The Nata village blog

Nata village to get a youth sporting club!

Pictured above are Mr. James and Mr. Highcourt.  Most of you on this site know James as he was the past leader of Mabogo Arts and Culture Productions. Mr. James has started his own community based organization called Manuks Sporting Club.  Mr. James worked tirelessly for Mabogo and he is someone who get things done.  Two donors from Hong Kong were interested in donating funds for a youth center and Mr. James wrote a proposal that they accepeted.  The Nata AIDS and Orphans Trust has received ANOTHER $10,000 to assist James in making his dream a reality.  He recently aquired land and he plans to put in a football field, baseball diamond, netball courts, and small building to house the equipement.  All of the labor will be provided by the Manuks football team and other youth in the community.  The guys are pictured at their site showing what a great task they have in clearing the land before starting the fencing.  We are all very excited to watch James and his team get this piece of land up and running for a real youth center.  Thanks again to our Hong Kong donors.  Nikki will be coming back to Nata next later in the year to monitor the progress.  We will mention the donors names later only with their permission.  Thanks so much!.  Just having this project is a great way to keep the young people busy doing something constructive for their community.  We are all so proud.

U.S. Ambassador and Zebra's Player visit Nata!

Pictured above are U.S. Ambassador Kate Canavan and Zebra's football player Kagiso Tshelametse greeting Nata youth at the Kgotla.  It was great to have these two celebrities visit our little village.

Pictured above are folks waiting to test at the Tebelopele Caravan.  We want to thank Brian Awsumb, Peace Corps Volunteer with Tebelopele, for providing a summary of the days events.  Below is an excerpt from his report.  Thanks Brian!
U.S. Ambassador Katherine Canavan and Botswana soccer star Kagiso Tshelametse addressed community members at the Nata kgotla on the importance of HIV testing. Both were in the village to wrap up a Zebras4Life—Test4Life football tournament in the area. Canavan also used the date of the occasion, Earth Day, to highlight the U.S.-Botswana partnership to conserve the Makgadikgadi Pans and other wilderness areas. The day's events were organized by the Nata community, the U.S. Embassy, and Tebelopele Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centres. Tebelopele VCT offers free, confidential HIV testing and counseling to those age 21 and older (younger clients need parental permission) at their regional centres and mobile outreaches. (The nearest centre to Nata is in Francistown, 200 km away.) Although government clinics offer HIV testing services, such as in Nata, Tebelopele plays crucial role in Botswanas effort to fully address the HIV/AIDS scourge.

The problem in Botswana, however, is that men are much less likely than women to test for HIV and take a personal interest in their health. U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in Botswana who were inspired by Magic Johnson and Lance Armstrong recommended the use of the men's national soccer team, The Zebras, to link men to HIV testing services. The resulting campaign, Zebras4Life—Test4Life, plays on the fans motto of unwavering support of the team and the linkage between testing and moving forward in one's life. Participating Zebra players wear blue wrist bands as a symbol of knowing their status and appear in media advertisements, printed brochures, and make public appearances at testing events. Those that test with Tebelopele receive a wrist band like those worn by the players. The campaign receives financial support from the U.S. Embassy though it is a partnership between Tebelopele, the Botswana Football Association, the Botswanagovernment, and Peace Corps volunteers.
For the past three weeks soccer clubs in the Nata area had competed in a football tournament intended to provide information about HIV/AIDS and offer testing services to participants. Moaloso Football Club in Nata received the top prize on the 29th of April event—t-shirts and a personal congratulations from Ambassador Canavan and Tshelametse. Tebelopele reported that 168 Nata community members testing for HIV on 29-30th of April, a record client load for the area.

Farewell Peter Robson - You will be missed!

It was a sad day in Nata as we all had to say goodbye to Peter Robson.  He has been living in Nata village for almost 16 years and for the most part was the only "white" guy in the village. He was born in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and immigrated to Botswana due to the countries instability.   For years he ran Robson Automotive and pulled endless tourists out of our salt pans when they ignored all warnings and drove on them anyway.  Peter can fix anything.  His workshop was legendary.  He fixed fans, fridges, quad bikes, toasters, hair dryers, anything and everything...not to mention cars and trucks.  He was a welcome site to many a tourist who broke down in our remote area. Peter was a great friend to the Nata Blog and let us use his land rover on a few occassions to distribute donations in the village.  He also repaired Melody's bicycle for free for 3 years.  He was well aware of the meager Peace Corps stipend!  Repairs included at least 8 flat tires, a broken chain and brake problems.  Thank you Peter!!   He met his wife, Bernie, 13 years ago when she was a teacher at the Nata junior secondary school.  Bernie came from Ireland and did a great job teaching the Nata youth until she moved to Sowa town and taught at the mine school. They have both left for Australia and Peter will continue his automotive work while Bernie will go back to teaching.  We will all miss them. It's the end of an era!  If there is a qualified auto mechanic out there....please come to Nata!!!! 

Mabogo member studies carpentry

The Construction Industry Trust recently opened in Nata and they are training almost 100 people in carpentry, plastering, brick laying, and skilled construction. We are so proud that Mabogo member Kelebogile Koboyapula was accepted into the carpentry program. Of the 100 students, only five are women. We are so proud of Kelbogile for taking the initiative to go outside the traditional jobs offered to women. Kelebogile is a single mom and her carpentry skills will be helpful in getting a job here in Nata. Nata is a booming village and people with skills are needed to build the new lodges and stores that are popping up around Nata. Way to go Kelebogile! We are proud of you.

Elders are respected in Botswana

Anyone coming to Botswana from the western world will quickly see the respect that is given towards the elders.  At the handing over ceremony in Maposa, all the village elders were asked to stand and everyone recognized them. This gentleman pictured above was one of the eldest members of the village so he was asked to share the history of Maposa.  History is passed down by story telling and the elders are respected for their experiences and wisdom gained from life. We at natavillage.org wish that people in the so called "developed" world would learn a lesson from Botswana and recognize the knowledge and wisdom that elders bring. 

Martha serves as a role model

Martha Ramaditse, treasurer of Nata AIDS and Orphans Trust, was a part of the handing over ceremony in Maposa.  Martha spoke to the children, especially the girls, of the importance of staying away from sexual activity and concentrating on studies.  Martha was born in Nata and is now running her own business called "Martha's Kitchen".  She has purchased a truck and sells food to the long line of truck drivers who must wait to cross the Chobe/Zambezi river 180 miles north of Nata.  Martha is an excellent example of how women today in Botswana have opportunities never before offered.  She has worked very hard and has built a home for her mother and is now concentrating on building her own house.  We need more women like Martha willing to take the time to mentor children.  Even though Martha has spent a lot of time lately outside of Nata she remains one of our trustees.  We were so happy to have her with us in Maposa. 

Maposa kids enjoying their school supplies

After the ceremony and speaches were over at the handing over of supplies and recreational equipment in Maposa village, these kids were spotted sitting against a building having the times of their lives with their pens, pencils, and paper.  Most kids in Maposa only have access to paper and pens in school and don't have the luxury to just doodle, write, and play on their own. It is truly amazing that something this simple brings such happiness to these kids. It also promotes learning and helps them with their writing skills.  Thanks for letting us be your conduit.

Bob and Rosalie visit Maposa Village

L-R, Bob, Rosalie, and Melody sit and pose with the kids from Maposa Village.  Maposa is just 8 miles from Nata and villagers depend on the Nata Clinic for their health care needs.  We had an amazing day in Maposa providing a short HIV/AIDS educational program along with a gift giveaway to the kids of Maposa.  All kids got pens, pencils, essay books, rulers, erasers, balloons, and candy.  Bob and Rosalie also donated, on behalf of their friends in British Columbia, Canada, 2 bats and 2 softballs, 10 soccer balls, five volleyballs, two blackboards, wall mounted pencil sharpener, a wonderful world map and other school supplies.  We'll be sharing more photos here of the great day and tell you more about it.  Thanks again to Bob and Rosalie along with all the other sponsors (mentioned in an earlier post) who made this day happen.  The villagers of Maposa were all so happy and said that no foreigners had ever come like this to bring gifts and show an interest in their village. 

New professional scales for Nata Clinic

Pictured above are the two new professional scales you bought for Nata Clinic.  Our two Trust Volunteers, Michael Banda and Basipo Maseko (in the center) picked up the scales, assembled them and presented them to Sr. Nurse Ramakama and Dr. Roger.  We were unable to buy the autoclave for the clinic as we haven't been able to find one the correct size so we got the much needed scales.  Up until today, patients were weighed on innacurate old bathroom scales.  A persons weight is very important when determining what dosage of medication to prescribe and also to monitor the weight of our numerous AIDS patients.

Thank you Basipo and Michael for taking the time to come and help the clinic. Managing the trust and website would not be possible without volunteers like you.   And, thanks to the Hong Kong donors who made this possible.  The total cost of the scales was P9600 or $1600.   

Osego is thriving!!!

Remember that skinny sick baby we showed you a while back?  Mom was too sick to produce breast milk and couldn't afford formula.  Well, this is Osego now.  Your donations kept Osego in formula (alive!) until the mom was able to get assistance from the Social and Community Development Deparment.  The mom is now getting the formula from the clinic and the social worker has arranged payment for it as only moms that are HIV positive can get formula from the clinic. We think its awesome that Osego means "lucky" in English.  This baby really was lucky to live in a village that had a website and trustees and donors willing to help.  Again, way to go Caselo for bringing this child to our attention.  Just look at those fat cheeks!!!! By the way, moms health is also improving.  One of our favorite sayings here is "He/she who saves one life, saves the world eternal". EVERY life counts!

Mabogo members each receive P100 for HIV educational activities

Unfortunately, Mabogo Arts and Culture Productions recently lost their funding through MCDA.  The Global Fund recently pulled out of Botswana due to a variety of reasons and left youth groups like Mabogo without funding.  This is very disturbing as Mabogo provides a vital service to the many illiterate villagers in Nata.  They educate people through songs, dances, and interactive dramas in the three local languages.  March was month of youth against AIDS and like last year we asked them to perform educational songs and dramas around the village to encourage people to test and live a zero transmission lifestyle.  Your donations were used to buy fruit and face clothes to be given as prizes, and petrol for the generator.  Because Mabogo members no longer receive their P250 per month stipend the trust gave each member P100 ($17.00) for participating in the activities.  Pictured above are the members signing for their money.  Unfortunately, we cannot fund them every month, as we don't have those kinds of resources, but at least they received something for their hard work.  They wanted to say "Thank you".

Nata youth use old tires for toys

These boys pictured above were having a contest to see who could roll the tires the fastest.  Kids in Nata are very creative when it comes to making toys.  While its great that our kids are creative it would be nice if the kids here could have some real toys.

Our Canadian sponsor Bob is pictured above giving soccer balls and frisbees to kids in the village.  They really appreciated it and had a great time playing with their new stuff.  Thanks to all our donors who help put smiles on the faces of our kids. 

Sr. Nurse Ramakhama administers the Malaria rapid test

We are lucky at Nata clinic to have the 15 minute rapid test for Malaria.  We are just at the close of our Malaria season and we've been quite lucky this year as we did not have a full outbreak like 2 years back.  The Environmental Health office does a great job of spraying for mosquito larvae before the season begins and this helps cut down on the spread of this awful disease.  Sr. Nurse Ramakhama simply pricks the finger of the patient and puts the blood on a treated slide.  She then adds the clearing buffer liquid and waits for the result.  We often get a false negative so if patients have obvious symptoms of malaria they are started on the treatment regardless of the test result. 

Guidelines for when to administer ARV's change

The above chart is a bit blurry but it outlines an important change in the treatment for people living with HIV.  Prior to January 2008 patients had to have a CD4 count of less and 200 to be eligible for HAART (highly active anti-retroviral treatment also known as ARV's).  Now the patient can begin treatment if their CD4 count falls below 250 or has an AIDS definining illness.  The chart basically describes that people who fall below 250 will be given prophylaxis to prevent pneumonia, and TB and will also be given multivitamins along with HAART.  The patient will also receive patient education, adherence counseling, safe sex information, and family planning information.  The patient will also be screened regularly for TB.  If the patients CD4 count is above 250 then the patient will receive prophylaxis for TB, receive education on safe sex and family planning and will continue to have the CD4 count monitored.  We all think this is good news as the patients immune system doesn't have to be as weak in order to get treatment.  550 people in Nata are alive because of HAART and the other treatments provided to those who are HIV positive. You can only imagine how busy we are at Nata Clinic.

Waki reports we're winning the battle!

Ms. Waki has been at Nata Clinic for over one year.  She has been invaluable as our IT specialist and registers patients into the MASA program.  MASA means "new dawn"  and it is the program that monitors all patients who have tested for HIV.   Ms. Waki makes sure all patients have a registration number, ID number, date of birth, next of kin and also tracks the patients CD4 count and all of their appointments.  The good news is that Nata Clinic now has over 550 patients registered (that means we are tracking and treating over 550 people who are HIV positive) in our system.  The great news is that of those 550 people, only 4 have died in the past year.  We of course still have deaths due to AIDS but most of the people dying are those that are still in denial and have not tested or accept treatment.  Nata Clinic has been rolling out our ARV clinic services over the past 8 months are we are now seeing over 300 ARV patients right here in Nata.  That leaves only 150 that are getting services in Gweta (60 miles away). These figures tell the story.  Test and live, or deny and die.  Nata Clinic is to be commended for taking care of so many patients and the village leadership has done a great job in encouraging people to test and removing stigma.  Nata rocks!

Nata toddler wears the traditional Makgabi

This cute Nata toddler is showing off his Makgabi.  The Makgabi (type of loin cloth) wraps around the waist and has dozens of braided strings hanging down 5 to 6 inches to cover the child.  The Makgabi is great for kids as it gives them coverage yet allows them to use the toilet when they need to and prevents the need for diapers.  Thanks to the parents of this little one who allowed the photo to be taken and shared.  It is mostly parents in villages or remote areas that still use the Makgabi.  Nata is such an interesting place as we still have the strong culture and traditions yet access to modern things like the internet, cell phones and satelite TV.  Like the rest of the world, we are surrounded by change.

Thanks for the thermometers!!!

As always we show you everything we buy!  Thanks to the donors for the three digital thermometers pictured above that were given to Nata Clinic.   We see over 200 patients per day at the clinic and the staff have used the old style that take several minutes and must be shaken down.  These thermometers read the temperature in 10 seconds!!  Everyone at the clinic says a big thank you.  It's these small things that help make the job lighter and help the staff from burning out.  We appreciate you all!

Canadians Bob and Rosalie visit Nata

Bob and Rosalie Boileau of Canada have been long time supporters of the Nata Blog.  We are so thrilled that they have made the trip to Nata to see how we are managing our trust and to donate more items.  They are pictured above in Francistown outside the store where they bought 15 soccer balls to be distributed to kids in Nata and the nearby village of Maposa.  They took it upon themselves to put cans around various businesses in British Columbia and started their own fundraising drive called "Change for Africa".  They showed up with over $1200 dollars and we bought pencils, pens, erasers, essay books, rulers, balls, bats, peanuts and candy that will all be distributed to the 204 kids at Maposa primary school.  We will use the occassion to talk about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it and not stigmatize those that have it.  We want to thank the following businesses and people for helping us here in Nata.  Thanks to Curves, Ken and Linda Biro and Gibsons Building Supplies in Gibson, BC.  Big thanks to Habitat for Humanity Restore, GBS, Suncoast Diving, and Eecol Electric all in Sechelt, British Columbia and to Rudy of Eecol Electric in Port Coquitlam.  This project continues to amaze us at the generosity of our readers.  Bob and Rosalie will be in Botswana for over one month so we'll keep you posted on their time with us.

Nata - Where the Real Botswana Begins!

Everyone in the village is excited about the new Northgate Lodge that will open soon in Nata.  Nata villagers are proud to live in an area that is the true gateway to Botswana's beautiful wildnerness areas and game reserves.  We sit on the edge of the famous Makgadikgadi Salt pans that are so big they can be seen from space. Being out on the pans gives you the feeling of being on the moon!  Nothing but white salt pans as far as the eye can see.   The Northgate Lodge is owned by our own Mr. Tiro and we've chosen the slogan "Where the real Botswana Begins".  Our friend Matt in England gave us the slogan and it will appear on postcards, calendars, and other tourist items that the Trust will be allowed to sell in the curio shop.  Mr. Tiro has promised that a percentage of the profits from the Lodge will be donated to the Nata AIDS and Orphans Trust. Just another amazing way he has helped us.  The Lodge has 22 beautiful rooms and there will be an amazing swimming pool with water fall. There will also be a cafe, bar, and conference facilities.  Nata is really coming up!

Beef in Nata is awesome!

Caution:  This post is not for Vegans!  Botswana is known for its excellent beef and Nata just happens to be the area that has numerous cattle posts and some of the best beef around.  Pictured above is the butcher from Sax Butchery in Nata.  In the developed world we buy filet mignon that is already sliced and pay a kings ransom for it.  In Nata, we buy the entire filet (as pictured above) and slice it ourselves.  The filet in Nata is some of the best anywhere and it costs just $1.50 a pound!!!  The villagers don't distinguish the cut of the meat with the price.  ALL  meat is the same price whether it is the rump, t-bone, mince (ground), shoulder, whatever...We are so lucky in Nata as the big towns charge for meat based on the cut.  Just another reason to love Nata!