The Nata village blog

Nata natives return for the holidays

It's always strange around the holidays as what appears to be new faces popping up all over the village.  They really are from Nata but just work or study outside.  Remember Moetapele Coach Gasemotse from last Christmas?  He is a Nata native who has been attending medical school in Australia and is back in the village for the holidays.  Well, it's congratulations to Coach as he JUST COMPLETED MEDICAL SCHOOL!!! It's Dr. Coach from now on. He is only the second person from Nata to go on to become a doctor.  We are so proud of him.  He will be returning to Australia in January to specialize in Psychiatry.  Coach is very disturbed over the treatment of people with neuro-biological disorders and hopes to come back to Botswana and be one of only Motswana Psychiatrists in the country.  There is little understanding of mental illness in Botswana and Coach wants to change that!  Coach really appreciates the Nata website as it makes him feel he's reading a small town paper while he's away in Australia.

Monusi Kraii (formerly Rancholo) and husband Bongani Kraii stopped by Nata and donated 3 bags are clothes for us to distribute (more on that later).  Monusi works for Parliament in Gaborone (and wrote a post for us sometime back) and her husband works for Stanbic Corporate.  They are very excited about the Nata website and are committed to continue their support of our project.  They believe it's time for the people of Botswana to start giving back to their home communities. They appreciate the help of international donors but wish to set an example for other Batswana to follow.  We think they are a great example of a young couple in this country.  You guys make us hopeful for the future.  Thank you both for your support!

Nata volunteers recognized!

December 5th was International Volunteer Day sponsored by the United Nations.  We were invited to attend the celebration but were unable to make the 8 hour trip to the capital where it was held.  We heard the event was well attended and everyone present received the above pamphlet outlining accomplishments of volunteers in Botswana.  It just so happens that Peace Corp Volunteer Ed Pettit from New Xade is shown on the cover with some kids in his village.  Congratulations Ed on all the great work you are doing in New Xade.  We were very proud to be included in the publication.

It's a tad blurry but this is the article that appears in the pamphlet on page 8.  We chose to picture local volunteers and their contribution to the Nata website.  The article as it appeared:

On March 4, 2006, Nata made history by becoming the first village in Botswana with a website.  Peace Corps Volunteer, Melody Jenkins is one of the three co-founders of the site and technical advisor but it would have never been possible without local volunteers pictured across (L-R) Basipo Maseko, Martha Ramaditse, and Seloma Tiro.  Mr. Tiro is a co-founder of www.natavillage.org along with Jon Rawlinson of Canada.  The website raises funds for a variety of village projects related to youth and HIV/AIDS.  Mr. Tiro, a local businessman, has been volunteering in Nata for more than 10 years.  Mr. Maseko volunteers his time to guide tourists on cultural tours of Nata with all proceeds going towards village projects.  Ms. Ramadistse trained as a photographer and blogger and is one of six trustees which manage the funds raised from the site, over U.S. $35,000 to date.

More national attention for Nata!

We've been so busy with Christmas we didn't even have time to tell you we got some national press once again. Mr. Tiro and Melody were interviewed by Phillimon Mmeso. He is a correspondent for several newspapers in Botswana and he wrote a story about the Nata AIDS and Orphans Trust which appeared in the new weekly newspaper Echo. The article appeared in the December 13th issue. His focus was on the Trust so he left out our other co-founder Jon even though we mentioned him several times (sorry Jon). Other than that ommission we want to thank him for a nice article and his support. He plans to write more about our efforts in future editions. We've reprinted the article below.

Phillimon Mmeso writes:

Nata AIDS and Orphans Trust has given hope and joy to the people of Nata. Led by Seloma Tiro, Managing Director of North Gate shopping complex, the trust has helped tremendously in sharing the plight of AIDS patients and orphans in Nata to the rest of the world. They have opened a website known as www.natavillage.org in which they showcase what they are doing as well as promoting the village which is a tourist route to the wetlands of Okavango. They also appeal for donations and most people have generously donated funds and equipment. Unlike other non-governmental organizations (NGO's) who look to government for assistance the trust is extremely doing well with help from international donors. As some NGO's fail to account for the grant they are given due to poor management, Nata AIDS and Oprhan Trust show their benefactors what they have bought with the money. Melody, who is working as a volunteer with the American Peace Corps always keeps the records up to date. The most humbling thing is that board members are not entitled to any sitting allowance contrary to what happens with most trusts. This organization has ushered a ray of hope in a village which was devastated by HIV/AIDS. This really shows that they are fighting a good fight withou counting their wounds or seeking any reward. So far they have donated over P30,000 of medical equipment to Nata Clinic. Some of the equipment includes two otoscopes, fetal heart monitor and digital blood pressure machine. According to Tiro, patients had to travel 100km to Gweta to access otoscopes which are used to check ear infections. The trust has also bought a sound system for Mabogo Arts and Culture Productions worth P14,000. The sound system is used by the gorup to generate some funds, as most members of the group are unemployed. The trust is transparent as their financial books are open to anyone who wants to check them.

Christmas in Nata - Final Part 3

After having a great time at Joyce's we then drove around the village to give blessings. All of Santas helpers and Elfs rode in the back of the truck and handed out suckers and potato chips. Along the way we were joined by some of Mr. Tiros friends from Francistown and we made our way through the village in caravan style delivering sweets. Our first stop was to a compound in Manakanagore Ward and the kids along with their mom were so grateful for this small treat.

It doesn't take long for word to get out. Kids came running to the truck to receive their sweets. This is where Santa's helpers really came in handy. They did a great job wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and they helped to keep things under control.  The children show their gratitude and manners by putting the palms of their hands together to receive their treat. 

Pictured above is Kelly handing out suckers off the back of the truck.  Things got quite sad at this point as the kids were not eating the potato chips as a nice snack but were eating them from hunger.  When school is is session, the children get at least one hearty meal a day.  Now that school is out, many of the kids are going a day without a meal.  Mr. Tiro said that next year, we're killing a cow.  This was a shock for us all.

At this point, we were overwhelmed with kids. It's important for all of us to see just how desperate people will become for one sucker or a handful of chips. We've got a long way to go here. All the kids in this photo got something from you.

This was the final stop of the day. We started out at 10am on Christmas morning and finished at close to 4pm. It was a great day for us all.  Santas helpers are all privileged kids that attend private school.  At the end of the day they expressed their appreciation for being allowed to participate in such a worthy cause.  They are all from Botswana and they all said they were shocked at how some people are forced to live.  All of Santas helpers said the day was an eye opener for them as they saw things they had never seen before.  It's this next generation of young people who will be making a difference in their country.  Thank you Seloma Tiro and your entire family for using your Christmas day to help others.  Thanks to you donors as well.  A note on how we have to operate here:  It took over 2 1/2 hours to post our 3 part Christmas story. We're sorry we didn't have it sooner but of course had server problems.   Happy holidays to you all!!!!

Christmas in Nata - Part 2

Next stop was the compound of Joyce R. Joyce is such a nice lady and has the sweetest twin boys and daughter you'd ever want to meet. She's been having a tough time lately so we/you were so happy to help her out a bit. Pictured above is Joyce with the extended family.  You also gave her 20 pounds of rice, a hen, a case of canned fish, washing powder, toothpaste, toothbrushes and cooking oil. 

Pictured above is the family opening their gifts. They were so shocked that someone would do this for them.

Santas helpers had to jump in and show them how some of the toys worked. You gave the tiny kids colorful educational toys.  The twins got dump trucks, race cars, a toy boat, and the older boy got a soccer ball.

Pictured above is one of the twins playing with his dump truck.

Pictured above is the other twin (we think) playing with his new plastic boat.  We had just got a lot of rain so it made a perfect little lake right next to their compound.  I can't tell you how much fun this was for all of us to share your generosity with his family.

Mr. Tiro explains how the funny hippo works.  You place the correct shape in the hole then punch the top button and the shape comes out of the hippos mouth.  Mr. Tiro's youngest son is pictured on the left.  He was such a good boy all day as he watched all the presents being given out and never asked for one himself.  What a sweet kid.

This little toddler seemed a bit stunned by it all.  All in all we spent about $400 on the day and we wished we had the time and transport availability to do more.  The next post will be the final part 3 which will show our efforts at passing out sweets to all the village kids. 

Christmas in Nata - Part 1

 

The day began with Mr. Tiro arriving at Melody's to load up all the Christmas toys, food, clothes, and sweets that would be distributed in the village.

Thank goodness for the work of Santas helpers and elfs. Mr. Tiro's daughters, neices, and nephew joined in on Christmas morning to help. Pictured above L-R are Dudu Tiro, Kelly Tiro, Monkemedi Tiro, Theo Tiro and Maatla Tiro.  As you will see later, things got crazy and they did an awesome job!

First stop was Nata Clinic. A skeleton staff had to be on duty to give out TB treatment and deal with emergencys. We brought soft drinks and cookies for all the staff as we knew they were depressed about working on the holiday. When we arrived, Dr. Roger was busy sewing up a patient who had been cut by her own brother. He had demanded money from her and when she refused he cut her arm with a knife. We gave her one of the soft drinks to cheer her up. We want to thank her for letting us photograph her very unhappy Christmas day

We bought a battery charger and four rechargeable batteries for the Digital Blood Pressure Machine as the batteries had already gone dead. Mr. Tiro presents the charger (almost $40) and we presented soft drinks and cookies to all the staff. Since it was Christmas day they were allowed to be out of uniform so they all look a bit different. L-R Santas helpers Theo and Kelly, Mr. Tiro holding battery charger, midwife nurse Malenga, Sr. Nurse Ramakama and general duty attendant looking very nice Nora.  The clinic staff want to say thanks so much for this small token of appreciation and the nurses were thrilled over the battery charger!

The next stop was at the home of Evangelista in Sekao ward. Both Evangelista and her husband work. They still struggle to take care of their children and grandchildren so we thought they were a perfect family to help. What's really cool in Botswana culture is that they call giving gifts, giving blessings. Santas helpers and elfs really enjoyed giving blessings today. Evangelistas son received a back pack the kids got coloring books and crayons and they all enjoyed eating a large hen, rice, and cooking oil. 

Evangelista was so pleased with her shawl and two blue bath towels. She couldn't have been happier. Thanks for making their day.

When the kids saw the coloring books they didn't quite know what to do. So, Mr. Tiro got right down there and showed them how to do it. They really had a great time!

Woo Hoo the Nata River is flowing!!!!

Pictured above is Joel a local Nata boy who is trying his hand at getting a fish.  Everyone is so happy that the Nata river has begun to flow.  The torrential rains from Zimbabwe are giving us this amazing Christmas gift.  The entire vibe of the village changes when the river flows.  The children are having a great time fishing and swimming and the breeze off the river seems to cool down our often steaming hot village. 

We're getting ready for Christmas!

We're treating two special families to a wonderful Christmas this year with your donations.  We've purchased giant game hens, rice, cooking oil, toys, blankets, towels, toys, coloring books, soccer balls, washing powder, tootbrushes, toothpaste, and back packs for carrying school books for two needy families.  All of these gifts will be wrapped on Christmas eve and tomorow will be taken to the families.  We've also purchased sweets and potato chips to share with all the kids who will be watching the football matches on Christmas day.  A special thank you to Lucas van der Merwe who provided the transport and payed for the fuel to bring all these gifts to Nata.  We will of course show you the photos.  Thanks for helping us make Christmas in Nata extra enjoyable this year.

Arts festival comes to Nata

It's that time of year again that we had the Arts Festival come to Nata.  It's always a big deal here to have live entertainment come to the village.  Numerous groups performed and all of them gave the message of how to avoid and treat HIV/AIDS. 

The sound system you bought for Mabogo Arts and Culture Productions was used to draw in the crowd.  Pictured above are members of Mabogo with the sound system.  Mabogo performed and everyone enjoyed their message.  We want you all to know that the sound system gets a lot of use in Nata.  Thanks so much!

Nata chief receives visitors

We were so thrilled today to have some important visitors to Nata. Pictured above is Linda Scott, Lulu Scott, Jenny Dunlap and George Dunlap. Mr. Tiro is pictured introducing them to Kgosi Makgesi as they came to discuss Mothers 4all which is an income generating crafts projects for caregivers. Linda's other daughter Robyn Scott has written an amazing book called Twenty Chickens for a Saddle, An African Childhood and some of the proceeds from the book will go to the Mothers 4all trust that will promote income generating projects. Our own Mr. Tiro is a featured character in the book as he has known the Scotts for years. Linda and Jenny have come up with the idea of producing beautiful wire baobab trees and selling them in Europe.

The group took a tour of Nata Clinic and also met with members of Ntwakgolo Support Group (pictured above) and they shared their ideas. Jenny showed the members some of the items and asked if they would be interested in learning how to make them. The project will start in Selebi Phikwe and we hope it will soon expand to Nata. We've linked Twenty Chickens for a Saddle under "friends of Nata" so check out the website if you get a chance. We highly recommend you get a copy of this book when it's released early next year. Thanks so much Linda, Lulu, Jenny, and George for your support of Nata.