tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12505366698621801062024-02-07T15:19:22.265-05:00Heart of DiamondsDave Donelson's romantic thriller of scandal, love, and death in the CongoDave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.comBlogger234125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-30850370162077252922013-10-19T09:53:00.001-04:002013-10-19T09:53:13.812-04:00KITE Flies To Supply Kenyan SchoolA new social enterprise, KITE (Kids Inspiring Tomorrow’s Education), will make its formal launch in Bedford, NY, at the Bedford Historical Hall on the evening of October 24th, 2013. The undertaking terms itself a "school supply company that gives", following the tried and true "one-for-one model." For each pencil pack purchased, KITE provides a pencil pack to a child in need. KITE is partnering with schools and organizations that are committed to eliminating the barriers of education both internationally and domestically. Thirteen million kids in the United States alone are without the most basic of school supplies with tens of millions more children around the globe facing this same reality.<br />
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KITE’s first two partner schools include the Kipp Ujima Village Academy (KUVA) in Baltimore, MD and the Oloomongi School (in partnership with the Anne K. Taylor Fund) in Masaai Mara, Kenya. KUVA is a Title I School where a high percentage of students are living below the poverty line. Their student body is 99% African American and 86% receive free or reduced meals. The Oloomongi School serves a student body that has little access to basic school supplies due to widespread and extreme poverty. KITE’s Co-Founders, Elizabeth Long Lang and Emily Ginnel Blair will be visiting the Kipp Ujima Village Academy in Baltimore, Maryland on October 25th (the day after the event) where they will be making their first domestic donation of pencil packs. <br />
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KITE will be debuting its line of First Edition pencil packs, proudly made in the USA. First edition pencil packs include 12 pencils and will retail at $10.00. KITE pencils will be available for purchase at the event on October 24th from 5-8pm and online at <a href="http://www.kiteproducts.com/">www.kiteproducts.com</a>.<br />
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KITE aims to empower consumers to help those in need by turning basic, necessary instruments of learning into weapons of change. “A pencil is one of the most enduring, pervasive education technologies ever invented," says KITE co-founder Elizabeth Long Lang, "yet is still elusive in many poverty stricken communities. It’s easy to take such basic instruments for granted, but they are engines of confidence, propelling us on the path to literacy. With the necessary tools, every child can achieve success.” <br />
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KITE’s Co-Founders, Elizabeth Long Lang and Emily Ginnel Blair, both former residents of Bedford, will be hosting the event, along with co-hosts Kate and Dan Ginnel of Ginnel Real Estate, Ali Tejtel, and Nelson and Terry Long. <br />
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KITE’s long-term goal is to provide kids in need with the necessary tools to attend school and be productive learners. A lack of school supplies can negatively impact a child’s opportunity for academic achievement and places children at greater risk of abandoning school altogether. KITE is starting with pencils, but their dream is to develop a full line of school supplies, and in turn, help to make the dream of education a reality for millions of children around the world.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-79392326230625007732013-07-24T04:00:00.000-04:002013-07-21T13:59:21.746-04:00Check Out Room Of Tears and Win Heart of DiamondsIf you'd like a chance to win a copy of Heart of Diamonds, be sure to stop by the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/events/1378188325728373/" target="_blank">virtual book launch</a> for Linda Merlino's new release, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E254FUA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00E254FUA&linkCode=as2&tag=hunelf-20" target="_blank"><b><i>ROOM OF TEARS</i></b></a>, a tribute to one woman's strength in the aftermath of 9/11. <br />
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The virtual celebration begins at 5 AM on July 25th on Facebook and goes until midnight. It's always 5 o'clock somewhere so at 5 PM EST the author and her publisher will award some great prizes just for stopping by and leaving a comment. Heart of Diamonds is just one of the many prizes that will be awarded. <br />
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Whether you win a prize or not, if you download a copy of <b><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E254FUA/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00E254FUA&linkCode=as2&tag=hunelf-20" target="_blank">ROOM OF TEARS</a></i></b> you are an instant winner!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-25063433375957556082012-12-10T05:35:00.001-05:002012-12-10T05:35:31.603-05:00Congo Rally For PeaceGuest post from Congolese activist and champion of human rights, Joseph Mbangu<br />
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The Congolese community of Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia will hold a rally for Peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in front of the White House (Lafayette Park) on December 12, 2012 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. They will be joined in this effort by all American Friends of the Congo to oppose the plan of balkanization of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.<br />
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The rally will call for immediate sanctions against the governments of Rwanda and Uganda for backing a group of terrorists known as the March 23 Movement (M23). The Rwandan and Ugandan support has been documented by members of the US Congress; the November 11, 2012 UN group of experts report; and, the September 11th Human Rights Watch report.<br />
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The Congolese community believes that the governments of Rwanda and Uganda must be held accountable for their support of a terrorist group that is killing, raping, abducting, conscripting child soldiers and pillaging the DR Congo and its resources. We consider that the United States, as the primary torchbearer among nations which support justice and human rights, must unambiguously condemn the governments of Rwanda and Uganda and withdraw any military support that these governments might use to send troops, weapons, and equipment in support of the actions of the terrorist group M23. These activities are in complete violation of the existing UN arms embargo in the region as documented by the previously mentioned UN Group of Experts report.<br />
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Even before the most recent attacks by M23 in North Kivu province and the city of Goma, in a letter sent to President Kagame of Rwanda dated August 3rd, 2012, a bipartisan group of Congressmen expressed its deep concern about the Rwanda’s role in the latest surge of violence in the eastern DR Congo and Rwanda’s support for M23 in that area. In a clear statement, they called upon Rwanda to cease and desist its actions in these terms:
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The pretense that Rwanda is not facilitating rebels in eastern Congo must end, all support for armed groups must stop immediately, and a productive path forward must be taken…. The sovereignty of the Democratic Republic of the Congo must be respected and supported…. Illegal economic activity—including smuggling—in the DRC that violates Congolese law and international agreements must end.</blockquote>
In addition, the same group of legislators pointedly suggested, “No constructive dialogue can take place between the Rwandan and Congolese governments as long as [Rwanda’s] support continues for proxy militias.”<br />
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In this regard, the Congolese Community strongly opposes and considers as null and void the November 24, 2012 Kampala agreements, which are nothing more than a farce aimed at accelerating the balkanization of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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For the past two decades, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has paid a huge price in terms of human sacrifice. Approximately eight million Congolese have died so far from the ongoing proxy wars of invasion and occupation. Given the evidence at hand, we urge President Obama and the US Congress to take a firm stance against the Rwandan and Ugandan policies of continued support of warlords and destabilization in the DRC. The M23, through its actions, fits the description of a terrorist movement and can only be treated as such. Henceforth, we urge the United States of America to cut its ties with both the Rwandan and Ugandan governments, to definitely promote peace and justice in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and to work towards building a mutually beneficial partnership between the Congolese people and the American people.<br />
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Rally Schedule<br />
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<li>11:00 am to 11:25 am Participants arrival at LaFayette Park, East Quadrant</li>
<li>11: 30 am Welcome remarks/update situation in the DR. Congo</li>
<li>11:45 am to 2:00 pm Peaceful demonstration with drums</li>
<li>2:05 pm Speech</li>
<li>2:30 pm to 3:30 pm Peaceful demonstration with drums</li>
<li>3:35 pm to 3:50 pm Reading of Memorandum</li>
<li>3:55 pm End of Rally</li>
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Contacts<br />
Matthias Cinyabuguma, PhD (M) 410-440-8846<br />
Joseph Mbangu, LL. M (M) 347-558-2610 @Chedelum<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-37307431319784445562012-06-05T06:04:00.000-04:002012-06-05T06:04:19.409-04:00Heart Of Diamonds on Yonkers WaterfrontHeart Of Diamonds will be featured at <a href="http://www.yonkersdowntown.com/120609_Books%20Without%20Borders%20Flyer2.pdf" target="_blank">Books Without Borders</a>, a day-long festival of books, authors, music, and other attractions on the Yonkers, NY, waterfront Saturday, June 9.<br />
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Books Without Borders will encompass the entire waterfront beginning at the wonderful Yonkers Riverfront Library and continuing past the Yonkers Metro North Train Station through Ella Fitzgerald Park and culminating at the picturesque Pier and Amphitheater on the Hudson River.<br />
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Workshops, Seminars and Panel discussions will be held throughout the day. Literary agents will hold workshops, authors will read from their works, and books--including <a href="http://www.heartofdiamonds.com" target="_blank">Heart Of Diamonds</a>--will be on sale. To add to the festive atmosphere, face painters and clowns will be in the Children’s Book area and music will be provided around the event area.<br />
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I'll be there from 10 AM to 4 PM, signing copies of all my books. Come on by and get acquainted!<br />
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Books Without Borders was organized by The City of Yonkers, The Yonkers BID, The Yonkers Library System, The Westchester Guardian and Yonkers Tribune Newspapers, WGRN Radio, and author Dennis Sheehan.<br />
</br><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-19324005034110814292012-03-04T01:00:00.000-05:002012-03-04T01:00:02.087-05:00Save 50% on Heart Of Diamonds During Read An eBook WeekCelebrate Read An eBook Week with 50% off all my full-length books at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8297?ref=davedonelson">Smashwords.com</a>. Enjoy any (or all!) of my novels and Dynamic Manager books by using this coupon code when you check out: REW50. Hurry, the sale ends March 10!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/070c676b69f5e45d463a9aa4431bcb0bf87eb470-thumb" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="132" src="https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/070c676b69f5e45d463a9aa4431bcb0bf87eb470-thumb" /></a></div><a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8297">Heart Of Diamonds</a>: a novel of scandal, love, and death in the Congo <br />
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<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28149?ref=davedonelson">Hunting Elf</a>, a doggone Christmas story<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/685bd3dcb4530987714ee0b67b4de06a42b0de33-thumb" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="133" src="https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/685bd3dcb4530987714ee0b67b4de06a42b0de33-thumb" /></a></div>The Dynamic Manager's <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/19260?ref=davedonelson">Guide To Advertising</a>: How To Grow Your Business With Ads That Work <br />
The Dynamic Manager’s <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/25420?ref=davedonelson">Guide To Marketing</a>: How To Create And Nurture Your Best Customers<br />
The Dynamic Manager’s <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/28834?ref=davedonelson">Guide To Marketing & Advertising</a>: How To Grow Sales And Boost Your Profits (includes both advertising and marketing books)<br />
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The Dynamic Manager’s <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/34912?ref=davedonelson">Guide To Sales Techniques</a>: How To Create New Prospects And Make More Sales<br />
The Dynamic Manager's <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/39436?ref=davedonelson">Guide To More Sales</a>: How To Nurture Customers And Grow Your Business<br />
The Dynamic Manager's Guide To <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/42262?ref=davedonelson">Creative Selling</a>: How To Make More Sales And Build A Super Sales Career (includes both sales books)<br />
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The Dynamic Manager’s <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/77791?ref=davedonelson">Guide To Practical Management</a>: How To Manage Money, People, And Yourself To Increase Your Company’s Profits <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/a0f4c783cdbaac6a27d113e7e7aebb249ecebd8c-thumb" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="200" width="133" src="https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/a0f4c783cdbaac6a27d113e7e7aebb249ecebd8c-thumb" /></a></div>As a special bonus, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/45228?ref=davedonelson" target="NewWindow">Blind Curve</a>, my collection of short stories, is available this week for free! Just use coupon code REW100.<br />
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Check out the thousands of other titles available with big savings at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/42262?ref=davedonelson" target="NewWindow">Smashwords.com</a> through March 10. You'll find eBooks for all reading devices--Kindle, Nook, iPad, and others.<br />
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Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for <a href="http://www.thedynamicmanager.com">small business</a> owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dynamic-Managers-Marketing-Advertising-ebook/dp/B004AM5E8C?ie=UTF8&tag=hunelf-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969"> marketing and advertising</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1460929667/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hunelf-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1460929667">sales techniques</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1463782055/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=hunelf-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=1463782055">motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy</a>.Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-54743637353659339912011-12-03T06:44:00.000-05:002011-12-03T06:44:13.267-05:00A Christmas Gift To Make A Difference In Africa<a href="http://www.samesky.com" target="NewWindow">Same Sky</a> is an innovative program that supports African women living with HIV/AIDS by teaching them a skill and providing materials that help them earn a living. They are given a marketable skill and steady employment, essential factors when it comes to rebuilding lives and supporting their families.<br />
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The women are taught to crochet and make bracelets using hand-blown glass beads. The jewelry is sold online and at events around the world, with all net proceeds reinvested into the company to buy more materials and employ more women. It began with a partnership with Gahaya Links in Kigali, Rwanda, and expanded to Zambia in 2011.<br />
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If you're in Palm Beach on December 9, you can see what Same Sky does--and support the cause--at Badgley Mischka, 251 Worth Avenue. Same Sky founder Francine Lefrak, Michele Herbert, and Carolyn Grace will be there from 6 to 8 PM. Check the Same Sky website for events in your area or to order directly. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-77146404243859140172011-09-12T10:12:00.000-04:002011-09-12T10:12:08.914-04:00Film Explains How U.S. Supports Congo RapistsIt's not news that the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to be ravaged by Rwanda, Uganda, and its own armed forces under the leadership of its president, Joseph Kabila. What has not been apparent, however, is the extent of U.S. complicity in the exploitation of the country. <br />
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<a href="http://www.friendsofthecongo.org" target="NewWindow">Friends of the Congo</a> released a short version of a feature-length film that fully explains the reasons behind U.S. support for the forces that are systematically raping Congo's resources. As the organization explains, <blockquote>It locates the Congo crisis in a historical, social and political context. It unveils analysis and prescriptions by leading experts, practitioners, activists and intellectuals that are not normally available to the general public.</blockquote>While the film contains some scenes of graphic intensity, it's a reasoned, well-researched, authoritative explanation of the greatest humanitarian crisis of our time. Anyone with a conscience should view <a href="http://congojustice.org" target="NewWindow">Crisis In The Congo: Uncovering The Truth</a>. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-73380452915934886222011-05-09T08:53:00.001-04:002011-05-09T09:32:32.982-04:00A Clear-Eyed Look At Congo Tragedy<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=hunelf-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1586489291&fc1=000000&IS2=1<1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align:left;padding-top:5px;width:131px;height:245px;padding-right:10px;"align="left" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>If you want to understand the tragedy that is the Democratic Republic of Congo, put aside the mythology and read <i><b>Dancing In The Glory of Monsters</b></i>. Jason Stearns has untangled the snarling mess that is the history of this sad nation. <br />
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As someone who's researched and <a href="http://www.heartofdiamonds.com" target="NewWindow">written about the Congo</a> myself, I found new insights into the interminable conflicts that have wracked the country for it's entire modern history. Stearns clearly delineates the players, putting them into context and showing how they interacted to make the Congo what it is today. He carefully explains the role of Rwanda's Paul Kagame and other outsiders in the turmoil, but also delineates the power hunger and shortcomings of the Congo's own leaders, including current President Joseph Kabila. <br />
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Most importantly, Stearns shows how there is no one single cause of the Congo's troubles. He calmly shows how tribal rivalries fuel the strife just as much as the struggle to control the country's mineral wealth. He explains how the internal politics of Zimbabwe, Uganda, Angola, and other countries in addition to Rwanda led to their deep involvement in the DRC's wars. While he rightfully deplores the epidemic of rape in the Congo, he puts it in context and doesn't dwell on it--not because it's not important, but because there's much more to the story.<br />
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I found it refreshing that Stearns resists the impulse to blame rapacious multinational corporations for much of anything except trying to find a way to do business in the Congo. He doesn't ignore the many shortcomings of most of the deals to exploit the Congo's riches, but correctly points out that most of them were struck by Congolese leaders eager to fund their own ambitions. He leaves the conspiracy theories to other, less informed writers.<br />
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Dancing In The Glory Of Monsters is an objective, clear-eyed look at one of the greatest ongoing tragedies in modern history.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-54900973007139159102011-04-29T16:52:00.000-04:002011-04-29T16:52:48.550-04:00Golf Fore Africa Raises Money For AIDS ReliefI am a golfer as well as someone with a deep interest in Africa, so when I heard about <a href="http://www.golfforeafrica.org" target="NEwWindow">Golf Fore Africa</a>, I had to get on the bandwagon to spread the word about this excellent cause.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.golfforeafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/GFA_logo_vector_web3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="140" width="180" src="http://www.golfforeafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/GFA_logo_vector_web3.png" /></a></div>Betsy King, whose Hall of Fame career produced 36 LPGA tournament wins including six major championships, has dedicated her life to helping others in need. In 2007, King founded Golf Fore Africa to heighten awareness of the terrible plight of children who were orphaned as a result of the devastating AIDS pandemic that is so prevalent throughout much of the African continent. The year before, King had made a trip to Africa with the World Vision organization and was deeply affected by the suffering and desperate living conditions she encountered.<br />
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Golf Fore Africa is dedicated to bringing hope and support to African children who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by AIDS. Funding is made available to a wide range of critical projects necessary to improve the quality of life, such as access to medical care, education, agricultural assistance and clean water resources. <br />
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On May 23rd, King will host a limited field event at <a href="http://www.glenarborclub.com">GlenArbor Golf Club</a> in Bedford, New York, to raise much-needed funds and awareness for the communities in Africa that her charity supports. King will be joined by an impressive list of active LPGA golfers including Jiyai Shin, who was No. 1 in the 2010 Rolex Rankings, Brittany Lincicome, Stacey Lewis, Katherine Hull and Azahara Munoz, LPGA rookie of the year in 2010.<br />
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The per person entry fee is $3,000, which includes breakfast, lunch and a clinic with Betsy and the LPGA pros. Each participant will have the opportunity to play with three different pros.<br />
GlenArbor, designed by the legendary Gary Player, enjoys a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest private clubs in an area known for some of the country’s most historic and iconic golf clubs. GlenArbor welcomes the Golf Fore Africa intimate event, particularly as the club supports the improvement of educational and living opportunities for underprivileged children. <br />
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For more information regarding playing spots in this exceptional event for a worthwhile cause, please contact Debbie Quesada at (408) 284-5818 or debbie@golfforeafrica.org. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-64648191494537799772011-03-05T08:01:00.000-05:002011-03-05T08:01:24.627-05:00Free Tales Of Horror To Celebrate "Read An eBook Week"Like a concert violinist playing bluegrass fiddle, every writer needs to stretch his chops from time to time. I got the itch to write something different and timed the publication to celebrate "Read An eBook Week" March 6-12. It's a mini-collection of three short stories available FREE from <a href="http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/45228">Smashwords.com</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/8a118a563ae2c66360b4596173866660893f8298" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/8a118a563ae2c66360b4596173866660893f8298" width="200" /></a></div><br />
The genre? Horror <br />
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The title? "<a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/45228">Blind Curve, Three Dark Tales by Dave Donelson</a>"<br />
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The price? Free!<br />
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The tales....<br />
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Bad things happen in "The Alley," a tale told by a narrator who should know--he did some of them. Or did he? Only the victims can answer that question, and they're not talking.<br />
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Man's best friend offers the ultimate proof of his loyalty in "Bad Dog." The cute little canine doesn't care whether his master is a good man or an evil one, he simply obeys.<br />
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Benon Otema is not a criminal, he's just ambitious. A stalwart leader of his village, a successful merchant, a father and good provider, Benon should know better than to listen to tales told by a drunkard. But he does, and the story takes him to the "Blind Curve."<br />
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In addition to these three short stories, the book includes excerpts from two novels. <a href="http://www.heartofdiamonds.com/" target="NewWindow"><i>Heart of Diamonds</i></a>, <i>a novel of scandal, love, and death in the Congo</i>, is a thriller about diamond smuggling in the war-torn heart of Africa. <a href="http://www.huntingelf.com/" target="NewWindow"><i>Hunting Elf</i></a>, <i>a doggone Christmas story</i>, is a comedic romp that's delightful reading any time of the year. <br />
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Dave Donelson distills the experiences of hundreds of entrepreneurs into practical advice for <a href="http://www.thedynamicmanager.com/">small business</a> owners and managers in the Dynamic Manager's Guides, a series of how-to books about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dynamic-Managers-Marketing-Advertising-ebook/dp/B004AM5E8C?ie=UTF8&tag=hunelf-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969"> marketing and advertising</a>, sales techniques, hiring, firing, and motivating personnel, financial management, and business strategy.Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-69407731927023387722011-01-17T07:46:00.000-05:002011-01-17T07:46:02.395-05:00The Tragic Anniversary of Patrice Lumumba's AssassinationAs we celebrate the achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King today, we should also pause to reflect on the death of Patrice Lumumba, killed on this date 50 years ago. His assassination at the direction of the United States and Belgium is one of the blackest marks on America's conscience. It set into motion the virtual destruction of a nation that should be the beating heart of Africa. <br />
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Lumumba's death just months after his choice as the Democratic Republic of Congo's first freely-elected leader was akin to strangling the infant nation in its cradle. It led to the ascension of Mobutu Sese-Seko, who raped the Congo for 32 years with the monetary, military, and shameful public relations support of the U.S. government. The conflict that erupted when he was finally deposed has resulted in the deaths of millions of innocent people. Sadly, it's a conflict that continues to this day.<br />
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Adam Hochschild writes an incisive piece about the assassination of Patrice Lumumba in <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/17/opinion/17hochschild.html?hp" target="NewWindow">today's New York Times</a>.<br />
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Tonight, <a href="http://www.friendsofthecongo.org" target="NewWindow">Friends of the Congo</a> is sponsoring events in Washington, New York, and Toronto. In New York, it's a screening of a fabulous film, <i><a href="http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/142607" target="NewWindow">Lumumba,</i> at the Maysles Cinema</a> in Harlem followed by a panel discussion. For information, call 212-582-6050 X221. <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-83552821910324981812010-11-09T01:00:00.002-05:002010-11-09T01:00:07.035-05:00Amazon Reviewer Praises Realism In Heart Of DiamondsAn Amazon reader recently posted this review of Heart Of Diamonds<br />
<blockquote>Dave Donelson's Heart of Diamonds is a well-crafted, well-informed story of fictional, but highly likely events in the Congo. Donelson captures the government corruption that prevents the Congo (and all of Africa) from rising to the position among nations that this resource-rich country could attain were it not for the history of exploitation by outsiders. The story is exciting, you care what happens to the characters. The rape and amputations and exploitation of child soldiers and general brutalization of the people by the military and by rebel forces is drawn straight from current reality, as is the power of greed to make people do the most terrible and idiotic things. <br />
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My only complaint is this is another story of white people set in Africa. It would be more compelling were the main protagonists African, perhaps wealthy sons and daughters of the elite sent to the US for college who return to do exactly what Valerie and Jamie do in this story. This is a small quibble, however, Donelson can write best from a perspective that he truly understands and his readers are mostly westerners who can better relate to the characters than if they were Africans. <br />
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You should read this book for a great story, but also to get some understanding and realization of the terrible conditions that prevail in West Africa today.</blockquote><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-75823036695435985722010-11-08T11:18:00.000-05:002010-11-08T11:18:16.526-05:00Disaster Capitalism And The CongoWhat is Disaster Capitalism? <br />
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Find out Wednesday at the Brecht Forum when a panel of experts updates the current situation in Haiti, the Congo, Pakistan and New Orleans. The panel will also look at the intersectionality of the psychological, socio-political and economic implications created by these natural disasters. What patterns and trends have been generated over the course of the decade? What are the long-term psychological after-effects? Under these conditions, how are local leaders and groups organizing? In solidarity with the people, how do we consider, organize with, and fight for justice.<br />
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Featured speakers include Beverly Bell, Kambale Musavuli, Adaner Usmani, Tracie Washington, and Marguerite Laurent.<br />
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Where and when: Wednesday November 10 7:30 PM, <a href="http://www.brechtforum.org" target="NewWindow">The Brecht Forum</a>, 451 West Street (Between Bank and Bethune-A,C,E, to 14th Street and 8th Avenune) 212-242-4201<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-39611220847373989432010-10-26T16:13:00.000-04:002010-10-26T16:13:20.746-04:00Joseph Mbangu Updates Congo SituationCongolese attorney Joseph Mbangu by interviewed recently by the UN's IRIN news service about the most recent developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The situation continues to deteriorate, and Joseph's comments are quite timely. <a href="http://www.irinnews.org/audiofiles/IRIN_Talks_Bulletin_39__Congolese_lawyer_Joseph_Mbangu_on_eastern_DRC_mining_ban_26102010.mp3">Listen to the 10-minute interview here</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-83950133423404821862010-10-04T17:44:00.000-04:002010-10-04T17:44:04.081-04:00Breaking The Silence Programs For Congo Week, October 17-23Mark your calendar now for the third annual <b>Breaking The Silence: Congo Week, October 17 – 23, 2010</b>. <a href="http://congoweek.org/why-congo-week.html" target="NewWindow">Congo Week</a> continues to grow rapidly as people throughout the globe utilize the occasion to articulate the challenges and potential that exists in the heart of Africa. Since Friends of the Congo launched Congo Week in 2008, over 50 countries and 200 university campuses and communities have participated in the global call for justice in solidarity with the people of Congo. Some Highlights of Congo Week III in October 2010 include:<br />
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• <a href="http://mayslesinstitute.org/cinema/congo_in_harlem2.html">Congo in Harlem Film, Performance and Lecture Series, NY</a><br />
• Marathon Run by the International Criminal Court Staff, Amsterdam, Netherlands<br />
• DC Green Festival, Washington, DC<br />
• Caravan from Kenya to South Kivu for the International Women's March, Nairobi<br />
• Commemoration Ceremony of the Lives Lost in the Congo War, Kisangani<br />
• Salaam Kivu Film Festival, Goma<br />
• Congolese National Ballet Performance, Kinshasa<br />
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Your participation in Breaking the Silence is making a difference by making more people aware and engaged. Your actions, no matter how small, strengthen the resolve of people inside the Congo who fight day and night for peaceful and lasting change. Knowing that they have support throughout the globe makes a tremendous difference.<br />
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Key Organizers in Japan, Australia, Netherlands, Kenya, South Africa, Angola, Sweden, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, The United States and many other countries are joining with groups inside the Congo to call for justice. In the wake of a recently published United Nations Mapping Exercise Report about the mass atrocities committed in the Congo, your participation and support is even more critical. Over 200 Congolese organizations have issued the call for justice NOW! This is a growing global movement to bring an end to what is the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world and the deadliest conflict since World War II.<br />
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Kambale Musavuli, Student Coordinator for Friends of the Congo urged concerned groups and individuals to organize an event or activity for Congo Week on their campus, in their home, religious institution, community center or any other local venue. "This year we have a special initiative,' he says, "We are asking each organizing school or community to raise at least $100 to support the Friends of Congo global campaign. Organizers who raise the most funds will receive 10 autographed copies of Congolese superstar, Kanda Bongo Man's latest album "Non-Stop Feeling."<br />
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For more information, email: info@friendsofthecongo.org or phone: 202-584-6512 <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-39711893644564582772010-04-15T06:23:00.005-04:002010-04-15T06:37:34.293-04:00Podioracket Explores Heart Of Diamonds<a href="http://www.podioracket.com/main/wp-content/themes/studiopress/podioracket.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 173px; height: 75px;" src="http://www.podioracket.com/main/wp-content/themes/studiopress/podioracket.gif" border="0" alt="podioracket.com" /></a><a href="http://heartofdiamonds.blogspot.com/2010/03/heart-of-diamonds-now-in-audio.html"target="NewWindow">The audio book edition </a>of Heart Of Diamonds has drawn a whole new audience to the novel. It's also garnered some attention from devotees of the form. I was <a href="http://www.podioracket.com/main/2010/04/13/episode-28-dave-donelson-and-jeremy-robinson/" target="NewWindow">interviewed recently by the team at Podioracket.com</a>, who wanted to know how the book came about and how it differed from my previous fiction. I also talked about the connection between American televangelist Pat Robertson and Mobutu Sese Seko, which gave me the idea for the novel.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-36967655672769532602010-03-07T01:00:00.001-05:002011-05-19T05:40:38.374-04:00Celebrating eBook WeekAs an author, I can attest that technology is a wonderful thing. I've published three books (so far) and every day seems to bring new ways to put them in front of an audience. One of the most exciting is in eBook editions, a format that's growing like crazy and reaching more and more people every day.<br />
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To celebrate eBook Week, March 7-13, I'm offering <span style="font-weight:bold;">Heart Of Diamonds<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> at half off the already-low eBook price at <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8297?ref=davedonelson" target="NewWindow">Smashwords.dom</a>. This week only, the book will be available for your Sony Reader, Stanza, Palm, or just about any other device for just $4.98--a 50% discount. The special only applies to purchases through <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8297?ref=davedonelson" target="NewWindow">Smashwords.com.</a><br />
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Isn't technology wonderful?<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-71384780972735077472010-03-05T11:39:00.003-05:002010-03-05T11:52:28.398-05:00Heart Of Diamonds Now In AudioNow you can listen to the exciting story of Valerie Grey's struggle to reveal a diamond-smuggling scheme that threatens to plunge the Congo deeper into war--dragging the United States along with it. The production is complete and unabridged, too, with nearly eleven fast-paced hours of narration.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.podiobooks.com/images/logo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 127px; height: 93px;" src="http://www.podiobooks.com/images/logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>And best of all, it's free. You can download the entire novel to your iPod, computer, or any device that will play mp3 files at <a href="http://www.podiobooks.com/title/heart-of-diamonds" target="NewWindow">Podiobooks.com</a> or <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/heart-of-diamonds-a-free-audiobook/id357478804" target="NewWindow">iTunes</a> at absolutely no cost (although there's a donation button if you're so inclined).<br /><br />Heart Of Diamonds--now available in <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3412947" target="NewWindow">trade paperback</a>, <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8297?ref=davedonelson" target="NewWindow">eBook</a>, and <a href="http://www.podiobooks.com/title/heart-of-diamonds" target="NewWindow">audio book editions.</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-33248601264243404032010-03-01T05:32:00.003-05:002010-03-01T06:30:56.153-05:00More International Women's Day Events To Support Congo WomenIt is truly heartening to see the swell of support for the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Numerous events in celebration of <a href="http://www.internationalwomensday.com" target=NewWindow">International Women's Day (March 8)</a> are dedicated to them as more and more people raise their voices in protest of the victimization of women in the ongoing conflict in Eastern Congo. I wrote recently about the day-long <a href="http://heartofdiamonds.blogspot.com/2010/02/international-womens-day-in-harlem.html" target="NewWindow">celebration of Congo women scheduled for Harlem for Sunday, March 7</a>. Here are some other events to put on your calendar.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAptazweVLdLavNQCJBTw7ICKM5JVqr2nfESdwXCzUpyYzgWaNsGinST5EN7tV0v5ZrhVNEBI1A-coT2-AsVR7Ai43pbtTsoRQdCLwvx-uk4YojLJJSLb0ddOssnIR75QV2_qsyeJEQKR/s1600-h/RFCWMar5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAptazweVLdLavNQCJBTw7ICKM5JVqr2nfESdwXCzUpyYzgWaNsGinST5EN7tV0v5ZrhVNEBI1A-coT2-AsVR7Ai43pbtTsoRQdCLwvx-uk4YojLJJSLb0ddOssnIR75QV2_qsyeJEQKR/s400/RFCWMar5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443625660747987090" /></a>Friday, March 5, <a href="http://www.runforcongowomen.org" target="NewWindow">Run For Congo Women</a> is sponsoring a concert fundraiser featuring singer/songwriter <a href="http://www.myspace.com/jesskingmusic" target="NewWindow">Jess King</a> at <a href="http://www.ellalounge.com" target="NewWindow">Ella Lounge</a>, 9 Avenue A (between 1st & 2nd st) in New York. All proceeds from the event will go to Women For Women International, an organization whose work on behalf of the women of the Congo I've supported heavily. Tickets for the concert, which starts at 7 PM, are $15 at the door or $12 in advance. You can make a reservation (or donation) at <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=PFJPZ6DPD4LAY&lc=US&item_name=Run%20For%20Congo%20Women%20%2d%20New%20York¤cy_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donateCC_LG%2egif%3aNonHosted" target="NewWindow">Paypal</a> and then give your name at the door. Remember ALL proceeds will go to <a href="http://www.womenforwomen.org" target="NewWindow">Women for Women International</a>.<br /><br />At noon on Monday, March 8, the place to be in New York will be the <a href="http://www.womenforwomen.org/bridge/attend-bridge-event.php#us" target="NewWindow">Brooklyn Bridge</a>, where Women for Women International is holding a walk across the bridge and a rally to mirror those held that day on bridges all around the world, including one on a literal bridge between Rwanda and the DRC. The event will be filmed and featured in a viral video to be released following the campaign. <br /><br />Another event of note is inspired by <span style="font-style:italic;">Half the Sky</span>, the NY Times bestseller by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. The event features musical performances, celebrity commentary, and the world premiere of “Woineshet,” a short film by Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei and Lisa Leone. It was captured live on February 11, 2010 in New York and is being rebroadcast to select <a href="http://www.ncm.com/Fathom/OriginalPrograms/event/Half_The_Sky.aspx" target="NewWindow">theaters nationwide on March 4, 2010 at 7:30 PM (local time)</a>. While not specifically dedicated to women of the DRC, Kristof's long-running coverage of the war in Congo heavily informs the work. This event will benefit <a href="http://www.care.org/" target=NewWindow">CARE International</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-37117027108382626202010-02-22T08:51:00.000-05:002010-02-22T08:51:00.034-05:00International Women's Day In Harlem Dedicated To Congolese Women<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqIwoadH1u3SlZeK6FLl3mFdN-xvtDQ24R0YfviIaxj-GxsWEO-LpzVRsZZnh66W-3Pr4pXz_8fSYk6cqmQgeFe43wP_fVs_n6FmiRC_y8r6EQ_bnl3PNEFc8nvwFVYoNQ5apyq9tbKru/s1600-h/IntWom_31.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 360px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqIwoadH1u3SlZeK6FLl3mFdN-xvtDQ24R0YfviIaxj-GxsWEO-LpzVRsZZnh66W-3Pr4pXz_8fSYk6cqmQgeFe43wP_fVs_n6FmiRC_y8r6EQ_bnl3PNEFc8nvwFVYoNQ5apyq9tbKru/s400/IntWom_31.jpg" border="0" alt="International Women's Day"id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440326860143779730" /></a>International Women's Day will be celebrated in many ways, but none more sincerely than the commemoration in Harlem on Sunday, March 7. The day is dedicated to the women of the Congo and features a day-long lineup of important events and inspiring performances.<br /><br />11:00 AM Morning Church Service<br />Riverside Church, Clermont Ave. (between 120th & 122nd Streets)<br /><br />2:00 PM Procession & Rally at Ndunga Public Art Project<br />Plaza of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. State Office Building, 163 W 125th Street<br /><br />3:00 PM Conflict Resolution Workshops for youth and adults<br />Black River Studio, 345 Lenox Ave. (between 127th & 128th Streets)<br /><br />6:30 PM Screening of "Lumo" the documentary film<br />Maysles Cinema, 343 Lenox Ave. (between 127th & 128th Streets)<br /><br />8:00 PM Panel Discussion and Dialogue<br />Recording of Personal Statements and Testimonials<br /><br />There will also be performances by LaBurga, Global Kids, Jumping For Justice Double Dutch Social Initiative, Kim Weston Moran, Linda H. Humes, Gloria Lowery Tyrrell, Garifuna Day Woen's Coalition, Drummers, and others.<br /><br />The events are hosted by a long list of prominent organizations including Friends of the Congo and Ndunga Public Art Project. Space is limited, so please rsvp NPAP (718) 855-8616. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-52180031950052066482010-02-20T06:58:00.007-05:002010-02-20T09:29:26.219-05:00Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu"Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu" should be repeated every hour on the hour by every school child all over the world until it becomes the mantra of all societies. It is Bantu for "A human is human because of other humans."<br /><br />The simple but profound adage is the theme of Chinua Achebe's collection of essays, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0307272559?ie=UTF8&tag=hunelf-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0307272559">The Education of a British-Protected Child: Essays.</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hunelf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0307272559" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;"/>It may also be the theme of his life's work, judging by the simple message it conveys about the importance of the communal aspirations of the peoples of Africa. He uses it several times in various essays in the book, but really drives the point home in the concluding paragraph of the last one, titled "Africa Is People."<blockquote>"Our humanity is contingent on the humanity of our fellows. No person or group can be human alone. We rise above the animal together, or not at all. If we learned that lesson even this late in the day, we would have taken a truly millennial step forward." </blockquote>Achebe, winner of the Man Booker International Prize and best known as the author of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385474547?ie=UTF8&tag=hunelf-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385474547">Things Fall Apart,</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=hunelf-20&l=as2&o=1&a=0385474547" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;"/>one of the seminal works of African fiction, has a subtle, dry voice that makes each of these seventeen essays something to savor and linger over. He makes his points about racial stereotypes, African development, history, and politics, and the African-American diaspora, sometimes with humor, sometimes with biting directness, but always graciously and without rancor. You sense Achebe knows that to rail against injustice is futile; change must come through education achieved one cogent argument at a time.<br /><br />While Achebe is a scholar, he is also a master storyteller. More often than not, he makes his points not with dry logical argument but with an exegetical tale about someone he's met or something that's happened to him. Those little narratives are much more illustrative than pure cant. In "Spelling Our Proper Name," he tells the story of Dom Afonso of Bukongo, for example, who negotiated with King John III of Portugal in 1526 as an equal. He then writes:<blockquote>"Such stories as Dom Alfonso's encounter with Europe are not found in the history books we read in schools. If we knew them....young James Baldwin would not have felt a necessity to compare himself so adversely with peasants in a Swiss village. He would have known that his African ancestors did not sit through the millennia idly gazing into the horizon, waiting for European slavers to come and get them."</blockquote>I found his exploration of the complex politics and history of Africa in "Africa's Tarnished Name" to be particularly thought-provoking. He also talks frequently about Joseph Conrad's purported racism, which has become an important theme in the deconstruction of Heart of Darkness. Some of these essays have been presented elsewhere, although they have been revised and updated since they were first published. Nothing in them is dated, however, and Achebe's insightful discussions with Langston Hughes and James Baldwin ring as true as his observations about the potent symbolism of Barack Obama's election as President of the United States.<br /> <br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-43654883182823691362010-02-11T14:04:00.005-05:002010-02-17T16:06:43.921-05:00Exciting New School For Congo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.gmalaikaf.org/_images/content/_sec_img_founder/FIMG02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 184px;" src="http://www.gmalaikaf.org/_images/content/_sec_img_founder/FIMG02.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Mark your calendar now for a special event March 1. That's when <a href="http://studiomda.com" target="NewWindow">Studio MDA</a> unveils the architectural model of the new school being built by the <a href="http://www.gmalaikaf.org" target="NewWindow">Georges Malaika Foundation</a> in the village of Kalebuka in Katanga Province. The school is a big step forward for the foundation spearheaded by international model Noella Coursaris Musunka, who broke ground for it just last year. <br /><br />The school is the first of many the foundation hopes to build to give Congolese girls a solid educational experience. Their dedication and "can-do" attitude has produced results, not just press releases, which is one big reason <a href="http://heartofdiamonds.blogspot.com/2010/01/heart-of-diamonds-promotes-congo-aid.html" target="NewWindow">I support GMF</a>.<br /><br />Students of the <a href="http://www.gmalaikaf.org/columbia_and_gmf.htm" target="NewWindow">Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation</a> conducted extensive research to develop a model for educational institutions when they visited the school site last year. Their plan holds great promise for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Education has suffered greatly in the nation as ongoing conflict in many regions drains the country's resources.<br /><br />In addition to the unveiling of the school's model, attendees will hear Matthew Bishop, NY Bureau Chief for the Economist and Khaliah Ali, dedicated humanitarian and daughter of boxer Muhammad Ali. <br /><br />The event will be Monday, March 1, from 6 to 8 pm at the James Cohan Gallery, 533 West 26th Street in Manhattan. For more information, contact GMF at rsvp@gmfafrica.org.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-79197779315623312692010-01-08T15:57:00.003-05:002010-01-08T16:09:07.985-05:00Heart Of Diamonds in New e-Book EditionsWhat's your preferred reading device? You can now put the new edition of Heart of Diamonds on your Kindle, Sony Reader, Stanza, Palm, or just about any other e-Book reader with just a couple of clicks.<br /><br />Check your favorite online bookseller, or go to <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8297" target="NewWindow">Smashwords.com</a> for a comprehensive listing of available versions. For the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Diamonds-novel-scandal-ebook/dp/B0032UY4UM/ref=tmm_kin_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2" target="NewWindow">Kindle edition, visit Amazon.com.</a> <br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-19108375873479724832010-01-05T15:34:00.007-05:002010-01-05T15:52:16.777-05:00Heart Of Diamonds Promotes Congo Aid GroupsI happily started the new year with the release of the second edition of <span style="font-weight:bold;">Heart of Diamonds<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>. The revised edition corrects a few typos and slightly updates the text.<br /><br />Most significantly, perhaps, the new edition recognizes four organizations whose work helps the people of the Congo. A couple of these organizations are large, the other two are small, but the work they all do contributes to the well-being of the citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.healafrica.org/" target="NewWindow">HEAL Africa</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.womenforwomen.org/" target="NewWindow">Women For Women International</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.gmalaikaf.org/" target="NewWindow">Georges Malaika Foundation</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.msf.org/" target="NewWindow">Doctors Without Borders</a><br /><br />The new edition of <a href="https://www.createspace.com/3412947" target="NewWindow">Heart of Diamonds is available from the publisher</a> or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&" target="NewWindow">Amazon.com</a>. You can also find (or order it) from your favorite local bookseller. If in doubt, use the ISBN 9781449919924.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1449919928?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1449919928&adid=1RRJ384JXZ69S969NQNN&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1250536669862180106.post-61720856366901861732009-12-03T09:36:00.005-05:002009-12-03T09:51:26.889-05:00Banro Teams With Kinshasa To Rob CongoThey won't begin opening the presents until Christmas 2011, but the shareholders of Canadian mining concern <a href="http://www.banro.com/s/Home.asp" target="NewWindow">Banro</a> received a whopping gift from the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo this year. It was final agreement allowing the company to develop <a href="http://www.banro.com/i/pdf/NRAug112009.pdf" target="NewWindow">gold mines worth some $13 billion</a> in return for a token royalty of one percent of revenues. The agreement has to go down as one of the worst ever for the DRC, where the bankrupt government of a nation the size of Western Europe can't provide even basic services to its 65 million citizens.<br /><br />Banro has been granted a 25 year license (with rights to renew for another 25 years) to develop four gold mining concessions on 2600 square kilometers of land along the Twangiza-Namoya gold belt in the South Kivu and Maniema provinces of the DRC. They also have the right to explore on another 3,100 sq km. The <a href="http://www.banro.com/i/pdf/2009-Sep16-DenverPres.pdf" target="NewWindow">company crows that the four properties hold over 11 million ounces of gold</a>, worth over $13 billion at current prices. <br /><br />The most advanced of the four is Twangiza, a 1,164 sq km concession which Banro has owned under one agreement or another since 1996. The company expects to begin shipping gold from there in the fourth quarter of 2011. The other three concessions, Kanituga, Lagushwa,and Namoya, have been essentially inactive for over a decade.<br /><br />The agreement with Joseph Kabila's government would be laughable if it weren't such a crime. The company is to pay a one percent royalty on revenues, which, if amortized over the 25 year term at current spot gold prices, will amount to a much-less-than-whopping $5 million per year. That's also assuming the company reports all revenue--a big assumption given the recent <a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5iFxg4HxreRqnodZoDM4pBc8W45qg" target="NewWindow">estimate by the DRC Senate</a> that 80% of mineral exports from the eastern provinces of the country are never reported.<br /> <br />An additional four percent of net profits (after the company recoups its total investment) are to be funneled through Kinshasa for local development projects. The key term in the latter clause, of course, is "net profits" which will probably amount to zero if the company's accountants are even minimally competent. <br /><br />What about taxes? Banro will pay none for a good long time. The agreement gives the company a ten-year tax holiday. <br /><br />The final kicker is that the parastatal mining company Gecamines has no stake in the operation. Banro owns 100% of the equity in the concessions, so if the company decides to flip the deal to another operator, the DRC gets nothing. <br /><br />So what does the DRC get in return? The company estimates that it has <a href="http://www.banro.com/s/CorporateResponsibility.asp" target="NewWindow">created approximately 1,300 jobs</a> in the DRC in the last three years. It has also funded several schools, hospitals, water projects, and other humanitarian efforts. It is unclear how much of that is funded by royalties or other payments that are required under previous agreements. <br /><br />I find it astounding that Kinshasa essentially gave away this lucrative mining concession. Many of the other deals I've examined have not been good ones--<a href="http://heartofdiamonds.blogspot.com/2009/05/freeport-trucks-billions-from-congo.html" target="NewWindow">Freeport's Tenke project</a> and the recent <a href="http://heartofdiamonds.blogspot.com/2009/12/sad-flip-side-to-china-congo-deal.html" target="NewWindow">China copper-for-infrastructure</a> deal come to mind--but the Banro concession is far beyond the pale. The company made a great deal for its shareholders at the expense of the people of the Congo. There are two parties to the contract, however, and the other one is the government of the DRC that agreed to it.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1601641575?tag=hunelf-20&camp=14573&creative=327641&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=1601641575&adid=0ZCNW68T8NQGKKZ4AHDP&">Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds</a> a <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/romantic+thriller" rel="tag">romantic thriller</a> about <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/blood+diamonds" rel="tag">blood diamonds</a> in the <a href="http://technorati.com/tag/Congo" rel="tag">Congo.</a>Dave Donelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15344474369567875796noreply@blogger.com6