Collecting the Information

Well, I am now at the mercy of others for collecting the information that will pertain to the video project.  I will have to do some research through previously written information and my previous visit to Uganda.  I have a catalog of photos to go through and information from my daily log that I kept while there.  I am starting to write the paper that will carry over to scripting.  I will have to meet with the director of GVUS and Dan from Media 401 to go over my concepts, but I am sure the both of them will "bless" this research and fact finding I am doing before we land back in Uganda!  I am excited to think I can contribute to this oral history by documenting all the things we saw and did while there last August ('10), I realized I have a good amount of information from then that can translate into documentable information.  I would like to build more huts while there AND see the gorillas . . . along with a list of things that need done.

























This photo is from the village of Nteko where we built a new hut for this Mutwa (singular for Batwa) woman.  Her name is Effuress and she has 7 adult children - 6 died before the age of 5.  This hut was an absolute labor of love for this woman.

   I hope to return to Nteko to see her again along with the cutest little guy I have EVER met!  I do not know this little guy's name, but he stole my heart with his joy.  He was one of many children who captured my heart, but his eyes say much more than words could ever.   My hope is that he got to the hospital before he got too sick, you see his belly is distended because he has a case of worms, which is common in places without adequate sanitation.  He lives 5 hours from the hospital in Bwindi, his family and other villagers must walk to get him there.  I am very afraid for him, this is why I would like to go back to Nteko to see him.

Moving Forward

Well, the first round of questions have been sent to my man Jeff here in Fort Wayne.  I will be contacting him instead of multiple contacts from Uganda.  I am also concerned about the time frame, because it is so difficult to get anywhere to interview the Batwa.  If you can't reach it by vehicle you have to walk . . . someone has to be willing to go there.  We shall see.  Keep us in your thoughts over the next few weeks as we try to gather information for the video!!

Making headway . . .

Had a wonderful meeting with the director of GVUS and we have a plan of action that makes perfect sense.  Jeff will contact the BDP for me and work out the reciprocity issue.  We are back on the move again.  The questions are ready to be sent and I am currently waiting to hear from Jeff at GVUS to green light my questions pertaining to the video scripting.  I feel like I have a clear concept of what I am doing now.  Rewrote the proposal, yet again, for clarity . . .


Clarity, what a wonderful thing.

Holding My Breath

Well, I am now crafting a letter that speaks to the overall project, not just my college paper.  I will be sending it out after I meet with my man Jeff,  head Mzungu of the GVUS here.

I would like this to be a smooth process, although that is relative since the conditions there are so much more complicated than here.  In order to get to James and Mangerie the BDP have to find them since they are not on site at this time.  So, that means limited communication from village to village, walking instead of driving to most places and then getting word to them they are needed.  If they agree it would be up to the translator and them to do the interview where everyone is most comfortable, either at the village they are residing in, or back at the BDP offices in Bwindi.  My questions are few, but the answers will be long (I hope).  The whole project rests on every one's willingness to volunteer and participate.  I dream of teamwork where even the language barrier doesn't matter.  I just want to take down this information for posterity and for the video project we are working toward creating for them . . . how do you convey THAT message?  Still holding my breath.

Taking a moment to learn.

I had a great discussion in class with my instructor about this dilemma.  Really not to worry about getting the interviews, but the process I am experiencing to find information.  The negotiating will be an interesting process and I will speak to Jeff about it . . . got an email back from him and he doesn't seem concerned (at least by the tone of his email he didn't) . . . So I am the one who is having a conniption over the latest development.  Soooooo, do I wait to respond to the BDP with my newest proposal? Or, wait until I speak with Jeffrey to hash it out?  I dread losing anymore time between now and whenever we get together to talk about the development since my life is revolving around school, day job, night job and trying to have a small life carved out for my art and my "self" . . .  I guess I will find the middle ground in this before I strike out on the next path.

Today's dilemma .  .  . reciprocity.  I am asked to pay for the interviews and the translators, something I believe is important and necessary.  I wasn't completely expecting this, but for the paper I feel it is imperative that I pay them somehow what they desire, I am just not sure I can afford to write this paper since I am on scholarship and I am not making much money myself.   I will have to think about what my next moves are.  Definitely have a message out to Jeff so there are no surprises in store for the three of us when we go in June.  I am thinking there may be need for some more discussion.  I am now starting to wonder about the project.  If I am volunteering to take two months off from my paying part-time job to help the Batwa preserve their history, do the people of the BDP and the Batwa understand I am not getting paid and neither are Jeff and Dan?   I believe the prep work is imperative, their traditions and history are important; am I the one to do it?  Jeff is the lead man on the project as far as the connections to the Batwa and getting us there, Dan and I are the creative team behind the video . . .  I am the instigator of the project.  Now would be the time to find out expectations . . . theirs and ours.

 I am in the midst of rewriting the current proposal to reflect more questions!  I have so many questions already and I haven't even asked James or Mangerie anything yet!!  They are my inspiration and they are so strong.  My hope is to create an outline/script that follows their path from the forest to today.  What will they want to pass on to their ancestors about the forest, the gorillas, the plants, the life?  We will see how this goes as we step into the process of gathering . . . .

Add caption

Levi and Jeff enjoying some sugar cane in the village of Nteko Uganda.
I have received an email from Levi sharing his willingness to help me get my research questions answered!  I will be working on these questions as they pertain to the video and to the Batwa history collection project. I am excited to say the least . . . I will be working with one really nice guy who can communicate with James and Mangerie, the two people I want to interview most.  The project really is under way!!!

History

Well, the history proposal is done and submitted.  I am so grateful to have this class during this time as it is helping to clarify the focus and my own understanding of the philAnthRopisT.  Blending art and philanthropy to benefit non profit organizations isn't a new concept, but it is new to me and I have run with this idea . . . which is now a working model.   I am excited to be preparing a paper that will help keep the video project on point.  The people of Uganda, specifically the people of the BDP (Batwa Development program), are so willing to assist with this research paper, I hope they can meet my deadlines.  I have to plan very far ahead since our time difference and sense of urgency is not the same.  This will be a true "fieldwork" assignment, now and in 2012!  Let's get it done!!

This is a link you may be interested in . . .

Can you be of any assistance?

http://app.e2ma.net/app2/campaigns/archived/1408651/7c81f3dca23c89b0d050931fc453a2ae/

Good morning. I am in the throws of trying to decide what exactly to research for this project while here in the U.S. I have some outlines done and ideas rolling around in my head, but nothing truly committed to paper. I will have a proposal ready before the weekend, but I still have concerns about where to get valid, useful information. I would like this Batwa project to have legs. It should be able to stand on its own when I am done and the body of work, hopefully, will be strong. Keep your fingers crossed, it will be a long couple of days here for me!

This was my first adventure with Jeffrey from Gorillas, Villages & the Ugandan Spirit - his not-for-profit that will be benefiting the Gorillas of the forest, the Batwa and the hospital in Bwindi. Jeff is an amazing guy and I believe our next trip there will be an amazing example of what you can do to help.

So here I am, looking ahead to 2012 and returning to Uganda to work at saving the traditions and oral histories of the Batwa. While I am planning ahead, I am also working on a Master's degree in Liberal studies. I will be utilizing my contacts to do some preliminary research into Batwa genealogy, as if there is something written somewhere. Wish me luck.