Calling all Girl/Boyscouts?

So, I mentioned a while ago that I am trying to start a couple of Scouts groups in my village. Scouts have been active in Niger for almost 50 years now, and are active in every region except for mine. They are co-ed, unlike groups in the US, and do community service projects, outdoor activities like hiking and camping, leadership skills, and weekly group meetings with fun activities.

The kids are SO excited to be a part of this, but still need some guidance as to what to do and how to do it. And as it turns out the idea has been popular with some other PCVs in the region; 5 other volunteers want to start groups in their villages, as well. So, we are working with an older Scouts group from near Niamey (these kids are late-teens/early twenties, the oldest group for Scouts) to hold a 5 day training camp for two leaders from each group, to teach them about the Scouts, how to plan and organize meetings and activities, etc. The goal is for these groups to be basically self-sufficient, for the kids to be able to really take initiative and run the groups themselves (with some adult supervision, of course). The camp should take place in late December (Christmas break... yes, my all-muslim village has a Christmas break... don't ask me why), and will train 7 girls and 7 boys, ages 14-18, to be co-leaders for their Scout groups. The camp will be partially funded by the Scouts from Niamey, partially funded by the local government, but that will still leave us a little short. I'm looking into a few funding options right now,

but I was wondering:

Are there any Scouts groups out there who would be interested in partnering with a Scout group in Niger to fund some of their activities? Either this, or something in the future (like paying for their uniforms or for paint/supplies to fix up a classroom... things along those lines). If so, pelase contact me.

Sorry for the blatant plug (twice in a row now). Also, know that I shouldn't take donations straight from an individual, but if one non-profit organization (boy/girlscouts) wants to donate to another non-profit organization (Scouts of Niger), then I can act as a mediator for that transaction.

So... that's it.

Promise my next blog entry will be request-less.

Sanu da hankuri! (Greetings on your patience!)