TexasEx.Org is a charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  It is operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3), and none of its earnings, contributions, or resources benefit any private shareholder or individual. Contributions are not yet tax deductible, but we'll send you receipts for your contributions along with usage reports. The organization is incorporated in the state of Maryland and registered with the IRS, EIN 45-4296855 as of 01/24/2012.

The purpose of the organization is solely and exclusively to facilitate the transfer of funds from a U.S. based tax-exempt, charitable organization directly to a project team on site.  100% of all contributions go to the field.  Administrative services are funded privately.

Current and active projects.  Recipients do the work and own the results; we carefully supply the means along with encouragement.

1.  Sao Tome & Principe Education and Family Assistance:  Donations support children and their families in Sao Tome & Principe, West Africa. Work is coordinated through STEP UP, an in-country NGO whose staff we know personally. It's a poor country with little employment for the uneducated. It's tough for families to cover the cost of school. Girls often get left behind when families have to choose which of their kids get to go to school.

We provide uniforms, shoes, school supplies, and in-home tutoring. We provide simple business training, health education, and food assistance for the families. The target is quality education for the kids first, but recognizes family circumstances and needs as well.  Family projects so far have included:
  • We helped a family buy the house they were renting; saved being evicted.
  • Helped finance two home renovations; provided materials for roofing, flooring, walls.
  • Two micro-finance projects for roadside kiosks, both successful.  Included some basic accounting and inventory management training for family members.
  • Provided materials for piping water to a rural home; the recipient did all the coordination for approvals plus all the labor.  In June they beamed as they showed off the water spigot in their yard.  No more trips to the river for water and laundry.
  • Start-up funds for a breeding pair of pigs, successful first generation.
  • A father lost his arm and his job in a traffic accident; he was a taxi driver in a accident-rich region.  The family was destitute and with few resources besides a small plot of land.  Over 3 years, we provided med assistance, material costs for dwelling repairs (walls and a floor), seed money for the garden and a breeding pair of pigs.  They're doing well this year, and the kids are in school doing well also.
School renovation projects:  Almas Elementary School - complete.  We managed to get embassy attention for this one and assisted the principal with coordination; the Navy SeaBees did the work, providing functioning bathrooms, running water, glass in the windows, and electricity for the classrooms.  Praia Francesa Elementary School - underway for 2012 with 500+ students and similar facility needs.  Water and toilets are in, food storage is in, glass and electrical are in the plan as are food supplements and school supplies.

2.  Kenya Education and Family Assistance:  Donations support education, micro-finance, and micro-med projects in Mombasa and the surrounding area. 

Education:  2011/12 school year.  We have relationship connections to families in Guruguru and Miritini with a total of 37 children on scholarship.  That covers tuition and fees, uniforms and materials, and gets them a meal mid-day on school days.  The meal is important right now, and is often the only meal they get.  For now, funds are passed through the churches with which we're associated.  Each has a board of directors, accountability and transparency.  The bishop is a dear and trusted friend.  We're on the ground routinely to oversee the efforts and gauge the outcomes.  Continuation is based on diligence and performance.

Micro-finance:  Through our church and community connections, we have regular opportunity to support a small, targeted development or assistance effort.  So far this year...

  • Home kiosk for resale of vegetables, maize meal, and dried fish.  Built and stocked for about $100.  Doing well when we visited in June '12; reports since then confirm their progress.
  • Chickens, purchased.  Coop framework is being built from scrounged materials and gift funds.  (complete and doing well)
  • Widowed grandmother supporting her abandoned granddaughters; assisted with a small kiosk start-up for reselling vegetables.  Successful, and she's asked for help to expand a bit to include cooked maize meal and fish.  
  • After developing a relationship over several months with a bright young man and his family, did a local business opportunity analysis vs. the more populous tourist area farther south along the shore;  working there requires a commercial guide license but appears to be the more likely success; provided funds to help with administrative, 'good conduct certification' and licensing costs.  We offered to assist this effort, already in work by the young man and his family.  
  • The extended family's 6 children are in school; we subsidize the costs as needed to make sure they get to stay in school.  Oct '11, one of the older boys was out of school on a school day.  He reluctantly explained to me that his uniform was 'done' (worn out) and he wouldn't be allowed to attend until he got a new one.  Resolved two days later with just a little help from stateside.

Micro-Med:

  • Anna has TB and begged for help with the costs for medications. 

First, we had to deal with her father who was spending family finances on illicit drugs, then we bought her drug protocol with pretty tight reins on the follow up.  Four months into the 6-month routine, she is dramatically improved.  Weight has returned as has skin tone, color, and energy level.  

  • Anderson has malaria; we're monitoring his progress and care.  He was back in the hospital with a flare up in NOV '11, but medication has it under control.  His mom is a paraplegic whom we watch over as well.  JUN '12, doing well.  
Great progress for all continues.  Expanding our efforts in both eastern and western Africa, Spring 2016.  Rise and Shine (micro finance projects) in Kenya are begun.  First reports are encouraging.
TexasEx.Org ... the name? 
Well, we started in Texas
 decades ago.  It'll do
for an anchor.
 

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