Use this space to ask questions, provide answers, and share your knowledge! Comments generate at the bottom of the page. If you’d like to respond to a comment that has already been made, hit “reply” and your comment will show up directly beneath the specific comment you’re responding to. ALSO! RE: Trading on projects that are already at 100!: A few projects have reached 100 percent on this market. Please note that this is the highest a stock price can go! So, the only place they can go from here is down. This means you cannot buy more stock in projects at 100 percent or $100. Look to other projects to invest in, or if you feel like a project doesn’t have a 100percent chance of succeeding on globalgiving, sell some of its stock and reinvest elsewhere!

NELA’s project stands the greatest chance of succeeding on GlobalGiving.com. NELA is a leading NGO in the fight against HIV/AIDS fight in Nigeria. Her impact mitigation of HIV and performances is one to none in Nigeria.

I want to participate but I do not know how to participate. I need some help.

You have $5000 to play with. I’d suggest first buying stock in your own project by clicking on your project in the trading assistant and clicking "Chances are higher than X%{color:blue}" and then buying stock. Also, use this discussion space to advocate to other traders why they should also purchase stock in your project. (just like you did yesterday!) Explain more about what makes your project unique, share a success story, etc… You can also encourage friends and co-workers to join and support your project. I hope that helps!

It would be helpful if you (the managers of this prediction market) could clearly describe how you will objectively identify the most successful project at the time the market closes. (Otherwise this will simply be another form of opinion poll). Please spell out the criteria of success, and who will make the judgement.

Right. See Mmehta’s message below. Those traders who have the greatest chance of succeeding on GlobalGiving are those who’s projects not only appeal to you on a gut level (which would be the opinion poll element), but more those who can utilize this discussion forum and other available tools (i.e. tracking their progress w/ RSS feeds, responding to dips in their stock price, answering questions/ clarifiying their project intent, etc…) to best advocate for their project. Project profiles are meant to be a basis from which project leaders can begin to tell traders their stories. It’s up to them to convince us traders how capable they are at using the web as an advocacy tool—this is inherent to success on Globalgiving.com. Just like in a prediction market focused on current events, we traders need to investigate these projects, look at what they’re attempting to accomplish, question their approaches, suggest alternatives, and buy/sell according to the information we uncover.

Also, the top three traders will receive gift certificates from Global Giving to spend on any project they so chose.

Great to see the beginning of an interesting conversation!

Project Leaders will be answering all questions from visitors on this discussion forum. They will also be all addressing a new question every week — come back to see what they have to say.

The success criteria which we have now re-posted more prominently on the home page as you suggested is listed below:

WHO SUCCEEDS ON GLOBALGIVING: Innovative, motivated Project leaders who regularly report on progress, make use of the GlobalGiving online fundraising toolkit and are able to mobilise support for their work are most successful on GlobalGiving.

Solidarity Rehabilitation Center will succeed: Read Poem from one of the children.

Jungle of Struggle

Like a great star, over little stars;
Like a great sea over little ponds
So is my joy, greater than all other things.
As my minds eye looks at the past
And my memory being so correct
So should my life be so joyful.
As from the years of 1997
And to this year, that is 2007
So joyful, so greatful, for all I have received
From the Solidarity Rehabilitation Center, and From the Christian Retreat Fellowship Center.
Shall I always and ever be greatful.
My academic moral and spiritual sponsor
My life had been progressive since then.
So bright had been the year 2000,
When I obtain my First School Leaving Certificate.
Much brighter was the year 2005,
When I excelled in the Ordinary Level General Certificate of Examination.
Then came this year 2007,
With breaking news of my wonderful performance in the Advanced Level General Certificate of Examination.
Thanks be to the Lord, God Almighty;
The provider of all needs.
Gone are the days I saw the cheeks of Rev. Milton Jackson
Gone are the days I used to see my aunt, aunty Clear,
So were the coming and going of others.
But atleast, their impact will never be forgoten.
And now my scopes are nothing but this,
Just to become a Medical Doctor.
By ASHUMBANG JAMES N.

Solidarity Rehabilitation Center will succeed. Read Succeess story of one of the Children of the Center.

At last I can Read and Write!!!

I thank God for the initiative of the Solidarity Rehabilitation Center. This center began taking care of me in 1997 when I was in Primary school, Class six. The moral upbringing and freedom to choose the type of activities that best suit me, contributed greatly to my success in all end of course examinations from the elementary through secondary, high school, and landed me in the university. I will live the praise and thank God; I am now entering my second year in the university. The real fact is that it was not a bed of roses, rather, all my achievements came through toil, stress, sacrifice, but with much more commitment, devotion, concentration, and determination. I used to trek 4kms to school and 4kms back home. I hardly got all the text books. In the university(University of Buea, Cameroon), it was not possible to rent a room for myself, so I had to patch up with a relative, who was never happy for the increase in population, given the high cost of living in this area. I am praying to God to touch the hearts and minds of all who are able to support the activities of this center, who will in turn be able to sponsor my education through the university. This year 2007, two of my brothers at the center have succeeded in the General Certificate of Education at the Advanced Level with excellent results, and are aspiring to meet me in the university. Asoh Emmanuella.(University of Buea Cameroon).

Great prediction market! I must say though that the projects with the best photos draw me in more. I just might be challenging the project leaders…

I look forward to the updates and to becoming the a top trader!

I agree with you about the photographs, somehow with our application I did not see that opportune moment to forward a photograph…or maybe I am getting old and my eyes are not as good as they use to be! Cheers!

Love the idea and look forward to being a trader. But the interface needs some major work in version 2.0 to make it clear what is going on.

I am interested in “Reviving A Dead Village” . This project appears to be one of a very small number that directly represent the community. It was submitted by a community representative of Al Tamba community. I find this very encouraging and in line with my own philosophy of participatory development.

The Mosaic Project has a multi-faceted approach to dealing with one of the most complicated issues in development – abuse of women. Mosaic combines counselling, support in navigating the courts, and job skill building. With the focus on the Millenium Development Goals particuarly the goal that states “Promote gender equality and empower women” this project takes on even greater importance. I would like to know more about who started the project, who runs it now, how it liases with other services for women, and what its vision is for the next five years.

Women, youth and rural primary education project (adopt a school project, has great chances of winning. Education is critical for development. A dull classroom and a school without adequate educational facilities like toilets, books, safe water, desks, tables and even a play ground for children leads to dull education. Supporting the UBOMA SCHOOL Project and the women’s health project would add value to your stocks.

The Supportin of Personnel at Chieng Rai, Northern Thailand is a project that is already in the running. The land of 2 acres has been gifted by thai friends, volunteers from Australia prepared to work on schedules. Qualified teachers prepared to teach the Thai Orphans and the Australian Government will support this project. Education is the main thrust and Love heaps of it. Maori Nannies living in Australia will spend six montly stints at the Orphanage just being a Nanny to the Thai children….all voluntarily…..Go Chieng Rai! Go!

One success story that happened in July 2007, through WYD project, is the sponsorship of three youths from Nigeria, in a leadership retreat in the United States where they met with participants from around the world (the Middle East, Africa, US, Latin America, Europe, and Asia) in planning and developing a vision plan as future leaders. They came from rural backgrounds and met with US business leaders. The goal of that project is to give young people the resources to help them think and develop ideas, and build confidence for networking through interaction with people from different cultures. They returned to their home countries inspired and motivated to champion meaningful civic participation in grassroots development instead of unrest, violence, and drugs. They now think differently! As leaders of today for tomorrow!!

I am particularly interested in the WYD program. Can I get more information on the UBOMA project and can photographs be posted for review? I think once we are able to empower women and children it becomes easier for them to realise their full potentials. I pitch my tent with WYD.

Thank you Nnamdi for your support for Partners for Freedom Uboma school project. We will post pictures soon.

Solidarity Rehabilitation Centre has the greatest chance of succeeding on GlobalGiving.com. See Success Story below:
SOLIDARITY REHABILITATION CENTRE, MENTEH, NKWEN, BAMENDA, NORTH WEST PROVINCE, CAMEROON.

Success Story

This Centre has existed for ten years now.

Solidarity Rehabilitation Centre was created in 1997 by Rev. Nui-Asibvuh Martin in answer to a call to serve.
VISION: This centre envisages a community of children transformed and growing into self-supporting, responsible adult, and fully integrated into the society.
MISSION: Her mission is to rehabilitate the very needy underprivileged Orphans and Vulnerable Children in the community of the North West province.
MAIN OBJECTIVE: The Solidarity Rehabilitation Centre has as her main objective Molding the underprivileged Orphans and Vulnerable Children to become Self-Reliant and responsible adults.
STRATEGIES: Her strategies include: providing complete parental care, moderate shelter, basic health care, food, education, training in various trades, training in managing income generating activities. Psychosocial support and counselling.It all started with an encounter with the Lord by Rev. Nui-Asibvuh Martin. He was a Secondary School Teacher before his call. In response, he resigned from teaching, went in for Theology. After completion, he was led by the Holy Spirit to a hill, about 3kms from the access road. Using local hoes spades and cutlasses, he dug the foundation, used the ground in molding blocks, with which he erected a sun-dried blocks house. He lived there with the wife and children, dedicated themselves to praying and seeking God’s will; tilling the soil and planting a variety of food crops, fruits, and vegetables; through this they earn their living.In his evangelistic missions, he visited the remote areas of the province, some really enclave areas, very difficult to reach. He found children in miserable conditions. Many of them orphans resulting from the effect of the HIV-AIDS. He brought some to the centre where he and the wife provide them full parental care.Today the centre has two buildings with 25 rooms, a farmland of about 20 acres some 20kms from the centre, some smaller farmlands around the centre. The farms are the main source of food supply. The centre has 20 children all enrolled in schools. One is in the university, two have just completed high school this year and will be entering the university from next academic year, three are learning various trades. The work on the farms is done mostly by the pastor, wife and the children. This harvest season, they were able to harvest 20 bags (70kg each) of Irish potatoes. The other crops still to be harvested in the course of the year include carrots and garlics.These children are living happily with their new parents, but there are more than 1000 of such children who were identified in those difficult areas, but at moment, the centre does not have sufficient means to bring them and care for them.

Ngelo Martina.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIV ORPHANS: In all my years of development work and working with folks affected by HIV, I have seldom been involved with a project as powerful as this one. Yes, there are only six young adults currently receiving this scholarship for University education, but they are such terrific young people. One, is now even in his first year of Medical School. These young people would never have had the opportunity to further their studies. They will certainly be the future leaders of Namibia Any questions? Please email me! Rick

I have spent some time in Namibia and it has a small population but is massively affected by the AIDs epidemic. I taught adults business and secretarial skills there and they are now having a real impact. So although there are only 6 currently on this project proportionately they will have a real impact on this beautiful country. SCHOLORHIP FOR HIV ORPHANS will definitely be a winner on this market, BUY NOW. Sally

After spending all your money, how do you get more money to buy more shares? I have spent all my money and I want to buy more shares. Pls could you please explain what today means in the market? I see different figures without knowing what this means. if a project is tagged “chances are high that” does it mean that that project is the most favoued?

Your goal as a trader in the marketplace is to trade on different projects and win more money. Spport the projects you most care about. Also look for the projects you think will do the best job of succeeding on Globalgiving.com. The projects most likely to succeed will be the ones that appeal to you, and that have project leaders who use this discussion space to answer questions and post new information. To get more money to trade, go to your “dashboard” and look at the shares you have purchased. Hopefully, you have gained some money (you will see a green box with “up” and a number). Sell these shares and use your money to trade on new projects. Especially pay attention to the discussion space to try and identify projects with a low share price that you think will go up. Buy their stock before it becomes too high! Then you’ll make more money and support more projects. Also, the top 3 traders at the end of the competition will receive REAL money to contribute to projects on Globalgiving.com.

The day I knew my HIV status that I am positive, I broke down and decided to commit suicide until someone introduced NELA to me. They gave me hope, got me a job, invited me to join their support group where I met other PLWHs that are living fine. Today, I am happily married with a bouncing baby boy who is negative and hope has also been restored to me courtesy NELA. I am encouraging more people join me in making this project to succeed on globalgiving because of her humanitarian drive.