"O'zbegim" fund or "My Uzbek Fund"

[diplomat]

Hi everybody !

I would like to tell you about "O'zbegim" fund and its ambitions. The purpose of this thread is to inform you about this fund and obtain any kind of assistance from all of you: it might be an idea, might be financial or spiritual contribution, it might be support or criticism. You are allowed to write anything if you think that is helpful.

"O'zbegim" fund was founded in February 2003 in Orlando FL. Initially it was called "Det Dom Fondi". It was started with one penny and untill now it reached more than 600 USD. This money will be used for uzbekistanie kids from relatively poor families. Mainly we will buy books, notebooks, pens, pencils, backpag, well any useful stuff for school. I would like to hear from you guys what other ways of efficient use of this money contributed by our fellow compatriots and nationals.

Day by day the amount of money in the fund increases. We have plans to enlarge the our fund raising activities but of course we need support. Right now the fund is under control Tashkent, Inc. We encourage everybody to contribute their pennies or even more to achieve our good will.

I should let everybody know that we carry neither political nor economic goals. As it is said in america it is a "help to less fortunate ones".

Even if we haven't raised very big amount of money, but I guess even that little can be better than nothing. To make one kid smile or contribute to one kids education, even a little is what we want.

I would like this fund to enlarge and so that we can provide scholarships for our students and help them to pay their tuition fees back there in Uzbekistan. But this just for future.

Please give any idea which you think might help us. We also might need any assistance from Tashkent to fullfil our goal. Also if somebody wants to send a check please do so payable to Tashkent, Inc. and send to the following address:

3428 Coachlight Dr
Kissimmee FL 34741

We don't want checks to be more than a dollar. But if you wish to contribute more and we will be glad to any amount.

Of course be confident that your contribution will reach our uzbekistanie children.

I will be more than happy to answer your questions if you have any.

Good Luck

[Legend]

It is good what you guys doing...

You 'll hear from me soon,
Udachi v vashih nachinaniyah,
S.R.

[CrazyDT]

Is it a registered fund? If so, I would like to see your registration number.

thanks,

dt

[diplomat]

It is not registered as a non-profit organization. Our fund is not large yet, so we are trying to save every penny and use just for kids. However, for now it will be functioning under profit organization Tashkent, Inc. as a part of companies activity, but in fact it has nothing to do with the company and its activities. Tashkent, Inc. is a registered company, you can find it at www.sunbiz.org

[Guardian]

The website u gave is temproray unavailable coz of Ivan Storms.
Good Luck To You!!!

PS. Keeep urself safe from hurricans by the way.;)
Joe

[diplomat]

For more information contact us via
tashkent_inc@yahoo.com
or
407-301-2895

[Mona Lisa]

Interesting!
As it says in the post that charity/fund is intended to help children in need in Uzb. But so far have organisers done something i.e. helped kids in Uzb? If so how?

[diplomat]

Mona Liza,
What we have done is collected a few hundred bucks, but because the amount is not that big the planned distribution for August 2004 was cancelled. Depending on the amount of the money distribution will be done comming December-January.
Other than this I had a chance of taking some street kids for a dinner. That was really interesting.
Also, if you think you can contribute something contact me.
Many people get concerned whether the money they contribute will be used in the right way. I assure you it will go for kids. Moreover you can let me know how you want your money to be spent. (say I want my money to be spent to russian kids, smart kids, etc)

Mona Liza, give your ideas of how do you think the distribution would be done in the best way.

[Webbie]

How can we be sure that the money, contributions will go to Uzbek children directly?

I would love to contribute to this fund if it really exists.

[Mona Lisa]

Hmm I don't think just giving out money for kids would do any good. In my opinion it's better first estabilsh clearly who gets the help, where that help needed and in what ways one can help. For instance, it's possible to organise some free lessons on computing or English, maths etc. That way not only 1 or 2 kid but 5 or 6 of them may gain something. Also, bear in mind that some kids or their family may not want charity or someone helping out just because they can't afford (it's just a psychological side of the problem). Hence things have to be pretty neat

[Webbie]

How can we be sure that the money, contributions will go to Uzbek children directly?

I would love to contribute to this fund if it really exists.

When I lived in tashkent, there was an annual contribution to homeless kids from our school. But I heard from one of my teachers that the money never actually went to the kids, just to the heads of administration

Shopgirl, pomnish mayday bil je? eti den'gi v det dom shli...tak oni dohodili i kak???

Sincerely, WEBgirl

[Maroon]

When I lived in tashkent, there was an annual contribution to homeless kids from our school. But I heard from one of my teachers that the money never actually went to the kids, just to the heads of administration

Shopgirl, pomnish mayday bil je? eti den'gi v det dom shli...tak oni dohodili i kak???

Sincerely, WEBgirl


Yes, I remember. But it was organized by Mrs.Julie Heath. And she really cared about those children and I am sure that the money, if not all of it, but some of it surely went to the children house.

I remember, a relative of our died, and we had so much fresh breads left and we did not know where to bring it. We went to restaurants and asked them if they wanted free and fresh bread for free and they all said 'No.' And then I suddely remembered the children house in C-5, so we drove there and asked the coordinator or whoever she was that we had a tons of fresh bread and if she would like it to have.This woman was soooooooooo happy, you could not imagine her smile, her joy!She was like ''The children will be so happy to have fresh bread for their meal!We often do not have fresh bread.'' I mean just the womans joy of having bread for the children made us so happy.

I do not trust many funds, no matter if it is in Uzbekistan or any other country. So many org. that supposedly sent millions of dollars to poor people, but then again I have not seen big changes or improvements.

Many of them are a fraud.

I believe that if someone wants to help these children they should do it personally. Go once a week and bring them food, old clothes, books and etc.

After the day I went to the children's home, I said to myself you have to do something. But I did not, and I am dissapointed in myself. I have the oppurtunity to bring those children food, clothes and etc and hopefully soon I will start using that oppurtunity.I do not need a fund or an orgiznation ya luchshe sama poydu.I do not want the money to go to dirty hands.

Mi lyudi egoisti, i mi zabivaem nashet takih veshey. Some of us will rather go and buy shoes not because of neccessity but because we like them and want them.I eti tufli budut stoyat in back of the cupboard. And I am one of those people and I can not say I am proud of that.

Vsem udachi.

[diplomat]

Hello again!

Mona Lisa, you gave pretty neat ideas. But see it is not realise to achieve those things right away, meaning teaching computers....of course that would be cool if somebody would teach some technology in some small villages in our province. there is a big need of course. So this plans can be included for future activities when there will be more supporters and more funds available.
I will note your ideas in funds perspectives.

Webgirl, call me 407-301-2895 or give me your number I will can and explain.

At the beginning plans were to support Orphanages,which is why I used to call this fund as "Det Dom Fondi". But later we came to conclusion that Orphanages have enough sponsors and also there is no guarantee that every penny will reach kids.

Our plans is as following:

There are some voluntier students and post-students who are willing to voluntier in distribution of funds. What they are going to do is buy necessary subject books, notebooks, maps, or some other needed stuff for education after interviewing or just talking to those kids. But before that they will need to identify how needed that kids family is. So, probably $50 will be spent per kid. We won't be able to help all kids because of the limited funds. Neither we want to give the money, we want to give necessery things instead.

The reason of my posting this topic here is to enlarge the fund and get more ideas so that we can help more kids and do it in a better way.

I've met many different people with different approach to this thing. Some people don't care, some care big deal. and actually what we want is people to give very little so that they don't regret about what they did. For those who in the US a dollar shouldn't be a big deal, you spend $5 just for a burger.
The same is about those who are in Europe, Australia, Japan, etc.

We also need volunteers in Tashkent. I will tell you that is gonna look good on your resume :)

[diplomat]

If you want a proof, ask your friends to voluneer and go with others in distribuishen of those stuff of if you are in Tashkent just join yourself.

If supporters increase i will open a non-profit organization and get it documented on my own expense. But right now I don't think there is a necessity for this.

[SmIlIk]

If you want a proof, ask your friends to voluneer and go with others in distribuishen of those stuff of if you are in Tashkent just join yourself.

If supporters increase i will open a non-profit organization and get it documented on my own expense. But right now I don't think there is a necessity for this.

As far as I know, to do such thing in Uzbekistan you must be registered. I assume it is not a small charity program, especially if funds are coming from overseas there must be some requirenments.

I will try to find out more about it and let you know. Count me in...

[diplomat]

Smilik,
I didn't know about that. Will be great if you can find out those details.
Regards

[lucky14]

Hi, diplomat,

This is a great effort that you guys have started and I really respect you for starting to make practical realistic steps towards improving our Uzbek kids' lives rather than many other people who just speak out loud about how generous they have been by giving out one New Year present and get 5 minutes of air time for that.
Count on me for support as well, and also i had some suggestions about how distribution could be done back in Uzb. I know already registered youth NGOs almost in 6 regions of Uzb through my work at IREX and trust me they can really help out with fundraising and distribution and will definitely make sure that the donation goes to the right people (in this case needy kids). Also rather than buying books and other things for this money, what you could plan is to support those youth Centers who would organize a day or week long fundraising activities by conducting food sale or mass sport events/concerts (they have done such things in the previous times). This way little money spent on organizing these activities would multiply and even bring in more audience and more attention from local officials to this matter (you know, publicity might help you to develop your NGO's efforts as well). As an example, I can name Ferghana Youth Education Center which is now a cozi NGO and hosts IATP (IREX program on Internet Access Training Program) in Ferghana city with a very intellegent lady administering it. If interested, pls let me know and I will give you some contacts.

Good luck in your efforts!

E=diplomat]Smilik,
I didn't know about that. Will be great if you can find out those details.
Regards[/QUOTE]