VEHICLES STILL NEEDED!!!

1. Project overview                                                    

2. Project outline                                                       

a) Project description                                

b) Project objectives                                 

c) Project strategy                                     

d) Management committee

e) Preliminary budget                               

3. Project scope

a) Marketing strategy

b) Target group and targeted countries

c) Itinerary and duration of project

d) Sponsorship opportunities

4. Appendixes:     Appendix A - Forecasted budget

                                Appendix B - List of targeted countries and universities

                               Appendix C - Itinerary

                               Appendix D - List of sponsorship & assistance packages  

(Please note that the information in this document is subject to change)

Books For Africa 2004

1.  Project Overview

Books for Africa 2004/5 is the continuation of a project started in 1993 and is running as a biannual event.  In this project, we take books to remote African veterinary faculties, thereby stocking up their libraries and improve the interaction between the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Onderstepoort and these establishments.

The aims of Books for Africa 2004/5 are broadly defined:

1. To ensure the safe delivery of these veterinary journals, textbooks and CDs to the veterinary faculties to the north.

2. To position South Africa as a leading country with regards to veterinary science as well as to promote the our Faculty of Veterinary Science as an institute of academic excellence internationally.

3. To promote the relations between the different African Veterinary faculties.

4.  To serve as a medium for publicity to various sponsors and companies.

The distribution of the information contained in the books and journals will serve to enrich the Veterinary field in other parts of the African continent as well as the lives of those people and animals that will benefit there from.

The project will be during November and December 2004, starting at Onderstepoort, visiting universities of Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and Mozambique. 

The project consists of 8 veterinary students from Onderstepoort who are enthusiastic about achieving the above mentioned goals. We rely on help from any company, institution or individual, to make this trip a success and therefore make an appeal for any sponsorship or support that can be granted to our project.

2.  Project Outline

a) Project description

Books for Africa is a non-profit organisation affiliated to the Faculty of Veterinary Science of the University of Pretoria . Any surplus funds generated are donated to the next committee in order to help them achieve their desired outcomes.

The project consists of a forty day conference trip into Africa, using an estimated two vehicles and catering for eight people.

b) Project objectives

Books for Africa has, in the past, been self-sufficient in terms of funding (sponsorships) with future aim to continue in this fashion.

To achieve the aims as previously stated, the following objectives have to be met:

i. Establish a Project Committee consisting of eight members and delegate specific

   portfolios to each member.

           ii. Secure a list of suitable venues upon which an itinerary can be based.

           iii. Submit a forecasted program for the proposed project to the relevant university

     authorities and gain approval.

           iv. Secure relevant sponsorships and communicate benefits and costs.

c) Project strategy

The following factors can be listed as critical to the success of the project:

i. Obtaining a sufficient amount of books.

ii. Communicating with other universities

iii. The communication effort of (i) and (ii) to delegates. This involves the establishment of marketing champions at the various international veterinary faculties.

These factors will, again, form the focal point of the 2004 Project strategy.

d) Management committee

A Project Committee to organise and manage Books for Africa 2004 was selected by the current leaders of the project who was in turn selected by the 2002 Committee. The selected committee for 2004 include the following people and their delegated portfolios:

(No specific order)  

e) Preliminary budgets

A detailed preliminary budget is attached (Appendix A).  

3.  Project Scope

a) Marketing Strategy

The marketing campaign will involve the following aspects:

i.     Utilisation of marketing champions at all international veterinary faculties..

ii.    The establishment of a website.

     iii.   The utilisation and involvement of sponsorships that will contribute financially as well as

        give the event credibility.

(The aspects mentioned above are discussed in more detail below)

i) Marketing champions

Using a database of previous delegates, individuals at all international campuses will be identified and contacted to arrange the necessary dates and times. This has previously been very successful and will therefore be carried out again. As an incentive, these individuals could be rewarded with a gift in the form of a bag, a t-shirt or a book.

The Dean’s office at every faculty can also be contacted for this function.

ii) Website

A website will be designed and will reflect all the necessary information and visuals required by companies seeking additional information.

iii) Sponsorships

A wide variety of possible sponsors and sponsorship opportunities exist. This will be explained in more detail in section 3d.

b) Target group and targeted countries

The main focus of the communications effort is obviously focused on the universities and more specifically veterinary faculties. A list of international universities will be obtained from the International Veterinary Students Association (IVSA) from where targeted campuses will be sourced.

A list of targeted countries and universities is attached (Appendix B).

c) Itinerary and duration of the project

A detailed Itinerary is attached (Appendix C).

d) Sponsorship opportunities

Books for Africa has, in the past, been self-sufficient in terms of funding and we aim to continue in this fashion. In order to do so, sponsorships and financial support are essential. Various companies and institutions will be approached to assist us in this matter.

In doing so sponsors would gain the opportunity to be associated with this prestigious event and also have the opportunity to market themselves and their brands both locally and internationally.

All Sponsors will have access to the detailed financial reports off Books for Africa and also be issued with a tax certificate as to enjoy the tax benefits associated with such a sponsorship (As under section 18 and 56 of the Income Tax Act).

A list of sponsorship and assistance packages are available (Appendix D).

Appendix  A

pv – per vehicle, pp – per person 

Total                                                                                                       R31595-60

Countries and universities targeted:

Botswana

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Mozambique

Itinerary yet to be decided on

Advertising/Sponsorship options for Books for Africa 2004/5

Books For Africa 2004/5 managed to get the desired amount of money through sponsorship to make this project a reality. However, at this stage we are still in dire need of a vehicle(s). All our effort and hard work will be in vain if we can’t get transport into Africa. Please feel free to contact me at any time.

Thank you.

Johan Steenkamp

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