SPARTA - To the best of their recollection, it was some time in the early 1990's when friends of Robert and Alene Holloway told the couple about the need for help in the Southeast African country Malawi.
Like many others across Africa, the people of Malawi suffer from a lack of access to fresh water and a tenuous supply of nutritious food. And, also like much of the continent, HIV runs rampant.
Health and food: two areas where the people of Malawi could use help and two areas where Robert, a master gardener and agriculturist, and Alene, a nurse, could lend a hand.
Digging wells, shelling peanuts, teaching sex education and making soy milk: the list of activities is not how most people spend a vacation. But for the past 14 years the Holloways have lived in Malawi for two month stretches, working on these projects and more.
During these trips the couple has grown a strong affection for the people of the country and their plight.
"It's not like a lot of other African countries," Robert said, while thumbing through a small stack of pictures from previous trips. "It's evil to own a gun or even a toy gun there. They believe if you love each other you don't need a gun. Where my wife works, the hospital, they've never seen a gunshot wound."
"Also women and children are never hurt," he said. "There is no rape, no child molestation."
But, Alene was quick to point out that women in Malawi do all of their work in their households, like cooking and cleaning while most of the men are idle, fulfilling their antiquated roles as warriors and protectors.
"The women do all the work," she said. "If a man wants something he'll ask his wife to do it."
In each of their trips to the country the couple has spent most of their time in the village of Embangweni, which sits in the high elevations of the country's north, in a climate the couple describes as "a lot like Denver."
During their trips Robert and Alene have watched the village grow. With assistance from Southern Illinois Rotary International chapters and a handful of regional churches the couple has helped build a guesthouse for visiting workers, extend medical services and dig wells for drinking water.
Robert helped introduced soy beans to the village and import machinery to produce soy milk.
On their next trip, which they are set to take next month, Robert said he's excited to bring the materials needed to make a peanut shelling machine. Because of their high protein content, peanuts are a vital crop Robert said.
"But women spend all day de-shelling them and by the end of the day their hands are bleeding," he said. "That, of course, is a danger that could lead to (HIV) infection."
In their time in Embangweni the couple said they've lost many friends to HIV/AIDS and, because most of their friends are infected, they could lose more.
Alene said about 75 percent of the people who come through the hospital are HIV positive. But, through sex education Alene said she believes the situation is improving.
While the couple says their trips have enriched their lives Robert, 74 and Alene, 75, say they won't be able to keep going too much longer.
"Our hope is that someone will see us and say 'By golly, that's something I'd like to do," he said. "It's cheaper than a cruise (ship vacation) and the work has been very rewarding."
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Malawi musician Lucius Banda speaks his mind
APA-Lilongwe (Malawi) Apart from being the countries best musician, Lucius Banda has the added advantage that he used this to open his door into politics, where he has reached as far as Parliament as a Member of Parliament. Here he takes the time from his busy schedule of performing concerts to have a chat with APA Correspondent Fazila Tembo:
ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Question: Thousands of young men and women from West, North and East Africa have for the past two years been trying to cross to Europe, using makeshift boats. What is your understanding of such a phenomenon and what do you suggest is the solution to the problem?
Lucius: I have invested a lot in music, and through my investments I have managed to employ and sustain lives of over 20 young people. In turn, they assist and support more than 200 of their relations and friends and everybody who needs their support. To contain illegal immigration, Africa needs massive investments from Europe, and manufacturing plants with the readily available resources will be a good start. Africa should be able to tell Europe not to buy raw materials from Africa, but rather to buy processed and value added products from us. I believe that in renegotiating the EPA’s with the EU should have been based on the same principles of everything but the arms principle. With more jobs and opportunities at home, Africans too will afford to become tourists in Europe one day. Poverty continues to haunt the young and old and the solution is to move them out of that trap. And we can only do this through investments here at home – foreign or local investments.
EUROPE AND AFRICA
Question: The European Parliament on 18 June adopted a law organising, and force, if need be, the “deportation of illegal immigrants”. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the current chair of the European Union, further urges his European neighbours to suspend the massive regularisation of illegal immigrants and only deliver biometric visas to qualified applicants. What do you think of those measures and what should be Africa’s response?
Lucius: They might be justified legally to take such measures; nobody welcomes illegal immigrants as recent attacks in South Africa have indicated. But is that a solution? Those immigrants are sending billions of euro’s back home. Look at Morocco, Tunisia and even Mauritania — huge chunks of their resources come from remittances from these economies. In the America’s billions of dollars are sent to Mexico and other poor economies. Wholesale barring of immigrants, even those that have stayed long, will send jitters into some economies and stopping regularisation at wholesale will only send more people into crime to survive and bring a lot of instability in Europe. Africa should engage into negotiations with Europe than taking a confrontation style on this sensitive subject.
PAN-AFRICAN GOVERNMENT
Question: African leaders, as shown at the Ghana AU summit, have different views on the timing of a federal government at the continental level as a first step towards the creation of the Unites States of Africa. How pertinent is this idea to you and what do you think is the best way to speed up African unity?
Lucius: First of all, Africa should start identifying itself with acceptable values in all sense and find its identity. On what model will this government be - a Western democracy or patterned after Africa’s own traditional chieftaincy rules? Only when we have an identity through music, culture and development, then we can talk of a Pan-African Government. Right now, let us strengthen the regional groupings like ECOWAS and SADC and come up with one currency and integrate out economies, improve the welfare of the people. Only after integrating regionally, then we can talk of emerging this diverse and politically split but resources rich and lovely continent of ours.
HIGH COST OF LIVING
Question: What is your view of the combined high oil and food prices on the world market and what should Africa’s reaction to these new challenges be?
Lucius: It’s unbearable, especially among our poor people. Africa should start using its resources itself before exporting it so that we could end this material poverty. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality. I would like to appeal to African governments to start subsidising food and oil prices, put in place deliberate policies for such subsidies on food and oil. The international community and donors should move quickly to assist African governments in funding these subsidies.
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP IN AFRICA
Question: Africa will host in less than two years the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. What do you expect from African teams playing in this competition?
Lucius: First of all, the football teams should remain united as Africans and support each other as one. A win for one team from Africa is a victory for us all in Africa. As for our own tea from Malawi, the Flames, we shall fly higher our flags as well as that of the continent to this football extravaganza come 2010.
FUTURE PROJECTS
Question: Where and when are you going to perform during this 2008 holiday season?
Lucius: Across Malawi, in different cities and rural towns. I sing about the people and their welfare. Actually I am called “Soldier” of the poor due this message I use in my music.
Question: Where and when are you going to perform during this 2008 holiday season?
Lucius: Across Malawi, different cities and rural towns, where I sing about the people and their welfare. Actually I am called soldier of the poor.
Question: What is your latest production?
Lucius: My 14th Album titled “FREEDOM”
Question: What is your dearest personal project and what kind of support do you expect?
Lucius: To develop a cultural and music development centre to assist young Malawians, poor Malawians to have skills to assist themselves. It will have musical equipment and training opportunities for the youth. I have already started to construct such a centre in Balaka, a district in southern Malawi.
Question: What achievement are you are the most proud of since you started your music career?
Lucius: I have been able to speak on behalf of the many who do not have a voice. In other words, I am proud of being a voice for the voiceless in this country.
Question: What are some of the obstacles facing artists in their quest for promotion in this country?
Lucius: Copyright and the absence of political will to support the music industry, and the high costs of musical equipment, transport and limited marketing and distribution of our music products.
Discography
Lucius Banda\’s first album called “Son of a Poor Man” was released in 1994 followed by “Down Babylon” in 1995, and then in 1996, “Ceasefire, Take it Over” (1997), “Yahwe” (1998), “Unity” (1999), “Following Jah” (2000), “How Long” (2001), “No Easy Road” (2002), “Money and Power “(2003), “Enemy” (2005), “Survivor” (2006), “Cell 51” (2007) and “Freedom” (2008).
Professional Contacts: Lucius Banda and Zembani Band, P.O. Box 154, Balaka, Cell: 265-9 510 305, 265 1 923 144, luciusbanda@webmail.co.za
Production Firm: Lucius Banda and Zembani Studios, P.O Box 154, Balaka, Malawi. Tel: 265 1 923 144
ON ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Question: Thousands of young men and women from West, North and East Africa have for the past two years been trying to cross to Europe, using makeshift boats. What is your understanding of such a phenomenon and what do you suggest is the solution to the problem?
Lucius: I have invested a lot in music, and through my investments I have managed to employ and sustain lives of over 20 young people. In turn, they assist and support more than 200 of their relations and friends and everybody who needs their support. To contain illegal immigration, Africa needs massive investments from Europe, and manufacturing plants with the readily available resources will be a good start. Africa should be able to tell Europe not to buy raw materials from Africa, but rather to buy processed and value added products from us. I believe that in renegotiating the EPA’s with the EU should have been based on the same principles of everything but the arms principle. With more jobs and opportunities at home, Africans too will afford to become tourists in Europe one day. Poverty continues to haunt the young and old and the solution is to move them out of that trap. And we can only do this through investments here at home – foreign or local investments.
EUROPE AND AFRICA
Question: The European Parliament on 18 June adopted a law organising, and force, if need be, the “deportation of illegal immigrants”. French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the current chair of the European Union, further urges his European neighbours to suspend the massive regularisation of illegal immigrants and only deliver biometric visas to qualified applicants. What do you think of those measures and what should be Africa’s response?
Lucius: They might be justified legally to take such measures; nobody welcomes illegal immigrants as recent attacks in South Africa have indicated. But is that a solution? Those immigrants are sending billions of euro’s back home. Look at Morocco, Tunisia and even Mauritania — huge chunks of their resources come from remittances from these economies. In the America’s billions of dollars are sent to Mexico and other poor economies. Wholesale barring of immigrants, even those that have stayed long, will send jitters into some economies and stopping regularisation at wholesale will only send more people into crime to survive and bring a lot of instability in Europe. Africa should engage into negotiations with Europe than taking a confrontation style on this sensitive subject.
PAN-AFRICAN GOVERNMENT
Question: African leaders, as shown at the Ghana AU summit, have different views on the timing of a federal government at the continental level as a first step towards the creation of the Unites States of Africa. How pertinent is this idea to you and what do you think is the best way to speed up African unity?
Lucius: First of all, Africa should start identifying itself with acceptable values in all sense and find its identity. On what model will this government be - a Western democracy or patterned after Africa’s own traditional chieftaincy rules? Only when we have an identity through music, culture and development, then we can talk of a Pan-African Government. Right now, let us strengthen the regional groupings like ECOWAS and SADC and come up with one currency and integrate out economies, improve the welfare of the people. Only after integrating regionally, then we can talk of emerging this diverse and politically split but resources rich and lovely continent of ours.
HIGH COST OF LIVING
Question: What is your view of the combined high oil and food prices on the world market and what should Africa’s reaction to these new challenges be?
Lucius: It’s unbearable, especially among our poor people. Africa should start using its resources itself before exporting it so that we could end this material poverty. Unfortunately, that’s not the reality. I would like to appeal to African governments to start subsidising food and oil prices, put in place deliberate policies for such subsidies on food and oil. The international community and donors should move quickly to assist African governments in funding these subsidies.
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP IN AFRICA
Question: Africa will host in less than two years the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. What do you expect from African teams playing in this competition?
Lucius: First of all, the football teams should remain united as Africans and support each other as one. A win for one team from Africa is a victory for us all in Africa. As for our own tea from Malawi, the Flames, we shall fly higher our flags as well as that of the continent to this football extravaganza come 2010.
FUTURE PROJECTS
Question: Where and when are you going to perform during this 2008 holiday season?
Lucius: Across Malawi, in different cities and rural towns. I sing about the people and their welfare. Actually I am called “Soldier” of the poor due this message I use in my music.
Question: Where and when are you going to perform during this 2008 holiday season?
Lucius: Across Malawi, different cities and rural towns, where I sing about the people and their welfare. Actually I am called soldier of the poor.
Question: What is your latest production?
Lucius: My 14th Album titled “FREEDOM”
Question: What is your dearest personal project and what kind of support do you expect?
Lucius: To develop a cultural and music development centre to assist young Malawians, poor Malawians to have skills to assist themselves. It will have musical equipment and training opportunities for the youth. I have already started to construct such a centre in Balaka, a district in southern Malawi.
Question: What achievement are you are the most proud of since you started your music career?
Lucius: I have been able to speak on behalf of the many who do not have a voice. In other words, I am proud of being a voice for the voiceless in this country.
Question: What are some of the obstacles facing artists in their quest for promotion in this country?
Lucius: Copyright and the absence of political will to support the music industry, and the high costs of musical equipment, transport and limited marketing and distribution of our music products.
Discography
Lucius Banda\’s first album called “Son of a Poor Man” was released in 1994 followed by “Down Babylon” in 1995, and then in 1996, “Ceasefire, Take it Over” (1997), “Yahwe” (1998), “Unity” (1999), “Following Jah” (2000), “How Long” (2001), “No Easy Road” (2002), “Money and Power “(2003), “Enemy” (2005), “Survivor” (2006), “Cell 51” (2007) and “Freedom” (2008).
Professional Contacts: Lucius Banda and Zembani Band, P.O. Box 154, Balaka, Cell: 265-9 510 305, 265 1 923 144, luciusbanda@webmail.co.za
Production Firm: Lucius Banda and Zembani Studios, P.O Box 154, Balaka, Malawi. Tel: 265 1 923 144
Director finds hope in Africa
Nathan Rissman, 36, has worked for Madonna as a researcher, an art director and a gardener. Those jobs led to another one for the Seattle native -- directing her documentary, "I Am Because We Are," about the orphans of Malawi. Rissman, who'll be at the Traverse City Film Festival, talked about going to Africa and finding hope in the heart of despair.
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QUESTION: How did filming in Malawi and meeting the people affect you personally?
ANSWER: I was always honored to be sharing my life with them and having them share their lives with me. But it was definitely an emotional rollercoaster. I think there were about four subjects that we were working with that died during the course of our filming. That's absolutely heart-wrenching ... especially in extreme poverty, when AIDS and tuberculosis and such horrible things are causing people to die really, really early.
Q: How much time did you spend there?
A: Over the course of two years, I went there about nine or 10 times. The longest I was there was two months and the shortest was three weeks.
Q: Did one thing in particular strike you about life there?
A: It was really shocking to see people living in such desperate conditions. But I also, over time, began to notice that the more you find yourself in extreme poverty, the more humanity you find ... the more honesty, the more love.
Q: What will people take home with them after seeing the documentary?
A: That we're all connected, that we're all part of problems throughout the world, no matter if it seems far away. We all have a responsibility to deal with, to discuss these problems. I would hope people would come for the celebrity or whatever, but go away with a different attitude, with an empowerment, feeling like they can make a difference.
Q: It sounds as if you leave with a lot of hope, is that fair to say?
A: Correct. Whilst Madonna and I were making this film, we definitely wanted to show both sides of the coin. There are many documentaries that just present a problem. We really wanted to take people on an emotional journey, to also show them the beauty and joy that exists there.
Q: You've done a lot of different jobs for Madonna. What's she like to work for?
A: Madonna's great to work for. ... She wanted me to help her out on a bunch of different levels and I never said no. ...We just developed a really good friendship between the Ritchies and the Rissmans. She believed in me and she thought I could bring something to the project.
Advertisement
QUESTION: How did filming in Malawi and meeting the people affect you personally?
ANSWER: I was always honored to be sharing my life with them and having them share their lives with me. But it was definitely an emotional rollercoaster. I think there were about four subjects that we were working with that died during the course of our filming. That's absolutely heart-wrenching ... especially in extreme poverty, when AIDS and tuberculosis and such horrible things are causing people to die really, really early.
Q: How much time did you spend there?
A: Over the course of two years, I went there about nine or 10 times. The longest I was there was two months and the shortest was three weeks.
Q: Did one thing in particular strike you about life there?
A: It was really shocking to see people living in such desperate conditions. But I also, over time, began to notice that the more you find yourself in extreme poverty, the more humanity you find ... the more honesty, the more love.
Q: What will people take home with them after seeing the documentary?
A: That we're all connected, that we're all part of problems throughout the world, no matter if it seems far away. We all have a responsibility to deal with, to discuss these problems. I would hope people would come for the celebrity or whatever, but go away with a different attitude, with an empowerment, feeling like they can make a difference.
Q: It sounds as if you leave with a lot of hope, is that fair to say?
A: Correct. Whilst Madonna and I were making this film, we definitely wanted to show both sides of the coin. There are many documentaries that just present a problem. We really wanted to take people on an emotional journey, to also show them the beauty and joy that exists there.
Q: You've done a lot of different jobs for Madonna. What's she like to work for?
A: Madonna's great to work for. ... She wanted me to help her out on a bunch of different levels and I never said no. ...We just developed a really good friendship between the Ritchies and the Rissmans. She believed in me and she thought I could bring something to the project.
An itinerary with a mission
Allentown church group sets out to travel to Malawi and offer help
Many people have seen TV commercials of charities seeking support for impoverished African nations. Aside from providing the opportunity to send a donation, few of these organizations provide the chance for hands-on support and interaction.
The congregation of the Allentown Presbyterian Church is working to change this. On Saturday, seven members of the church will make the journey of a lifetime to Malawi, Africa, to promote the growth and sustainability in the village of Sakata.
According to Malawi-bound church member Bob Rhoad, Malawi faces some daunting obstacles. "Some of the statistics are pretty staggering," Rhoad said.
"Thirteen percent of the kids don't make it to the age of five," he added, noting that Malawian life expectancy is less than 40 years. Rhoad also said AIDS and malaria, which plague the country, have left 500,000 children without parents.
"Three quarters of the population lives on two dollars or less per day," Rhoad said. He added that Malawi has an unemployment rate ranging from 60 percent to 70 percent.
The missionaries from the Allentown Presbyterian Church plan to address these problems, starting on a hyper-local level, by adopting Sakata, the small village of 800 residents.
"The ultimate goal is to go there and adopt a village," said church member Hal Boston. "We don't even know that anybody's ever done it before," he added.
"Our dream is to sort of have the whole community involved and have a real sister village that will develop," Rhoad said. "The people have been so receptive."
Boston and Rhoad said the team of seven will construct a standing structure that will function as a preschool and community center. The team will also enhance the local water supply, build fish ponds and will distribute mosquito nets to help combat malaria.
Faced with a two-bag luggage limit, each of the seven missionaries will pack one bag full of personal belongings and a second full of supplies for the community. Boston said the team will literally donate the clothing off of their backs, passing on their clothes to the villagers when they depart for the United States.
"We feel we're being led by the spirit," Boston said. "We don't really know what to expect. We know this: that it's going to devastating in what we see, in the sense of the poverty, the amount of aids that has ravaged them, malaria and different diseases."
Boston said the entire operation hinges on creating and sustaining a sense of community. It is this strong sense of community that has carried the entire project into fruition. The Allentown Presbyterian Church has raised $20,000 -- largely through individual community members from the Allentown and Upper Freehold area -- to carry out its mission.
The church held a "raft fundraiser" in late June to both promote awareness about the issues Malawi faces and to raise money for their trip. Church members constructed a large raft and launched it into Conine's Mill Pond. Five church members stayed onboard the raft to raise awareness for the mission trip while others collected donations on the shore in nearby Pete Sensi Park.
The church also has raised money by selling patches of a quilt that will adorn a wall in the completed preschool. Boston said the church has sold more than 200 patches, which require a minimum donation of $10. Purchasers are able to decorate their patches in order to connect with the villagers.
"The patch actually gives them a memento and physically helps them get invested in the trip," Boston said. He added that among the supplies the team will be carrying to Malawi will be quilt materials so the people of Sakata can reciprocate with messages of their own.
In addition to Rhoad and Boston, other church members making the trip are Ethan and Edward Rhoad, Charley Lyons-Pardue, Hal Boston Jr. and Ann Darlington.
Many people have seen TV commercials of charities seeking support for impoverished African nations. Aside from providing the opportunity to send a donation, few of these organizations provide the chance for hands-on support and interaction.
The congregation of the Allentown Presbyterian Church is working to change this. On Saturday, seven members of the church will make the journey of a lifetime to Malawi, Africa, to promote the growth and sustainability in the village of Sakata.
According to Malawi-bound church member Bob Rhoad, Malawi faces some daunting obstacles. "Some of the statistics are pretty staggering," Rhoad said.
"Thirteen percent of the kids don't make it to the age of five," he added, noting that Malawian life expectancy is less than 40 years. Rhoad also said AIDS and malaria, which plague the country, have left 500,000 children without parents.
"Three quarters of the population lives on two dollars or less per day," Rhoad said. He added that Malawi has an unemployment rate ranging from 60 percent to 70 percent.
The missionaries from the Allentown Presbyterian Church plan to address these problems, starting on a hyper-local level, by adopting Sakata, the small village of 800 residents.
"The ultimate goal is to go there and adopt a village," said church member Hal Boston. "We don't even know that anybody's ever done it before," he added.
"Our dream is to sort of have the whole community involved and have a real sister village that will develop," Rhoad said. "The people have been so receptive."
Boston and Rhoad said the team of seven will construct a standing structure that will function as a preschool and community center. The team will also enhance the local water supply, build fish ponds and will distribute mosquito nets to help combat malaria.
Faced with a two-bag luggage limit, each of the seven missionaries will pack one bag full of personal belongings and a second full of supplies for the community. Boston said the team will literally donate the clothing off of their backs, passing on their clothes to the villagers when they depart for the United States.
"We feel we're being led by the spirit," Boston said. "We don't really know what to expect. We know this: that it's going to devastating in what we see, in the sense of the poverty, the amount of aids that has ravaged them, malaria and different diseases."
Boston said the entire operation hinges on creating and sustaining a sense of community. It is this strong sense of community that has carried the entire project into fruition. The Allentown Presbyterian Church has raised $20,000 -- largely through individual community members from the Allentown and Upper Freehold area -- to carry out its mission.
The church held a "raft fundraiser" in late June to both promote awareness about the issues Malawi faces and to raise money for their trip. Church members constructed a large raft and launched it into Conine's Mill Pond. Five church members stayed onboard the raft to raise awareness for the mission trip while others collected donations on the shore in nearby Pete Sensi Park.
The church also has raised money by selling patches of a quilt that will adorn a wall in the completed preschool. Boston said the church has sold more than 200 patches, which require a minimum donation of $10. Purchasers are able to decorate their patches in order to connect with the villagers.
"The patch actually gives them a memento and physically helps them get invested in the trip," Boston said. He added that among the supplies the team will be carrying to Malawi will be quilt materials so the people of Sakata can reciprocate with messages of their own.
In addition to Rhoad and Boston, other church members making the trip are Ethan and Edward Rhoad, Charley Lyons-Pardue, Hal Boston Jr. and Ann Darlington.
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