Where The Dollars At?

You see that envelope? That envleope has Leja Bulela money in it. It is a $20 check from Cristianne Dinglasan my girlfriend. A couple of days ago my co-worker Emily Crouch donated $10 via the website. Boom! $30 toward the $500 contribution that each of us have to make to reach our collective goal of $10,000. Muamba got $500 in one email. The Kadima family is going to do a presentation to a local philantropist and get at least $1000. That is an unofficial tally of $1,530 for July 2008 and that is the work of only 3 people. We are going to be keeping track of who is doing what and where. You will get props for putting in, so when you send in your money take a picture of yourself doing it! I want to post pics of each and every one of us doing the work, so that Dallas 2009 has a slideshow of all of us putting our dollars where are mouths are! YES WE CAN!

Conference Call #1 7/27/2008

Sunday, July 27, 2008 Conference Call Information/Notes/Minutes

Three topics were discussed

1. Structure
2. Fundraising
3. 2009 Conference

Thierry Tubajika- LB YOA Chairmen
Tshilumba Kabongo – Communication Chairmen
Muadi Mukenge – Nominee for Fundraising Chairwoman
Felicia Kadima – Nominee for Fundraising Chairwoman

Regional Chairs

Marco Nkashama – Southwest
Kalonji Kadima – West
Tania Kasongo – East
Ndaya Kalubi – Midwest
Justin Mutanda – Southeast
Jolie Kadima – Upper Midwest

Any feedback on nominations are welcome

We did some calculations and each of us need to raise a minimum of $500. Each of us can do this! Some have already done so.

Ideas for fundraising:

Donation Cans for loose change (made by youth to be placed at school or local retailer)
Monthly $25 dollar contribution (August 1 is upon us, did you send in anything?)
Each of us get 10 other people to donate $10 (I had a co-worker of mine already put in a week ago)
T-Shirts (Tania has an associate that has an AMAZING line DRC Clothing, it is brilliant!)
Regional Dinners/Banquetss

I got important fundraising materials from the EC Chairman Dr. Martin Kabongo, MD, PhD which includes, if and when you need any of these materials email me (tshilumba.kabongo@gmail.com)
- official letterhead
- updated brochure
- power point presentation

2009 Conference Ideas for the Youth Portion of the Leja Bulela Annual Meeting
-Talent Show
- Basketball Game
- Story time
- Cooking Lessons
- Soccer Matches/Mini Camp

Start bringing your ideas to the table and we can get our Regional Chairs to implement strategies for your area

One Hour Conference Call Sunday, 5 pm PST to 6 pm PST July, 27, 2008

If You Don't Take Action Now, You'll Settle for Nothing Later

Muamba Kabongo is already bringing $500 to the table. One email=$500.

INITIATIVE

From: Kabongo, Muamba
Sent: Thursday, July 24, 2008 5:28 PM
To: HHCNational
Subject: Question about Grants for Non Profits

To Whom It May Concern:

I volunteer for a non profit organization called Leja Bulela. Leja
Bulela is a non-profit, non-political organization registered under the
laws of the State of Iowa since 1995. It now enjoys a 501 c (3) status
granted by IRS since 2002.

I am writing to inquire about the possibility of a grant for my
organization through my employer, Allstate. Can Allstate provide funding
through this rebranded Volunteerism Campaign? I volunteer numerous hours
to my organization and my parents are the founders of this non profit
and it was started in our home in Detroit, Mi in 1993.

http://www.lejabulela.org/index.php

LejaBulela Inc, is a 501(C)3 nonprofit charity providing health care,
advocacy, and championing the rights of the refugees of Kasai province.
We are in the process of completing work on a clinic that will help
these refugee and we need you help in accomplishing this endeavor. Your
donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.


We are women, men, children of the Kasai Oriental Diaspora in North
America (United States and Canada) as well as anyone willing to join
hands with us, concerned about the welfare of the Luba people of this
province of the Democratic Republic of Congo and others related to us.


We are promoting community-building spirit through insight in the common
Luba language, culture and customs, history, philosophy, religions,
politics as prerequisite foundations for economic, social and political
developments. We argue that it is the lack of these foundations that are
at the heart of the never-ending Congolese crisis. Insights in these
foundations are gained through dialogue and conversation among ourselves
and with members of other communities interested in us.

We also want to adjust to new, modern challenges of interaction and
change with different cultures and adopt technologies.

Leja Bulela has four main activities:

1) Provision of assistance to needy populations in East Kasai in
education and health (as well as to former refugees living in the United
States
And other ethnic groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo);
2) Advocacy for the respect of human and civil rights by monitoring the
rule of social justice and elimination of prejudice;
3) Teaching the American public about the history and culture of the
Luba people;
4) Fundraising.

Selected achievements to date:


1) Shipping of tents for the refugees;
2) Shipping of medical supplies for the refugees;
3) Shipping of computers and more than 2,000 books to the University of
Mbuji-Mayi;
4) Funding the plantation of fast growing trees in Muene Ditu;
5) Financing the installation of a potable water pump in Mbuji-Mayi for
the refugee children;
6) Shipping of school supplies for a primary school (Project Ndaya);
7) Establishment of a scholarship fund for the University of Mbuji Mayi
and the Institute Pedagogique.

Thanks for the time and opportunity to write on this great need.

Sincerely,
Muamba Kabongo
Claim Service Adjuster
Allstate Insurance Company
San Diego Market Claim Office


RESPONSE

From: Graper, Corinne
Sent: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 9:05 PM
To: Kabongo, Muamba
Cc: Johnson, Abby
Subject: RE: Question about Grants for Non Profits

Muamba,

Leja Bulela sounds like a wonderful organization and it sounds like the
organization has been able to accomplish a lot in a sort period of time!


Allstate does support employee's volunteer work with non-profits through
our Helping Hands grants. You can find an informational page and the
application for the grant on the Helping Hands Web site. To access the
site go to MyDesktop, under the "corporate" tab (appear in blue bar at
top of page) select "helping Hands." You'll see the grant information
and application on the left hand side of the page under "grants and
award" forms. Employees who volunteer 25 hours or more with an
organization can apply to receive a $500 grant to that non-profit. If
you know you'll volunteer 25 hours this year with Leja Bulela you can
apply for a grant (please see the information page on the Helping Hands
site for more information).

I hope this information is helpful.

Thanks,

Corinne Graper
Corporate Relations - Public Social Responsibility Team

Congolese Youth Confrence 2008

August 9, 2008, Greensboro, North Carolina

please email: Tania Kasongo, tkaso92@msn.com, for more details about this event

www.cyc.savecongo.com

Sunday Confrence Call Information

Conference Dial-in Number: (712) 432-1601
Host Access Code: 307891*
Participant Access Code: 307891#


Friends,

I like the beginnings of our dialogue and the ideas being communicated. As for the structure I nominate the following for the available positions:

LB Yoa Chairperson – Thierry Tubajika
Fundraising Chair – Felicia Kadima
Communications Chair - Muadi Mukenge

As for the regional Chairs, I propose 1 person per region. We need to stream line leadership and more than 1 person per position can be a potential issue with accountability. As for the West I nominate Kano as regional chair for the west.

I was on the conference call last Sunday. I checked my emails after the call and realized folks could not make the call. Can we set up a call for this Sunday, 7/27/08 at 8:00 pm est? Thierry is there a national call at 9 pm this week? I would like the nominated persons and Marco from Dallas on this weeks call. I agree with the proposed items for the conference call and would like to add our first fundraising initiative and the proposed ideas of the $25/person for the next 11 months. We should also schedule open calls with other members for communication dialogue and overall feedback on how our movement is running thus far. I am encouraged by our start. Let’s continue this momentum.

Respectfully submitted and in service to our people

Muamba Kabongo

Leja Bulela Young Adults--Building the Franchise!!!

Leja Bulela Youth/Young Adult Membership Organizational Structure

The membership of the Leja Bulela youth and young adult membership will be divided into two sub-groups:

Group I K5-12 graders LB Youth Organization (LB-YO)

Group II College Students to LB Young Adult Organization (LB-YAO) Young Professionals

It should be noted that the youth and young adult sub groups are part of the General LB membership and will abide by the approved bylaws of the Leja Bulela organization. The proposed structure for the young adult/youth membership will be requested to be included as part of the articles included in the Bylaws of the Leja Bulela organization. The purpose of the proposed organizational structure is to effectively unite and mobilize the efforts of the Leja Bulela youth and young adult membership group. We believe that this organizational structure will create efficiency and leverage on the skills and talents of the Leja Bulela youth/young adult memberships to carry out the mission and projects of the organization.

Group I: K5-12 (LB-YO)
Elementary children between the ages of 5 years old to 12th grade high school students. This will provide an opportunity to engage elementary children and teenagers in learning more about the Luba culture, understanding our value systems and traditions and instill a sense of pride in our Luba culture and as a member of the overall Congolese community.

Possible activities for this component will be:
1) Attending the annual Leja Bulela conference with their parents to meet other Baluba families and learn about the Luba language and traditions.

Conference Workshops for this group include:
-Chiluba Lessons – To introduce children to our traditional language of the Eastern kasai province.
-Understanding your parents and where we come from – Understanding what your parents expectations are and how they are created to help you have a successful and flourishing life.
-Dealing with the challenges of being Congolese and growing up in the U.S. – Helps young children deal with American peer pressures and understand the importance of being true to who you are.
-Storytelling – (A way to pass on the African tradition of passing down life lessons and stories about nature.
-Talent Show at the LB Conference (Share your Talents) – Builds self confidence and a sense of inner pride.

2) Conducting mini fundraisers at perspective school or church for the various Leja Bulela projects.



Group II: College Students and Professionals (LB-YAO)
The YAO membership group will consist of college students and young professionals. The primary purpose of this membership group will be to help carry out the missions and projects of the Leja Bulela organization, network with other Baluba young adults across the country, creating a network for employment opportunities and entrepreneurial aspirations, being a voice to address injustices in Congo and to the people of Eastern Kasai.

The Young Adult component will structured as following:

Chairperson of LB-YAO – The chairperson is the Liaison between the LB-YAO and the Leja Bulela executive committee. Additional responsibilities will be:
 Provide leadership and direction for the LB-YAO
 Monitor and track the progress of all fundraising and projects of the LB-YAO
 Facilitate LB-YAO meetings
 Communicate with LB-YAO Regional Chairs (see below)
 Update the executive committee on all projects by LB-YAO

Co-Chairs
Fundraising Chairperson
 Capture all fundraising suggestions from members
 Work with all chairs and members to create strategic plan for fundraising projects
 Work with all regions on fundraising projects
 Track the membership dues and fundraising proceeds with the LB treasurer.

Communications Chairperson
 Maintain and update a database of all LB-YAO members
 Provide new members with information about Leja Bulela
 Maintaining the LB-YAO blog site (Malu Kayi)
 Creating LB-YAO quarterly Newsletter
 Sending out regular email communications to all members

Regional Chair Persons:
The purpose of the regional chairs will be to help keep the LB-YAO members engaged through out the year until the annual conference, by conducting fundraising activities through out the states and informing other Luba young adults about the organization. Here are some suggestions on the regions and the individuals that could take on these roles. We can have two individuals for each region here are some suggestions.
 Southwest Region (Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Oklahoma, etc.) - Marco
 Western Region (California, Arizona, Nevada, etc.) – Muamba & Kono
 East Coast Region (Washington DC, Boston, New York, etc.) - ??? suggestions I was thinking Kakesa & Tanya
 South East Region (Georgia, North & South Carolina, Florida) - ??? Suggestions
 Upper Midwest Region (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan) - Jolie
 Midwestern Region (Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Pennsylvania,etc.) - Ndaya


Possible Activities for this group will be
1) Attending the annual Leja Bulela Conference to meet and network with other Luba young adults and participate in the annual LB-YAO meeting.

2) Conference activities
- Assist executive committee with conference preparations
- Help conduct workshops for the LB-YO groups
- Participate in a separate meeting for the LB-YAO
- Young Adult-Mixer before the Conference
- Attend Motivational Speaker Sessions during the conference

3) Assist with meeting the fundraising objectives
4) Participate in regional LB-YAO meetings and & fundraising events

Dallas Confrence 2008-- Behind the Scene with LB YAO

The Leja Bulela Annual Conference is about handling business, but it is also about getting together to have a good time. These were photos taken with an LB YAO camera. Caputring precious moments that happen once a year. No matter where we go we have fun and we represent. From a Memphis style BBQ restaurant in Dallas, or to 1980's night with the Spazzmatics @ Glass Cactus, or the Slip Inn in downtown Dallas, we "Shut It Down". We were born to dance and party! Our parents did the same thing, and we continue the rich tradtion in our way.









The Above photos taken at Red, White, and Que. The food was excellent. We turned the restaurant into our dining room.














These shots were from the Glass Cactus on Lake Grapevine. The Glass Cactus is a club at the Gaylord Hotel. It was one of the largest clubs I have ever been in. With outdoor lakeside patios on two levels. A big dance floor and stage where the Spazzmatics hit us with all the jams of the 1980's. King Kono was doin' it big on the dance floor as well as the Kasongo girls. The Kabongo 3 were a wannabe America's Next Best Dance Crew. Rob was dapper hitting poses for the camera with his queen Jolie. Of course Ms.Rina was there capturing it all for everyone.


We are at Leja Bulela, so we represent our Luba Culture with traditional clothing.


Girl 1: "Let's get traditional for a minute. My Mom will love this photo."
Girl 2: "My mom will like this picture too. You know we are goin' to the club after this, right?"
Girl 2: "We are about to shut down the Slip Inn!"







The Slip Inn was bumping everything 1990's. "Make Em Say Uhh" by Master P took us all to the next level along with that L.Boogie. We were snapping pictures left and right until we all yelled out. "NO MORE PHOTOS!" It was celebrity status. Us along with a random bacherlotte party made that club the funnest place in Dallas, TX. With Kanku as our tour guide we were never let down and had a prolific weekend. And when Isabelle showed up at 2am it was even better! Next year we will do it all over again.

Thanks to the LB YAO for showing us Leja Bulela behind the scene!

(There was no drinking and driving. We all arrived to and from the clubs safely and secure. We are responsible!)

Fundraiser Coffee Mug

This coffee mug is available for fundraising purposes and has been available since LB 15 in Milwaukee 2007.

Feel free to contact Felicia Kadima on how to get your cups delivered for quick and easy fundrasing.

feliciakadima@yahoo.com

Leja Bulela Dallas 2008

The Hilton Garden Inn was the sight for this year's Leja Bulela Annual Conference. This was one of the finest facilities that has hosted our yearly gathering. So much so, that we are going to be here for the 2009 Conference.



Here we are on Friday in the Young Adults breakout session. Here we mapped out the course of how we, the young adults of Leja Bulela are going to impact the organization.


Here are the older generation of Leja Bulela casually eating breakfast, when they are actually supposed to be in the meeting. The tardiness and disregard to the clock will not be tolerated at next year's confrence. This is not a good example to set for the young. Next year if we start @ 9am be in the room at 8:55am.






Many of you who were at this year's confrence may have seen me furiosly typing away on my pda. Here are the notes from LB 16 day one.

Leja Bulela 16: Notes
July 5, 2008
Opening:
Congratulations for 15+ years in America
Sacrifice to get here
Distinguished guests from Kasai
Open fourm: english, ciluba, french
Prayer/invocation/moment of silence
Leja bulela is about families
Local representative welcome
Introduction of members

Meeting Notes:
Leja bulela international presence KMHC centerpiece of LB
Operating in guerrilla conditions
LB history--justice, fair treatment, economic growth fr kasai
LB is open to everyone
LB Projects
-medical supply/tents
-books to university of mbuji-mayi
-Palm trees to orphanage in muene ditu
-Water pump
LB pledg to bring healthcare
KMHC cost breakdown
Need power and water
Cibombo cimuanyi=location
Lanscaping, doctor salaries, rainfall collection, solar power
Intro for abe muyombo
Itinerary presentation
25th anneversary of priesthood
Auto mechanic/architect
Practical skils for direct applicatin
Collective/togetherness builds legacy
Try to make lasting impact
Diversify skill set to do what is needed
Resource allocation=production
Commitment is the key to finish the job
Q & A for Abbe Muyombo
$30,000 for shippng costs

Simon Kalenga
Community development
Fargo individual achievements but individual contributions are what make up the community development
Food production is priority
Zambia wll not provide maize
Staple is maize
2nd is beans
In 2 years we should be self-sufficent in staple production
Each church needs a farm
Transportation is a hugeproblem
Leave a legacy
Social fund for the republic (drc)
Moral obligation to learn how to help the drc





Day 2 of Leja Bulela was emotional and spiritual.





Here are the notes taken on the final day of the confrence:
July 6, 2008

Pastor Cisekedi- invocation
Memorial Service for Papa Alexi Kalubi
6/5/08 Review
-Executive Commity Report
-Treasury Report
-Next meeting locations
Raleigh , NC: 2011
Miami, FL: 2010
Dallas, TX: 2009
Youth Cluster collect $10,000 for energy solar power/generators
Fiscal calendar July 1-June 30

Leja Bulela

Malu Kayi is the site for the Young Adults of the Leja Bulela non-profit organization. We are poised to take effective action towards bringing stability and hope to our homeland, the Democratic Repbulic of Congo. Eastern Kasai is our focal point and site of our organizations' main project, Kalala Muzeu Health Center.

http://www.lejabulela.org/