Empowring Macha Tulama

April 3, 2015 Oromia

Objective

• To empower Macha Tulama Cooperative & Development Association (MTA) so that the organization can achieve its mission.

Mission

• The mission of MTA is to advocate for sustainable cultural and socioeconomic development in Oromo society with a focus on rebuilding indigenous national institutions based on Oromo democratic tradition and values such as the Gadaa system.

. The specific activities MTA has outlined to achieve its mission are on the website that we have developed for this plan:http://machatulama.org/#/aboutMTA

General

• We have prepared an online payment set up to collect sustainable monthly contribution (as small as $5) from the Oromo Diaspora. Contribution of more than $5 per month is indeed encouraged.
• If 5,000 people sign up for just $5 monthly contribution, MTA can collect $25,000 per month, which is almost a quarter of a million dollars in a year time. Actually, many might contribute more than just $5 per month.
• Once MTA is empowered, it’s our belief that we will be able to support all causes which we believe benefit our people.The plan will also bring together Oromos from all walks of life for a common goal which creates a sense of unity among us.

Plan

• The online payment set up (http://machatulama.org/#/supportMTA) is using PayPal which is a secure system for financial transaction. People can contribute by using their debit/credit card or their PayPal account.
• People sign up just once and check on a box (while signing up) which authorizes PayPal to deduct the amount they specify from their card (debit/credit) or PayPal account monthly.
• For those who would like to send check or money order, the mail address of MTA is provided on the website along with the online set up. (Pay to: Macha Tulama)
• MTA has also made available its book which is prepared by Prof. Asafa Jalata and Prof. Mohammed Hassen for the 50th anniversary of the association. (Title: The Macha Tulama Association – Its Importance in Oromo History)
• MTA has outlined some specific works it’s planned to do by the money to be collected and prepared the rules and regulations how to use it. Please find some of these specific works below.
• Our plan is to launch a five day intensive campaign (promotion) on social media with your support. We have also a plan to buy air time and promote on TV channels in the future so that our call reaches to every single Oromo.
• In these 5 days of campaign/promotion, we sincerely request you to update your Facebook status and tweet at least once in a day along with the link to the contribution. The content of the status update and tweets is up to you.
• Please be informed that this brief note is emailed to many other social media users and activists, in addition to you.
• We kindly request you to include the hash tag #EmpowerMTA when you update your status on Facebook and tweet on twitter in these five days.
• We have scheduled the campaign/promotion to start tomorrow on April 3 (Friday) and end on April 7, 2015 (Tuesday).
• MTA has a plan to launch such a campaign/promotion in the future once in a while, in addition to other ways of promotion.

Some specific works MTA has planned to do:

• First save some money for emergency purposes.
• Support those of us who are unfortunate now, but who have contributed to the development and growth of our language, culture, history, literature, art, Gadaa system, etc
• Support causes, projects, researches, firms, charity organizations, etc which work on health, education, culture, history, language, literature, art, etc in our society.
• Translate books from different languages to our language.
• Give prizes to those who do outstanding works to benefit our society.
• Support outstanding students from back home (scholarship at home or abroad).

Remark  

• The Board of MTA will assign 7 (seven) individuals as Executive Committee (EC) members to execute the works listed above. The name of these EC members will be made public in the near future on the website.
• The Board will also assign 3 (three) finance officers and 5 advisers to evaluate proposals which request for funding.
• MTA has a plan to hire a talented CEO who will work full time to develop the association so that it becomes strong and powerful in the near future.

Thank you very much!

Macha Tulama Association