About the Nata village blog

The Nata Blog was born as a result of a world traveler, Jon Rawlinson, passing through Nata on the way to the Okavango Delta.  The tour books referred to Nata as nothing more than a dust hole and he had no intention of spending any time there.  But, as coincidence would have it, he met a Peace Corps Volunteer named Melody Jenkins who is working as an HIV/AIDS educator and community capacity builder.  Jon was interested in seeing more than the tourist destinations of Africa and wanted to learn more about the impact of HIV/AIDS on Botswana.  After just one night of meeting the locals and hearing first hand accounts of the struggle to control the spread of the disease, Jon was hooked and wanted to help. He has since been back to Nata twice and has been introduced to the Kgosi (chief) and most of the professionals working to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.  Nata will benefit from the fact that our world traveler is also a professional producer and editor as well as a website designer.  Jon and Melody worked on a documentary about HIV/AIDS in Nata in hopes of bringing the story of Nata to the world.  Jon discovered an incredible village filled with the beautiful Mokolowane Palm trees lining the Nata River.  Unlike most tourists, Jon wanted to do more than just snap a few photos of elephants and giraffes and return home.  He wanted to make a difference and offered to design and administer this website.

After much discussion and the frustration of donations going to large organizations that rarely get to those that really need it, Jon and Melody decided to try and help the people of Nata with this website. They wanted to do something about the fact that people were dying of AIDS in Nata because they didn't have $4 to reach the ARV clinic 60 miles away in Gweta. They sought the assistance of local businessman, Seloma Tiro, as he was the only local with a laptop, server, and internet connection.  Mr. Tiro offered to help in anyway he could and became a co-founder of this site. Millions of dollars are pouring into Africa but people in remote parts of the country rarely get the benefits of this generosity.  We hope to profile the specific needs of the village and give our visitors an opportunity to help.  But, beyond a fund raising tool, we also want our visitors to meet the people of Nata, learn their stories, and get an intimate look at how they live.    We will feature people living with AIDS (PLWA's), youth groups, clinic staff, social workers and others.  We hope to give the visitors to this website an inside look at an African village and see how people live on a day to day basis.

Current blogger and technical advisor:  Pedro Martinez

Pedro Martinez was born in Michoacan, Mexico.  He moved to Southern California at 2 years of age and was raised in the greater Los Angeles area.  He graduated from Van Nuys High School and worked with at risk youth in Los Angeles.  He worked with the California Conservation Corps back country program.  He graduated from the College of the Redwoods in Humboldt County with a degree in Administration of Justice.  His Peace Corps service will run from June 2008 to June 2010.  He is very excited to carry on the work of the co-founders and use his experience to help Nata's youth.

Most of the posts written between March 2006 and June 2008 were written by Melody Jenkins, a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Nata, Botswana.


Melody Jenkins: Co-founder

Melody Jenkins grew up in Southern California in the United States.  She worked for 12 years in Community Mental Health.  Starting as a social worker she moved on to psychotherapy and then to program development and administration.  In 1997, with a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters in Counseling she volunteered (with the Peace Corps) for 2 years in Guyana, South America and served as a consultant at the National Psychiatric Hospital.  At the conclusion of service she spent four years in the Caribbean where she taught at a private school and worked in eco-tourism.  After missing the excitement and fulfillment of working in the developing world, she joined the Peace Corps again to serve as a Community Capacity Builder for HIV/AIDS in Botswana. She was the first blogger of this website and Co-founded the Nata AIDS and Orphans Trust.  She chose to extend her service in Botswana a third year and completed her service in June 2008.  Peace Corps Volunteer, Pedro Martinez, took over blogging in July 2008.  Melody plans to continue working in the field of HIV/AIDS in Africa.


Martha Ramaditse.

Martha Ramaditse is a native of Nata and went on for further studies at the Helderberg College in Capetown, South Africa.  Martha holds a diploma in Marketing and worked for two years as the chief financial officer for the Northgate Complex in Nata. Martha is very excited to be a part of bringing the story of Nata to the world wide web.  Martha assisted on this site from March 2006 to October 2007.  Unfortunately she moved outside of Nata but continues on as treasurer of the Nata AIDS and Orphans Trust.  She has started her own small business and is a model for other young women in Nata.  Martha hopes that her contribution will assist those living with HIV/AIDS in her home village.

Mr. Seloma Tiro:  Co-founder

Mr. Seloma Tiro is currently the Chairman of the Nata AIDS and Orphan Trust which manages the funds generated from this website. This website would not have been possible without his generosity. For the first 18 months we were online, Mr. Tiro loaned Martha and Melody his laptop computer for blogging, paid for all calls to access the internet and allowed us to use his server. He all but turned over his own private office to us. We are now blogging from the Nata Clinic as they recently received internet access.  Mr.Tiro is a nominated councilman for Sowa Town and is the owner of the Northgate Lodge, Northgate filling station as well as the Engen filling station and shop in Nata. Mr. Tiro was born in the small village of Mmadinare and was trained as a teacher. He rose to the position of Headmaster at Maun Junior Secondary School. In 1993, Mr. Tiro chose to leave his profession and strike out as an entrepreneur in Nata. In just 13 years he has managed the two most successful businesses in Nata and employees over 70 people. He is respected in the community as an honest businessman and is always available to help the villagers. At the birth of this website there were only 3 people in the village with internet access. Without Mr. Tiro's generosity, this website would not have been possible.   

Jon Rawlinson:  Co-founder

This site was designed and is administered by Jon Rawlinson. 

About the Nata AIDS and Orphan trust

When this website was born on March 4, 2006, we had no idea what to expect. The response to the site has been overwhelmingly positive. Once the first donations started to come in we immediately set up a board of trustees to manage the funds. As of January 4, 2007 the Nata Aids and Orphan Trust became an official registered Trust in Botswana. We are legally a non profit organization. The Trust receives all the donations generated from this website. We have a 6 member Board of Trustees and 3 ex-officio members which include our chief, councilor, and Village Development Committee chairperson. None of our trustees receive any compensation for serving on the board.  As of May 2008, we have raised over U.S. $50,000. We have made many purchases. We bought a sound system and generator for Mabogo Arts and Culture Productions, paid transport for People Living with AIDS to get to the ARV clinic, benches, fans, protective clothing, 2 otoscopes, fetal heart monitor, professional scales, digital thermometers, medicine, chairs, washing machine, fax/copier machine, office supplies and cleaning supplies for Nata Clinic, uniforms for the PLWA support group, and clothes and food for orphans.  In May 2008, we broke ground on a youth activity center with a $10,000 donation from two readers.  We are extremely proud of our accomplishments and very grateful to every one of our donors. We are truly proud to be the first village in Botswana with a website.  Below you will find our objectives, long term goals, and a listing of our trustees:

OBJECTIVES

1. To promote HIV/AIDS awareness.

2. To assist people living with HIV/AIDS.

3. To assist groups providing HIV/AIDS educational activities.

4. To assist the 400 Nata Orphans with clothing, food, and school supplies.

LONG TERM GOALS

1. Build an orphan day care center.

2. Build a support center for people living with HIV/AIDS.

3. Support Nata Youth in hopes of promoting a zero transmission lifestyle.

MANAGEMENT

The trust is managed by a six member Board of Trustees. Trustees will serve for 2 year terms. Trustees will never receive compensation for attending Board meetings. Trustees serve as volunteers to their community.

Founding members:

Mr. Seloma Tiro: Chairperson

Ms. Oipokile Gaokwale: Vice Chairperson

Ms. Bokani Mothebe: Secretary

Ms. Martha Ramaditse: Treasurer

Additional members: 2 additional members

Mr. Gaobalone James a local youth leader

Ms. Baiteredi Diteko from Ntwakgolo Support group

Additional founding members without voting privileges:

Jon Rawlinson, webmaster of www.natavillage.org

Melody Jenkins, U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer, 2005-2008

NON PROFIT STATUS OF NATA AIDS AND OPRHANS TRUST

The Nata AIDS and Orphans Trust is a registered Trust (not for profit organization).

Registration Number:  FT MA 1/2007

Registered:  January 4, 2007

Place:  Deeds Office of Botswana in Francistown, Botswana

Note:  Donors may request a receipt from us for tax purposes.  Contact us at the email address below. 

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Every cent of every donation goes directly to the people of Nata.  Everyone involved in this project is working on a voluntary basis.

You can email us at:  natavillage [AT] gmail.com.

Pedro Martinez, current blogger and technical advisor

Seloma Tiro, co-founder and Chairman, Nata AIDS and Orphans Trust

Jon Rawlinson, co-founder and website administrator

Melody Jenkins, co-founder and former blogger March 2006 - June 2008

Comments

[Rosalie & Bob Boileau]

Hey Melody:
Bob and I are safely back at home. We would like to make a donation to the village but would like to hear from you first. Please send us an email. We really enjoyed our time with you. Africa continues to haunt both of us. It has changed the way we look at the world. We sincerely feel the work you are doing is important and admire your life choices.
Love to you
Bob & Rosalie

[Virginia Simmons]

Hi,

I'm considering posting about your blog on the ONE Campaign blog. Is there a way for me to verify that you are legit?

Thanks!

Ginny

[Melody]

We've provided Ginny with the email address of our attorney Mr. Laurence Lecha who is writing our Trust and registering us with the authorities. We hope that the ONE campaign will assist us. Thanks Ginny! Let us know if you need further info. Melody, Martha, and Seloma Tiro

[Moetapele Coach Gasemotse]

Back home!
I am currently back in Nata, Botswana, for the christmas holidays. I must say that there has been a lot of change in the positive direction. Before the establishment of this website i must confess that i was a bit naive in as far as the exact impact of HIV/AIDS in Nata. I read thru the website that alomost 50% of pregnant women attending Nata clinic are HIV positive, and since my arrival late last month i have witnessed first had the impact of AIDS in my Village nata. One can spend many an hour tryig to deduce why Botswana, and nata in particular, has been ahd hit by HIV/AIDS. The fact of the matter is that people are dying living behind grieving spouses who probably follow soon leaving behing orphans to an already ailing elderly population. It is high time every motswana took reponsibility of his/her own life and 'keep the promise' as they say. However, amongst all the dying, there is hope... hope that one day things will be different, hope that one day people will not let culture and norms run their lives to ruin, hope that all the work put in by Melody, Martha, Mr Tiro, and the health personell yeilds something, no m,atter how little it might be. don't det me wrong, i was raised by the 'culture and norms and values of a motswana', but hey we as people we have an individual duty to make a choice (sometimes the wrong one), some of you reading this and are from Botswana will understand that there are certain proverbs and practices that do nothing but hewlp the spread of this monster. My word is 'make the choice and keep the promise'. On the positive, people now talk openly about HIV, and people openly admit to be positive and recieving the ARV's from the clinc. Unfortunatley the change is not as great as it would be if the project were done in a different setting... melody and her team have to get thru a giant wall of culture, norms, ignorance, and doubt. But remember that we should messure the change in mm not Km, only tat way will we not be discouraged.

Good luck to the team, i am with you in spirit. And as i have said before, KEEP ON AND YOU WILL GET THERE.

Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year to everybody involved, from Melody, Martha Rre Tiro and the driver at the clinic... You guys rock and together you will rock AIDS...

[Denise Maduli-Williams]

Hi! I was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nata from 1994-1996. I taught English at Nata Junior Secondary School and lived there teaching for 2 years. I have been out of touch with many of my former students and co-teachers at the school for many years now, and am so excited to have just come across this blog and all of the photos and memories that the picture bring up. I'd love if Melody could email me directly, as I'd like to ask about some of the friends and families and former students that I've lost contact with. I plan to donate immediately.

[Michael M. Petersen]

Hello,

I'm a Danish freelance journalists by the name of Michael Moeller Petersen whos is travelling to Botswana with the Danish nurse, Marianne j. Joergensen. We are in Botswana for three weeks (8 - 29 March 2007).

We will collect material for an educational book to the Dansih primary school about HIV/AIDS in Botswana as well as general knowledge about an African country, which only a few Danish people know about. The book will be published in August 2007 by a publisher, who has been publishing teaching material since 1975. The target group is teenagers (age 13-18), who are still in school, but the book will be written in a way, so everyone with interest can read it.

We are writing to ask if someone can help us. We are looking for different contact persons or organisations, so we can hear young peoples stories (both good and bad), how the government is dealing with the problem, how it affects the society in different ways (family structures, the mining industry, 'youth life', labour market etc.).

The book will be divided into different chapters, and the main subject will be young teenagers, who are HIV infected. Their daily lives, interests, hobbies, families, dreams and future plans will be told using text and pictures. This will be done in order for the young Danish teenagers to be able to identify themselves with their fellow African teenagers as well as to learn about this disease.

The book will also tell the story about an African country, who has suffered because of HIV, but who can also be looked upon as a pioneer, when it amongst other things concerns the fight against AIDS. The reason for bringing this matter into the book, is to remove some of the wrong ideas and stories about Africa and AIDS, which can be found in Denmark.

Furthermore the geography, nature, population etc. of Botswana will be described to give the reader a realistic picture of the country.

We do hope that someone can help us. Even a little help can be very useful for us. A quick answer would be highly appreciated due to our soon arrival in Botswana. We have rented a car, so we are very flexible coming across the country - but will for sure be in Gaborone, Maun and around Francistown.

All the best,

Michael M. Petersen

-----

Michael Møller Petersen
Journalist
Horsensgade 6, 4. tv
8000 Århus C
Demark, Europe
+4522419102
michmuller78@gmail.com

[Pako Mochawacha]

I guess thats a great idea of what you people are doing to help solve our communitee problem as one of Nata residents...i have living in nata for so long and seeing people suffering was the thing that worries me most but now i hope something will be done to resolve the problem.

[Daniel Verdugo]

Hey Aunt Mel,

Its me just checkin out all the good things ur doin out there, th site is really impressive to say the least. I am going to post a link on my myspace page to this website and hopefully draw in some donations, I have a network of about 200 people on there so hopefully some will donate. I was also wondering if paypal was the only way to donate? Let me know, you have my email, hope to hear from you soon.
Danny

[Jeff]

It sounds like the community has come together to support the work of the Peace Corps volunteers and other stakeholders to fight HIV/AIDS in Nata. I was a PCV in Benin advising on agriculture extension projects, so I really admire your work. Now I teach ESL in California. I look forward to visiting again!

[Faith Van Gilder]

Hi, Melody,

We just read your article in World View magazine and found your Web site. What a wonderful way to engage the world in your efforts! We were Peace Corps Volunteers in Kanye, Botswana, from 1986 to 1988, both teachers. The AIDS crisis was in its infancy then, but no one spoke of it. Many times since then I have wondered, what can we do from so far away?

Our daughter is an exchange student in South Africa this year, and we are planning to visit her and Kanye in June. We would like to make a donation. Keep up the good work.

Faith and David Van Gilder
Huntertown, Indiana
USA

[Pat]

Hey
my grampa had to life without his mother his mother and sister got killed by Coracan solders while his dad was at work. I like what u r doing for Nata.

keep your stick on the ice

[lucky m. bulayani]

its amazing what people can do for others who are disadvantaged...keep the spirit.Buddah be with you!!

[tomeletso mmualebe]

is really good to see that people have some symphathy for our village...! we really appreciate that. thank you so much...!

[Rachel]

Wow! It's a wonder to see how technology brings our world together. I'll be sure to be back and to share with others.
Thank you!

[Chloe Hayward]

Hey I think that the work that you are doing is fabulous. I read about Nata and I would love to help make a difference. I agree that places like Nata are easily forgotten and I will my parents if I can donate. I am really impressed by all I have read on this website and am extremely glad that there are people to help the disease-stricken areas around the world.Thank you
Chloe (10 years old)
xx

[Chloe Hayward]

Hey again, by the way, where are you now (as in are you in Nata). I love this blog. It's so interesting hearing from you all about Nata and your visits. I haven't asked my parents to donate yet because I'm going on holiday tomorrow.
Like to hear from you soon,
Chloe Hayward

[willie nel]

Can you please help with the contact name or tel nr of the lodge in Sowa town pse.

Thanks

Willie

[kamo]

Mr, Seloma and your team, you rock!! Would it be asking too much to ask Pedro Martinez for a similar thing at Sosong and sorrounding villages. Sometimes clinics run out of medicines such as GV paint and the atitude of some workers there sends patients away!!! SOS

[selogeng mmualebe]

i really appreciate the good work you guys are doing.im also from nata village but currently living in gaborone pursuing a degree in IT.im willing to give a hand in what you guys are doing,but i understand the donations are for the community,i want to know how many people benefited from this blog and does the community know how much money the site made so far?do you address them about the financial status of the blog may be at the end of the year or sometime during the year.

[Gin]

GoodSearch is a place that allows registration of charities and people who use it with your name will generate $$ for you also. :) I hope this info helps.

[john]

hi ... this is rocky from india.

i like this website.want to know more ..

[mokganedi kethoilwe]

Hello this blog is amazing, thank you rre seloma and your amazing team for what you doing to the less priviledged in the village.im awed by your commitment.there is much that can be done though,we the youth of nata are 100% behind every initiative.thank you.the photos are superb too