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Canvas for Health for Africa –Methodist church-Jburg -SA: 26 JULY 2010

A day of massive emotions-moving, exhilarating, of some lows and great highs!

I was amazed and stunned by the energy, and commitment of Mario and his family- his wife Denise and son Alins. Mario is 80 years but stood on his feet (6 HOURS AND MORE), quick and flexible- creative and intelligent. His wife and son stood shoulder to shoulder right through the day.We were deeply ispired and touched by it all.

In the place of massive 3mtsx 2 mtrs – we had to make do with two canvasses-Maro did superb job on it.The image of a strong Bafana-Bafana player intermixed with an African breastfeeding became a poignant imagery for the day.

The idea was to make a peoples canvas- people who came into the church and came into the basement of the church.A basement that has a rich history-it was only restaurant in SA- which served all races.Now it is a crèche for more than 100 children belonging to families of migrants and poor people

The image of Bafana- Bafana star standing majestically and inflow intercepted with an African women breast feeding her infant made it so poignant-the whole health campaign at its heart is about Maternal and child mortality-deaths that could be easily be prevented do occur-unjustly across Africa,

Other exchanges and interaction that made the process so enduring and rich included:

• Jethro- the blind man- head of the large visually impaired community- he after our small talk took courage and drew- a river, a house, bad road and so on- it stunned many

Jethro who heads visually impaird

• Jerome- who walked in insisted that he needs a fresh canvas and from childhood memory he drew the picture of mountains of Northern cape- windswept grass land.He said AIR-is important for good health
• Bertha who stood and watched Jerome for more than an hour took the colurs and drew a contrast of shanty to her North Western rural area- she was keen to point out the green finger millet- as poor people’s healthy crop.You can see the drawings in this report photographed

• Meantime-many people were invited to come and join Mario –on his big canvas-intially the young people felt shy but slowly many got “addicted”
• Mario- sportly went to another canvas-which had the painting done by an young Zimbabwian women- She painted the captain of the Brazilian team- asked why she said “He is so strong and healthy- I want all of us to be like that in Africa”.Mario added his stroke.
• Shy and inhibited young girl- but who was the first to volunteer to paint-she would not use any other colour than BLACK!
• We all after 6-7 hours started to flag-off and just at that time a bunch of young men decided to paint one of the Bafana- drawing of Mario and painted it jointly in full colour and screamed in delight at the achievement

As we were packing in Bishop Paul arrived and said the young people from the migrant community of Soweto and wanted to put some short skits. We were tired but we could not say no- to the young and enthusiastic bunch. And so we were treated to hard rendering and heart swelling plays-On religion, education and the hope-despair tales of the disenfranchised from various part of Africa-who have made South Africa their home.

Canvas, drawings, songs, plays and great cooperation from all resulted in memorable day for Play fair for Africa campaign. It moved another distance what a day and what a way to engage people- moving, momentous and mobilizing.!

Hundreds of people whose life is on the edge and whose health is always a challenge attended this event in a church known for its campassion and courage.

My work with Fairpaly africa team is done for now.

Two more days- of quick further planning and I am off-but in my heart I know that the team of Wole,Love Daliah,Kenilwe and Itu- will fly this kite real HIGH.
BYE FOR NOW AFRICA- YOU ARE ALWAYS PART OF MY SOUL.

Fair Play action in full flow in King Zwelithini Stadium-Umlazi: South Africa on 18 June 2010

I will try to capture here some of the top action, events, incidences that took place-run up to the event, during and after. Frankly there was much more but…

In the life of a campaigner a thing that you can be certain is that everything is uncertain. So the unexpected becomes the norm.

Talking of unexpected
• Being with two very interesting South African young men from an Organization called-show me your number- learning so much from them about the country and its development.
• Arriving in Durban and finding the hotel in the evening with the help – escorted by the good and warm Durban police!
• A programme of training for volunteers/mobilizers that we had firmed up had to be cancelled because we did not factor in that 16 June-youth day for South Africa
• Luckily that propelled to an youth day event at the Albert park- in a massive marquee permanently laid out for an active local church under a tree.

• The event itself is the first time in my life I witnessed live action of boxing-by girls and boys
• And I met the great Phumlani Dube- a special person and a great MC.
• Training 12 young people-including an older mother of two

The free festival as it was called was held in the newly renovated stadium in Umalazi. One of the biggest townships in SA, the municipality of Ethekwini have there hands full with plenty of challenges.

Health context of the population is staggering to put it mildly. Just one statistics-70 % of the patients that come to the clinic are HIV-infected.

Anyway all that sad context did in no prevent the fun,frolic and magic of the day:

As the crowd trickled in Phumlani Dube was weaving magic-with his words and egging the crowd on as well as setting the scene.His his safe sex messages could be a bit to the uninitiated but the in your face blunt messages were lapped up with peels of laughter.

The music:The diminutive Dion of Jeneric Soul belted out some haunting melody and warming lyrics.Her voice pierced the the cold morning sky and warmed the heart of the crowd and mine.

Between sessions- I loved ( Dance for Life)-the choreographer Mark Dodsworth was awesome with his drums and his choreography. From an infant to a matured adult could not but go along with his drill.

Maiko Zulu: Deserves a special mention here. I have known him and Sister –D for some years. They have now been joined by a very tall Zambian young women Martha.
M has not lost any of bite in his songs nor the fire that burns in him about injustice. Maiko’s songs about religion, corruption, politics and abuse of power and most importantly, the songs that talks about disenfranchisement of young /poor people remains- timeless. His stage performance is as always creative and compelling with unique choreography.

Mobilizers:

We had ten of them. They arrived on time and set out earnestly with energy, passion and purpose. They mobilized at least 1500 signatures. They felt that they all have learnt something. They felt moved to ask for more fair play pledge cards so they could reach the communities they come from.

I captured in my broken digital camera a nuber of images as the day progressed including videos of don’t drop the ball actions.

I wish the crowd was bigger but the crowd that came to watch the match on the big screen were no less enthusiastic with the music, words, dance and the drills.

One of the most enduring friendships among many that I made in this visit includes my magical encounter with Patrick. He is probably the one and the only Zulu in the world who not only can sing perfectly in five Indian languages but has the most gift to southern Indian classical

The Fairplay for Africa- has arrived on the scene-it has taken many small steps and has consolidated much. The free festival was a big one- reached out to an important community .It is moving on- wiser and more experienced and already internalising lessons for the next event- Canvasses for Health with the Chilean artist this weekend.

Watch this space.!

Vigorous planning for action for the big event in Durban in the King Zwelithini Stadium on the 18 June.

One of my key task is to gather 25 mobilizers-inspire,inform,learn and share WITH them- they are our mobilizers with purpose, who will gather fair play for africa -pledge cards.They will go out into the passionate crowd and talk to them between the games broadcasted on the giant screen in the stadium.A different kind of Glastonbury in action.!

Also, intermittent actions consisting of good music -local and continental and strong videos to spruce up along with short speeches between three games including England Vs Algeria that will be broadcasted on the day.

Here you will see the Chilean panter signing the pledge card

I am desperately trying to uploada vedio but in vain-will not give up-you will see.

At the Market theatre by myself but with plenty of young and old South Africans.The place is century old but maintained well.I enjoyed the veg soup at the bistro.

Play itself -writtern by Koboeke and directed by Chakela was gripping.

Viewing Biko- a great inspiration for me from the year 1983 when I first heard of him in east Anglia.I learnt more about BLACK CONSIOUSNESS -in Zambia.Thanks to Lucymy sister in Zambia who helped me to understand Biko more deeply,we included Gender and Generation in our two day in-house workshop.

So, here I was recalling the days and looking through Bantu Biko now.

There is much more Martin K can do now-looking at Biko- his relevance when SA-is at cross roads and many things he said is so relevant.Also important to know more about Biko- as a person just as we must revisit more about Gandhi as a person.

Great reflection for me.

Today morning- For my dose of reality.I talked to Elsa and Margret- who care for this guest house-such warmth and kindness.I talked to them about Health service here in SA.They both seem to be happy about the service but hope it can be better for all.I have given them the Fair Play card for signing.Let me see what they do.Will they ask me for more?Good test.

Tuesday -off to Durban- anxious and excited.Watch this space!.

Walter writes an emotional poem for Biko- a few lines from Voices of the ages:

Lofty castles
Brick by Brick
Built on foundations
of deception
Chests heaving
To hearts ponding like fists
in fear of freedom…….

I am so honoured to be in South Africa.I am with Fairplay for Africa- a campaign that is by Africans and for Africans to bring health for all.

Today morning I was in the Play House in New Town Jburg.

What a place and what a sense of History.

I met Mario Avarez- the great Chilian painter (check outwww.marioalvarez.cl) along with great South African activists Sebushi and his team mate Tony.I was with Woli, the campaign coordinator of Fairplay.

We all planned an exciting participatory canvas painting in Soweto- 26 and 27 June.Shared much ideas from climate canvas work.Very exciting plans afoot.Watch this space!

“It has got to be small but big”-said Tonny capturing our ambition but thinking smartly of what we do.

——————————————————————————————————
Before today:
The good mood was set with delicious smell of the rain water hitting dry land in England, on the day I left for Jburg SA- to be part of the team- Fairplay for Africa..

The whistling and the vuvezela playing by comrade Joseph and the warm reception by the fighting four of the fairplay team( FPFA-HENCE FORTH) Wole, LoveDaliah- and the two interns- Itumeleng and Keneilwe-made up for the plane delay and sleepless travel.

I am now feeling-Alive and kicking!

A symphony of Vuvuzela

The fpfa- team operate from a small room sublet from Aids consortium- on the 7 floor looking down the busy street of Braamfontein. They have managed to kick-up some real action in the true spirit of the indomitable game of soccer.

In less then three months:

• Met, informed and energized- 500 AU/Pan African parliamentarians
• Actively led and dynamised 3000- with the energetic Liverpool football club coming to SA
• Launched the fair play campaign in 8 of the 10 focused country and reached more than 10000
• A very impressive launch in Zambia- where the minister and ministry endorsed and appreciated the work of fair play
• Getting ready for a day of action on the 18 June

“So much energy and so much media coverage in Zambia” gushed, Love Daliah, Campaign coordinator for FPFA, after, her visit and participation at the Zambia launch.

Watch 18 June for impressive actions and activities- ambition to reach 10000 citizens-inform, energize, inspire and support actions.

I am feeling energized by the orientation and all the various stories of action.

I saw fantastic photos by the well known NeoNtsoma- www.neontsoma.co.za-of the event that took place here with the Liverpool team here.

The global game of soccer has had a tumultuous birth here- Makana football Association was inaugurated on the most godforsaken pitch of ROBBEN Island.

The story goes that the men in the prison demanded the chief warden three years to have the right to play soccer- very much under the rules of FIFA.

The game in Robben Island was played based on fairplay- the sporting equivalent of Human rights!.

46 years down the history lane- 200 organizations across Africa have formed- FPFA-an African campaign led by Africans-demanding –FAIR AND EQUTABLE ACCESS TO HEALTH FOR ALL AFRICANS. Fair, Equitable and based on the ideals of justice and democracy was the ideal that informed the internal structures of Makana FC and now Africans are reclaiming that legacy of rights and idealism .

Jackie, is a well known theatre producer,writer, dancer, thinker, critic and a caring friend.

I am putting here her reflections about my walk.I like Jackie for her independence and deeply critical mind.

Check out and say what you think.

Pushpanath’s Epic Journey

I have known Pushpanath as a friend, gentle, thoughtful and kind, for several years. I have also known that he was a Global Campaigner for Oxfam, but his walk from Oxford to Copenhagen at the time of the Climate Change conference has given me real-life evidence of his charismatic personality, of his undoubted ability to inspire others to undertake action for the relief of poverty and suffering.

I come to the issue of Climate Change as a relative outsider, bombarded by mixed messages in the media, not being able to give the subject enough time and ignorant of where my sympathies lie. It so happened that I contacted Pushapanath at Christmas when he was recovering from his long walk, at home surrounded by his family and his feet no doubt in a bowl of hot water! He suggested that I should look at his website to see what had been occupying him over the past few weeks …

The first pictures, taken on Monday November 16th, as Push bids farewell to his many colleagues at Oxfam, Oxford, convey a spirit of excitement and expectation for the journey ahead, and humility on Push’s part as he realises all the hopes he will have to fulfil. We follow him across southern England, as he sometimes hitches a lift on busy motorways or walks with more tranquillity along quiet country lanes, meeting fellow travellers on the way. He stops in villages, in small and large towns, where he is welcomed with unstinting interest and hospitality. The Quakers among many in Colchester and other places are groups to be galvanised by his charismatic delivery of the message about Climate Change, about the necessity to act together on behalf of the poor and dispossessed of the world.

Having arrived at Harwich, Push crosses the sea to Esbjerg in Denmark. He continues his long walk to Copenhagen, and is welcomed everywhere with great interest and enthusiasm. At every opportunity he talks with individuals he meets on the road, with students at schools and Nature Centres, and as in England receives favourable coverage from the media. Every day brings messages of support from across the world, from places as far-flung as Vietnam, Russia, Ghana and South Africa, even from Cumbria in England, where people are threatened by devastating floods just at that time! Messages acclaiming Push’s journey range from the religious: ‘Service to Man is service to God’, to the hippie: ‘What a cool way to get around the world!’

The Climate Conference itself seems ultimately disappointing, ‘a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing’. In Copenhagen Push speaks with many individuals, most importantly from Africa, who support the need for Climate Change, but there seems to be little official recognition of the impact of his message. Are the leaders way behind the people? In their obsession with economic and financial ‘success’ are they deliberately blind to the well-being of the world? As Push himself says on his blog: he finds himself ‘really angry that world leaders are uncaring when ordinary people care so much.’

Having completed the walk over a month ago now, Push’s inspiration and courage remain undiminished. According to his January blog, he envisages a ‘million, million walk’ – a million miles walked by a million people – in 2111. If anyone can make this happen then Push can, for sure!
Jackie Keirs

There is no doubt in my mind and heat that the walk to Copenhagen was a milestone in my life.

It was many things in my heart.

One important thing is how to make it an idea with far reaching potential impact.

These outline ideas are the product of that rumination,reflection,consultation and energy.

Please see what you think and join me.

with much love
Push

A Million Miles for Climate Justice
What would happen if each person who cared about a global deal on
our climate walked a mile to demand change?
Why Walk?
Walking with a purpose has a profound meaning across time
and culture. Walking has been used as a social, spiritual and
political action, from pilgrimages to hunger marches. We can
walk almost anywhere, we don’t need to be told how to do it, you
can be unfit or energetic, and it’s free. We can walk for our own
well-being, and we can walk for change.
After walking from Oxford to the COP in Copenhagen in 2009
Push says ‘I never expected this would generate such a huge
deal of interest from people from across the world. They
recognised my journey was for the millions of women and
children who walk great distances daily to fetch water.’
‘If all world leaders could walk the talk, the planet could be
saved. Our crops have all dried up, our lakes are drying up
and yet the world leaders are not committed.’
Malcom from Uganda commenting on www.gopushgo.com
Digital tools and some selling-in to media turned a very simple
and cheap activity into a newsworthy and involving personal tale
which anyone could observe, support and participate in easily.
There is a real urgency to maintain campaigning momentum
post-Copenhagen; this is an easy action for supporters.
Why this walk works
There are already loads of charity walks, so what’s different about this walk?
• It’s not a big, expensive fundraiser or a sporting challenge. A Million Miles is a collective
campaigning action: for a set period running up to the next COP, millions of small walks
would total up to a distance of nearly 40 times around the very planet we want to save.
• It’s a truly global campaigning activity that unites north and south. Regardless of carbon
footprint, vulnerable and deal-blocking countries can take millions of footsteps together.
Anyone, anywhere, can walk for climate justice.
• We can make this a landmark carbon-neutral campaigning action.
• Its message to leaders is very clear. We still care about climate: ‘You talk, we walk’.
The next step
• Where possible we provide supporter packs, branded material and details on adding walks
to a webpage totaller/map. Very much on the OXJAM model, we don’t fund what’s
essentially a DIY campaigning activity; organisers are encouraged to own and tailor walks
to their communities.
• We can involve our ambassadors, different ages, faith and other groups.
• We have an associated blue footprint petition, consider having Push undertake another
walk to Mexico’s COP, OSN presence and media coverage at local and national level.

I woke up at five this morning. My walking clock is evidently still ticking!

I was completely overwhelmed by emotion on Friday afternoon when a surprise reception greeted me on arrival at Oxfam House; thanks to Peter for this photo.

 There were cheers, Barbara (Oxfam’s CEO) and I were in tears as she presented me with a card. Many felt that they could not hold back tears either. My dear friend and sister from Zimbabwe sang a song for me. I have had many beautiful messages:

What an achievement and what a return. I was so pleased to see the welcome you got back from us. Life can be a bit jaded here at times and having come back from Philippines last month and knowing what you were doing reminded me that this is why I do this work sometimes.

I  did it, and what I have achieved is what you made possible. I have always been inspired by Gandhi to take direct action when one encounters injustice. Climate injustice is the greatest challenge to the world’s poorest women and men, and I needed to show solidarity with them all.  I needed to find out, share and support action in UK and Denmark as I walked.

This simple act has deeply impacted me as a person. It also confirmed and strengthened my belief that we are, and will always be interconnected as a mutually dependent world, no matter how you see, or ignore it.

My walk epitomised this connectivity. There is no way I could have done this without that deep personal support I derived from my immediate family; Uma, Shyam, Ahir and Nisha and from my family in India, the US and elsewhere. My closest friends gave me such strength, especially Gopal and family, and Jo Human, an elder brother of such a grat inspiration to me, and Jill, his wife.

A fantastic inner circle of support and organising force was crucial. Their belief in me gave me the confidence and firm foundations to make the walk happen. The incredible Abbas and Gabriella Hood, and Richard Howell and Sheeba Harma truly believed in me, often more than I did in myself.

Oxfam shops were extraordinary in showing me appreciation, pulling out all the stops in supporting me. In particular, Vince, Val, Hilary and Phillip, the Quakers, Transition Towns, WDM. Thank you to each of my hosts, Valerie, Bob and Julie, Sarah and Richard, David and Rosy and Tony. Nina and Chris, Hannah, Askov school, Asper, Flemming and Bodil, Linda and Biny, Ella , Lisbeth and Bjaern, Anna, the commune, Toni and Isabel. Others, like Jeff, Barbara, David Bryer and Kevin all connected me to others like Maranda. What an extended family; friends became and family.

Each and every supporter that wished me well through the site and sent money to Oxfam and for my personal expenses; I bow to you all in humility. The wider world of people who came through Twitter, Facebook and calls to my mobile; thank you for your voices. The support of Oxfam’s campaigning, advocacy and media teams in Oxford and in Denmark was so wonderful, especially when they were so busy. I wanted all to know that even though I did this in my personal capacity and in my own time, I have ben true to the spirit of Oxfam and have coveyed their core message about poverty, suffering and hope for a just world.

It is a message that I know to be true, from my decades of working with the poorest people. The loneliness, the fear, the stress, the pain and uncetainty I faced all along the 270 odd miles were nothing compared to the pain and sufferings of those women in Africa, Asia and in the small islands. I overcame them becuase of the resilence of these women, and because of the overwhelming faith and trust that you all shared in me.