Join the VSA today and support Mr Ngeju’s work!

The Village Scribe Association is running out of money to pay Mr Ngeju for his work as a community coordinator. Mr Ngeju started working for the VSA in October 2009 and has done fantastic work to push forward the introduction of awareNet into the schools of Grahamstown. A number of training sessions were held by Mr Ngeju at Benjamin Mahlasela and Nathaniel Nyaluza schools at the beginning of December. A firm group of learners has formed. We would like to see this activity continue and strengthen next year and will be offering prizes for the best project as well as getting other schools on board (a more detailed description of his work) .Three new full members will secure the continuation of Mr Ngeju’s work for the VSA for one month. If you would like to support our work with the learners, pay your membership fee (for the year 2010) today and become an official member. As an official member you will have the right to vote, and you will further receive the monthly newsletter. Please, contact us.

Please, choose your type of membership (see below) and transfer the fee to our bank account stating your full name, period and type of membership as reason for payment. As soon as we have received the fee, we will send you a receipt of payment and your membership proof.

African members: We will soon open an African bank account. Please, wait with the transfer of your membership fee until we publish the African banking details.

The following persons are official members:

1. 1. Dr. Anna Wertlen, Grahamstown, Biologist, COO of eKhaya ICT (chair parson)
   

2. 2. Amanda McPhail, Boortmeerbeek (Belgium), Research Database Specialist (secretary)
   

3. 3. Jan Baekelandt, Boortmeerbeek (Belgium), Gynaecologic Oncologic Surgeon (treasurer)
   

4. 4. Ronald Wertlen, Grahamstown, IT Specialist, CEO of eKhaya ICT ICT and Centre of Excellence (CoE) Coordinator at the Computer Science Department, Rhodes University (founder member)
   

5. 5. Prof. Robert Tolksdorf, Berlin, IT Specialist, Professor for Computer Science and Head of the Group on Networked Informationsystems, Free University of Berlin (founder member)
   

6. 6. Dr. Antonino Gulli', London, Principal Developement Manager, Head of Engineering Development for UX and Verticals at the Microsoft Search Technology Centre (STC) (founder member)
   

7. 7. Christoph Flügge, Berlin, The Hague, Lawyer, Judge in the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) (founder member)
   

8. 8. Thomas Tesche, Berlin, freelance IT Specialist
   

9. 9. Richard Strickland, Grahamstown, freelance IT-Specialist
   

10. 10. Kagiso Komane, Grahamstown, Computer Science Student, former Software Developer at eKhaya ICT
    

11. 11. Thozamile Ngeju, Grahamstown, Community Coordinator, eKhaya ICT
    

12. 12. Julia Kouchaki Shalmani, Bonn, Translator, Secretary, Belly Dancer
    

13. 13. Anna Vogel, Hamburg, Insurance Salesman, Press Officer, Corporate Communications
    

14. 14. Dr. Eva Hert, Munich, Biologist, freelance Press Officer and Marketing Communicator
    

15. 15. Judith Flügge, Brunswick, Hydro Geologist, GIS and Environmental Expert
    

16. 16. Dr. Wolfgang Abel, Neustadt (Lower Saxony), Gynecologist
    

17. 17. Silke Doepke, Bad Homburg, Geographer, Application Supporter at the Thomas Cook Corporation
    

18. 18. Katharina Romahn, Dresden, Medical Doctor
    

19. 19. Matthias Jamet, Dresden, Teacher
    

20. 20. Dr. Björn Brembs, Berlin, Neurobiologist, independent researcher at the Institute of Neurobiology at the FU Berlin
    

21. 21. Sibylle Schultz zur Wiesch, Berlin, Music and Sports Teacher at the Primary School Hasengrund
    

22. 22. Hedda Bahr, Berlin, Human Resources Management  in the Office for Operational Management Integration at the Free University of Berlin
    

23. 23. Anna Kellner, Berlin, Political Scientist, Rwanda Specialist, Employee at the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation
    

24. 24. Sabine Wiekenberg, Berlin, retired Publisher’s Sales Representative
    

25. 25. Heinrich Wiekenberg, Berlin, retired Chief Judge at the  Administrative Court Berlin
    

26. 26. Nikola Rass, Nairobi, Social Geographer, Pastoralism Specialist, Employee at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
    

27. 27. Sandra Hoffer von Ankershoffen, Berlin, Product and Quality Manager
    

28. 28. Helmut Hoffer von Ankershoffen, Berlin, CEO of the neofonie Company
    

29. 29. Nurhan Yildrim, Berlin, CEO of the neofonie Company
    

30. 30. Stephan Flügge, Munich, Teacher and former Director of the Waldorf-School in Munich
    

31. 31. Elisabeth Beringer, Munich, Quality Management Agent in the Service Sector
    

32. 32. Craig Renaud, Grahamstown, Advocate of the High Court of South Africa and Lecturer at the Rhodes University Grahamstown
    

33. 33. Clifford Evanson, Grahamstown, Lecturer at Rhodes University Grahamstown
    

34. 34. Lutz Scharf, Halle, Magister Student (Ethnology, Political Studies, Culture and History of Africa) at the Martin-Luther- University Halle-Wittenberg
    

35. 35. Robert Freling, Executive Director and Board Member of SELF
    

36. 36. Micah Rose, USA, Anthropology Student and Soccer Professional
    

37. 37. Andre Mostert, London, Development Manager, Petchey Centre for Entrepreneurship, University of East London
    

38. 38. Patrick Paulisch, Berlin, Entrepreneur
    

Thank you very much for your membership fee and other active contributions!

The persons listed below are interested to become members of our association and to engage in our projects:

39. 39. Martin Rast, Luzern, Geography Teacher
    

40. 40. Jens Gehrich Schröter, Hamburg, German and English Teacher at the Margaretha Rothe Secondary School
    

41. 41. Karen Hunter, Berlin, Musician, Arts Manager
    

42. 42. Henry Holland, Grahamstown, Geographer, GIS specialist
    

43. 43. Andreas Spinner, Leipzig, Structural Engineer
    

44. 44. Kristina Spinner, Leipzig, Physiotherapist
    

45. 45. Dr. Werner Kreisch, Berlin, Biologist, Specialist for Pollination Ecology
    

46. 46. Franziska Flügge, Homburg (Saar), Nurse, Student
    

47. 47. Dominik Schmidt-Philipp, Graz, Student
    

48. 48. Alexandra Holland, Grahamstown, Biologist, PhD-Student, Senior Technical Officer at the Institute of Water Research
    

49. 49. Uwe-Gernod Fasold, Berlin, CFO  of the neofonie Company
    

50. 50. Claas Duwe, Berlin, Secretary in the neighbourhood centre  "Alte Feuerwache e.V."
    

51. 51. Gerald Kleser, Software Developer at SAP
    

52. 52. Dr. Silke Sachse, Jena, Neurobiologist at the Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology
    

53. 53. Dr. Regina Moritz, Bochum, Biologist
    

54. 54. Martin Wertlen, Hotel Manager, Estate Agent at Sotheby's Realty
    

55. 55. Dr. Alicia Sèrsic, Còrdoba (Argentina), Biologist, Specialist for Pollination Ecology
    

56. 56. Daniel Isherwood, London, Medical Doctor
    

57. 57. Anja Froese, Berlin, Biologist, PhD-Student at the Institute of Neurobiology, FU Berlin
    

58. 58. Johannes Flügge, Überlingen, Chauffeur at the Psychiatric Community Centre in Überlingen
    

59. 59. Kerry Peter, Grahamstown, Journalist
    

60. 60. Alexandra Guillaume, Munich, Dental Billing Service, Surgery Management
    

61. 61. Dr. Nicola Stollhoff, Berlin, Biologist
    

62. 62.  Britt Coles, Grahamstown, Geographer
    

63. 63. Dr. Alexander Löser, Berlin, Computer Science Senior Researcher, TU Berlin
    

64. 64. Virginia David-Engelbrecht, Grahamstown, Biologist
    

65. 65. Tilman Franke, Berlin, Biologist, PhD-Student at the Institute of Neurobiology, FU Berlin
    

66. 66. Jan von Sassen, Hamburg, Quality Management, Software and IT Purchase
    

67. 67. Dr. Natalie Hempel de Ibarra, Exeter, Lecturer in Animal Behaviour, University of Exeter
    

68. 68. James Turner, Guildford (UK), Finance Systems Manager
    

69. 69. Christine Nesbitt Hills, Grahamstown, Photographer, Movie Maker
    

70. 70. Benedicte Vansina, Sint-Aghata-Rode (Belgium), independent midwife
    

71. 71. Hugo Baert, Sint-Aghata-Rode (Belgium), employee
    

72. 72. Kia Teymourian, Berlin, Computer Scientist, Research Assistant at the Free University of Berlin
    

The Management Board

The management board consists of three persons:

Dr. Anna Wertlen was born in Berlin. She studied Biology in Berlin, South Africa (Diploma) and Argentina (PhD). At present she lives in Grahamstown, South Africa and is COO of eKhaya ICT. Together with Ronald Wertlen, CEO of eKhaya ICT, she advocates

Amanda McPhail was born in Zimbabwe, studied in South Africa (she holds a Masters in Science - Fisheries Management), and is currently living in Belgium. Her profession is Research Database Specialist. Whilst on a motorbike journey from South Africa to Egypt,

for better education conditions in rural African areas. In her opinion, the right of education is a fundamental human right and requirement for a dignified and promising life. This conviction led to the idea to found - together with her husband - the Village Scribe Association.

Jan Baekelandt was born in Belgium, where he works as a gynaecologic oncologic surgeon. As part of his medical training he worked for two and a half years in South Africa. His love for the country, and his gratitude for the experience and opportunities it gave

including Sudan, in 2006, Amanda was struck by the plight of children in some of the poorest regions on the continent. Without the possibility of an education and no access to modern knowledge, children such as these might well always be waiting at the roadside with their plastic bottles begging for water. In addition, recent parenthood has been an immense motivation for her to want to help other children. Amanda has represented Great Britain three times for Underwater Hockey. She is enthusiastic about our plans and intentions, and very motivated to work. She is also a Professional Mother, works part time for a South African information service (NISC), and has spent almost a year studying Dutch. Despite this, she has already done extensive groundwork for the foundation of the Village Scribe Association.

him, motivates him to work for the VSA. He is further stimulated to help try and make a difference in Africa by the plight of the people in his wife's home country, and of the many people he encountered on his travels through Africa. Hoping to promote sports in South Africa, he competed in the 2005 World Championship double ironman triathlon in Lithuania under the South African flag, attaining tenth position.

Different types of memberships and fees

There are five different types of members:

1. Founder members: Representatives of the Association. They will stand for the VSA with their famous name, their opinion and/or profession. They will have to sign the statute and advertise the VSA. Minimum number required: 3. Membership fee: voluntary contribution.
   

2. Board members: Administrators of the Association. They will do the administrative work, i.e. chair person, vice chair person, treasurer, recording secretary and other functions. Minimum number required: 3. Membership fee: voluntary contribution.
   

3. Passive members: Regular members of the Association. They want to support us with a membership fee and their opinion. Minimum number required: as many as possible. Membership fee: 50 € per year. Reduced membership fee for persons under 18 years old, students, retirees, unemployed and handicapped persons: 25 € per year. Reduced membership fee for persons living in the developing countries: 5 € per year. Membership fee for companies and other organisations: individually adapted.
   

4. Active members: The driving force of the Association. They will actively participate in projects, e.g. teachers, a school or one grade of school, or people that donate their time in some other way, e.g. programmers, lawyers, accountants, advertisers etc. Minimum number required: as many as possible. Membership fee: voluntary contribution.
   

5. Honorary members: The pride of the Association. They will be elected and honoured for their work for the VSA or for ICT4D in general by the members in the members meetings. Minimum number required: a nice number eventually. Membership fee: voluntary contribution.