[Imc-africa] New Years update on delegates and travel arrangements/budget

[fabian]

Hello everybody,
happy new year 2007 to those who actually count this way.
Let me give you a brief update on the delegates situation.
Unfortunately Doh from the Malian delegation jumped off the project 
last minuite (and after I bought a ticket for him) and will not be with 
us in Nairobi. After we spent over 1100 Euros on his ticket he doesn't 
even bother explaining to the list, why he can't make it. I only heard 
it through Zoul/Mamadou in the delegation who said he is in Belgium as 
a political refugee which sounds like a rather heavy thing.  In any 
case we will be left with a  heavy cancelation fee. I hope we will hear 
from him some explanation at some point as this is not only a shame 
because we could have spent the money wiser...without a word from him 
it is also rather difficult to explain the whole thing to our funding 
bodies and will almost certainly harm our credibility as a collective.
After Laila from kairo and Jennifer from Nigeria he is the third 
delegate from the original list, who won't come. In Jennifers case, it 
is probably down to us partly. After some initial contact with the 
list,  I suppose she didn't actually ever join or at least not read the 
mailing list. When I asked her  (about six weeks ago) to provide 
details for her ticket, she apparently didn't understand the connection 
between me and the WSF-IMC. This is probably why she never answered 
until a few days ago. I asked her then twice if she still wanted to 
come and join us, but I didn't get any further answer, so I guess she 
is not interested anymore. In any case, if she still reacts, we will 
find a way.

We are still struggling to get the Visa clearence letters from the 
other 2 Malian delegates and Kola from Nigeria, which seems to be 
rather difficult as it is now last miniute. We might have to bail them 
out of immigration detention in nairobi, but certainly we shouldn't let 
this state border obsession ruin their attendence. And I would be very 
happy to make a scandal if our delegates are prevented from attending 
the WSF because the Kenian state things it has the right to control 
people's (of the African Union, for all sakes!) freedom of movement. 
(rant over)
The Camerooian delegation as we just heard from Rene is awaiting their 
visa clearence letter, but I am sure this will work for them so they 
can arrive around the 15th of January.
Good news from the Southafrican and Zimbawian delegation, as I can 
proceed and buy their tickets tomorrow. They arrive on the 14th of 
January. Also good news for Soodakur from Mauritius. I will get his 
ticket tomorrow as after Doh's withdrawel we have now some more space 
in the travel budget. He will be with us from the 19th January.
Also the Ugandian delegation helped us save a lot of dosh because they 
agreed to go by Bus. We still don't know when they are coming though. 
Bukulu, let us know.
  With all this savings we can ensure to refund the travel expenses of 
10 Masemo University delegates (any news when you guys are coming?) and 
hopefully cover the increased acccomondation bill (see John's mail for 
this, he said he will give us an update today) with the Umverteilen 
budget.
See you soon
Fabian