Brass Tacks News
Paul Dodds at St LumièreTime-lapse video of work at St Lumière (21st November 2011)
We have a time lapse video from Paul Dodds of the work at St Lumiere in France, showing some of the internal alterations taking place over a two-day period. This is a link to the video clip on the youtube website.
Calendar and Meetings pages updated with new dates (8th November 2011)
Lots more meetings have been added to the calendar for 2011/2012 including the Northern Ireland meetings from 23rd November to 2nd December 2011.
Kalene and Sakeji project photos 2011 (7th November 2011)
We have just uploaded a series of photos to the flickr site showing the progress made this year at Kalene Hospital and Sakeji School. The project at Kalene is the construction of a new wing for the hospital to provide operating theatres etc. At Sakeji School it was the construction of a new dining room.
Phil and Carly Horne (30th March 2011)
An article was recently printed in the local newspaper of one of our volunteers, Phil Horne, from New Zealand. You can view the article from the Geraldine News. Please be aware that it may take some time to load (New Zealand is some distance from the UK!).
Important notice from the trustees (12th January 2011)
There is an important notice from the Trustees regarding the planning for the future succession of the post of Executive Director of Brass Tacks. The notice can be downloaded here. Your prayers would be much appreciated.
New pictures (20th October 2010)
Some recent pictures from our projects this year have been uploaded.
Autumn 2010 prayer news (20th October 2010)
The latest prayer news is now available for download.
Prayer update available (6th July 2010)
An update has been produced giving up to date news of what has happened so far this year and what is still planned. There is lots going on, much to pray for and lots of opportunities if you are free!
Photos from Chingola (6th July 2010)
The webmaster was away on a trip to Chingola during May and part of June, which is why the website was not updated during that time. There are some new pictures from the trip available via the 'Photos from a volunteer' link.
News from Ipusukilo Childrens Centre (24th March 2010)
The Ipusukilo Childrens Centre was officially opened last week and the first boys have come in to their new home. It is very exciting and an answer to many prayers. For more information the latest Ipusukilo prayer news is available.
Spring 2010 prayer news (19th March 2010)
The latest prayer news is now available for download.
Projects for 2010 updated (10th March 2010)
The projects page for 2010 has been updated as a small project in Le Havre, France has been added. The dates of the some of the planned projects have changed and others may continue to change dependant on the availability of volunteers and local conditions.
Projects for 2010 (26th December 2009)
The website has been updated with details of the projects which we will be undertaking in 2010 God-willing. It's looking like another busy year. Some of the projects are starting very early in 2010, so if you are able to help, please contact us as soon as possible.
Ipusukilo project (26th December 2009)
The latest newsletter from Ipusukilo Childrens Centre has been published and is also available for download. It has lots of pictures and information on the recent work there.
Ipusukilo project (24th September 2009)
The latest newsletter from Ipusukilo Childrens Centre has been published and is also available for download. It has lots of pictures and information on the recent work there.
Brass Tacks prayer news Winter 2009 (24th September 2009)
The latest Winter 2009 Brass Tacks prayer news is now available for download.
Latest pictures from Chtiokoloki posted (5th September 2009)
There are some up-to-date pictures taken by various volunteers who have been working on the extension at Chitokoloki Misison Hospital available in our flickr picture galley.
Progress report from Chitokoloki (19th August 2009)
The work on the operating theatre extension at Chitokoloki Mission, Zambia has been progressing very well. The shell of the building is now up and plastered. It is hoped to be completed shortly.
News from Chitokoloki Mission (16th June 2009)
The work to build the operating theatre extension at Chitokoloki Mission Hospital is well underway. One of our volunteers, who has just returned from Chitokoloki has posted some up to date pictures of the project on flickr.
Brass Tacks prayer news Spring 2009 (16th June 2009)
The latest Spring 2009 Brass Tacks prayer news is now available for download.
Update from the Ipusukilo Project (28th February 2009)
The latest news/prayer letter is now available regarding the Ipusukilo Childrens Centre project in Chingola. You can download the newsletter here or visit the Ipusukilo project webpage directly.
Updates to website (14th December 2008)
The website is being updated and overhauled in the next couple of weeks to get ready for 2009. Details of the projects for 2009 have been posted.
Making a difference (8th October 2008)
On Saturday 22nd November we will be holding our annual get-together. It will be a time in which Brass Tacks volunteers will be able to share their experience of visits abroad. This year we will be meeting at Bethany Christian Centre, Hetton Road, Houghton Le Spring, Tyne and Wear, DH5 8PF. Afternoon session - 4:30 pm, Tea - 6:00 pm, Evening Session - 7:15 pm, Finish 9:00 pm. We have a downloadable pdf flyer with further details.
View the Ipusukilo site on Google Earth (27th October 2008)
A KML file is now available for download of the Ipusukilo Site. This file can be opened in Google Earth to show the location of the Ipusukilo Childrens Centre in high resolution detail. The KML file is contained in a zip folder and must first be saved to your computer and then extracted.
Kalene Hospital rewire (15th October 2008)
Tomorrow Trevor Adamson leaves to commence the rewire of Kalene Hospital God willing. He will be joined by John Maguire, David Hodge, and Frank Balassa for the month of November.
Update from Chingola (11th October 2008)
It seems a long time since April when we started the work on site at Isupukilo Children’s Trust. We are pleased to say that the work has gone well and as Jim Smith and Bernard Delves came home the roof on the first house was completed. The second house is now up to the eaves level and the foundations to houses 4 and 5 await the underslab fill. You can also download the latest newsletter about the Ipusukilo project on our downloads page.
Kelvin Samwata on the radio (6th October 2008)
Kelvin Samwata from Chingola, Zambia was interviewed on BBC Radio Merseyside and broadcast on 5th October. The interview was about the work of Brass Tacks at Ipusukilo Childrens Centre in Chingola. You can listen to the mp3 file on our downloads page.
www.brasstacksuk.org (1st October 2008)
Brass tacks now have two domains which means you can get to our website using the old address www.brass-tacks.org.uk or the new address www.brasstacksuk.org. Another easy way is to use Google and simply type in Brass Tacks. Our site is normally the first result.
Ipusukilo project (4th August 2008)
The work at Ipusukilo is progressing well. There are some up to date pictures which have just been uploaded to the Brass Tacks galleryIpusukilo project (1st July 2008)
The latest newsletter from Ipusukilo Childrens Centre has been published and is also available for download. It has got some useful information and details of the work so far.
Roger Mullan one of our volunteers has just returned from this project and we have uploaded some interesting pictures to the flickr photostream. Look on our 'past projects' page for more information.
There is now a website up and running for the Ipusukilo Childrens Centre at www.ipusukilo.org
Summer newsletter available for download (1st July 2008)
The latest brass tacks newsletter has been published and is now available for download on our downloads page.
Urgent request for help (19th June 2008)
Paul Hannay who was our original first full-time worker has been working at Chengelo School, Zambia for 5 years as the maintenance manager. He has unfortunately had to return back to the UK due to ill health. Paul was in the middle of replacing the ceilings to 4 classrooms. The school have their 20th Anniversary at the end of July and have asked if Brass Tacks could help complete the suspended ceilings. We need a carpenter or someone with experience in fitted suspended ceilings for about 3 weeks. If you think you could help please contact Jean in the office. Meanwhile please remember Paul, Angela and the family in your prayers.
Kalene Rewire (14th June 2008)
The orders for all of the electrical goods have been placed and we hope that the three containers will be leaving the UK soon. This now means we can finally set the date for the project, which will be the middle of October 2008 DV. We will need about 8 qualified electricians (cert. 16th amendment) over a period of 3 months. Please pray for volunteers able to come for 1 month or more and the safe arrival of the containers at Kalene.
Work permits (14th June 2008)
Volunteers entering Zambia to work on projects for longer than 30 days require a work permit. Phil Grove has been able to obtain these following lots of form filling and the payment of £100. The immigration officers at Lusaka airport however have tried to confiscate the permits of a number of our volunteers upon returning to the country if they have been away for more than 90 days. This obviously has caused some problems, as most volunteers would normally travel out only once a year. Please pray that the officers on entry will recognise the status of Brass Tacks and the role the volunteers play and allow them to keep hold of their work permits for future trips.
Ipusukilo Childrens Centre, Chingola (3rd June 2008)
The work at Chingola to construct the five bungalows which will provide accommodation is well underway. As of last week the floor slab was complete on house 1. Houses 2 and 5 have completed foundations and are awaiting hardcore. The foundations have been excavated for house 4 and will be poured soon. We have some up to date photos of the site and these are being added to the photo gallery of one of our volunteers.
Update on virus attack (3rd June 2008)
Unfortunately during May the Brass Tacks website was infected by a virus on several occasions. Despite being removed the script recurred. The webmaster is now back in the UK following his recent trip to Zambia. The issue has been taken up with the web host Skymarket and precautions have been taken to try and ensure that this does not happen again. We will monitor the site daily to keep a check on it. Once again, our sincerest apologies to anyone who viewed the website during this period and was affected by the virus.
Virus attack (8th May 2008)
The Brass Tacks website was unfortunately infected by a virus during the last week. The infected page has now been removed and the situation will be reported to our web provider as it appears to have come through the provider. We will be closely monitoring the situation. If you have viewed the site within the last week it is recommended that you virus scan your computer.
Webmaster away (26th April 2008)
The Brass Tacks webmaster will be away at Chingola, Zambia from 2nd to 31st May God-willing. He will be helping with the work at Ipusukilo Childrens Centre. It is unlikely that the website will be updated during that period, but there should be plenty of photos uploaded to the flickr gallery upon return!
Update on Ipusukilo Childrens Centre (23rd April 2008)
The new Ipusukilo Children's Centre April 2008 newsletter is available on the downloads page giving information on the progress so far on site at Chingola, Zambia. There are pictures of the work and some of the people working on the project. It is hoped that we will start uploading more pictures of the work once the first volunteers have returned to the UK.
Job in Paris (26th March 2008)
Additional help is required with a further project at a small Church in Paris. Volunteers are needed for two weeks or more in May and June. Please contact the office if you are able to help with this or any of the other projects.
Spring newsletter available for download (6th March 2008)
The latest Brass Tacks prayer letter is now available for download. There is also an updated version of the information leaflet on the Ipusukilo Project, which gives a detailed overview of this project. The volunteer application form has also been revised. All three are available on the downloads page.
Bugs ironed out (1st March 2008)
A few bugs have been ironed out with the website, mainly for viewers using Firefox. There is also a new calendar view of the meetings and events for 2008.
Radio Interview
Volunteer Chris Jones was recently interviewed on BBC Radio Merseyside. The mp3 recording can be downloaded on the downloads page. Also on the same page is a recording of a report meeting from November 2006.
New pages (30th January 2008)
Two new pages have been added today. There is a page which is basically an interview with Roger Mullan, a regular volunteer called 'meet a volunteer'. There is another page on the history of Brass Tacks, written by Dr Peter Coates MBE. You can also download volunteer application forms from the downloads page.
Projects for 2008 (10th January 2008)
The new projects for 2008 can be found on the projects for 2008 page. Further details can be found on the downloads page.
New on the website today (19th December 2007)
A lot has changed to the website in the last few days....
1. There are now picture galleries on the past projects page.
2. The list of meetings has been posted for 2008.
3. There is a password protected section for trustees and volunteers.
4. More of the newsletters are now available for download.
New Website goes live (17th December 2007)
As you may have noticed, the website has changed, and is in the process of being updated. Please bear with us as these changes take place and content is updated. More content will be added to the site in the coming weeks. If you are experiencing any problems with the site, then please contact the office to report the problems.