[imc-tech-solidarity] mercycorps questions about shipments to south america

[Sheri Herndon]

hi imc-tech-solidarity list,

several folks have been in conversation with the mercycorps folks.  i 
just had a long conference call with them this afternoon and then 
debriefed a bit on irc with evan and loulee.  they are still very 
interested in funding shipment(s) but they would like some 
clarifications.  they are primarily interested in the shipment to 
argentina, but i assume they would be interested in other shipments 
as well.  loulee offered to put together a draft with some help from 
evan.  i am also available for editing.  and others may have good 
suggestions.

they use the kind of language that many of us find kind of rigid and 
possibly annoying (like benchmarks), but i think indymedia has proven 
our success in many ways and we can articulate some of this to them.

peace,
sheri


>
>
>Hello Sheri, nice to talk to you today. Thanks for taking the time 
>to help us learn more about your project. I have some specific 
>questions to follow up our conversation. Some of it we touched on, 
>but it will help us to have it in writing as well. We ask these 
>questions of our other partners in order to facilitate planning and 
>budgeting for a potential material aid shipment. We understand that 
>you are still in the early stages of some of these decisions, but we 
>would appreciate it if you could provide as much detail as possible.
>
>1) What is the goal of the computer distributions, and what 
>measurable benchmarks do you have for success? What are the various 
>key project elements, implementation strategies, and their 
>associated tasks?
>
>2) What, ideally, is the timeline for each stage? (perhaps these 
>might include, but not be limited to: collection, shipment, 
>distribution, and connection.)
>
>3) Who are the target groups, where are they located, how many are 
>there, and what (if possible) are their names and contact info?
>
>4) Who will determine the recipients of the distribution?
>
>5) Who will act as a capable consignee or partner organization in 
>the country to facilitate the customs process and ensure that the 
>computers are delivered to their final destination? From our 
>conversation I take it this person or organization hasn't yet been 
>located. Do you have any leads? When do you expect accomplish this? 
>What is the relationship of this person to a humanitarian aid 
>organization? What experience does he/she have with understanding 
>and meeting the legal requirements of duty-free import? What is the 
>mechanism and timing for determining and assuring this project 
>element?
>
>6) How do you plan to move the computers from the final 
>destination/customs house to a logistical center and onward to the 
>assemblies and IMCs?
>
>7) How will you connect the computers? We discussed wireless 
>ideas...where will the equipment come from, who will install, 
>connect and maintain it? Will you or someone else provide training 
>in networking and other necessary technical skills to ensure that 
>the computers will remain usable?
>
>8) Can you commit to monitoring and reporting on the distribution 
>and implementation? Who would do this? We would need a status report 
>on the movement of the computers, a list of the eventual recipients, 
>and some background on their work. Pictures and some quotes from 
>beneficiaries would be especially helpful.
>
>9) What is the overall budget for the project and funding sources, 
>particularly for implementation once the computers arrive in 
>Argentina? (I don't think we had a chance to talk about this 
>aspect.) Can we see that budget?
>
>10) Who is going to run this project, i.e. how will the project be 
>staffed, and who will do what?
>
>Thanks again for offering to answer these questions as fully as 
>possible. I realize some of them are large...
>We are certainly intrigued by your organization and would like to 
>find a way to build a partnership.
>
>Kind regards,
>Owen Wozniak


-- 
You never change things by fighting the existing reality. 
To change something, build a NEW model that makes the existing model obsolete.

Buckminster Fuller