Here we are again, yet another week passed of the African adventure. Week 8 in Jo'burg has been an entertaining week. Perhaps the delirium of being only one month away from the Christmas festival is catching up with us. Michelle's antics have been keeping most of the community amused. On Monday she decided to try her hand (or more accurately, her head) at carrying one of the 15kg maize meal sacks that the women carry here on their heads. I caught her smiling bravely as several of her neck vertebrae were crushed and she took on a new hunchback look!
On the positive side, the young journalists have produced their first film - check it out here. I'm really impressed by their optimism in the face of so many problems. A primary school in the UK has come onboard now to pilot the production of our stories micro website to exchange with schools in Munsieville.
More UK schools have joined to decorate stars for the Christmas Festival. Desmond Tutu, the Patron of the Thoughtful Path, answered a letter I sent him to get his backing for the Star of HOPE appeal and has signed off a letter to some of our corporate partners.
We have also secured a Christmas tree for the festival, through the Parks Department. At first, they offered us just a branch, then the top of a tree, but I think they finally realised we needed something more impressive for the stadium where the festival is going to be. I'm very intrigued to see what we are going to end up with - I suspect it might be a distinctly African version of the classic spruce!!
I think we are also getting close to the tipping point in our way of working with the community. I've been really pleased this week that the message is starting to get through that this community has to act for itself, if it's going to improve things for children.
An example of this occurred during the festival committee meeting. The group has decided that it would like to provide a small meal for the children during the festival. Now instead of just presenting the problem for Michelle and me to solve, the group said straight off we will sort it, we will ask for the necessary donation, and make the catering arrangements. Job done. I'm hopeful that this will continue. Little by little, the community members are taking action.
On the positive side, the young journalists have produced their first film - check it out here. I'm really impressed by their optimism in the face of so many problems. A primary school in the UK has come onboard now to pilot the production of our stories micro website to exchange with schools in Munsieville.
More UK schools have joined to decorate stars for the Christmas Festival. Desmond Tutu, the Patron of the Thoughtful Path, answered a letter I sent him to get his backing for the Star of HOPE appeal and has signed off a letter to some of our corporate partners.
We have also secured a Christmas tree for the festival, through the Parks Department. At first, they offered us just a branch, then the top of a tree, but I think they finally realised we needed something more impressive for the stadium where the festival is going to be. I'm very intrigued to see what we are going to end up with - I suspect it might be a distinctly African version of the classic spruce!!
I think we are also getting close to the tipping point in our way of working with the community. I've been really pleased this week that the message is starting to get through that this community has to act for itself, if it's going to improve things for children.
An example of this occurred during the festival committee meeting. The group has decided that it would like to provide a small meal for the children during the festival. Now instead of just presenting the problem for Michelle and me to solve, the group said straight off we will sort it, we will ask for the necessary donation, and make the catering arrangements. Job done. I'm hopeful that this will continue. Little by little, the community members are taking action.
Neil (GSK Pulse volunteer with Project HOPE UK)
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