Bread baking sequel

On Tuesday we held another bread baking workshop
(people mixing dough in picture). It was better than
the first one. It rained very hard at one point and we
were all huddled under a leaking zinc roof, it was fun.

It has been a pretty good week, we received a shipment
of diesel for the generator. We were about 2 weeks
struggling without electricity. It cramps any computer
literacy at the school and it just plain makes everything
difficult. When they brought the fuel there was a
little problem with the hookup and we had to wait
another day for someone to come. What it was is
that the diesel has a feed and a return. They crossed
them and it was a mess as tubes flew off and
spewed diesel all over the engine. But I think we
learned something and I did something crazy, I
put a tag on each one. One says feed the other
return, hopefully that will be the last time for that
problem.

We cleaned off the netball court and the girls started
playing again. It gives life to the center of town. They
had stopped playing for over 3 months. This group
is a younger one, mostly teenagers, so hopefully it
will keep a few out of the bars a little more.

We fixed a computer at one of the offices so that it
could burn DVDs. Not a big deal other than the
secretary said that he would burn some DVDs and
charge a little, then use the profits to buy new ink
cartridges for their printer. That's the first time I
every heard of anyone here speaking of anything
remotely related to sustainability. So, got to see
it to believe it.

Last Monday we went to the big city Katima. Our
village is almost exactly in the middle of a game
reserve. So anytime one drives down the road one
never knows what one will see. Last Monday was
an exciting day. About 30 kilometers outside the
village we see a big hyena dead in the road. Even
dead they look a little dangerous.

Better yet was the male elephant on the side of the
road. I guess we kind of came up behind him
(he was on the side of the road) and scared him.
He turned towards us with his ears all out and
chased us for a little ways. It is also cool to hear
the elephant make the trumpeting sound. Just
like in the movies or the animal planet show.

So that's it for this week.

Probably wondering ...

What you are looking at in the picture above.
The look on the faces of the villagers that were
present at today's bread baking workshop said
... what is it.

It is every volunteer's story fodder that we
take with us and always comes back to mind when
someone burns something in the oven.

I am sure by now that everyone can tell that it is a
bread that was exposed to some pretty high
temperature ...

Everything went well for the workshop until we
arrived at the payday, the highly anticipated
moment ... the moment of truth.

So, it was really kind of funny watching the villagers
reaction to the first great appearance of one of the 27
breads that were placed inside the traditional oven.

Should we make excuses first or wait till later
... maybe later.

We used this huge traditional oven which was left from
the time of the occupation by South African troops.
It is about 7ft tall, 6 ft wide and another 7 or so feet
deep. It's impressive and seeing as the South African
military left in something like 1989, it is still in decent
condition.

There were something like 40 people total with about
15 adults and the rest, kids. It was really ok. It was
actually fun. Almost everyone got their hands into making
the dough. They had some ownership in it all.

It could best described as somewhat of a carnival
atmosphere. Adults talking amongst each other, kids playing
games and running around, really just plain, nice.

So it was kind of funny when the first bread came out in
the condition seen in the picture. It is just the plain old typical
project that when things are going too good, it can't be true.

Ok, excuse as to why. It was the first time baking with this
oven. We put in a decent amount of wood seeing as the
oven was fairly big. Sound logic, wouldn't you say?

It was really a surprise that when they opened the oven door
after 10 minutes and saw the bread in that state. It should
have taken something like 30 to 45 minutes so as to cook
well and through. I am not sure but I think we somehow
figured out how to cook faster than a microwave.

It must be said that not all the bread came out in that manner.
After we saw the situation we opened the door and let
it cool some as it baked. Something like half turned out
with what would be 1st degree burns instead of the above
bread's 3rd degree status.

I have been at this a while and for me it is just plain normal to
have something not go well enough to allow the project to
come out without a hitch. Call me pessimistic but I say ...
it just ain't never going to be 'the perfect project'. In
reality, it would be boring if it went just as drawn up.

Oh yeah, despite it's appearance, the bread tasted really
good and the best way to judge the workshop's success
was by the speed with which the bread was consumed.
All 27 were gone in less than 30 minutes and that with 15
big people and 25 small people to make it go away.

We are doing an encore bread making workshop
Tuesday, this time well go light on the wood and it should
come out better. This time we may actually look like we
know what we are doing, where's the story in that?

Update from the bush ...

It is amazing to think that Monday will be the
one year anniversary of our arrival in Namibia,
time is flying by.

In the picture you are looking at what was, the
biggest elephant I've ever seen. In my little book
on the wildlife of the Okavango region it states that
a male can grow to 4 meters tall or a little over 12ft.
and weigh up to 6,000 kg or 13,000 lbs. This one
had to be pretty close to those numbers. It looked
like an old male and must have been a tough life for
this guy, if the tusks are any indication.

I took this picture as part of an excursion we had
with the winners of the Miss Valentine's day contest
that the youth leadership group facilitated. It was the
group's first attempt at any form of activity. I am
giving them an -A. They had some difficulties but we
sat together and worked them out. It wasn't perfect
but it was the proverbial 'great learning experience'.
It is about empowering the youth and prepare them
to lead when their time comes.

Part of the prize for winning was a trip to the game park.
There were four winners and five from the youth group
leadership board, me and one of the Romanian guys.
We took the Romanian's microbus and off we went.
We were incredibly lucky because as soon as we entered
we came across the huge male elephant, zebras, impala,
vultures and what I think is a Tawny Eagle.

And that was it, not another animal in sight. Of course we
went at about the worst time of the day due to having to
wait for the girls to arrive. But all was not lost because I
brought my little camera and we took a total of 119 pictures.
With about 10 of them with animals in them and the rest ...
well ... best described ... they loved hamming it up for
the camera. But it was a good, reason being, they had
fun.

I am thinking that for all of them, it was the first time at
the game park, so. It was a new experience for them.

On the movie scene, we are in the process of hashing out
a new story line about teenage pregnancy. It is going
a little slow but I am actually happy with the process.
It is going slow because we are still discussing the
way the message, in it's best form, can be delivered through
the drama. I am feeling that with the daily discussions
and the 'think tank' ten minutes, that they are
learning to not just rush anything out there but to think
about what is the goal of actually making these movies.
And that is to deliver a convincing message that will
in the end, alter behavior for the good.

Tomorrow we are going to have a little bread making
workshop. When the military was here they had this
huge traditional oven and it has been just sitting there
for quite a while. The oven was used by a bread
making group but went the typical way that the groups
seem to always arrive to ... out of business. Standard
cookie cutter reason, too much credit, too much
eating the goods and last but not least, too many
hands in the profit jar.

So, the Romanian girl is a fantastic cook and she decided
to try the workshop. Truth be told on this one, if a few
come, then, it will be a success. Also, the goal of this
one isn't for income generating. It is for the attainment
of knowledge and hopefully, baking of bread for their
families. It seems that all the time a workshop or
something similar is talked of, it is always, how much
money can be made. I think that this one is better
if it is ... how much bread can you eat.

Later, if they are interested in going into a business, then
they will have the skill to venture out on their own and
it is in their hands. The old teach a man how to fish thing.
But only this time ... teach a person how to make bread.
We are not even concerned about if it will be a success
through a tremendous turnout. Worst thing that happens,
we eat nice hot bread for lunch. To me if that happens,
heck, I'll give it the big thumbs up seal of approval.

The young San cultural group is really improving. They
need some props like, a traditional bow and arrow,
some type of mask and skin to emulate a lion or an
animal for their hunting song. A few little axes and
things like that. So we are working on acquiring
some of those items. I am donating on this one, those
kids are really into it, they enjoy it and again, are
pretty good. I feel they deserve a little support.

The guys were actually playing soccer and it is a good
thing for them and the village. The work is to try and
waken up the place, get a better energetic life style
going and in the end, it fits in the goal of changing
the behavior from one of alcohol as a first option
in the fight against boredom.

It has been a steady week or so since the last blog
entry. Despite the fact that I may be a little delusional
about the next statement ... we are making some
progress ... there is a long way to go.

All we can do is keep at it.

Chaka

That's how it feels after struggling with an idea
or project and then see it come to fruition.
Especially when it is a sort of pilot project,
never been tried (in the village).By the way,
chaka means good in the San (Khwedam)
language.

I am referring to the health videos we've been
working on. After the mired in super glue state
we were in, it's been a total one eighty.

This morning upon arriving at the clinic, I was
met by three excited health workers. What
happened yesterday was that the TB counselor's
boss arrived for a visit. The TB counselor
(Regina) showed the DVD we made concerning
TB. Her boss was excited and impressed and
told her that she was doing a great job. She
also said that it was tremendous that it was in
a local language and that everyone could
understand the message.

So, Regina is really animated about participating
in other movies.

But the best part is that she had 7 people in the
last two weeks just come in for TB tests. She's
been counseling in this village for about 9
months and she told me that it was the first
time that people came in voluntarily to be tested.
Usually people are referred to her for testing.

It isn't the end of the world and it isn't the cure for
cancer but, it is a small victory that keeps us
motivated and wanting to do more.

From my side of it, I am happy as heck. It was
one of those days that nothing could affect
the good feeling.

It was funny that Regina's boss said: "How did
you guys do it. What equipment did you use, it
came out pretty clear"?

The best part ... it was with my tiny Canon A570IS
camera, Windows Movie Maker and someone
else's disk burner. The total cost was ... about .66 cents
USD. Just the price of the blank DVD.

It is good that they can see that we can do meaningful
work/projects with the limited resources we have.

Hard to explain that good old feeling of success that
comes from some idea or project going pretty much
right. Especially if it is behavior change based.

So, the 'sometimes it's good' can't last and tomorrow
is another day. But we live in the now ... and now is
pretty darn good.

Be Careful ... Think

That's what the words in the picture mean.
It is from the Thimbukushu language and it
is the name of the movie we made this week.
We went from almost nine months to actually
make the first movie, to being on a schedule of
making bi-weekly productions. It's just how it
goes, to use 'famine to feast', would describe the
direction this is going. But if it follows the basic
pattern ... it will be ... famine ... feast ... disappear.
But until it disappears I am going to enjoy being
a part of it.
The name of the movie really has not much to do
with the story ... it just kind of does ... because it is
almost in everything that we could ... be careful,
think.
The story goes like this ... there is a guy who likes
the women. He has HIV and a little TB thrown in.
They are all in the shebeen (bar) and the wife
sees the girlfriend. There is some drama. They
did a really good job on that scene. Maybe they've
seen something like that before, yup.
Well, both women get TB, one gets HIV (the wife).
The wife does the right thing, gets tested and then
follows the ARV and TB medication schedule. She
goes along fine. The girlfriend has TB only but
doesn't follow the medication schedule. That is
a problem here as some people no matter how
many times they tell them, just don't come regularly.
Of course, the results are that the medication won't
work and she is in trouble.
But the guy who likes the girls, well, he doesn't want
to believe anything about TB or HIV. Doesn't want
to go for testing. Easy to see where he's headed.
He decides (when he is really sick) to go to the
traditional healer.
This was another great scene with a lot of wild action
and chaos. Again, those guys did a great job.
So, the guy gets kind of jived up and stands up and
dances like he got the spirit in him, then drops dead.
The women cry / wail and the wife (who brought him
to the traditional healer) then chases the healer around
with a hoe as the people try and break it up.
I was running the camera and I could see that it was
going to be an interesting scene.
In the end the lessons are ... don't be stupid, get tested,
don't have multiple partners and if you are taking
ARVs or TB medication, do it right.
Another huge part is the the group is growing and it
is a fun way to kill a Friday afternoon.
The next one I am thinking should be about teenage
pregnancy. It is really a problem here and with the
threat of HIV high, I guess that the youth just
aren't getting the message in a way that makes sense
to them.
To change the subject ... the Romanians and the guys
from the village played their soccer game last Thursday.
It was 10 to 8 with the Romanians winning. It was
a great activity for both sides. It helped create a little
connection and familiarity through sports. It also
gave the village youth something to think about. In
this area they are kind of the best. They never practice
and I guess they had the big fish in a small pond
frame of mind.
With the thumping they got, hopefully they will be at the
field a little more. The Romanians had a different style
of play than the village youth. The youth talked about
what they learned, a good thing.
A lot of benefits came out of that game.
Began to teach a young San girl (who is going to teach
some computer classes) some new things. Sustainable
in every way. Like I mentioned before, the only sustainable
thing I know is, knowledge.
Also a few young women are going to organize a valentine's
day event. In my opinion it is a good thing. We are
so far out in the bush and to have some (city type)
activity is well worth the effort.
Here we have some young kids who've gone to school
in cities. When they come back, they are dying of boredom.
So if this will help to keep them active, it is good.
Also, it is the initiate of a few youth, good to see in the
world of development.
Time to end this blog article so best way to end it is ...
with the words ... Tukoneke no Kughayara.

It happened

In the last blog entry I spoke about how
things kind of happened. Also, that one of
the things that maybe/kind of was going to
happen was what could be best described as
a cultural even. The San (Khwe) cultural
group performed for the visiting Romanians.
The picture I posted for this entry is not of
the San dancers but of the Sifwe people members
of the Adventist Church Choir. Sifwe is what
they call a tribe just as the San (Khwe) would
be called a tribe. That's the word they use to
describe their origins, tribe.
It is really an experience to be able to see these
little events.
Overall it went well. It was the first time that the
San group actually performed for strangers while
being in the village. It appeared to be a new
thing for them too. So it actually was more than
a visitor welcome event, it had all the makings of
a great cross cultural activity.
My feeling is that there was a lot more accomplished
than what would have met the eye.
From a development point of view, any action that
can open a mind or bring about tolerance and
acceptance, is a success.
Tomorrow there is a soccer match planned between
the Romanians and some of the village youth.
Like the 'kind of happen' train of thought, it just
ain't sure till it's actually in process. But so far,
we're on a roll with the dance part of the visitor
welcome activities, a done deal.
Another piece of the development puzzle was
put in place today.

Musafir

I thought that the word 'musafir' (actually not
sure of the spelling) would be the best title
for this blog entry.
Musafir is the Romanian word for visitor.
That's what you are looking at in the picture.
Really it is visitors and I am not sure that means
that it is musafiri, or like that, for the plural.
They are a group from the Adventist church who
arrived a few weeks ago to work constructing
some buildings (for a church) in a town about
160 km or 100 miles away.
They came to visit the other Romanian people
whom are living in the village.
In the picture they are talking to a German priest.
They also sang a few songs and for me, it was
kind of nostalgic as I have lived in Romania for
about two and a half years. It was like I was
there and I had to put an effort to try and
remember that we were in Namibia.
The group was surprised that I could speak
their language, seeing as I am from the USA.
It was just a good time.
The rumor is that some of the group will
maybe/kind of come here in the village next
Monday and spend at least a week helping
out to repair the Adventist church here.
What we have done is kind of planned (that is
because they are kind of coming) a San cultural
dance event. Hopefully there will be a few cooking
lessons thrown in. It will be good for the Romanians
and to me, even better for the San. Any exchange
for people that are living out in the bush like we are,
is a valuable experience. I am kind of looking
forward to it.
So we kind of planned for the group that is kind
of coming and we are kind of looking forward to
be there participating.
Welcome to life in the bush where everything seems
to kind of happen.
One would also think that it would be kind of
stressful to kind of go through a kind of day.
But the crazy part is that ... once you get used to it ...
that way kind of grows on you.

Just rolling along ...

Like the dung beetle in the picture who is rolling
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.

Finally ...

As you can see in the photo the DVD in the
Khwedam (one of the San languages) is finally
finished.
It has been just about the first project that came
about way back upon arriving here in April '09'.
To call it a struggle is really being kind.
The difficulty was in finding the right people to
work with. After receiving about 20 ... sure
we''ll do it, no problems ... it took the arrival
of a young man from another village whom is
working in this village's health clinic, to get it
done.
Again, it really came out well and the people
did a great job. We are not professional film
makers so there is the occasional baby wailing
and a cell phone or two going off, but, the
message is there in a very clear and concise way.
It is the first of it's kind in that language and on
Monday we'll put it in the DVD player at the
clinic and see what, if any, impact of value it
has on giving all the information needed
concerning HIV/AIDS.
It is also the end of the week and it can be
called the week of hope and optimism.
There are some good signs that the village may
be progressing a bit. The progress will come
from a person whom is working to open up a
decent sized store/market here. Right now we
have little shops that charge too much and this
is due to the isolation of the village. Normally
it takes a day of trying to find a ride and some
traveling cost to go to the nearest town to get
supplies.
So, if this store is decent it will make life so
much easier.
Also, the health clinic was in need of some
pretty extensive repairs and before Christmas
we wrote a solicitation for repairs. They came
down the other day and made a work order
so ... it is a matter of when, always the factor.
The Romanians that are in the village have had
their group arrive to fix up their building and when
they get setup they will do some community work
in the area of day care, art and some vocational
training.
The school is back in session and it seems that
they may be getting a group of students from
some European school for a week or so. The
last group from Scotland helped paint the
school building and really brought some well
needed enthusiasm.
We have a proposal going out maybe sometime
this week for solicitation of a TV channel. We
have a radio receiver system here and the
information is that there is also signal for one
TV channel. It just may need an antenna to
transmit the signal.
I am very much hoping that this come to fruition.
When I was in Senegal we did a little project
for a battery powered TV. It received one
channel only, which was by the Senegalese for
the Senegalese. I, till this day, am convinced that
bringing the information to that village did more
than anything to open the minds of the villagers.
Out here it is even more important as the San
people are also trying to find a new way from
the hunter/gatherer life style.
It is funny that people who have come from
towns are kind of quick to criticize the San.
They do not live like town/city people do. They
really don't understand maintenance of their
properties. In the old way, it was one month
in one location, then up and off to another.
So this national TV channel should give some
ideas as to how other people in Namibia are
living.
Again, it is in the hoping stage. These things
may come about and if they do, they may
not be all too great of a situation. But better
to have these things happening that having
nothing happening.
That's it for this week.

Little excitement

In the picture you can see what is the remnants
of Mozambique Spitting Cobra. It happened to
wander into the compound and it created a bit
of excitement.
It actually isn't a lethal snake but when it's provoked
it rears up, spreads it's hood, then ejects
venom into the eyes of an adversary. It can also
grow to 1.5 meter or about 5 ft.
I was in my room when I heard some commotion.
The cry was ... there's a snake under a log. The
log is actually a tree trunk cut in half which will
be used sometime in the future, but I don't know
for what.
Everybody in the village has at least a few sticks
about 2 meters or 6 ft long somewhere near their
houses. These sticks are used to deal with the
local snakes. The most prominent ones are the
Black Mamba, Puff Adder and of course the above
mentioned Mozambique Spitting Cobra. The first
two can be lethal.
So, we go out and after a few minutes of how are we
going to get the snake out from under the log ... I must
mention that at the time we weren't sure if it was
the spitting cobra or a mamba. the colors can be
somewhat close when looking under a log ...
What happened was, as someone rolled the log
over as to expose the snake, it appears that it
actually rolled over it's head and ... goodnight
spitting cobra.
Nothing fantastic other than the excitement of it
all, probably easier to understand when one's
face to face.

That wasn't the only exciting part of the week.
After almost 9 months we've finally have the
the Khwedam (one of the San languages)
HIV/AIDS DVD almost ready. Well, we
finally have all the clips. I put it together last
night and I am pretty impressed with the job
that the local health workers did in making it.
It is in the editing stage but it doesn't look
like it needs much work. Just trimming the
beginning and end of some of the clips. It
is usually a fairly easy process except that in
this case, I don't know the language so it
will take a little longer to get it worked out.
Hopefully not another 9 months.
But, the value of this DVD is that it will be the
first one of it's kind for the Khwedam speakers.
It is pretty good, it explains what is HIV/AIDS.
How to contract it, how to protect oneself
including demonstrations of the male and female
condoms.
It explains testing and also the counseling process
and it's confidentiality. It explains a little about
ARV's and adherence. Plus it explains about
misconceptions.
One cultural point is that one of the practices
the Khwe people have/had, is that of
using a razor blade to make a cut, then
putting in some traditional medicines. The
major point here is of sharing or usage of the
blade.
But again, it came out ok, so I guess the wait was
worth it.
Other than that, it was a slow week but school
begins again next week and the Romanian people
that are here are having 23 visitors. They are
coming for about 2 weeks to help them refurbish
their building.
Man, that's going to make 28 white people here.
That's more than I've seen in almost a year.
And they're all Romanians so I can actually sit
and converse with them.
So, it looks like things are going to pick up.