Today a loved committee member passed away. Lizzie had a smile that could brighten anyone’s day. Her laugh was infectious. Lizzie died of TB while staying in a hospital 45 minutes away in Acornhoek. She had been in the hospital for over a month when it happened. She was so strong and so alive just a few months ago. She has young children that will now grow up without her.

We got to know Lizzie when she shared some brilliant thoughts with us about what she wanted to see in her community. She was looking forward to the business opportunities that the community hall would bring. As one of our most dedicated and involved committee members, Lizzie brought such valuable ideas to our meetings and played such an important part in making the community hall possible.

As construction on the Uta Community Center comes to an end, the Project Steering Committee has been working diligently to ensure that not only will the physical structure be functional and the programs empowering for the community, but also that the building and the land will be a beautiful addition to the landscape of the village. The committee has been debating paint colors at recent meetings and looks forward to working with members of the community, especially youth, to create murals on many of the walls of the center. Over the past few weeks, we have been working with members of the committee to begin clearing the land on which the hall is built. Hoeing and raking weeds in the afternoon sun is not an easy task, but the group is committed to creating a beautiful, clean space in which to plant flowers, design pathways, and highlight the new building in their community. Today, the leaders of the Uta community are holding a meeting to invite all members of the community to help in beautifying the new center. They are asking people to volunteer their time to clean the land, plant flowers, and prepare the center for its opening. This work will all culminate in a celebration in June to welcome all residents of Uta to the new community center, honor the work of the Project Steering Committee, introducing new community programs that will fill the building, and enjoy a day of food, music, and fun. We can’t wait to update you with more pictures of construction and look forward to writing about the opening celebration at the community center in June!

Shangaan word of the day – sasekile – beautiful

Today marks the two-month countdown to the 2010 FIFA World Cup here in South Africa. It would be an understatement to say that South Africans are excited. Everything in the country has revolved around soccer and preparations for the greatest competition in the sport since the host site was announced by FIFA in 2004. Things are no different here in Utah, where kids are looking forward to their four-week school break in June scheduled especially to accommodate the event and a lucky few community members have scored tickets to matches across the country.

The Project Steering Committee is hoping to make the most of the World Cup at the community hall and plans are underway to ensure that soccer-mania does not pass without taking advantage of the new facility. The committee hopes to host viewing parties for the community in the hall by setting up a big screen and projector for all of the matches. By charging a small fee for entrance to these events, the committee will be able to generate an income for maintenance and utility costs and future community initiatives at the hall. During the viewings, local entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to market and sell their goods to soccer fans, boosting their profits and developing business opportunities within the hall. Many women will be sure to make use of the building’s kitchen to sell snacks and beverages to hungry viewers.

The timing of the World Cup also brings a great opportunity for the Project Steering Committee to involve the local soccer teams in the opening of the community hall and its programmes. The PSC secretary, Rames Mndlhovu, is currently working with the three teams in Utah to develop a plan for their use of the hall. Rames hopes that the facility’s health and fitness space can provide players with a safe place to use equipment such as free weights, while also serving as a resource for health education initiatives. We hope that in the future, the teams can also make use of the meeting spaces for mentoring opportunities with local youth, taking advantage of their interest in soccer to motivate peer education and tutoring programmes within the schools and community.

With all the hype leading up to the 2010 tournament, the adverts are right: the world is watching. So are we, and we can’t wait to see what lays ahead for soccer, sport, education, health, and empowerment opportunities in the new community hall.

Shangaan word of the day – bolo – soccer

Programming begins! We are so excited to get programs running even before the community hall is up and running! The plan is to have groups and programs that can begin use of the hall the day it opens, so that means our committee has a lot of work to do to get these programs started. Each committee member is currently committed to starting one group to run inside the hall to help their community.

The most progressed of the programs is that of dramas! Two members of our committee, Angie and Lucky, have mobilized young people to participate in plays that teach of HIV/AIDS, TB, and safe sex.

The plays with older students will be performed in English, which is an exciting way for young people to further their language skills. Angie is helping children with their reading and pronunciation after school. She spends her time, for no money, to help children learn this language that will define their future. All students in Uta have to complete exams in English in order to graduate from high school. All employers require that their staff speak English, especially in a region where tourism is so vital to the economy. This extra practice is a push that the students really need.

Lucky is helping young children to practice and perform plays at a local church. These are done in Shangaan to ensure understanding. The children will learn about health issues through these plays and others will learn by watching the performances.

We can’t wait to go and watch these plays be performed once the hall opens!

Shangaan word of the day – rihanyu – health

Posted by Claire Bristow and Sarah Whitney, Fellows

We began our Fellowship by conducting community interviews throughout June and July 2009 with our youth partner, Forget Sithole. By reacquainting ourselves with the community and collecting information regarding the need for a safe and open space in Uta, we were able to base the development of the community centre entirely around local interests.

Conducting personal interviews with about 200 community members, we collected information for the
development of the project and identified interested community members to begin the formation of a project committee. It was vital to develop a committee that represented the whole community: men and women, youth and elders, empowered and marginalized. Approved at a community meeting on 23 July by the Community Development Forum (local political body) and the Induna (traditional headman), the Uta Community Centre Project Steering Committee (PSC) was finalized as a group of thirteen members dedicated to the development of the project.

The PSC voted on positions within the group and began to develop their vision of the community hall based on the data gathered in the interviews. Committee members visited community centres around the Manyeleti region to gain insight into the successes and challenges of similar initiatives. The PSC prepared a report for the Induna and the CDF detailing their plans for approval. The CDF and the Induna have agreed upon the location, size, and purpose of the building. The rights to the land are being secured through the Amashangana Tribal Authority.

For construction, the Project Steering Committee has chosen to work with a contractor from the area based on his experience in the community. The PSC is organising the purchase of materials available locally and the contractor has hired labour in coordination with local leaders. Seven of eight builders hired for construction are members of the Uta community, generating local income and a better sense of pride and ownership.

The planning and development of the community centre has been defined by the Project Steering Committee’s dedication to the needs and desires of the community. We have completed capacity-inventory and asset-mapping activities with the committee members based on the Asset-Based Community Development model. We want to ensure that the work we do is facilitating sustainable change in the community, rather than simply placing a band-aid on poverty.

The Uta Community Centre is not solely a physical resource, but a starting point for the growth and development of community programs in health, education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment. The Project Steering Committee has taken this vision and expanded upon it. As a group, they have based the plans for the community centre on the desire for space for community meetings, business and computer training, health and fitness education, gardening and feeding-schemes for poverty reduction, and drama and cultural performances. Committee members have begun to shape these ideas into plans for community groups and initiative to be incorporated into the centre once construction is completed. Some of their stories are described below.

Construction of the community centre began on 2 December. Currently, the foundation has been dug and cement is being poured. After the holidays, the brickwork will begin and the centre should be completed within four months. The centre will feature a large hall for community meetings, with a stage for group performances. Incorporated into the centre will be four smaller rooms: a business development facility, a space for health and fitness initiatives, a storeroom, and a kitchen. The stand on which the centre is being built encompasses space for a large community garden and the land will be enclosed with fencing. There are toilet facilities in place and the Project Steering Committee is researching options for a water source. All of these features will ensure that the centre is a safe and open space for the entire community. Each aspect of the centre will be utilised by different groups within the community, led by members of the Project Steering Committee and other local leaders.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies Commission on Smart Global Health is seeking essay submissions that answer the following question in 500-800 words by midnight, November 20th 2009:

“What is the most important thing the U.S. can do to improve global health over the next 15 years?”

This is a great opportunity to get your voice heard on how to approach the issue of global health.  Students and professionals alike are encouraged to submit, running in two separate contests.  The author of the winning essay will receive a $1,000 scholarship with a chance to be published in the Commission’s final report.

The CSIS Commission on Smart Global Health Policy focuses on practical solutions that maximize efficiency, produce measurable results, and engage the American public. Help them expand the conversation to include the ideas and opinions of people who are passionate about global health issues, by submitting your own ideas to this essay contest.

Here are the details:
• Submissions will be accepted between October 12 and November 20, 2009.
• Entries must be at least 500 words and no longer than 800 words.
• The student who submits the winning response will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The student who submits the runner-up response will receive a $500 scholarship.
• The non-student who submits the winning response will receive a $1,000 prize. The non-student who submits the runner-up response will receive a $500 prize.
• The CSIS Commission on Smart Global Health will be the sole arbiter of determining the winning entries.

For more information and to submit your own entry, go to: http://www.smartglobalhealth.org/pages/essay-signup

In 2007, SMRC hosted its first Global Development Internship. After the life changing and deeply rewarding summer of working with youth in Manyeleti, South Africa, the US students that had joined us had made close friendships across the globe. Among the biggest issues that the GDIs (then known as American Participating Students or “AMPS”) were exposed to and discussed at length was the rapidly spreading HIV/AIDS issues.

When we returned from South Africa that August, we saw a headline for a condom recall in the region where we had been working and continue to work. The recall stated that “Choice Brand” condoms were faulty. The idea of faulty condoms in a high-risk HIV/AIDS region looked like a human rights violation – and we were all devastated. As a response, SMRC sent around a petition for condoms to be donated from quality companies to the community.

This year the condom issue has taken a different, much more promising direction. This summer GDI Trae Watson and the Buffelshoek Trust organized for 60,000 condoms to be donated per month to the community in the effort to combat HIV/AIDS. We are grateful to him and Jasper Watson for their hard work. What an achievement for health!!!

Our Kenya Global Development Internship has arrived in Mombasa and we started off with a bang: a tour of the city from our friend Madi and a visit to the lo0cal Swahili restaurant, Island Dishes. The visit has already proven fast paced in spite of the Coast’s laid back mentality.

In addition to the local fare and great company, the GDIs have begun to dissect the meaning of development and our role in Kayafungo, where we will be beginning this weekend. The challenges in the community, the potential for projects and community mobilization, and the various perspectives the highly experienced group members are bringing to this program is truly invigorating.

When you drive into the city of Mombasa, a sign reads: Mombasa, Yes for Children. Certainly a slogan we can all appreciate. The only trouble is that this is a city where children continue to sleep on the streets and beg for food. We started this journey in Nairobi where we met with UNICEF, we are now in Mombasa getting a sense of the complexities of poverty through the children, and in a few days we will be in Kayafungo, working hand in hand with youth and children towards common goals: health, sanitation and education.

I hope to keep  you updated on this blog, as the group continues to learn and work in the community!

SMRC is hosting a 10-day Tribute to Women in the lead up to Mother’s Day. Below are links from the first several posts. The website can be reached here.

Julie Walz on Women and Education
http://smrctributetowomen.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/by-julie-walz-on-women-and-education/

Pius and his Mother, Anna, in Tanzania
http://smrctributetowomen.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/pius-and-his-mother-anna-in-tanzania/

Jessica Schwartz on “Mamas” in Tanzania
http://smrctributetowomen.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/by-jessica-schwartz-on-mamas-in-tanzania/

The Girl Effect
http://smrctributetowomen.wordpress.com/2009/05/02/the-girl-effect/

From Andrea Leal Calderon to Clarita Leal
http://smrctributetowomen.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/from-andrea-leal-calderon-to-clarita-leal/

Tribute to Women, Mourine Masha in Kenya
http://smrctributetowomen.wordpress.com/2009/05/01/tribute-to-women/

Two nights ago I went to dinner with a friend who works on food security issues at USAID. We were talking about the conditions in Kenya where SMRC works and in Southern Sudan, her portfolio. We talked about the food crises, the conflicts that have been worsened in Sudan because President Bashir of Sudan has shrewdly kicked out NGOs and what else can be done. I was thinking about what NGOs could do in Kenya – seeing that we have access – that is now impossible to achieve in Sudan because of political tactics (which have devastating results for the people there).

Then today as I got to the office, Vanessa alerts me to read an article about food in Kenya: http://tinyurl.com/dbxp6c. It appears things in Coast province and other areas are getting desperate.

While we are eager to get to work on development through asset assessments and thorough monitoring and evaluation of past projects and hopefully serving as youth catalysts for future projects, we must expect to be emotionally drawn to dealing with the immediate needs of the community – food for survival.

When Lily was leaving Kayafungo this spring, she noted that the food crisis was serious and that 3 people had died of starvation. It seems that while nothing is getting any easier in the community, we need a strategy to balance our development goals while working through a desperate situation.