The Nata village blog

CLOTHING & FOOD DRIVE FOR THE ORPHAN AND NEEDY CHILDREN IN NATA VILLAGE

Mr and Mrs Kraai from South West Gaborone put together an awesome traditional luncheon to raise food and clothing for all the Needy and Orphan children living in Nata Village. The day kicked off with many family members preparing food for all the guest. Each guest who arrived brought a trash bag full of clothing or canned food to donate. All guest who brought clothing or canned food received a t-shirt with a log that read "I'm from Nando 5" The word nando 5 translates to Nata Village.Soon after all the introductions were done and the guest received their flashy t-shirt to wear. The guest were treated to a nice traditional food of their choice. Approximately 45 guest attended this excellent event to support the needy. All donations will be given to the Orphan and Needy on the 21st of November when we have our third annual Christmas Party in Nata Village. The trust would like to thank all the family members and friends who put together this amazing event.

Wellness day in Nata Primary school

Students from Nata Primary School put together a day of education and Health. Parents, Teachers, and P.T.A. members were encourage to come and listen to the students message. The primary school students put together real live scenarios affecting their young lives. Role playing was the key to make all spectators understand what every child has experience in the hands of their protectors.   Poverty and alcohol abuse by love one's is the main reason students are not getting a good education. Lack of responsibly and carelessness on both the parents and elders have made it impossible for a child to attend school and learn. Furthermore, the students invited many guess speakers from the Village to explain their profession and the ability to get a good education. Poems were read by students as the message was pass on to all who attended the Wellness fair.

 

GRANDMOTHER OF SEVEN GRANDCHILDREN NEEDS A HOME

A picture to tug at the heart strings. Bright Kholi, News Editor of The Ngami Times, came across this pitiful sight when visiting the Nata area recently. He found living in Manakanagore ward an old woman in her mid 70s - what makes her different from other grandmothers is she does not have a house to live in, and neither does she have a toilet. Thamalalo Reetsanye lives literally in the open with four grandchildren dumped on her by seemingly uncaring parents. Their arrival has made life even worse for her as she survives on her food rations from the local council and her old age pension, which she has to share with her grandchildren. United States Peace Corps volunteer Pedro Martinez said Reetsanye and her grandchildren – one of whom attends Nata Primary School - live in appalling conditions. It appears the parents are able bodied and are supposed to take care of their children but have instead sent the children to their grandmother. Martinez says he would like to see the old woman being helped with a house and a toilet to escape the harsh weather conditions. She is “not supposed to be living in those conditions. I simply call upon the business community everywhere to help put up a structure for her,” he said. Those willing to help can call Peter Martinez on 75014128.

HIV/AIDS, AND TURERCULOSIS EDUCATION ON THE FIELDS

Health Assistant Educators and Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission spend all week out in the Cattle Posts (the bush) and the surrounding villages assisting and educating all field workers who live out in the bush. The team of four will try their best to explain the importance of staying on their medications and learning more about Tuberculosis (T.B), as well as using all methods of protection during sexual intercourse. In addition, the team will include a talk on A(H1N1). Botswana's Ministry of Health has confirmed and verified a few cases in the area. The team will do their best to reach all near by Cattle Posts, Schools, Businesses, and Social Gatherings.

MEN'S SECTOR SOCCOR TOURNAMENT

Nata Village Men’s Sector Support group along with Tebelopele coordinated and facilitated an exciting all around soccer tournament for the four day weekend. During the long weekend all six wards in Nata Village participated in a six team knock out soccer tournament. The soccer tournament is a series of Campaign’s to allow all spectators and teams to test and acknowledge their status. Also, to get more information on HIV/AIDS, STI’S, Alcohol Abuse, and Positive healthy living. All six teams were winners in the field and out the field. First place winners received  three soccer balls and a pair of nets.  The rest of the teams were able to collected one ball each. All the teams found out their HIV status with the fifteen minute rapid test. Furthermore, 1,362 spectators were reached during the match and educated by Tebelopele on the importance of their ABC’S, Abstain, Be Faithful, and Condomize. 158 men, 122 women tested for their status, as well as 12 couples. The four day soccer tournament was a success throughout the community.  

Flamingo Primary and High School visits Makongwa School in Nata

  

On the 2nd July,2009 Mokongwa Primary School welcomed Flamingo Primay and High school from Sua township. Flamingo Primary and High School was in  Nata Village to give clothes and shoes to the Orphans and Needy students at Makongwa Primary School. Makongwa Primary School has 36 Orphans and Needy. The students received clothing, shoes, Jersey and track suits.

Mr. Seloma Tiro Chairman of Nata Aids and Orphan Trust,Caregivers and Parents of the needy students were in attendance to assist with donations. There were also Visitors from Hong Kong and South Africa to help. Nata Aids and Orphan Trust would like to take this oportunity to thank every one who is making a difference in the lives of orphans and needy with their contributions. There were plenty of smiles on the faces of all students.

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.