Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Yea for money!

The American Embassy finally called. They awarded us US$3400. I think we can do a lot with that here. If you don't recall, this was the grant we wrote back in May. I'm not as excited as I thought I would be. For one thing, the Embassy told me I'd hear something by the end of June. I tried repeatedly to contact them in July and August. I got only one response from a lady who said she couldn't tell me anything. I basically gave up on them. This money is to go toward sewing and gardening projects for our HIV support group. The support group is non-existent at the moment. I really hope we can get people interested. Pray for us.

Also, the Male Engagement workshop went well. My colleague, and friend, Udi and I will have an opportunity to share the info with some local SWAPO government leaders here in Tsumeb. I'm looking forward to the challenge. I think we will be speaking to some very conservative, traditional men. We will be presenting them with ideas about gender equality, and asking them how they think we can 'get outside the box' with local gender norms (i.e. Men don't cook or clean, women's sexual rights inside marriage). It should be interesting.

That's all for now.

3 comments:

Nicolas said...

That's wonderful news Dave, will you be addressing them in their local Dialect? I am sure your picking up a lot of the language now. Take care

Anonymous said...

Dearest Son,

Congrats on your grant. Use the money in part to have food and beverages at your support group meetings. Have your meetings last for a SET period of time, I suggest 1 hour but I live in this crazy time driven society.
I've had a continuous support group for 13 years and coffee and donuts work miricles.

your ever loving papa.

Anonymous said...

Hi Dave,

I am old friends with Lejeune and would love to reconnect with her. Could you please forward my email address to her?

Mona Duperon Copland
mneal@vaco.com

Thank you so much and congratulations on the grant.