WEEKEND WITH THE TEAM

This weekend was our oppportunity to work directly with 20 MKGP members on leadership and event management skills. After navigating more boggy roads in to the scout centre outside Mafikeng, over a day of picking up kids from the Magogoe village (it took almost 6 hours of going backwards and forwards before everyone was all together!)

It was great to spend some time with the members, who spent the two days working on:

Cultural training

Conference planning

Team games

Goal setting

Event planning

After a first day full of workshops it took some more hard work to get everyone into bed with the lights out - especially when you take into account the visits from all the bats, rats and cats!!! (Poor Tebogo was fast asleep and nearly hit the ceiling when the giant rat ran straight over her!)

We were greeted the next morning by the boys pumping the music and washing the car - great leadership guys - followed by an improptu performance of his music by Tumo.

After another planning session, and another big meal it was time to put our plans into action. The team organised themselves to clean up a section of the Molopo River, and were joined by special guest Mr Zulweyo, who drove in from Ntshidi School to see the MKGP team in action.

After just half an hour, our 20 person team had fully assessed the site for any potential risks, collected 1o bags of rubbish, and documented the process to take to the council. It was a fantastic chance to take practical action, and we celebrated with a picnic under the tree.

It was a great motivating weekend, and a really good chance for us to learn more about how the MKGP team operates and we were able to undertake a review. We were so proud to hear how these young people had organised their very own clean up event at a local Quarry in their community with out any adult assistance - this is the most significant change we have seen in the MKGP group and has really showcased their passion, commitment and skill.

VISIT TO RAMATU HIGH SCHOOL

After collecting Mpilo and Thebe from Magogoe we travelled through the stunning countryside, to Zeerust and Ramatu High School where we were briefed by the Principal and introduced to the staff we would be working with for the day.

Cat then addressed the students, and asked them to give us the wonderful gift of singing us "Never Give Up" - our unofficial theme song. The sound cannot be described -- it has to be heard to be believed -- the students sung like angels.

This was our second workshop with the students from Ramatu, who first completed their Community Audit last July and it was now time for them to start their Project Development process to address some of their concerns about their community. Their main concerns were poverty, teenage pregnancy, alcohol and drug abuse, child abuse, waste management at the school and lack of sporting resources and facilitites.

After sharing their concerns, students were treated to an improvised performance by the MK Team to outline our journey. This was the MK team problem solving as all the materials we wanted to show them were on our laptop, and the electricity supply to the school was too intermittent for us to run our gear.

From the concerns tabled by the students, some small project ideas were formed as part of the MK Green Teams 10 Steps process. A commitment was made by MKGP leader Tebogo, who would coordinate the projects that will now form part of a proposed conference in the area in September.

The Principal , Mr Selebogo was very keen to take up some of the ideas put forward by the students such as the provision of rubbish bins with student designed health messages painted on them relating to HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy and alcohol. Also the development of a food garden to educate the student on food production to address poverty in the community was a popular idea for further discussion.

The MK team was entertained by traditional dancing and we were priviledged to present the school with goodwill gifts and sporting equipment. Funding has also been allocated to assist the school with their sustainability initiatives.

The gift of a traditional rope presented to Catrina was greatfully received, and provided much entertainment to the team for the rest of the afternoon!!!

We toured slowly back to Mafikeng, taking in the sights along the way, meeting some local characters and getting a feel for this spectacular area.

Ntshidi School

The weather had improved and the boys quickly got into a game of soccer skills showmanship. John Henry demonstrated why Australia should be considered a real threat to South Africa in the 2010 World Cup with a fine display of ball control. We shared some special time with the kids and staff, had lunch and prepared to leave with Elijah offering to take us back to the car.

The trip took on a new dimension as we were clearly driving in a river bed but the old patrol eventually got us back to the Merc. We all breathed a collective sigh of relief. We had made it. We would make it back to Mafikeng after all. After thanking Elijah and Priscilla we piled into the car, waved goodbye and drove off into the sunset. Not quite: self proclaimed Bog Expert Driver Number Two (BEDNT) put the car into first gear, applied her foot lightly to the accelerator and.....sunk. Yep, bogged in Priscilla's front yard. 'These Mercs are heavy vehicles' was the justifying response front BEDNT.

We dismantled Pricilla's household area seeking out any form of possible traction until her front yard resemble a trench warzone. The Merc refused to budge. A contingent of locals had formed - we were providing more entertainment than they had seen for a long time. We sent Sphumzi off to find our tractor driver from earlier in the day and eventually we were gently pulled from our perilious position.

BEDNT redeemed herself by successfully navigating the remaing unsealed road (under the watchful eye of Boss Lady Driver Number One).

We cranked up the music (thanks to fantastic compilations provided by Kate) and headed home avoiding the donkeys, cows and pot holes...

....Mission accomplished!

Journey to Ntshidi

We reaffirmed the MKGP committed to support the school in their sustainability initiatives and food garden project. A grant was presented on behalf of Slow Food Australia, along with administration equipment on behalf of Lathlain Primary School and sports equipment for the students. We headed outside to where Tebogo had been cooking up a storm (pardon the pun!) as MK had sponsored a lunch for these students who are only able to afford one meal a day.

Journey to Ntshidi - part 4

The students welcomed us with their incredible cultural singing and dancing and even the deluge of rain that thundered on the roof above us couldn't drown out the amazing sounds of these kids.

Journey to Ntshidi - part 3

We drove into the school yard, greeted by 200 students students cheering, clapping and warmly greeting us all.

We met with the school council, administration and village elders for a formal welcome and then proceeded to the hall to meet with the student body. On the short journey from building to building the sky above us became heavy and dark. John Henry glanced anxiously around, silently asking the question - how are we going to get home if the roads become flooded? The concern was shared by all of us, but we had more important things to focus on such as finding shelter in the hall, ride out the approaching storm and spend time revisiting project outcomes and celebrating successes with this amazing group of teachers and students.

Journey to Ntshidi - part 2

We had promised the teachers we would visit and they were expecting us. We realised we couldn't drive any further and that an alternative means of transport was needed as nothing would stop us from getting to Ntshidi. We were only a mission (but only if it fit with the Risk Management!)

A local villager Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, supported us by allowing us to utilise her toilet facilitites and which accommodated Leonie well -- the open design was clearly to her liking, but perhaps not the locals!

Tebogo rang the teacher at Ntshidi - David - who said he would try to send someone to transport us to the school just 12km away. And so the waiting, waiting, waiting began....

During our road side vigil we amused ourselves by observing the locals tear up the boggy road in their Toyotas, trucks and Donkey carts. A water carter with a tractor and trailer carrying 44 gallon drums of water was happy to take us to Ntshidi so we dismissed 'Plan A' and resorted to Plan B. We quickly emptied the car, parked it in Priscilla's front yard area and prepared to load our gear onto the trailer, only to be told via our expert MKGP translator Sphumzi could only tow our vehicle. A tractor, towing a trailer, tower our Merc????

Cat quickly ran through the insurance implications and decided Plan B was no longer a viable option. We regretfully waved on our 'tractor driving, trailer towing, water carrying man' and resumed our places on the road side to waiting for David to send in the calvalry.

After a while a local man came galloping past on his reluctant donkeys, whipping them into a frenzy, and looked at the strange sight before him; a group of very different looking group of strangers until he locked eyes on Sphumzi. They started an animated conversation in Setswana and we discovered this young man, Kenneth, went to school with Spumzi! Could this be Plan C? A donkey ride to Ntshidi?! Alas, Kenneth explained that his donkey's were too old and slow to make the journey, so Plan C failed to evenuate.

With no David on the horizon we continued to problem solve to devise Plan D. The group reassessed the road conditions; surely if we just went along the verge we could ride out the boggy patch and continue on?? A valid option, though one fraught with potential problems - unknown road conditions ahead, and how we would get home if it continued to rain. Plan D was quickly dismissed.

We waited some more, ate an apple or two, watched the free range chickens, moved our food away from the army of ants and waited, waited and waited. Wild man of the West, Donkey cowboy Kenneth returned. He had a mate, Elijah (ironically known as a rain prophet) who could transport us to Ntshidi for R200 (about $35 bucks) - Plan E was emerging! We agreed, quickly packed his patrol, squeezed in and headed off. Elijah was a man of few words but exceptional driving skills who aquaplaned us to Ntshidi. Plan E had been a success!!

Journey to Ntshidi - part 1

OBJECTIVE: To use our problem solving skills and risk management and assessment guidelines to reach Ntshidi Middle School to deliver resources, training and a grant to staff and children.

We set off early for Ntshidi and picked up MKGP members Tandi and Spumzi from Magoge, a local village on the way. Leonie had her initiation into driving in Africa and after a few gear grinds and bunny hops we headed out of town. The high road to the Wild West lay ahead and Leonie expertly manoeuvred around the straying cows, donkeys and pot holes through out the slow journey to Ntshidi.

We finally hit the unsealed section of the road and the anticipation and excitement was building as we were nearly at our destination. As we hit the track the driving conditions became very difficult as recent heavy rains had created havoc on the road. Boss Lady Driver Number One (alias Catrina) took over much to Leonie's relief and we carried on down the road. It became apparent however, after only 100m that the road was getting worse so self-proclaimed 'Bog Expert' Driver Number Two (alias Tonia) took the helm. Tonia's time at the wheel was short-lived as she realised that even with her bog driving experience the the sodden quagmire that lay ahead could only be conquered by a Leyland Brother or two.

We pulled over and contemplated our first dilemma 'Plan A'. How on earth were we going to get to Ntshidi??

BACK IN TIME...

After lunch we visited the Mafikeng Museum to find out more about the history of the area, and specifically the changes to the Molopo River as part of our research project in partnership with the Centre for Water Research at the University of Western Australia.

We gathered information on the traditional land use and the impact of colonisation on the Molopo River - it revealed the many similarities between the early settlement on the Swan River in Western Australia and the Molopo.

TONIA RANFORD

MEETNG WITH THE EXECUTIVE MAYOR

Today the MK delegation visited the mayoral chambers to present to the local government representatives and the Executive Mayor an overview of the Millennium Kids projects within North West Province and to communicate to the members of the Executive the commitment of MKGP South Africa to continue supporting these projects.

After introductions Megan presented an overview of her involvement with MK as a young person and her role as Alumni coordinator. 2mo, as the MKGP youth member shared the details of our visit in July to Ntshidi Middle School and Ramatu High School. Catrina, as CEO of MK then presented an overview of how our friendship has developed and the vision for the future of our these projects. She requested that MKGP South Africa and the Municipality develop a more formal relationship of information sharing and encouraged support on short term activities such as the Clean Up Day on the Molopo River.

The newly elected Mayor indicated her support for the work and commitment of the MKGP projects and this was also endorsed by the other members of the Executive who voiced their praise in the sincerity, integrity and genuine commitment of MK in developing environmental awareness in communities and capacity building programs for the young people in these communities. The meeting finished with a commitment from the Executive to develop an open dialogue with MKGP and through this partnership look at ways to support the short and long term projects.

TONIA RANFORD

TAKING IT TO THE TOP....

On Tuesday afternoon we attended a meeting with at the Department of Education where we met with the Acting Superintendent General of Education for the North West Province, which overseas education in 52 different local government areas.

After a brief introduction from Lorato, Catrina presented a very impressive overview of MK and it's purpose in South Africa. This was followed by Lorato and Sampi speaking from the heart on the influence MK had on their life and thinking over the last 10 years of their involvement.

Leonie Moncrieff and Tonia Ranford were able to show how the education exchange works, sharing the curriculum materials they have been developing through their visits to South Africa based around geography, society and environment, sustainability and science.

The Superintendent expressed his approval for the work that is being done, and the strong friendship between our two groups. The foundations have been laid for the Education Department to support the activities of MKGP activities, and we closed with a group photo.

LEONIE MONCRIEFF

MOLOPO RIVER RESEARCH

The once mighty Molopo River winds through the North West Province on its way to Namibia and is key to those living in the area for grazing gattle, washing, gathering water for drinking and supporting the local vegetation.

MKGP member Sampi took the team on a tour for the morning as some of us had not previously seen the Molopo, and were keen to compare it to the other rivers Millennium Kids is involved with: the Swan River in Peth, Western Australia and the Kalimas River in Surabaya, Indonesia.

It was interesting to see the history on display through the rows of planted Eucalypts along the bank, to the disused railway line that once ran over the top. It was a good opportunity to see the competing interests of farmers and residents, versus the environmental preservation and restoration of the area. We headed further downstream to the reservoir where the running Molopo is dammed, making it after the hair-raising ride down the flooded gravel roads, and getting ourselves out of a bog to the dam where locals make use of the area for great fishing.

After dodging the rain drops, it was time to head to the Department for Education for our first official meeting.

MEGAN HUDSON

ON THE ROAD AGAIN....

Just hiring a car proved to be more difficult than first anticipated, with all the 8 seaters unavailable. Thrifty came to our rescue with an 8 seater van, which we now believe that must've been out the back for maintenance as it has more than one small flaw....

Undaunted, we poured over the newly purchased maps, and expertly navigated our way through the intricate freeway system, which is undergoing a major overhaul to be ready for the FIFA World Cup to be hosted by South Africa in June this year. We made our way our way to Zeerust to pick up our friend Tebogo, and made it Mafikeng in style - surprising even ourselves! Now we can say we have really experienced Africa!

It was a relief to roll out our camping mats, and finally settle in at our new home for the next few days, with our kind hosts Lorato and his wife Christina.

MEGAN HUDSON

LANDING IN JOHANNESBURG

After careful packing and planning, it was finally time to board the plane. Though we faced the normal challenges of flying (people snoring next you, and the entertainment system being on the blink) the journey passed without incident - until we arrived in Johannesburg!

We then discovered our friends from the North West Province had been unable to pick us up, via a text message from Lorato (MKGP Secretary) telling us we were now big girls, and could hire a vehicle and get ourselves to Mafikeng! After a brief moment of panic, it was decided that we could get some sleep in a nearby hotel and head off in the morning.

MEGAN HUDSON

Second Time Around

Leonie , a teacher from Lathlain Primary School, is packed and ready to rejoin her friends in Mafikeng. Her daughter Tess, a fashion designer and MK member is staying behind, but she is working on a MKGP fundrasier at Matilda Bay Restaurant with MK President Kate, where she will launch her partnership with MK on 18 March 2010. Leonie hopes there are no big mountains to climb this time round, especially ones where the leapards are big, the weather is hot and the day is long. If all else fails Leonie hopes no one there with a camera to record her climb.

As part of her trip Leonie will present a cheque from Slow Food Perth to Ntshidi Middle School on behalf of MK - Slow Food - Food With Latitude.

Nearly time...

I’m so excited I can smell the Rhino dung from here!

After 11 years with Millennium Kids (MK), it’s finally time for me to visit Millennium Kids Global Project (MKGP) South Africa. I first met Steve and some of the MKGP crew when I was 16 at the Kids Helping KidsConference in Pinjarra (Western Australia). I was lucky enough to be included in a workshop session where our South African friends shared a little about how they grew up in the villages of North West Province, on the border of South Africa and Botswana.

After hearing their stories and getting a fuller insight into the harshness of their world in comparison to my own – battling poverty, illness and even becoming the head of their families at 14 years old –I was desperately hoping to fade into the background and not be asked about my own life. I can still feel my cheeks burn when asked todescribe my own lifestyle – it’s a very humbling experience when yourbiggest problem is trying to find a pair of tights without a hole for ballet class….

Now its almost time to jump in the back of the ‘bucky’ (or ute for you Aussies), alongside Catrina (CEO MK Australia), Tonia (Teacher – St Hilda’s AGS) and John-Henry (Aquinas College student) for a 12 day adventure, learning as much as we can from the amazingly resilient and resourceful members of the MK family and continue to build our unique and rewarding partnership.

8 sleeps and counting….

Megan
Millennium Kids Alumni Director

2010 - The journey continues...

So it's almost time for the team to take to the skies and head to South Africa!

From the 17th - 28th January 2010 a Millennium Kids team from Australia will be working with the MKGP South Africa team to continue the planning for a kids environmental conference now scheduled for October 2010 where we hope to bring together our members and friends from South Africa, Indonesia, Malaysia and South Africa.

Keep your eyes on this page for updates on the 2010 journey!!