Dnotes www.dnote.info - for their e-cultural guide to Dublin
Helene Hugel, Helium www.helium.ie - use arts experiences to transform kids' experience in hospital
Angel Luis Gonzalez, PhotoIreland Festival www.PhotoIreland.org - developed Ireland's first photographic festival
The winner of this category will be announced in Mid November - overall winner to be announced Jan 2011
Monday, October 18, 2010
Social Entrepreneurs shortlist - DMA 2010!
Congrats to the 3 shortlisted entrepreneurs in the Social category!!
Myles McCorry, BikePure www.BikePure.org
Victoria MacKechnie, Kids in the Kitchen www.kidsinthekitchen.ie
Anne Bedos, Rothar, see Rothar page on www.facebook.com
Myles McCorry, BikePure www.BikePure.org
Victoria MacKechnie, Kids in the Kitchen www.kidsinthekitchen.ie
Anne Bedos, Rothar, see Rothar page on www.facebook.com
Sunday, October 17, 2010
2010 DMA Business Entrepreneur shortlist
Congrats to the 3 shortlisted entrepreneurs in the Business Category of this year's DMA! Dr. Emmeline Hill, Ed Hendrick and Mary Kelly.
Dr. Hill identified a performance-related gene for thoroughbred horses - see www.equinome.com. Ed Hendrick spotted an opportunity to save companies time and money with e-recruitment - www.sonru.com while Mary Kelly discovered a need for an affordable and accessible credit card payment process - www.FeePay.ie. Winner of this category will be decided in mid November.
Dr. Hill identified a performance-related gene for thoroughbred horses - see www.equinome.com. Ed Hendrick spotted an opportunity to save companies time and money with e-recruitment - www.sonru.com while Mary Kelly discovered a need for an affordable and accessible credit card payment process - www.FeePay.ie. Winner of this category will be decided in mid November.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Final part - Cormac's African Diary
Final part of Camara's Cormac Lynch's visits to their African hubs http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/373918/605660e98c/1469527483/2ff8ba5b09
Monday, September 13, 2010
Cormac's African Diary - 6 of 7
Cormac Lynch's penultimate diary from his trip to visit Camara's African hubs http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/373918/7989240d6a/1469527483/2ff8ba5b09
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Cormac's African Diary - Part 5 of 7
Apologies for gap with this but DMA blogger was on (a well-deserved!!!) holiday! Part 5 of 7 from Cormac Lynch of Camara's African Diary http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/373918/dbf3bcfaa5/1469527483/2ff8ba5b09
Monday, August 30, 2010
Camara's African Diary: Kenya
Camara's Cormac Lynch reports on the highs and lows of his trip to Camara's Kenyan hubs http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/373918/e55553bbc6/1469527483/2ff8ba5b09
Friday, August 27, 2010
Cormac's African Diary - Part 3
Part 3 of Cormac's diary - he really brings Tanzania to life http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/373918/c47185ba68/1469527483/2ff8ba5b09
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Cormac's African Diary - Part 2
Second part of Camara's Cormac Lynch' African diary, where he visits various schools etc in Tanzania http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/373918/9ef9c82658/1469527483/2ff8ba5b09. Camara won the 2008 DMA Awards.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Cormac's African Diary
Here is the latest diary from 2008 winner of the David Manley Awards, Cormac Lynch of the charity, Camara, as he visits the African hubs to see how Camara's work is developing. He writes really well. http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/373918/3c92c164ed/1469527483/2ff8ba5b09
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
How to raise your brand and command your market
DMA sponsor, Islandbridge is running a series of branding courses starting in September with a choice of venues & times: Naas, Tue Afternoons, and Dublin 4, Wednesday Afternoons or Evenings.
During this lively and highly-productive 8 Week Course you will learn how to raise a brand and command your market by becoming the natural choice of your customers...
"Gave me really powerful insights and clear direction...I'd highly recommend this course." Robert Bruton, Quest Merchandise
http://events.linkedin.com/Raising-Brand-8-Week-Course/pub/388075
Raising A Brand (8 Week Course)
September - November
€1,000 (includes 8 Group Sessions & 1 Individual Consulting Session)
During this lively and highly-productive 8 Week Course you will learn how to raise a brand and command your market by becoming the natural choice of your customers...
"Gave me really powerful insights and clear direction...I'd highly recommend this course." Robert Bruton, Quest Merchandise
http://events.linkedin.com/Raising-Brand-8-Week-Course/pub/388075
Raising A Brand (8 Week Course)
September - November
€1,000 (includes 8 Group Sessions & 1 Individual Consulting Session)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Ireland needs an army of mentors - Alfie Kane
Alfie Kane is the chairman of the panel of judges for the David Manley Awards. To mark the launch of this year's Awards today (20th July) he says, "There’s no shortage of the entrepreneurial spirit in Ireland - but the harsh reality is that the vast majority fail. So - rather than focus on the intellectual question of ‘how to create entrepreneurs’ - let’s focus on reducing the failure rate of today’s start up companies.”
“What’s been proven to reduce failure rates for start-ups? Mentoring - the gift of time. If we had a national support structure and if every start-up was allocated a mentor, failure rates would drop dramatically. Ireland has an army of successful people who are able and willing to pass on their skills and the government needs to harness this expertise into a structured national support system. The mentor doesn’t have to be an entrepreneur – there is a wealth of managerial talent in both private and public companies. The banks and the public service departments, for example, could get mid-level management to each donate, say, a day every fortnight to mentor start-ups. This is not a new theory - we have talked about it so often – now let’s just do it,” he says. Further info on this year's awards - www.davidmanleyawards.ie
“What’s been proven to reduce failure rates for start-ups? Mentoring - the gift of time. If we had a national support structure and if every start-up was allocated a mentor, failure rates would drop dramatically. Ireland has an army of successful people who are able and willing to pass on their skills and the government needs to harness this expertise into a structured national support system. The mentor doesn’t have to be an entrepreneur – there is a wealth of managerial talent in both private and public companies. The banks and the public service departments, for example, could get mid-level management to each donate, say, a day every fortnight to mentor start-ups. This is not a new theory - we have talked about it so often – now let’s just do it,” he says. Further info on this year's awards - www.davidmanleyawards.ie
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
€5k Innovation Voucher
Could you do with 5K funding to work with NCI?
Innovation Voucher Initiative from Enterprise Ireland is open again.The aim of this Initiative is allow small companies to develop business ideas and opportunities and to forge links with third level providers.
See the NCI blog http://nellatnci.wordpress.com for more details..
But hurry.. this call closes in 10 days and number of vouchers available are limited to 200..
Innovation Voucher Initiative from Enterprise Ireland is open again.The aim of this Initiative is allow small companies to develop business ideas and opportunities and to forge links with third level providers.
See the NCI blog http://nellatnci.wordpress.com for more details..
But hurry.. this call closes in 10 days and number of vouchers available are limited to 200..
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Meet the Mentors - Dublin Chamber of Commerce
Dublin Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of businesses, both large and small, in Ireland's capital. As the premier networking organisation in the city, the Chamber offers significant opportunities to promote your business and network with other members.
The Chamber provides a range of business services, including business briefings, visa and export documentation, international business opportunities and discounts for members on a range of business services.
Boosting your business could be a lot easier than you think, with a little help from Dublin Chamber of Commerce. If your business priorities include networking, access and profile then the Dublin Chamber is for you! All staff are members under your company membership so everyone benefits. Contact us on 6447200 or email Donal@dublinchamber.ie.
The Chamber provides a range of business services, including business briefings, visa and export documentation, international business opportunities and discounts for members on a range of business services.
Boosting your business could be a lot easier than you think, with a little help from Dublin Chamber of Commerce. If your business priorities include networking, access and profile then the Dublin Chamber is for you! All staff are members under your company membership so everyone benefits. Contact us on 6447200 or email Donal@dublinchamber.ie.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Meet the Mentors - Business & Finance
Business & Finance is an international Irish media network. Established in 1964, it has led the way in providing thought-provoking commentary and in-depth analysis on all aspects of enterprise. The brand portfolio includes Business & Finance magazine, The Top 1000 Companies in Ireland and the Who’s Who in Irish Business, real-time business news and information online, data on Ireland’s Top 1000 Companies and a world-class range of business events. Business & Finance magazine is Ireland’s leading business publication, with a high ABC1 readership.”
We are delighted to work with Garrett and Paul to raise awareness for the RendezVu brand and provide the opportunity to reach high-profile business professionals. Available to RendezVu is an advertising solution that can be tailored to suit their needs and Business & Finance will be available to advise on the best use of this package to gain maximum exposure.
Businessandfinancetoday.com
We are delighted to work with Garrett and Paul to raise awareness for the RendezVu brand and provide the opportunity to reach high-profile business professionals. Available to RendezVu is an advertising solution that can be tailored to suit their needs and Business & Finance will be available to advise on the best use of this package to gain maximum exposure.
Businessandfinancetoday.com
Thursday, March 4, 2010
NovaUCD Entrepreneurs Live - Podcast
Podcast of yesterdays NovaUCD Entrepreneurs Live Seminar by Howard Beggs, Helix Health now available http://snipurl.com/uib9o
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Meet the Mentors - Image Now
Image Now is a creative company with a strategic design consultancy and film production business.Design is central to our organisation. Through our long established consultancy, we collaborate with clients to design uniquely effective identities and communications. We create identities that express strategic intent.
We bring strategy to life in brand communications.
The team has extensive experience in graphic design for print and online, brand creation, environmental design, arts and cultural events including exhibitions, advertising, strategic positioning, research, media communications
and workshop facilitation. Image Now’s film division offers a wide range of services including storyboards, editing, titles, visual effects, animation and 3D modeling.
The Image Now team looks forward to collaborating with Garrett and Paul to develop RendezVu's visual identity and bring its brand strategy to life. www.imagenow.ie
We bring strategy to life in brand communications.
The team has extensive experience in graphic design for print and online, brand creation, environmental design, arts and cultural events including exhibitions, advertising, strategic positioning, research, media communications
and workshop facilitation. Image Now’s film division offers a wide range of services including storyboards, editing, titles, visual effects, animation and 3D modeling.
The Image Now team looks forward to collaborating with Garrett and Paul to develop RendezVu's visual identity and bring its brand strategy to life. www.imagenow.ie
Friday, February 26, 2010
Meet the Mentors - Enterprise Ireland
For many years, the Enterprise Ireland Mentor Network has been providing Irish companies (across all sectors) with tailored advice and support, helping to accelerate growth, survive in difficult times and build management capability. Our Mentors are successful senior executives who volunteer to advise companies based on their own business experience. Our Mentors are active and enthusiastic entrepreneurs who’ve sold their businesses or active owner/ managers willing to give something back. Our Mentors don’t offer a passive chat over coffee – they are people who are committed to making a real contribution in our client companies, bringing about change, removing barriers to growth and enabling success.
Our mentors are delighted to work with the David Manley Award winners, where they will play a valuable role in listening, challenging, advising, and helping the award winners focus on the key issues and find solutions to those issues. Through our programme they will benefit from the skills and experience of senior business people who’ve been down a similar road and have encountered the same kind of issues and problems. www.enterprise-ireland.com/mentor
Our mentors are delighted to work with the David Manley Award winners, where they will play a valuable role in listening, challenging, advising, and helping the award winners focus on the key issues and find solutions to those issues. Through our programme they will benefit from the skills and experience of senior business people who’ve been down a similar road and have encountered the same kind of issues and problems. www.enterprise-ireland.com/mentor
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Meet the Mentors - Newmarket Consulting
Newmarket Consulting was founded by David Manley in 1979, whose ethos of integrity, imagination and enterprise still underpins Newmarket Consulting's approach.
We are a management consultancy who believes that client relationships work best when their advisors share their passion and the interest they have in their field. Our passions are education, the creative sector, art and culture, health and social care and tourism.
We work with motivated people who see the evolution of their organisation as an exciting journey and embrace the adventures along the way. We work in collaboration with our clients to:
• Map current and future business opportunities and challenges
• Research and analyse issues and solutions en route
• Develop a structured plan to navigate the organisation in line with recommended solutions
• Provide support and assistance on the journey to ensure maximum return on resources invested
• Monitor progress to ensure organisation objectives are on track
We look forward to meeting with RendezVu, and are proud to have a chance to help them achieve their huge potential. We will outline to RendezVu the areas in which we work, covering Information, Interpretation, Insights, Imagination and Implementation, in that our consultancy offering spans research, analysis, planning and report writing and working with clients during implementation. Our work will be helped by the fact that senior consultant Mitchell used to teach English in South Korea and Canada! www.newmarketconsulting.ie
We are a management consultancy who believes that client relationships work best when their advisors share their passion and the interest they have in their field. Our passions are education, the creative sector, art and culture, health and social care and tourism.
We work with motivated people who see the evolution of their organisation as an exciting journey and embrace the adventures along the way. We work in collaboration with our clients to:
• Map current and future business opportunities and challenges
• Research and analyse issues and solutions en route
• Develop a structured plan to navigate the organisation in line with recommended solutions
• Provide support and assistance on the journey to ensure maximum return on resources invested
• Monitor progress to ensure organisation objectives are on track
We look forward to meeting with RendezVu, and are proud to have a chance to help them achieve their huge potential. We will outline to RendezVu the areas in which we work, covering Information, Interpretation, Insights, Imagination and Implementation, in that our consultancy offering spans research, analysis, planning and report writing and working with clients during implementation. Our work will be helped by the fact that senior consultant Mitchell used to teach English in South Korea and Canada! www.newmarketconsulting.ie
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Meet the Mentors - Islandbridge
At Islandbridge we believe that success in business always comes down to the ability to influence choice. More and more, people are choosing on the basis of brand. We work with clients across all sectors to build brands that help make them the natural choice of their customers.
Like the Award judges, we think Garrett and Paul have developed a remarkable resource for language students everywhere and we're really looking forward to working closely with them in 2010 to help them find a place to stand so that they can move the world.
In practical terms, that means we'll position and profile the brand in a way that makes sense to their customers, then outline what they need to do and say in order to win them over and keep them coming back for more.
www.islandbridge.com
Like the Award judges, we think Garrett and Paul have developed a remarkable resource for language students everywhere and we're really looking forward to working closely with them in 2010 to help them find a place to stand so that they can move the world.
In practical terms, that means we'll position and profile the brand in a way that makes sense to their customers, then outline what they need to do and say in order to win them over and keep them coming back for more.
www.islandbridge.com
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Meet the Mentors - Thesaurus Software
Thesaurus Software Ltd was established in 1992 by former employee of David Manley, Paul Byrne fca mmii. At Thesaurus Software we have a passion for making the financial and administrative aspects of business management
simpler, less time-consuming and more accurate. With years of experience and dedication to this ideal, we have created a range of IT software solutions which are in use by over 55,000 businesses in Ireland and the UK today.
The company is best known for excellence in customer support which accompanies each payroll and accounts software product. This level of support will be extended to RendezVu as well as all additional 8 shortlisted finalists with free licensed payroll and accounts software for the next three years. Thesaurus will be on hand to guide each company through the implementation and effective use of the payroll and accounts software making each business self sufficient in meeting their legal obligations to employees and Revenue.
www.thesaurus.ie
simpler, less time-consuming and more accurate. With years of experience and dedication to this ideal, we have created a range of IT software solutions which are in use by over 55,000 businesses in Ireland and the UK today.
The company is best known for excellence in customer support which accompanies each payroll and accounts software product. This level of support will be extended to RendezVu as well as all additional 8 shortlisted finalists with free licensed payroll and accounts software for the next three years. Thesaurus will be on hand to guide each company through the implementation and effective use of the payroll and accounts software making each business self sufficient in meeting their legal obligations to employees and Revenue.
www.thesaurus.ie
Monday, February 22, 2010
Meet the Mentors - Karan Thompson Consulting
Karan Thompson Consulting (KTCL) works with SMEs and micro enterprises across the arts, culture, business and creative industries sectors. We specialise in innovation coaching and ideas generation processes as utilised in the Stanford Research Institute, California, helping businesses commercialise their creativity.
We are looking forward to working with Garrett and Paul during 2010 to develop ideas, innovation processes and solutions to bring RendezVu to additional markets.
Key services provided by KTCL include: strategic planning, mentoring, partnership and business development, innovation process, ideas generation and positioning innovative solutions, consultation programmes, seminar design and marketing and public relations campaigns.
We are looking forward to working with Garrett and Paul during 2010 to develop ideas, innovation processes and solutions to bring RendezVu to additional markets.
Key services provided by KTCL include: strategic planning, mentoring, partnership and business development, innovation process, ideas generation and positioning innovative solutions, consultation programmes, seminar design and marketing and public relations campaigns.
Meet the Mentors - gbc Public Relations
gbc Public Relations has a proven track record in delivering strategic, creative solutions for organisations and brands. We are results-driven and our philosophy is to 'always go that extra mile to ensure clients' delight.'
We are excited to be working with RendezVu this year and look forward to helping them achieve their business objectives! We will be drafting their PR Strategy and a Tactical Public Relations Programme and ensure it is implemented.
Services offered by gbc include Reputation Management, Strategic Planning, Pro-Active Media Relations, Marketing Communications, Event Management, Sponsorship, Product Launches, Campaign Evaluation and Press Desk.
www.gbc-pr.com
We are excited to be working with RendezVu this year and look forward to helping them achieve their business objectives! We will be drafting their PR Strategy and a Tactical Public Relations Programme and ensure it is implemented.
Services offered by gbc include Reputation Management, Strategic Planning, Pro-Active Media Relations, Marketing Communications, Event Management, Sponsorship, Product Launches, Campaign Evaluation and Press Desk.
www.gbc-pr.com
Friday, February 19, 2010
Meet the Mentors - Pigsback.com
Pigsback.com are another sponsor meeting Paul and Garrett of RendezVu next Wednesday, 24th February. Here are some details from pigsback:
Pigsback.com was the brainchild of Irish entrepreneur Michael Dwyer, who launched the company in Ireland in 2000. Within five years, the company had launched in the UK and now has over 1 million active members across the markets with over 300,000 currently active in Ireland. Pigsback.com is known for its great offers and rewards from brands including: O2, Guinness, Jameson, a|wear and L’Oreal.
Our members are typically:
20 – 45 years of age,70% female,45% are interested in education and training
52% are interested in computers and the internet and 67% are interested in travel
Pigsback.com members can take advantage of exclusive offers from leading brands and can also be rewarded with its online currency PiggyPoints.
We plan to offer RendezVu the benefit of a 6 week competition on Pigsback.com and main sponsorship of our Travel & Weekender newsletter which is sent to 110,000 members who are interested in travel. They can expect to achieve the following results;
80,000 members exposed
15,000 interactions
7,000 competition entries
Pigsback.com was the brainchild of Irish entrepreneur Michael Dwyer, who launched the company in Ireland in 2000. Within five years, the company had launched in the UK and now has over 1 million active members across the markets with over 300,000 currently active in Ireland. Pigsback.com is known for its great offers and rewards from brands including: O2, Guinness, Jameson, a|wear and L’Oreal.
Our members are typically:
20 – 45 years of age,70% female,45% are interested in education and training
52% are interested in computers and the internet and 67% are interested in travel
Pigsback.com members can take advantage of exclusive offers from leading brands and can also be rewarded with its online currency PiggyPoints.
We plan to offer RendezVu the benefit of a 6 week competition on Pigsback.com and main sponsorship of our Travel & Weekender newsletter which is sent to 110,000 members who are interested in travel. They can expect to achieve the following results;
80,000 members exposed
15,000 interactions
7,000 competition entries
Meet the Mentors
On 24th Feb, Paul and Garrett from RendezVu will find out how much advice they are getting as part of their prize of €100,000 worth of free mentoring! Over the next few blogs, we want to introduce the sponsors who are supplying that advice:
First up - Mason Hayes+Curran:
Mason Hayes+Curran solicitors is dedicated to providing a full range of legal services to emerging businesses and technology companies. We advise on business structure and formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, financing, investment, employment and shareholder matters. We understand the particular needs and concerns of emerging businesses and their requirement for clear and prompt legal advice. An MH+C partner will team with RendezVu to assist in every way that a dedicated in-house legal counsel would. That partner will be there to support RendezVu every step of the way, helping to develop its business and ensuring that all the legal bases of the challenges ahead are covered.
First up - Mason Hayes+Curran:
Mason Hayes+Curran solicitors is dedicated to providing a full range of legal services to emerging businesses and technology companies. We advise on business structure and formation, corporate governance, intellectual property protection, financing, investment, employment and shareholder matters. We understand the particular needs and concerns of emerging businesses and their requirement for clear and prompt legal advice. An MH+C partner will team with RendezVu to assist in every way that a dedicated in-house legal counsel would. That partner will be there to support RendezVu every step of the way, helping to develop its business and ensuring that all the legal bases of the challenges ahead are covered.
Monday, February 15, 2010
RendezVu arranged with Mentors!
The DMA 2009 winners - Paul and Garret of RendezVu - will face an information overload on 24th February when they find out exactly what they will be getting from their mentors during 2010! Their prize was €100k in mentoring and 10k in cash - so that's a lot of advice coming down the track! On the 24th, each of the DMA mentors aka sponsors of the Award will do a short presentation to the guys outling what they can do for them over the next ten months or so. Participating companies include Newmarket Consulting, KTCL (Karan Thompson Consulting), Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Deloitte, Image Now, Newmarket Partnership, Islandbridge, Mason, Hayes & Curran, gbc Public Relations, Pigsback.com and Business & Finance magazine!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Aspiring rural entrepreneurs? RTE's "Higher Ground" TV programme wants to hear from you! Info from www.smallbusinesscan.ie
Last summer saw the introduction of RTE One's rural entrepreneurial
series "Higher Ground". The innovative series selected eight aspiring
rural entrepreneurs from across Ireland and helped them to bring their
business ideas into reality with the help of mentors Paul Mc Carthy, Teagasc
and Peter Young, Farmers Journal.
If you have - or know someone with - a business idea, drive and
determination that could benefit from guidance and a helping hand,
then why not apply. Contact Good Company Productions on 057-9323847 or
email higherground@goodcompany.ie for more information.
Last summer saw the introduction of RTE One's rural entrepreneurial
series "Higher Ground". The innovative series selected eight aspiring
rural entrepreneurs from across Ireland and helped them to bring their
business ideas into reality with the help of mentors Paul Mc Carthy, Teagasc
and Peter Young, Farmers Journal.
If you have - or know someone with - a business idea, drive and
determination that could benefit from guidance and a helping hand,
then why not apply. Contact Good Company Productions on 057-9323847 or
email higherground@goodcompany.ie for more information.
Friday, January 22, 2010
RendezVu in today's Irish Times
Paul and Garrett of RendezVu, our Award winners in today's Irish Times http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/finance/2010/0122/1224262842159.html
Thursday, January 21, 2010
2009 DMA Winner announced today!
Many congratulations to Paul Groarke and Garrett Hussey of Rendez Vu who today were presented as the overall winners of the 2009 David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards! They developed a 'gaming approach' to help students learn foreign languages - see www.rendezvu.co.uk They have won €10,000 in cash and €100,000 worth of mentoring and consultancy advice! The Tanaiste, Mary Coughlan and Dr. Chris Horn presented them with their Award at a reception in the RHA Gallery earlier today. Well done guys!
Also many congrats to RTE's John Murray who won the inaugural David Manley Media Award for his dedication and commitement to covering entrepreneurship on his programme, "The Business."
Also many congrats to RTE's John Murray who won the inaugural David Manley Media Award for his dedication and commitement to covering entrepreneurship on his programme, "The Business."
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Nearly Decision Time!
Only just over a week to go before the 2009 Winners of the David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards are announced! Dr. Chris Horn will do the honours on Thursday 21st January at a reception in Dublin. Battling it out are the 3 finalists:
PPD - Psychological Centre - winner of the Social Entrepreneur category www.theppd.eu;
RendezVu - winner of the Business Entrepreneur category www.rendezvu.co.uk
ThisIsPopBaby - winner of the Arts Entrepreneur category www.ThisIsPopBaby.com
Best of luck to all!
PPD - Psychological Centre - winner of the Social Entrepreneur category www.theppd.eu;
RendezVu - winner of the Business Entrepreneur category www.rendezvu.co.uk
ThisIsPopBaby - winner of the Arts Entrepreneur category www.ThisIsPopBaby.com
Best of luck to all!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Spreading the Light of Camara
It wasn’t easy getting there, as I had to suffer the worry of waiting for my passport to make the trip to Dublin and back to London without me as we waited for our Kenyan Airways connection in Heathrow, but it was well worth the anxiety. The warm breeze that met us on exiting Nairobi airport whisked away all memories of the pandemonium that I had unwittingly started in London by leaving my passport on the plane, and it was good to finally be in Kenya.
Myself and my travelling companions, Barbara Dooley from UCD and Barbara O’Callaghan from State Street, were the very fortunate beneficiaries of a decision by Irish charity Camara to send some of those that were involved in fundraising activities during the year to Kenya, to witness some of the fruit borne by their fundraising efforts. And I’m pleased to report that what I saw in Kenya exceeded my expectations and gave me great hope in the future of Africa, and the significant role Camara has to play in facilitating that future.
I had been aware of the work of Camara since they won the David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards in 2008. The decision made by Cormac Lynch in 2005 to send a couple of Irish computers, destined for the skip, to Africa for use in education has inspired the development of a social enterprise that in early 2009 saw Camara ship their 10,000th computer to Africa. What greeted us in Africa however was not just an organisation putting recycled Irish computers to good use, but an organisation providing a key to unlocking a bright new future for Kenya.
Kenya is a stable nation, relative to some of its east African coast neighbours, but it still bears the hallmarks that blight many African countries, widespread poverty and crippling corruption. What really defined it for me though was not the extent of its problems, but the relentlessness of its positivity and ambition. Our week-long jaunt brought us to the coastal cities of Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu and introduced us to some of the most joyous and passionate people on Earth.
We began in Mombasa, visiting the hub that Camara have established there. Not only do Camara clean and refurbish computers in Ireland, but they have also established a number of hubs in the countries they provide to in Africa; Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Lesotho. The hub in Mombasa relies, as does the entire Camara organisation, on volunteers and the quality of volunteers that the work of Camara attracts was a real eye-opener.
Hugely motivated and passionate about what Camara is striving to achieve, the task of uploading the Linux operating system, and installing educational software (including information on HIV Awareness and Gender Equality and Camara’s very own version of Wikipedia) falls to some of Mombasa’s best and brightest. We were each assigned a teacher, to run us through the procedures carried out once the computers arrive in their containers from Ireland, to ready them for installation in schools. My teacher, a 19-year-old girl who had never even touched a computer as recently as 5 months ago, delighted in the task teaching me about the Ubuntu operating system, while explaining to me the opportunity her involvement with Camara offers her. As well as the practical experience she gets, she also undertakes the teaching programme Camara provides for its volunteers. She tells me that it will be of huge benefit to her, as she wants to become a computer teacher. And she’s well able for it. After her in-depth tutorial, I manage to upload an operating system and all of the required educational software by myself, and I record the tracking number Camara assigns to each computer to see where it will eventually be sent. Delighted by what I had learned, I bade farewell to Pilli my teacher, wondering whether I should give her my postal address or e-mail address for keeping in touch. “Neither”, she replied, “I’ll Facebook you instead”.
Having visited the nerve centre of Camara in Mombasa, we were transported up the coast to Malindi, with our guide (and dedicated Camara volunteer) Chiku and our driver (and dedicated Camara volunteer) Joshua. In Malindi, we met up with a local student teacher, and Camara volunteer, Mujahadid. Speaking with Mujahadid was a treat, he was keenly intelligent and had great knowledge to impart on the state of current affairs in Kenya. At the end of our tour of Malindi he asked us if we would visit a school that he was involved with, which had also benefited from the receipt of Camara computers. “Involved with” didn’t quite explain the situation. As we arrived at the school Mujahadid was met with deferential greetings of “Hello Mr. President” by the kids playing outside and the school’s caretakers. He explained that the school was established by an English woman a couple of years ago, and the man she had initially hired to run it had grossly mismanaged all of the funds she had supplied for running of the school. Mujahadid had been recommended to her, and now he finds himself in the situation of running a school while studying to be a teacher at the local University.
He informed me that he is treated with mild distrust in his community, as he maintains meticulous records of his use of school funds and never profits himself. He told us the story of how, the week before our visit, he had gone down to Malindi port to collect a container that had arrived from England with toys for the school. Port security, however, wouldn’t release the container without receiving a hefty kickback first. Mujahadid had to ask his fellow University students to pool together their money in order to have it released. He explained to me how corruption was endemic in Kenya, and needed to be erased for the country to progress. I asked him how the cycle of corruption could be broken. He stated, “education is the key” before adding, “that’s why Camara is the key”.
Final part to follow in the next few days…
Myself and my travelling companions, Barbara Dooley from UCD and Barbara O’Callaghan from State Street, were the very fortunate beneficiaries of a decision by Irish charity Camara to send some of those that were involved in fundraising activities during the year to Kenya, to witness some of the fruit borne by their fundraising efforts. And I’m pleased to report that what I saw in Kenya exceeded my expectations and gave me great hope in the future of Africa, and the significant role Camara has to play in facilitating that future.
I had been aware of the work of Camara since they won the David Manley Emerging Entrepreneur Awards in 2008. The decision made by Cormac Lynch in 2005 to send a couple of Irish computers, destined for the skip, to Africa for use in education has inspired the development of a social enterprise that in early 2009 saw Camara ship their 10,000th computer to Africa. What greeted us in Africa however was not just an organisation putting recycled Irish computers to good use, but an organisation providing a key to unlocking a bright new future for Kenya.
Kenya is a stable nation, relative to some of its east African coast neighbours, but it still bears the hallmarks that blight many African countries, widespread poverty and crippling corruption. What really defined it for me though was not the extent of its problems, but the relentlessness of its positivity and ambition. Our week-long jaunt brought us to the coastal cities of Mombasa, Malindi and Lamu and introduced us to some of the most joyous and passionate people on Earth.
We began in Mombasa, visiting the hub that Camara have established there. Not only do Camara clean and refurbish computers in Ireland, but they have also established a number of hubs in the countries they provide to in Africa; Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Lesotho. The hub in Mombasa relies, as does the entire Camara organisation, on volunteers and the quality of volunteers that the work of Camara attracts was a real eye-opener.
Hugely motivated and passionate about what Camara is striving to achieve, the task of uploading the Linux operating system, and installing educational software (including information on HIV Awareness and Gender Equality and Camara’s very own version of Wikipedia) falls to some of Mombasa’s best and brightest. We were each assigned a teacher, to run us through the procedures carried out once the computers arrive in their containers from Ireland, to ready them for installation in schools. My teacher, a 19-year-old girl who had never even touched a computer as recently as 5 months ago, delighted in the task teaching me about the Ubuntu operating system, while explaining to me the opportunity her involvement with Camara offers her. As well as the practical experience she gets, she also undertakes the teaching programme Camara provides for its volunteers. She tells me that it will be of huge benefit to her, as she wants to become a computer teacher. And she’s well able for it. After her in-depth tutorial, I manage to upload an operating system and all of the required educational software by myself, and I record the tracking number Camara assigns to each computer to see where it will eventually be sent. Delighted by what I had learned, I bade farewell to Pilli my teacher, wondering whether I should give her my postal address or e-mail address for keeping in touch. “Neither”, she replied, “I’ll Facebook you instead”.
Having visited the nerve centre of Camara in Mombasa, we were transported up the coast to Malindi, with our guide (and dedicated Camara volunteer) Chiku and our driver (and dedicated Camara volunteer) Joshua. In Malindi, we met up with a local student teacher, and Camara volunteer, Mujahadid. Speaking with Mujahadid was a treat, he was keenly intelligent and had great knowledge to impart on the state of current affairs in Kenya. At the end of our tour of Malindi he asked us if we would visit a school that he was involved with, which had also benefited from the receipt of Camara computers. “Involved with” didn’t quite explain the situation. As we arrived at the school Mujahadid was met with deferential greetings of “Hello Mr. President” by the kids playing outside and the school’s caretakers. He explained that the school was established by an English woman a couple of years ago, and the man she had initially hired to run it had grossly mismanaged all of the funds she had supplied for running of the school. Mujahadid had been recommended to her, and now he finds himself in the situation of running a school while studying to be a teacher at the local University.
He informed me that he is treated with mild distrust in his community, as he maintains meticulous records of his use of school funds and never profits himself. He told us the story of how, the week before our visit, he had gone down to Malindi port to collect a container that had arrived from England with toys for the school. Port security, however, wouldn’t release the container without receiving a hefty kickback first. Mujahadid had to ask his fellow University students to pool together their money in order to have it released. He explained to me how corruption was endemic in Kenya, and needed to be erased for the country to progress. I asked him how the cycle of corruption could be broken. He stated, “education is the key” before adding, “that’s why Camara is the key”.
Final part to follow in the next few days…
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