Updates

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Launch of New Website! May 15, 2008 KPF has been in discussion for some time now about a website that would provide a structure for San communities - newly connected on the Internet - to communicate and publish their ideas, hopes, dreams, opinions and thoughts on important issues. Early this year, work began on the construction of such a site by Snowball Effect, experienced web designers based in Stellenbosch in South Africa. To be called the Kalahari Peoples Network (KPN) it will be unveiled on the Worldwide Web in June of 2008, and will be launched in Tsumkwe, Namibia, in July with the community there, which is now, for the first time, on a high-speed connection to the rest of the world. This promises to be an exciting time. Various groups of San people, including the Village School Project teachers in Nyae Nyae and trainee linguists working on projects in Tsumkwe (both in Namibia) and community representatives in Platfontein, South Africa, have requested such a site and are eagerly awaiting its arrival. There will be areas of the website devoted to Community, Culture and Communication as well as a section where academic papers and articles of interest can be archived. A discussion forum will provide space for direct communication about issues and there will be a monthly (later possibly more frequent) news-feed to interested people, where news from and about communities can be disseminated. There will also be links to all the relevant organizations and a sharing of their news as well as an information service offering up to date and accurate facts for schoolchildren, the general public and those interested in the income-generating new cultural tourism possibilities. The look of the website is sophisticated, modern and visually very beautiful. The web designers have almost completed the technical design of the site and photographs have been generously donated by filmmakers Craig and Damon Foster to enhance the pages. To find out more or to submit links, information and photographs, please contact website manager Lesley Beake on editor@kalaharipeoples.net We are still looking for funding to go forward with training and further development. Anyone interested should contact Megan Biesele information@kalaharipeoples.org

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Blankets, Baked Beans and Beanies March 23, 2008 Proposal There are approximately 750 San children attending schools in Nyae Nyae and N≠a Jaqna Conservancies, living in the poorest conditions in Namibia. The San represent the most marginalized community in Namibia, in addition to a history of exclusion they reside in an extremely remote and harsh environment. This makes job opportunities and livelihood options few and far between. Thus often parents cannot afford the basics for their children including food and clothing. This winter, to alleviate some of the suffering these children experience and to encourage them to remain in school we would like to provide each school child with: - A blanket - A beanie hat - Supplementary food for 3 winter months Budget The budget for this would be approximately:  Item  Cost  Number of Items  Total  Blankets  40  750  30,000  Baked Beans/Food  120  750  90,000  Beanies  15  750  11250          Total (N$)      131,250  Total (£)          8,750  Total (US$)        18,750 Donors are asked to provide any amount or items that would contribute to this effort. Full Generally Accepted Accounting Principles will be followed in relation to these funds and receipts and reports will be provided to each donor. No administration will be charged by those implementing the project, but some bank charges may be incurred (estimated to be less than 1%). We hope to be able to buy the items during May 2008, so we would be grateful for any contributions before that time. Long-term We realize that this approach is not sustainable, however alongside this the Nyae Nyae Foundation and WIMSA we are setting up village gardens and supporting the conservancies in their tourism and other ventures to create more jobs, income and food for the communities. The Norwegian Association of Norway (NAMAS) project runs various programmes to support school children to complete their education and increase their chances of future employment, while WIMSA also provide bursaries to those that reach tertiary education. However, these approaches take many years to impact on the general well being of the communities and thus for 2008 we would like to provide the 750 school children in Nyae Nyae and N≠a Jaqna conservancies with some relief. In return In return, as well as a report on the funds, we can provide publicity through newspaper articles and photos of the children receiving the blankets etc if appropriate. On behalf of the school children of Nyae Nyae and N≠a Jaqna Conservancies, we thank you for any support you can give. Working Group of Indigenous Minorities of Southern Africa (WIMSA) Nyae Nyae Development Foundation of Namibia (NNDFN) Namibia Association of Norway (NAMAS)

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Project Kick Talk September 25, 2007 Inspired by the 1984 film, "The Gods Must be Crazy", Aaron Kohn, a fifteen year old student, went in search of the Bushmen. Finding that in the middle of the Kalahari Desert, the San children, who didn’t speak his language, or live in a similar community; turned out to be just like him. After this journey, Aaron founded “Project Kick Talk,” in order to share his journey in a short documentary that shows how a group of children in Namibia and fourth graders in Cleveland, Ohio, learned that the global community is not made up of simply governments, leaders, and economies; but human beings. The documentary from this journey, "Kick Talk" won an award in Providence at the Rhode Island Film Fest and subsenquently was shown in LA at Moondance (livevideo.com/moondance). Aaron was notified last week, that his film won Grand Prize in Missoula, Montana, at the Montana CINE Film Fest at the International Wildlife Film Center, and will be screened there between October 3-7, 2007. He was requested to send the film to a festival in Seattle, for a January festival and will be notified by mid-October. Additional information about Project Kick Talk can be found at: www.kicktalk.org.