Comments on: Kamusi, and the challenge of non-profit incubation http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/ EthanZ's musings on Africa, media and international development Wed, 08 Feb 2012 20:45:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Paulo Renato Costa barbosa http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/comment-page-1/#comment-1395462 Paulo Renato Costa barbosa Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:24:37 +0000 http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/#comment-1395462 dear mister Martin.Iam from Brazil,I live in a city named porto alegre capital city of Rio Grande do sul state.Iam studying Kiswahili by myself.I want to know where I can take Swahili classes.I am eager to learn but I need help.thank you very much.asante sana dear mister Martin.Iam from Brazil,I live in a city named porto alegre capital city of Rio Grande do sul state.Iam studying Kiswahili by myself.I want to know where I can take Swahili classes.I am eager to learn but I need help.thank you very much.asante sana

]]> By: Martin Benjamin http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/comment-page-1/#comment-675632 Martin Benjamin Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:25:50 +0000 http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/#comment-675632 An update - the Kamusi Project is now back online at its new home, http://www.kamusiproject.org Here's the full announcement: It is with great excitement that we are able to unveil the new home of the Kamusi Project under the auspices of the World Language Documentation Centre. The Kamusi Project is back online at our new address: www.kamusiproject.org The WLDC (www.thewldc.org) will offer the Kamusi Project a home where we can thrive and grow. The project will benefit greatly from the support of an organization devoted specifically to the goals of language documentation. At the same time, the WLDC gives the project the autonomy and flexibility necessary to manage such a complex and diverse project. Though the new kamusiproject.org site is mostly functional, some places are still a bit rough, with some pages and functionality yet to be activated. We are hard at work finishing the transfer, which involves tens of thousands of pages and numerous complicated computer scripts. However, we welcome you to visit and use the resources as we finish moving in to our new home. (If you find something broken, please let me know the specifics at martin /at\ kamusiproject /dot\ org) Finally, a mention about financing. We've made the leap to the WLDC without the benefit of any current funding, and no money in the bank. (And with enormous thanks to the Negaunee Foundation for clearing our previous debts, so that we're starting with a zero balance instead of deep in the hole.) We have a number of plans in the works to put the project on the path to sustainability, and we will soon be launching a kick-off campaign to raise funds for the project. If you wish to help, please consider yourself invited to make a donation at http://www.kamusiproject.org/how_to_help before we start the formal campaign! Accounting and financial oversight will be provided by the WLDC as a registered non-profit organization in the UK. I'm looking forward tremendously to developing the Kamusi Project and the upcoming Pan-African Living Dictionary Online (PALDO) under the wing of the WLDC. And I'm thrilled to announce that, after a two month hiatus, the Kamusi Project is once again open for business! Martin Benjamin Kamusi Project Director An update – the Kamusi Project is now back online at its new home, http://www.kamusiproject.org

Here’s the full announcement:

It is with great excitement that we are able to unveil the new home of the Kamusi Project under the auspices of the World Language Documentation Centre.
The Kamusi Project is back online at our new address: http://www.kamusiproject.org

The WLDC (www.thewldc.org) will offer the Kamusi Project a home where we can thrive and grow. The project will benefit greatly from the support of an organization devoted specifically to the goals of language documentation. At the same time, the WLDC gives the project the autonomy and flexibility necessary to manage such a complex and diverse project.

Though the new kamusiproject.org site is mostly functional, some places are still a bit rough, with some pages and functionality yet to be activated. We are hard at work finishing the transfer, which involves tens of thousands of pages and numerous complicated computer scripts. However, we welcome you to visit and use the resources as we finish moving in to our new home. (If you find something broken, please let me know the specifics at martin /at\ kamusiproject /dot\ org)

Finally, a mention about financing. We’ve made the leap to the WLDC without the benefit of any current funding, and no money in the bank. (And with enormous thanks to the Negaunee Foundation for clearing our previous debts, so that we’re starting with a zero balance instead of deep in the hole.) We have a number of plans in the works to put the project on the path to sustainability, and we will soon be launching a kick-off campaign to raise funds for the project. If you wish to help, please consider yourself invited to make a donation at http://www.kamusiproject.org/how_to_help before we start the formal campaign! Accounting and financial oversight will be provided by the WLDC as a registered non-profit organization in the UK.

I’m looking forward tremendously to developing the Kamusi Project and the upcoming Pan-African Living Dictionary Online (PALDO) under the wing of the WLDC. And I’m thrilled to announce that, after a two month hiatus, the Kamusi Project is once again open for business!

Martin Benjamin
Kamusi Project Director

]]> By: stedawa http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/comment-page-1/#comment-619557 stedawa Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:30:06 +0000 http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/#comment-619557 Could someone say a bit more about the history of the Swahili clock? Is it a Muslim tradition? I think the Muslim (and Baha'i) "day" starts at sunset with 12 hours of darkness, then 12 hours of light. It is intriguing why the darkness is first, and then light follows: Is this supposed to be symbolic in some way paralleling human consciousness? It also gives an exact meaning to the phrase "mid-day" and "mid-night". BTW, the price on the clock is now $25. ____ Also, has the Kamusi project found a new home yet? How much webspace does it need? _______ And, why is it called the Kamusi project? Kamusi is in central Nigeria. I don't think Swahili is widely spoken there. Could someone say a bit more about the history of the Swahili clock? Is it a Muslim tradition? I think the Muslim (and Baha’i) “day” starts at sunset with 12 hours of darkness, then 12 hours of light. It is intriguing why the darkness is first, and then light follows: Is this supposed to be symbolic in some way paralleling human consciousness?

It also gives an exact meaning to the phrase “mid-day” and “mid-night”.

BTW, the price on the clock is now $25.

____

Also, has the Kamusi project found a new home yet? How much webspace does it need?

_______

And, why is it called the Kamusi project? Kamusi is in central Nigeria. I don’t think Swahili is widely spoken there.

]]> By: Ingo Koll http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/comment-page-1/#comment-540469 Ingo Koll Tue, 18 Sep 2007 21:00:17 +0000 http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/#comment-540469 The closure of the Swahili Kamusi Hai is a very regrettable incident. I sent a number of Emails to people at Yale like President, Chair of Alumni, African Department; I don`t really know how an American University works but just picked them from the website. Why don`t a few of you just join?? What I wrote was this: Madam, I would like to draw your attention as a staff member active in African affairs to a regrettable development on Yales internet presence. I just noticed that the Internet Living Swahili Dictionary has been blocked on the Yale server for some administrative problems. This online dictionary and community has been for me my first contact to Yale. I was. indeed, quite positively surprised that your university has such an impressive site and provides such an important service internationally. For Swahili as a growing African international language your site has grown to be a major focus world wide. I have also been quite impressed how this programme managed to continue even after formal funding had obviously ended. As I understand from the communication on the "Internet Living Swahili Dictionary has been taken offline"-screen the problem seems to be of some administrational nature. I am surprised that such obstacle can come in the way of a unique Yale academic achievement and I would be disappointed if this obstacle should continue to block this important venue. I could not really imagine so far that for one of the better American Universities a really important Africa related site should not matter any more. I hope you are the right person to adress about this problem. As I am not familiar with Yale I just have to guess it from your website. Kind regards Ingo Koll Hauptstr. 42 D 21460 Bliedersdorf, Germany The closure of the Swahili Kamusi Hai is a very regrettable incident. I sent a number of Emails to people at Yale like President, Chair of Alumni, African Department; I don`t really know how an American University works but just picked them from the website. Why don`t a few of you just join??

What I wrote was this:
Madam,
I would like to draw your attention as a staff member active in African affairs to a regrettable development on Yales internet presence.

I just noticed that the Internet Living Swahili Dictionary has been blocked on the Yale server for some administrative problems.

This online dictionary and community has been for me my first contact to Yale.

I was. indeed, quite positively surprised that your university has such an impressive site and provides such an important service internationally.

For Swahili as a growing African international language your site has grown to be a major focus world wide. I have also been quite impressed how this programme managed to continue even after formal funding had obviously ended.

As I understand from the communication on the “Internet Living Swahili Dictionary has been taken offline”-screen the problem seems to be of some administrational nature.

I am surprised that such obstacle can come in the way of a unique Yale academic achievement and I would be disappointed if this obstacle should continue to block this important venue.

I could not really imagine so far that for one of the better American Universities a really important Africa related site should not matter any more.

I hope you are the right person to adress about this problem. As I am not familiar with Yale I just have to guess it from your website.

Kind regards

Ingo Koll
Hauptstr. 42
D 21460 Bliedersdorf,
Germany

]]> By: Jikomboe » Mapumziko, Kamusi Hai, Katuni, Blogu ya Kijiji na Idea Festival http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/comment-page-1/#comment-536155 Jikomboe » Mapumziko, Kamusi Hai, Katuni, Blogu ya Kijiji na Idea Festival Sat, 15 Sep 2007 09:24:49 +0000 http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/#comment-536155 [...] nao wanaweza kufanya kazi nzuri kama inayofanywa na wanablogu wa picha. Bonyeza hapa. Halafu bonyeza hapa ufuatilie matatizo yanayokumba mradi wa Kamusi Hai ya Kiswahili Mtandaoni. Ikiwezekana, fanya kama [...] [...] nao wanaweza kufanya kazi nzuri kama inayofanywa na wanablogu wa picha. Bonyeza hapa. Halafu bonyeza hapa ufuatilie matatizo yanayokumba mradi wa Kamusi Hai ya Kiswahili Mtandaoni. Ikiwezekana, fanya kama [...]

]]> By: Martin Benjamin http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/comment-page-1/#comment-535090 Martin Benjamin Fri, 14 Sep 2007 08:11:49 +0000 http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/#comment-535090 In answer to Karen, yes, the Swahili clock is still available through the Kamusi shop on CafePress: http://www.cafepress.com/kamusiproject All sales support the project ($15/clock), so buy a dozen now and get your holiday shopping done early :) Cheers, Martin In answer to Karen, yes, the Swahili clock is still available through the Kamusi shop on CafePress: http://www.cafepress.com/kamusiproject

All sales support the project ($15/clock), so buy a dozen now and get your holiday shopping done early :)

Cheers,
Martin

]]> By: karen http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/comment-page-1/#comment-534528 karen Thu, 13 Sep 2007 19:29:36 +0000 http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/#comment-534528 I am intrigued by the Swahili clock and wonder if one can still order it through Kamusi or elsewhere.? I am intrigued by the Swahili clock and wonder if one can still order it through Kamusi or elsewhere.?

]]> By: Martin Benjamin http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/comment-page-1/#comment-534317 Martin Benjamin Thu, 13 Sep 2007 14:36:52 +0000 http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/#comment-534317 Thanks for this post, Ethan. We hope to have the situation resolved soon, at which point people will once again be able to access the Kamusi Project. I'll let you know when we are back online. To answer Jeff Msangi's question, I'm not sure what our loyal users can do to help, other than voicing their support in whatever way they think best. We're stuck waiting for our administration to tell us what the appeals procedure is and when our appeal will be heard - it's been almost 2 weeks since we invoked the university's stated right to an appeal, and we've had no official reply of any sort. The frustrating thing here is that we are pretty clearly not in violation of any university policy. It all comes back to a memo written sometime between 1999 and 2003, in which an appropriate university official, after full legal review, granted the project the right to raise funds through commercial links on the site. We've been doing so ever since, and the university has been depositing the (very small) checks every month and harvesting a percentage of the funds raised in this manner, for about 7 years. However, someone who was not involved in the original determination noticed the links and decided that they must be a violation of a university policy. The policy, by the way, permits advertising in university journals, sports facilities, alumni magazines (rates available online - one full page ad per month at those rates would fund Kamusi at full strength and then some), drama programs, campus buildings, and even this: http://itunes.yale.edu . I am shocked, shocked to find advertising going on in this establishment. Now we are supposed to produce the memo from those many years ago, in order to prove that what we have done is authorized. This is basically impossible, since the project office was moved 5 or 6 times in those years and stale documents were deposited in the recycle bin each time. So we are working on a number of tracks to reinstate that original determination at the same time that we appeal the case on its merits. Probably more information than you need on this petty internal kerfuffle - but since the site has been blocked, there is no easy way to let our users know what is going on. Things should be resolved soon, if the university ever decides to address the appeal with a fraction of the urgency that the Swahili community has been expressing about seeing us get back online. I'll keep you posted. Best, Martin Thanks for this post, Ethan. We hope to have the situation resolved soon, at which point people will once again be able to access the Kamusi Project. I’ll let you know when we are back online.

To answer Jeff Msangi’s question, I’m not sure what our loyal users can do to help, other than voicing their support in whatever way they think best. We’re stuck waiting for our administration to tell us what the appeals procedure is and when our appeal will be heard – it’s been almost 2 weeks since we invoked the university’s stated right to an appeal, and we’ve had no official reply of any sort.

The frustrating thing here is that we are pretty clearly not in violation of any university policy. It all comes back to a memo written sometime between 1999 and 2003, in which an appropriate university official, after full legal review, granted the project the right to raise funds through commercial links on the site. We’ve been doing so ever since, and the university has been depositing the (very small) checks every month and harvesting a percentage of the funds raised in this manner, for about 7 years.

However, someone who was not involved in the original determination noticed the links and decided that they must be a violation of a university policy. The policy, by the way, permits advertising in university journals, sports facilities, alumni magazines (rates available online – one full page ad per month at those rates would fund Kamusi at full strength and then some), drama programs, campus buildings, and even this: http://itunes.yale.edu . I am shocked, shocked to find advertising going on in this establishment.

Now we are supposed to produce the memo from those many years ago, in order to prove that what we have done is authorized. This is basically impossible, since the project office was moved 5 or 6 times in those years and stale documents were deposited in the recycle bin each time. So we are working on a number of tracks to reinstate that original determination at the same time that we appeal the case on its merits.

Probably more information than you need on this petty internal kerfuffle – but since the site has been blocked, there is no easy way to let our users know what is going on. Things should be resolved soon, if the university ever decides to address the appeal with a fraction of the urgency that the Swahili community has been expressing about seeing us get back online.

I’ll keep you posted.

Best,
Martin

]]> By: Global Voices Online » Africa: The challenge of non-profit incubation http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/comment-page-1/#comment-533480 Global Voices Online » Africa: The challenge of non-profit incubation Wed, 12 Sep 2007 17:10:46 +0000 http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/#comment-533480 [...] Ethan writes about the Kamusi Project: “Evidently, Kamusi has had a conflict with Yale, which hosted the project. According to the Kamusi website, the project “has been ordered to remove all links to the sites that the project has relied on to raise revenue for project maintenance and improvement.” Share This [...] [...] Ethan writes about the Kamusi Project: “Evidently, Kamusi has had a conflict with Yale, which hosted the project. According to the Kamusi website, the project “has been ordered to remove all links to the sites that the project has relied on to raise revenue for project maintenance and improvement.” Share This [...]

]]> By: ScribbleSheet http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/comment-page-1/#comment-532127 ScribbleSheet Tue, 11 Sep 2007 12:01:50 +0000 http://www.ethanzuckerman.com/blog/2007/09/09/kamusi-and-the-challenge-of-non-profit-incubation/#comment-532127 As someone who is learning Swahili at the moment, its sad to see this project in jeopardy. There are many times I didn't have my tangible Kamusi at hand and I would use the online version. As Jeff says above can individuals help out somehow? As someone who is learning Swahili at the moment, its sad to see this project in jeopardy. There are many times I didn’t have my tangible Kamusi at hand and I would use the online version. As Jeff says above can individuals help out somehow?

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