Open Night Success

Last night we opened to a full house of ambassadors representing the Chinese, Japanese,UK, India, France, and USA. As well as the EU liaison, who joined the crowd of supportive family and friends to watch the kids and artists of their community lite up the stage. The only words to describe the first evening of Tapestry 2011 was magical. The performance was dedicated to our members we miss in NYC: Darryl, Jehbreal, Hassan, and Kris. We love you and know you would of been so proud of these kids. Here are some pics of the classes, SOS Children, Cheshire Homes, DUMA FM radio, and dress rehearsals with a stretch leading up to our opening last night.

Moshupa Performance!!!

Yesterday was the last day of master classes and we were treated with a special performance from members of the Moshupa village in the Southern District of Botswana. Although, this group of 25, members of three separate theater troupes, had been coming everyday and participating in the poetry and scene study classes, I was unaware of the type of performance that the members did with their distinct theater groups, so it was great to see them dancing, performing acting scenes and singing in both English and Setswana.

The first group which numbered about 15, sang traditional songs in Setswana and gave us a gospel and "love" song in English. I would have to say that the "love" song was the crowd favorite, because about half way through the baritone of the group added a heavy bassline and got everybody up doing dance moves. We followed his lead in about 5 different moves first incorporating only our legs and slowly bringing our entire bodies into the equation. By the end of the song the entire class was running around dancing and singing, " I want to touch you/I want to hold you/to be with you one day in paradise."

The second group, which was an all male group of five, delivered a lively acting scene in Setswana dealing with the lives of men selling clothes, bags, and anything else you needed. Essentially they were telling the story of young Batswana men hustling to survive. When spoken fast and with the right inflections Setswana has a great melody, so although I could not understand the words they were saying, the rhythm and body language of the performers told me all I needed to know; If you were looking for something to buy, they could give you the best quality at the best price.

The last group which is made up middle aged women did not perform because they missing some of their members, however, they got up and added sound and dance to the other groups while they were performing. Whenever the spirit moved them, they popped up and gave out a holler and/or a dance move.

It was a dope and inspiring experience. I appreciate the groups boldly sharing their work and getting us involved with the performance. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip and a performance that I learned from. After the group was done performing we all took pictures with one another and it was clear that we were all going to miss being in class together.

-J

Bostwana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - BSPCA!

     Yesterday, we drove out to the animal shelter and had the awesome pleasure of playing around with the most adorable orphaned cats and dogs in Botswana (and their fair share of caged feral ones too - but we strayed away from those!) 

     The animals were caged in color-coded pens that indicated their current stature of health, with most of the pens indicating that the animals were in need of medical care. Project MaP was hoping to go out there and lend the staff at BSPCA a hand with the building fences and cleaning up, etc. but we were unfortunately met with some resistance. The caretakers refused our service or any of the Maru-a-Pula kid's who tagged along to volunteer because they were ultimately afraid of loosing their jobs. Their refusal stems from the fact that if volunteers would be able to do their work for free, then there would be no need for their waged services......which i find to be a damn shame because I don't know about the rest of the team, but I was ready to get down and dirty! 

     Nevertheless, we were able to go into one of the cat pens and play with some extremely cute and playful cats. Then after that, we had the option of being able to walk a dog. I think I had the best dog in the lot but because I was sooooo generous and recorded everyone but me, that I didn't get to record my buddy :( 

     Oh I almost forgot how attached LeBaron became with one of the pups in the shelter. Wish we could  bring some of the animals with us! 

the writer who's a fighter,

errrrnesto xoxo

Opposite Poem

It is day two and the sky is pouring hard rain. The team began the day with BSPCA, an animal shelter where students and volunteers can walk the many abandoned dogs and show attention towards the lost and sickly kittens and pups. We will return next week, hopefully with less wind in the air. However the bad weather, the kids have shined their light into the classrooms and will soon be seen on stage next Friday! The team already has completed two days of drama, production and dance master classes from 4 to 6pm with M.A.P students and students from the village Mashupo. Our day doesn't end there, after dinner we have rehearsals for Tapestry. To make up for lost time we extended rehearsal to 9:30pm in order to polish our three original drama pieces and six student choreographed dances all lit and designed by Candace's production team of M.A.P students. The drama students are exploring the words of August Wilson in his speech the Ground On Which I Stand and I'm taking the girls and creating a woman's piece with the words of Ntozake Shange and Maya Angelou.

Below is Group B's opposite poem created yesterday off of Maya Anglou's short poem Insomniac.

Dreamer
Here are all days when dawn works promiscuously
loud or obedient
and in the end
sleeping fire's lose.
They're useless toward your enemy
aren't significant like healed humility
but less than happiness.

The poetry class also explored two of Langston Hughe's blues poems and some of the singers in the group had their time to shine with the accompaniment and guidance of musician Andrew Williams.

Kerry Warren

And we're off

Good Morning Family and Friends! I am so pleased to announce that the team is on South African Airways and on our way to Botswana. Within the next 20 hours and two flights Ernesto, Jeremie, LeBaron, Candace, and myself will FINALLY be in Maru-A-Pula.

We couldn't have done it without your help.

I cannot thank all of you enough.

Love

Kerry

ALMOST THERE!!!

ALMOST THERE!

Hello friends and family! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!
We have done amazing in the efforts to raise airfare. We are 2 plane tickets away! We still need $3000! And I have no doubt we can do it! Will you be the one to get us there? I sure hope so!

I have to give special thanks and praise to my creator, Jehovah Jireh, my Provider! I love you Lord!!!

We'll keep you posted.
Gratitude and Love
The Project MAP 2011 Team

Emergency Fund Raiser

URGENT!!!

Hello friends and family! We are in a very difficult position right now and we need everyone's support at this very second. This past Saturday evening, the team found out that our sponsor would no longer be able to purchase our airfare. This news was shocking, disappointing, and discouraging. Never the less, we have all decided to stay true to the purpose and in turn have launched a major emergency fund raiser. Our goal was to raise $15,000 in 3 days. I am happy to say that it is Day 2 and now our goal is $10,000!!

So lets' keep up the momentum and spread the word. If you cannot give a financial gift, we ask that you constantly remember us in your prayers.  We need every type of support!

If you are financially able to give please go to our SUPPORT page and click on the donate button.

I would like to send a special thank you to my mother Leonora Feldman, who is working the phones and emails and bringing in the cash flow, and to my sister and the other nurses at Brookdale, you ladies are the beez neez! Thank you for hearing another sister cry and turning it into laughter. Oh and thanks for that $$ too!

I Love yall!

Candace

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.