Feels good to be back home, but always hard to let go of the daily interest of a new place. Would like to thank everyone who purchased 'The Troubles in Zolokere' DVD, so far we've raised several hundred dollars for the school project in the village of Khutamadji (Malawi) through the sale of the disc. Peace Corps Volunteer Jake Wilson (http://www.malawijake.honkatonk.com) has done an amazing job implementing this project. Being there in person and seeing first hand the difficulties, I can say frankly, I don't know how he's doing it.
The village name, Khutamadji, means 'full of water'. In the rainy season the youngest kids from this village can't always make the 4k walk to the next village where there's another school, so this new building means they don't have to. The new structure also gives the community a center for meetings and activities where there was nothing before. Considering the entire budget of the project is around 20k, the money being raised with this DVD makes a big difference. A few hundred dollars goes a long way, so thanks again to those who bought it and to those who will.
The last weeks of shooting were intense. Tony Bomber's came in second place after a big controversy. Another team threw their last game, which locked the main rivals hold on first. It's complicated stuff, apparently money was exchanged and a near riot ensued at the final game as all the animosity came out. Sorting out all the details in the film is going to be tough, but I can't complain, my big worry was that nothing would happen at all. Over the next few weeks I'll be posting the best photos from the trip starting later this week. For now here's a picture of the school and a guy working at the kiln next to the school. They actually had to make the bricks on site, by hand.
Thanks again to those who purchased the DVD, it feels good to be helping out.
comments (5)
i c you are going to screen my comments.. mmm good thing I don't believe in out right censorship or where would the arts be here in san Diego,,,lol,, how are u boss..?
Posted by Timothy | 03. 5.07
Wow!!!! The things you are doing are terrific. You see the big picture and have made a choice to do what you can about it.
This is a far cry from pulling tarps at the pool. I would love to hear more about your project. You and me and Eddie and Ted need to get together and catch up on things.
Email me your address so I can buy a cd or 5 or 10. templebird@ca.rr.com
Posted by Bridgett Maxwell | 03. 6.07
Hey Tim,
Doing great, nice to be back. On a job search at the moment, considering going to Baghdad for a job so you better buy me lunch while you can! I'll call you later this week.
Cy
Bridget!
Nice to hear from you! We pulled a lot of tarps off that pool didn't we, strong backs. You can buy the video off this site, top right box - store, and it'll show up in your mail box. cykuck@hotmail.com is my email, let me know if and when your around IB, I want to hear about your family and your work at the school. Best to Eddie and Ted!
Cy
Posted by Cy | 03. 7.07
mr. cy.. did not get phone call.. but I did however have an idea that might be interesting,, we have a school that we work with Carver Elementary,, we are in the process of working out program with them this year,, they do not actually have an art class but we have developed a program "artbox" that can be utalized during english but use the arts as a way of engaging the youth through aesthetic inquiry.. anyway the village you are working with there seems to me that we might engage these kids at Carver through an art project to focus on a project in this village (not sure exactly how this would work) but the pieces are there to do something ,, just need to talk with the teacher and yourself and our educational person, Andrea to see what we can come up with,, is there any internet access there,, also how far from Zambia is this village, my brother and sister in law are in Zambia and they have net access,, thoughts,, you might even film this on either side,, after all the key to harmony is the pitch ,, so it is time to tune up.. the world will belong to the youth time to start the training mon ami...
Posted by Timothy Field | 03.20.07
Guilty as charged Tim. I'll be back in town next Monday and promise to call. Interesting idea, not unlike 'Dick in the Box' by Justin Timberlake I think:)
I'll fill you in on all of the details, but the general picture is tough. This is a very remote village, no phone, no internet, no electricity etc...but anything is possible.
Posted by Cy | 03.20.07