The Nata village blog

www.mothersforall.com

June 21st 2009, was the second workshop provided by Mothers For All to Ntwakgolo Support group. The support group will continue to work on making necklaces, bracelets, and earings out of old magazines. The project will help the support group with sustainable living income. By using old magazines to create this beautiful product, it will reduce waste paper in the Village. This project will give the support group money and on the other hand, keep our environment clean. To view all the product go to www.mothersforall.org and place an order to support the cause. The Natavillage support group, Ntwakgolo is mainly women living with HIV and or supporting Orphan children living with the virus. 

CONTRIBUTIONS AT WORK

Nata Village has a population of 6000+ people living in six community wards. Each ward, which includes the following, Sekao, Basimane, Maaloso, Manakanagore, Makwenaejwang, and Kachikau each have one chief and a place to hold weekly meetings (kgotla). During the past years all six wards did not have a sign or anything identifying the community by their given name.In the coming month all six wards will have a large sign with the wards name on it. The signs will help each ward by posting announcements for the coming week or any special events. The community will benefit greatly from this project.

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY VISITS NATA VILLAGE

Nata Primary School got a warm visit from two professors, eight university students and one husband from Lake Superior State University in America to donate clothing, shoes, sports equipment and candy for the Orphan and Needy students. Their visit was short but enjoyable, during the distribution of all the items they collected in the States. More than 126 Orphan and Needy students received a pair of shoes, one t-shirt or jersey, one toy, one tooth brush with tooth paste, and a hand full of candy. All students were accompanied by their care givers during this great event. The distribution was made possible by the University, Nata Primary School Teachers, K. Rancholo, and Mr. Tiro. The care givers were very happy for this special event. The Orphan and Needy students were happy and excited for this great and wonderful contribution by Lake Superior State University. The visit from the University was an excellent day for all of us in Nata Village. 

The Visit by Lake Superior State University to Nata Village was the first of it's kind and hopefully not the last one by any school or organazation. 

NATIONAL MEASLES AND VITAMIN-A CAMPAIGN IN NATA VILLAGE

No child left behind is Nata's theme for the first round of vitamin-a supplementation in June 1st-7th. The Ministry Of Health is conducting a Measles and Vitamin-A National Compaign. During the campaign, all children aged nine months to five years will be given a dose of Measles vaccine. An oral dose of Vitamin-A will be given to all children aged six months to five years. All parents and caretakers are urged to bring their children to the vaccination posts during this campaign. The Ministry of health hopes everyone in Nata Village will take advantage of this opportunity to keep their children strong and healthy. 

OFFICIAL OPENING OF NORTH GATE LODGE

This was Nata’s greatest ever party!

 

Nata, that little village at the crossroads to Maun and Kasane, had never seen anything like it!

It seemed that the whole village turned out for the official opening of the swish North Gate Lodge and then went to the Nata Bird Sanctuary lookout point at Sua Pan to a mega party well into the night on Saturday.

It was a day and night villagers will never forget as lodge owner Seloma Tiro and his staff, led by general manager Peter McClelland and his wife Susan, deputy general manager, pulled out all the stops to make it a huge success.

The event at the lodge was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-Operation,Phandu Skelemani, who unveiled a plaque commemorating the event. Also present was Oliphant Mfa, MP for Nata/Gweta and Botswana Tourism Board chairperson Myra Sekgororoane, as well as other dignitaries.

Skelemani described Tiro as “a man from humble beginnings, much like most of us” who had first opened a trading store, then built a garage and also took over a filling station - “then to our surprise he knocked down the trading store and built the shopping centre. North Gate Lodge is the latest result.”

The minister said “realising a vision needs a lot of hard work - - “this is an encouragement to all of us. Dream big and you have the stamina.”

He described the lodge – which employs 35 people - as a significant development and a milestone for Nata and surrounding areas.   Predicting that the lodge will enhance business in Nata in general, Skelemani described it as an ideal location for travellers to the Chobe and the Okavango delta.

Sekgororoane told about 200 guests that tourism needed standards and that some tourism establishments were lacking in basic requirements.

“Service delivery is a source of concern,” she added.

After the formal proceedings, guests enjoyed a huge variety of food and refreshments around the pool area before many left for the Nata Bird Sanctuary, where food and refreshments were also served at a party that continued well into the night.

SUA COMMUNITY JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

 

Approximately 600+ students at Sua Community Junior Secondary School received a very informative and educational health talk on HIV/AIDS, STI'S, Teen age pregnancy, Alcohol Abuse, and Domestic violence. Peter Martinez, Peace Corps Volunteer from California was more than serious when addressing the young students on this critical and important issues. With role playing and statistics on the rate of HIV infections in their community. The message was loud and clear and all the students left the assembly with a better understanding of whats expected of them.

Ntwakgolo Support Group

 

The month of May was very educational for the Ntwakgolo support group. First, the support group just received their six week training course on leather and sewing work certificates. This work shop enables the support group to work independently from home. Making leather shoes, jackets, purses, and wallets. Second, the support group is now enjoying bead work by using paper and or magazines. The support group can now make neclaces, bracellets, and earings. The work will hopefully help the support group earn an income. If you wish to see their projects go to www.mothersforall.org  

DONATIONS AT WORK (MURAL PROJECT)

 

Nata Village along with Sua Secondary School Health Club and Nata Primary School were able to draw and paint to Murals educating their community on staying health and knowing their status. Both Sua Secondary School and Nata Primary School worked hard putting this event together. The students hope the message will hit home with their Mural education. The students will continue to educate their community and travelers with more Murals on the A3 road that passes through their community.  

A tranquil lodge at a key intersection

Nata is the proud host of North Gate Lodge, a new accommodation facility that is strategically located at the Kasane, Francistown and Maun road intersection.

The lodge has become the centre of attraction in the small Nata Central Business District for both locals and tourists alike.

Nata, naturally a traditional village which for many years had only one accommodation facility, has felt the demand for more accommodation establishments after the bush fire that gatted down the one facility.

Nata is a very important place as it serves as a gateway to both the Chobe and the Okavango Delta – and that is what makes the lodge so vital to tourists and business travellers alike.

Seloma Tiro, the owner, is a man who had a vision of building a lodge slap-bang in the middle of Nata, and that's how North Gate Lodge was born. The lodge is in the good hands of Peter McClelland, the general manager, and his wife, Susan, who is deputy general manager. They have, along with Tiro, worked tirelessly to get the lodge to where it is today – an oasis in the almost barren landscape of the Nata area. There are 24 rooms - including chalets, family rooms, executive rooms and single rooms – all of which are well-furnished and competitively priced. There is also a conference facility and the bluest swimming pool one can imagine. The rooms are equipped with TV and air conditioners which all add to the comfort of the rooms.

Very convenient parking is available within the lodge property for guests and the area is under 24-hour security surveillance so one does not worry about the vehicles.

The McClellands cannot hide their happiness at operating the establishment and they talk of North Gate Lodge with such passion!

It is not so surprising as the cool and tranquil lodge almost makes one forget the busy, noisy life going on outside its walls in the village of Nata . It provides an environment in which one can have a peaceful rest after a long drive. According to Peter they provide tours to the Makgadikgadi Pans, Kubu Island, and Nata Bird Sanctuary as well as Nxai Pan with its famous Baines Baobabs.

Peter wants to turn Nata into a destination rather a stop over - “we want people come here because they want to visit Nata, and not because they are passing through to Chobe or the Okavango delta,” he said.

The lodge started operating in July 2008, finally securing its licence in January after months of operating with a temporary licence.

Next time you are in Nata, try it out at North gate Lodge, the fully stocked wet bar is situated right next to the swimming pool!

NATAVILLAGE HAS INTER NET AVAILABILITY

 

Nata Village finally gets inter net accessability for all the travelrs, campers, and the community to use when ever the need to send a quick message. Nata Village has three locations where you can access the inter net. First, the post office has six computers available to be used at any time. Furthermore, you have the availability to make copies and send faxes around the world and back. Second, Wild Butchery has four computers and a fax machine that can be used. Finally, North Gate Lodge also has inter net for any one to use.  

DONATIONS AT WORK

 

R.A.D.S.( REMOTE AREA DEVELOPMENT SERVICE) Peter Martinez, Kenewang Rancholo and Seloma Tiro put smiles on the childrens faces at the R.A.D.S hostel in Nata Village, by giving them nine soccer balls donated by the trust. The balls are to be used by students after school at their recreation facility. The students and teachers were very happy because they have different teams and they can now practice and compete well. It is very good to excise, those were the words of Mr. Tiro when he was issueing out the balls.  After doing their school home work, the students can now enjoy their afternoons by playing soccer. The trust would like to thank everybody who contributes.

K. RAMAKAMA SAYS GOODBYE TO NATA CLINIC

 

Miss. Ramakama has been working in the medical field for approximately fifteen years. Miss. Ramakama started working in the Kgalagadi Distirict, then was transfered to Sebina Clinic, and finally Nata Clinic Tutume Sub Distirict. The local government encourages all their employees to work in different sub districts during their work history. Finally, Miss. Ramakama gets to work in her Sub District Selebi Phikwe. Miss. Ramakama gave fifteen years of her service to the local government. Her leadership and skills brought awarness to the community during any out break of bacteria or diseases. Miss. Ramakama was always addressing the community on health awarness and nutrition for a better living. During her six years at Nata Clinic her staff was greatfull for her attendance and work performance. We all wish her well on her next advanture in Selebi Phikwe.

CLEARING FOR NEW SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

   

Finally, Nata Village is going to have a Senior Secondary School. The bush has been cleared. In two or three years students from Nata village and the serounding villages are going to have their own Senior Secondary Shool In Nata. Students from Nata used to attend school in Maun 300km, Francistown, Tutume, Masunga, and Shashe 200km away, This made it difficult for parents to visit the School when ever there were meetings because of transport and accomodation. So life is going to change for the better we hope.

ORAL HEALTH VISITS PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN TUTUME SUB DIST.

 

It is not everyday that people in the rural areas get to see the Dentist, let alone the children.  The ministry of Health, department of Public Health, Oral Health Division see it necessay to send out a team of Dentists on a Mobile Dental Clinic Van to visit the sorounding Villages of Gweta, Maposa, Sepako and Nata Primary Schools to check and treat children who needed dental care. The team will be in the area for three weeks. This is a very commendable effort by Botswana Government. This was the teams second visit to the area.  We hope to see lots of smiling children on their way to school, thanks to the team.

YOUTH AGAINST HIV/AIDS MONTH

 

Nata Village had an awesome football (soccer) tournament for the month of March. Youth against HIV/AIDS was celebrated one week early this year. Seven teams from Nata Village participated in this spectacular event. During the event all the football (soccer) players were encourage to take a rapid HIV test. Tebelopele successfully tested 463 people during the tournament and out reach mobilization. This event was to encourage all people from Nata Village, Sepako, Manxotai, Maposa, Zoroga, and Tsokatsaa to come and find out their HIV status. Thank you all for being good sportsmen.   

TEBELOPELE VISITS NATA VILLAGE

 

Once again Tebelopele visits Nata Village to encourage people to come and fined out their HIV status. For the past week the staff members from Tebelopele, Francistown chapter have been doing community mobilization, informing everyone in the village to test for theHIV virus. Furthermore, counciling was available for everyone who tested. Couples were highly encourage to come and test with their partners. It was a successful event for everyone.

KENEWANG RANCHOLO NEW TECHNICAL ADVISOR FOR NATA TRUST

 

Kenewang Rancholo was born and grew up in Nata Village in the mid sixties.  Miss rancholo lived in Didibakwe Cattle Post,15k's from Nata village along the Nata Francistown road. Miss Rancholo attended nata Primary School from 1965 to 1971. After finishing Primary School she moved to Maun Secondary School from 1972 to 1974. Succesfully completing Seconday she accomplished her Senior year at Seepapitso Secondry School in Kanye from 1975 to 1976. Immediatly, after high school Miss Rancholo started working for Debswana Diamond Company in Orapa as an administration Trainee.  Miss Rancholo worked for 31 hard years for the Diamond Company in Orapa.  She finally retired at the age of 51.

Life in Nata Village in the early sixties was no walk in the park. Miss Rancholo and family, as well as the local Villagers had no tap water (cleean running water). The drinking source was the beautiful Nata River. A few years later water was brought in from Francistown, two hours drive from Francistown to Nata. Trucks would role in from town to drop off tanks of fresh water at Nata Primary School. Finally clean fresh water for the whole village.The line to receive water was long but well worth it.  Growing up in the dark was no joke. There was no electricity for Nata Village either,lanterns with paraffin was the light during the night. Miss Rancholo was introduced to house chores at an early age. Collecting fire wood in the morning for cooking and heating up the hut was a big young lady's responsibility.

Nata Village was bare in the early days. The only cement structures were Nata Primary School, Police station, and one shop that belong to the Haskins family.  The road from Nata to Francistown was nothing but loose gravel and very dusty. Nata Village had no clinic at this early age. The nurse practitioner was able to visit Nata once a month to see patients. Keep in mind Nata Village is located in the outback with live stock and plenty of wild life. The only means of transportation to and from town were the big trucks transporting goods from Franscistown to Maun. Village transportation was on foot or donkey rides to and from the cattle post for work assignment on the weekends. The cattle post at Didibakwe is 15k's from Nata near the now Nata Lodge. Nata Lodge or Didibakwe cattle post was the only place where you were able to see long and beautiful palm trees. Because of the heavy traffic from Villagers going to their cattle post and bringing back the tasty but bitter fruit, Nata Village now has plenty of Palm Trees to see.  Nata Village was never big in the old days. The Village was only on the West side of Nata River, looking to the East was nothing but cattle posts and one playing field.

Miss Rancholo lived through all the changes that Nata Village has gone through.  she remembers here days as a yougn girl walking to school with no shoes. Shoes and good clothing was only used on special occasions, for example Church,weddings, funerals, and school performances. Nata Village has 6000+ inhabitants, it's more a town than a village,growing rapidly. Now, Nata has two Primary Schools and one secondary, soon to have a Senior Secondary. Furthermore, Nata has two lodges, two Guest houses with one barclays small bank. Electricity can now reach all the houses and huts around the village. Miss Rancholo is so proud to have been born in Nata Village. Here retirement couldn't have come at a better time. She enjoys her time living in Nata Village and wouldn't change it for anything.

Miss Rancholo joins the trust with excitement and full of knowledge. During her years at Debswana Miss Rancholo was active in her community. She was a participant and a member of the sports committee.  Also Miss Rancholo took part in helping her community with peer counselling and was Chairperson of the Women and Aids club. As a home grown mother she believes in making a difference in her community. Congratulations on your retirement Miss Rancholo and welcome to the Nata trust

Manakanagore Ward Meeting on cholera, HIV and AIDS.

 

In view of the fact that people in Nata Village do not attend kgotla meetings in large numbers.  Nata Clinic staff decided to reach different village wards and explain the effects of Cholera and HIV/AIDS.

Miss Shathani Kenneth and Geoginah Bojosi addressed people on the Cholera symptoms and what should be done.  They also talked about prevention. People should always wash hands after using the toilet and always boil water from the river.

Peter Martinez talked about the HIV/AIDS virus.  How it is contracted and how people can prevent being infected ( Precautions).  He also mentioned the statistics in Botswana for 2008.  Peter explained that Tebelopele Voluntary Counselling and Testing Centre will be visiting Nata Village from the 18th to 22nd February,2009 to test people who want to know their status. There will also couples testing.  Tebelopele will be at the Soccer field on Saturday and Sunday the 22nd and 23rd for a tournament and testing. To further encourage people to test he metioned that it is beter to know your status while you are still fit.  So that if you are positive you can start excising and eating well to maintain your CD4/White cells count balanced. 

The attendance was satisfactory.  The team will continue with these meetings in other wards, as there are six wards in Nata Village.

NATA PRIMARY SCHOOL AIDS TALK

 

On the 4th February, 2009 at 12.30 pm Peter Martinez was invited to Nata Primary School Standard Seven class to teach basic HIV/AIDS prevention.  The students were interested in learning more about the HIV/AIDS virus.  The only problem was the shyness of students to ask questions and to coment on the virus. The students indicated that they wanted Mr Martinez to come again and give more topics regarding health issues.  Peter promised that he will organize and English Club at the school for sudents to join and get help with the school english homework.

Kenewang Rancholo helped to explain when ever the students did not understand his interpretation of the virus. Next week, Peter is going to do a lesson on STI s (sexually Transmitted Infections).

NATA RIVER FLOWS

 

Nata has been hit hard with powerful rains and the river is flowing once again. This year the water level in the river did not raise above last years level. The rains have caused Nata Village to flourish all around the comunity with green grass and trees.