News

Back to News Contents

March 23, 2004 posting, by Jim

Since the community meeting things continue to move very fast here. The community centre, as first priority because many other initiatives depend on its existence, has moved forward on several fronts. Two men have come from Johannesburg to talk with us about solar power. One of them has designed and installed over a thousand solar power stations at schools across South Africa. His company was recently purchased by General Electric, so this is no small operation. They have agreed to partner with us in installing power in the centre, and we hope to receive discounts of several types because they view this as a community initiative that provides them with a social contribution opportunity. The installation will include a solar pump to draw construction and irrigation water from the river a kilometer away, providing drinking water as well. Meanwhile, a Kenyan architecture professor from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg (Daniel) is advising us on the design of the building at no cost to us. He has offered to come here to give us a workshop and possibly to provide construction drawings through one of his classes.

Interviewing a family in Ndawana.

Margaret and Larry have started the documentation census and have made great progress. The purpose is to gather information that will help families qualify for the nine grants available from various government agencies for various family circumstances. Margaret and Larry have worked with the African team members and have been warmly received by the families contacted to date. The next step will be to begin making applications for the grants, while continuing to document additional families. Currently, we estimate that no more than 20% of families have been able to access these grants, and many families have no cash income. As always, the biggest problem is that Ndawana is very isolated from the administrative centre, 135 kilometers away over a very bad road. Margaret and Larry, from Camrose, will be leaving on about April 7th and will be sorely missed. Pam and Jessica Kirkwood will be coming in late April to continue the project.

Beading meeting.

The first of the craft businesses, producing beaded items (for now, AIDS pins and bracelets for sale in Edmonton) has been started and is progressing well. Sixteen women are meeting with Chris every few days to design, discuss and produce beaded items, some of which are designed by Chris, who has taught herself to do excellent Zulu beadwork. We are teaching business skills along with the creative skills, thus satisfying our commitment to the Women’s Leadership Training Program at Reichenau to train women entrepreneurs. To date the women have produced 170 of 300 items contracted for, and they celebrated yesterday, clapping and cheering and dancing as each woman was paid.

Meanwhile, Tim is working with Zanele and several choirs in Ndawana on the music project, while simultaneously documenting our work here with photos and videos. Ndawana is known for its excellent choirs, and it is always a pleasure to hear the singing there, which occurs at most of the meetings we have with them. Last week, while driving Zanele and Busisiwe to our house to meet with Tim for recording, the two of them sang all the way from Ndawana while I was treated to 45 minutes of a private concert. The singing here is very special.

We are planning a 3 to 4 day retreat for the team at our house in early April just before Larry and Margaret leave for Canada. Part of that will be the workshop by Daniel. Other parts of the retreat will be knowledge transfer by Margaret and Larry, visioning for the African operation of Edzimkulu and personal visioning for each of the Ndawana team members. The Ndawana team members, all but one of whom have been trained at Reichenau, have been described by Marilyn and Sibongile as the best team they have trained, and we feel very fortunate to have them as part of our team. We all agree that this retreat is necessary for our continuing progress. The team needs to step back and do some long range planning, along with giving all of us a rest from the very demanding schedule we have been keeping.

Back to News Contents