basarwa bushman

basarwa bushman
Originally uploaded by jonrawlinson.

On March 4, 2006, Nata made history by becoming the first village in Botswana with a website. natavillage.org is a unique opportunity for the reader to witness the battle to control the spread of HIV/AIDS in an African village. Botswana has the second highest HIV infection rate in the world (37% for ages 15-49). The co-founders, a Canadian traveler, a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer, and a local businessman were all frustrated that millions of dollars pour into Botswana due to the AIDS pandemic yet little money reaches remote villages like Nata. The site www.natavillage.org offers the visitor 3 videoblogs, a 10 minute documentary ( WATCH NOW), over 350 flickr photos and a blog that gives the reader an intimate look into the lives of the villagers. The reader is given the opportunity to donate directly to the village and the funds are managed transparently by a local 6 member board of trustees with very little overhead cost. The donor can see the results of their generosity through regular photos of what is purchased. People living with AIDS (PLWA's) in Nata must travel 60 miles to reach the ARV (anti-retroviral ) clinic. Many can't afford the $4.00 bus fare. The trust provides transportation money for all members of the PLWA support group to reach their life saving ARV's. The trust also purchased a sound system and generator for an out of school youth group that provides vital HIV/AIDS educational activities to Nata and the surrounding villages. We hope to serve as a model for other villages and change the way aid is distributed in the developing world