the dung ball along, so has the last couple of
weeks been moving, at a rolling along pace.
This doesn't seem to sound too pretty but, it really
has been a few good weeks with no complaints.
It has been just busy enough for my liking.
A high point is that we made another instructional DVD.
The topic was that of TB and this was made in
the local language of Thimbukushu. It, like the Khwedam
HIV DVD as it came out fairly OK.
This time we made a little drama with all the needed
information about TB in it and also had a section with
all the info, as a repetition.
We are learning how to make these catered to the people.
I observed their reaction to the DVD as they watched it
and we are the wiser and better prepared for the next one.
The mistake we made was a too long information part.
Next time we will break it down to something like 90%
drama and 10% talking to informational presenting.
From my perspective, I am very pleased with the
enthusiasm of the clinic workers and their participation
into filming. One of goals as volunteers is to get the
people to do it themselves, the Tom Sawyer method
of getting a fence painted. We also have other ideas
and in fact they are adding up. The next one should
be a good one as it is based on a true situation where
a man spread the HIV to several women.
Let's see what else happened.
The school started their athletics program and will
have some competitions. The best part is that they
are using the football field that we built about six months
ago that no one really has used. So as a personal
point, we are happy to see that the work wasn't in total
vain. Also, the young men are using the field to
practice football and that just began this week. So,
sports activity is a good thing.
We have sent out a solicitation for the TV channel to
be transmitted in the village. In another blog I mentioned
that we have the TV signal in the radio equipment trailer
just sitting there. All it needs is some form of transmitting
antenna. It will really help if it works out.
The Romanians are working on their building and will
bring in a group of their friends to help them sometime
next week. We setup a performance of the San Youth
Cultural Dance troupe while they are here. The San
girls will also teach the few Romanian girls how to make
the local porridge which is the staple food here. So
that should be a good activity and hopefully doesn't
have that too awkward moment when totally different
cultures meet for the first time.
Speaking of culture, the local culture guy is planning
on organizing a traditional skill workshop for the
San (Khwe) kids. It is because the old ways are
dying with the elders. Again, due to the forced lifestyle
change. This workshop looks pretty intensive with
just about everything. From traditional tool making to
how to start a fire with sticks, to traditional medicines
and everything in between. I am fortunate to be able to
participate in it. What better way for an outsider to
see the San culture as it used to be.
Incredible sight of the week came last Monday. On the
way back from town we saw at least 40 to 50
elephants cross the road. They were standing on the
side of the road just like someone waiting to cross.
We drove by and stopped. After a few minutes they
started crossing. They were all bunched up with the
younger ones (to include what appeared to be pretty
close to a new born) in the middle. They young ones
were actually being pushed along by the bigger ones.
It was really a sight to see the huge animals move.
On moving along, it is good time to end this blog entry.
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