My Favourite Movies of 2013

I realise I am probably late to the party here in offering up my list of my personal favourite movies for 2013. I have already read and watched many reviews on the year in cinema but here are my two cents worth anyway.

I think that these lists say more about the person that compiles them than the quality of the film, as all film is subjective, so you are free to reflect on what my list says about me (and perhaps what your list says about you).

When I look at my list I encounter the truth of my Grinching Theory. All of the movies on this list have one thing in common - they surpassed my expectations.

Before I continue I must add the perhaps obvious disclaimer that I have not seen all the movies that were made this year, not even all the movies I wanted to see (Unfortunately I have bills to pay and a family to feed. Annoying I know.) This means for example that the probably to-be Oscar nominated Gravity is not on this list. If you are reading from overseas, you also need to note that the probably to-be Oscar winning movie 12 Years a Slave is not in this list either, but that is because we have to wait till February here in NZ.

With explanations out of the way, here are my favourite movies of 2013. (Spoiler alert.)

5. Man of Steel
Finally a Superman movie that meets the potential of this iconic character! The Christopher Reeve movies were far too camp for me, and in every incarnation the main issue I had with it was Lois Lane. This intelligent prize-winning journalist does not realise that the man in the glasses in front of her everyday is Superman. I never found that believable. In fact, it could almost be considered demeaning!

I realise I am talking about Superman and believability should not be important, but it did not make sense with the character of Lois that this 'unbelievable' world created. So the fact that the 'Man of Steel' Lois goes about cleverly seeking out the identity of the mysterious man who saved her life, and actually finds him, finally gave me a Superman movie I could believe in.

Ironically, I thought the casting of Amy Adams, as much as I love her, was the weakest in the movie as I did not see any chemistry between her and Henry Cavill. However, I was a big fan of Russell Crowe as Jor-El and the whole origins story presented in this adaptation.

I know that fan-boys and girls were upset, even angry with this movie, especially with the ending where Superman actually kills someone! (Shock horror!) But the reasons they did not like it were probably the reasons that I did. Zack Snyder finally gave me the Superman I've been waiting for, which is why it deserves a spot in my top 5.

4. Warm Bodies
I watched Warm Bodies on a plane and it made the 13 hour flight a whole lot more enjoyable. I was looking forward to seeing it ever since I saw the trailer and it was even better than I expected.

I have heard other reviewers compare it to 'Twilight' but I could not disagree more! For starters, I have watched all the 'Twilight' movies (purely for research purposes) and they are as shitty as everyone says!

Warm Bodies is a funny and cute movie inspired by Romeo and Juliet, with the original spin being that it is a Zombie movie. I think the comedy-zombie movie, a la Shaun of the Dead, should officially be considered a new genre. Warm Bodies adds another level as a ZomRomCom and I love it!

3. About Time
I was not looking forward to seeing 'About Time' as much as the other movies on this list. After all, do we really need another movie where Rachel McAdams is in love with a time-traveller? Do we really need another Richard Curtis movie? Well it turns out that the answer is definitely yes!

I might even go so far as saying that this beautiful film is my favourite from Richard Curtis. It is so sweet and the message behind it is so touching without being schmaltzy.

Domhnall Gleeson in the lead does a better job at being Hugh Grant than Hugh Grant did, and Bill Nighy was so lovely as Gleeson's father.

I've just realised that this mini review of mine includes the kinds of words that filled my mind after watching About Time - beautiful, sweet, touching, lovely...

2. Star Trek Into Darkness

I loved the 2009 Star Trek movie. So much so that as soon as I left the theatre I looked up when the sequel would be made and my heart sank when I discovered that I had to wait 4 long years before I could visit with Captain Kirk, Spock and their mates yet again. Luckily I had the DVD to keep me company, but this led to a lot of expectation leading up to 'Into Darkness'.

This was added to by the inclusion of Benedict Cumberbatch as the totally bad-ass, yet beautiful, Khan. This has been Cumberbatch's year with many of his movies that have been released, but personally, this was finally the year that I watched his amazing version of Sherlock and what can I say? He had me at "deduce". I am certainly part of the Cumbercollective.

This movie had its faults and die hard Trekkies hated it. They even voted it the worst Star Trek film ever at a recent convention - making me love the movie even more to be honest. The problems in the movie (They cured death? Really??) were outweighed by Cumberbatch and all the adrenalin-inducing fun!

It is simply a good-time space movie, which is what you want in a Star Trek outing don't you? It also helps that the characters and the dynamics between them are so easy to love in this world that JJ Abrams has created . (Here is hoping he can do the same for Star Wars!)

I have already watched 'Into Darkness' 5 times and I will no doubt watch it some more, and I already can't wait for the next instalment. (I just hope JJ Abrams' successor doesn't screw it up!)

1. Thor: The Dark World
I loved 'Thor' (the best pre-Avengers movie) and 'The Avengers' so once again I eagerly awaited the next instalment from Marvel. 'Thor: The Dark World' did not disappoint. Director Alan Taylor did an excellent job of picking up where Kenneth Branagh and Joss Whedon left off, as did the whole cast.

The writers also did a great job in continuing the love story between Thor and Jane, and what is ultimately the story of a dysfunctional family, which includes Thor, Loki, Odin and the tragic Fridda.

Malekith, the resident baddie is really just the vehicle for exploring the dynamics of the more important characters. Some Marvel fans may take issue with this. I did not. I don't really care about a baddie who is here today and gone tomorrow. To be honest, I mostly care about Loki. He is the true star of the movie. It sounds cliche but Loki seems to be the role Tom Hiddleston was born to play. Hiddleston as Loki can make you happy, sad, angry, empathetic, mournful and joyous.

As soon as I left the theatre I wanted to see this movie again and that feeling has not waned. That is the sign of a great movie.

Honourable Mentions:
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
Let's face it, this is such a great yarn that it deserves a mention at least. I also have to include it because as a Kiwi I think I would be breaking NZ law if I didn't.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
I have a feeling that this will make it higher up my list after a few more viewings, but at the moment, even though I loved the cliffhanger ending, it made me so impatient for the final instalments that it does not make the cut just yet.

Worst Movie:
The Big Wedding
So much talent, so much potential, so much disappointment. I hated, and I mean hated, this movie and all of the characters in it so much I couldn't make it to the end. It is fine to disagree with my favourites list, but please, I urge you, steer clear of this shocker. You have been warned!

Christmas Movie Season

I was very fortunate to be raised in a movie loving family. My dad blessed us with his overspending in the video store while we were growing up. It made us very popular amongst our friends and extended family.

My family is also very big on Christmas. The decorations, the carols, the gifts, the food  - we love all of it. And of course  we also love the movies!

Just as the star or angel completes the tree, Christmas movies complete any Christmassy event or activity. Put up the tree, make some popcorn and then watch a movie! Wrap some gifts while watching a movie. Do your Christmas shopping then relax with a glass of wine and a movie.

There is no better movie season than Christmas. Not because the movies are better than others, but the purpose of a Christmas movie is to help you get into the Christmas spirit – joy, generosity, goodwill towards others, appreciation for family – this is what you want to experience during the Christmas season, and this is what the best Christmas movies deliver. 

Another important part of Christmas is nostalgia. When I watch a Christmas movie I like to think about what was happening in my life when I first watched it and when I last watched it.

Now I have the added joy of watching my kids experience them for the first time.  I love seeing Kevin McCallister make them laugh and Ebenezer Scrooge make them cry. As I watch my kids watch these movies I see them inheriting a love for them and all things Christmas, just as I did. Christmas movies are becoming part of my young family’s tradition. They are helping to create some great memories, just as they did for me and my siblings. It would not be Christmas without them.

So since we are heading into the season of giving, I am kicking things off by sharing some of the movies that I will be looking forward to watching this festive season…

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Why do I love this movie? Next to the Nativity story, A Christmas Carol embodies the message of Christmas more than any other and it continues to be relatable 170 years later.  This movie, starring Jim Carrey in many of the lead roles, is a must-see because it is an excellent adaptation of this poignant and beautiful story.

My favourite scene…Ebenezer Scrooge walks in trepidation into his nephew’s home after resolving to change his ways and is embraced by one and all.

IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE
Why do I love this movie? Okay, I know this is such a classic that it is probably a cliché, but I finally watched it last year for the first time and it lived up to all the hype. It epitomised the warmth and loveliness you desire from a Christmas movie.

My favourite scene is… I haven’t decided which is my favourite scene yet, but the most memorable scene involves James Stewart, Donna Reed and a telephone. I was not prepared for the amazing chemistry between the movie’s iconic leads.

SCROOGED
Why do I love this movie? There are so many movies that are a spin on the traditional Charles Dickens story that it has become a movie genre within a genre, but this is definitely my favourite. Filmed and set in the 80s, it stars one of my favourites, Bill Murray. I don’t know if there is anyone better at balancing humour and heart in their performances like Bill Murray can, and he does this so well as Frank Cross – this movie’s Ebenezer.

My favourite scene is…During the visit from the sadistic Ghost of Christmas Present, Frank Cross gets a toaster slammed in his face. There is nothing funnier than that when you’re 10.

THE SANTA CLAUSE TRILOGY
Why do I love this movie? Every year I have to watch at least one of these Tim Allen movies. It creates its own take on the mythology around Santa so well. The first movie is the best and is becoming a classic. It is starting to feature on many ‘best Christmas movie’ lists. And sure, the last one isn’t great but it still has some great moments.

My favourite scene is… In the second movie, Scott ‘Santa’ Calvin, attends a sad Christmas party for teachers and decides to liven up the evening by handing out the toys that everyone loved when they were kids. Even though there is magic to this moment, I think that the reaction of all the adults is pretty accurate and very sweet.

NATIONAL LAMPOON'S CHRISTMAS VACATION
Why do I love this movie? You have to watch at least one movie showing a family doing their best to have the perfect, traditional, family Christmas and failing badly. The Griswolds go from anticipation to disappointment to disaster to hope to joy better than any other movie-family and they do this for us again at Christmas.

My favourite scene is…It is a tie between the scene where the wife gets the Christmas lights to work and lets her hubby think that it was him (we’ve all been there – right girls?), and the Christmas Eve dinner scene. The turkey looks perfect but as soon as they cut into it, it pops open as it is completely dried out.  What started off looking like the perfect Christmas diner quickly deteriorates to tears, awkwardness and nausea. (We’ve all been there – right girls?)

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (The remake not the original)
Why do I love this movie? Dylan McDermott. (Gorgeous) Elizabeth Perkins. (Beautiful) Richard Attenborough.(He really is Santa!) Everyone in this movie looks so perfect, it’s like a live-action Christmas card.

My favourite scene is…The midnight-mass wedding. They look like they are heading to work but it is still very romantic.



HOME ALONE
Why do I love this movie? Fun, family, violence…what’s not to love?

My favourite scene is…This one’s easy. It has to be the final scene where Macaulay Culkin’s character looks out the window to see his neighbour as he reunites with his son and embraces his granddaughter. Combined with the incredible John Williams score, this moment is so touching, I have to stop typing about it for fear my tears will destroy my keyboard.

P.S. This is also the movie I am watching while writing this. So thanks for the inspiration Kevin McCallister.

Merry Christmas-movie watching everyone!

The End of Politeness

I wish we lived in a society that valued politeness more. 

Alas, sometimes I feel like people are losing their sense of decency and lack the ability to show even the smallest consideration for others. Simply smiling at a counter - whether you are the customer or the shop assistant - can make both people's day a little easier.

But instead we do not even make eye contact, we do not hold the door open for others, we text during the movie. That last act is often mentioned as the worst of theatre-going faux pas. But today I have experienced the absolute worst and the ultimate in rudeness and disrespect for other people's enjoyment of movies. In fact, I would go so far to say that it is not just a faux pas, but a movie-going and perhaps even parenting sin (yes a sin I say!) which can be summed up in the following questions:

What kind of a moron takes a baby to Thor: The Dark World? How inconsiderate and stupid do you have to be to think that kind of behaviour is in any way acceptable?

I have done my time at the baby-on-board movie sessions. My husband and I used to go with the twins every Tuesday and we have very fond memories of those times. They are such a great idea because everyone is expecting the same experience. Every now and then babies will be crying, the older ones may run around a bit, the lights won't be completely dim and the sound won't be as loud - but everyone is there with those same expectations.

To some extent, I expect babies crying and kids running around during kids movies as well - because that is what they are. Movies for kids. If you get upset at kids during the latest Smurfs movie then you just should not pay to see any kids movies. (I do feel your pain if you get upset about having to see a Smurfs movie though. They suck.)

Cute on a baby blanket.
Hideous in a movie theatre.

Even though my kids-movie days are still with me, my baby-on-board movie-going days are long gone! So the above mentioned experience is not what I am expecting when I go to the movies any more. In fact, part of the fun of going to the movies is to escape from life, which includes my children. Otherwise I would just wait until my dad buys the movie on DVD so I can watch it at home in between telling my kids to go to bed. When I spend the money to go the theatre I want to be transported to another world. I want to forget about my life.

So when someone brings their crying baby along, they completely ruin that for me. I am awoken from my fantasy and reminded that I am not Lady Sif, kicking ass while secretly pining for Thor. I am actually a working mum who in a couple of hours has to go home to four older versions of that screaming baby!

Some may say that I am being unfair. What if those parents work during the times that the baby-on-board movie sessions are on? What if they can't get babysitters? What if they are tired parents needing to get out of the house and just thought they'd give it a go?

Well I am sorry but that is what I like to call 'doing your time'. All parents go through their children's childhood knowing that life as you knew it is over and the freedom you had will not come back for years.

I am doing hard time. I deserve to see Thor: The Dark World in a childless environment. Not just me, but every other parent in that theatre deserves it. What about those parents who are only going to baby-on-board movies and this is the one time they managed to get a babysitter so they thought they'd enjoy a movie at the normal volume, with the lights down, not having to worry that your now crawling baby will roll down the stairs. (Yes, one of the twins did do that once. I don't remember which. Probably the crazy one.)

This does not have to be like this though. Why do theatres even allow people with babies into movies? I believe that if a movie is not rated G, children under 4 should NOT be allowed into it. And if some sneaky parent happens to smuggle a baby in, as if they were a Samoan smuggling in a KFC bargain bucket, all the other theatre goers need to take action. Alert the staff! Spill their popcorn! Stand on the seats so they can't see! These people have brought an end to politeness so it is time for us to respond in kind!

This madness can and must end! The revolution begins now people!

You think Loki is crazy?
Just try sitting next to me with a baby when
the next Avengers movie comes out!

On a brighter note, after the baby stopped crying Thor: The Dark World was absolutely awesome. I highly recommend it.

#Dreamshare



"My dream is to be a fantastic
sportswoman! I especially want
to be an awesome soccer player."
Melody
9 years old in 4 days

I am glad that my kids dream big. It is pretty cool that I dreamt the same dreams as two of them when I was a kid. I still have lots of dreams, although it is probably too late for me to try to win X Factor. (X Factor UK, not NZ.) I know there is an ‘Oldies’ group, but it is not the age that is the issue. I am a good singer, but not X Factor good.


“My dream is to be a rock star or pop star who
does a little bit of country music as well.”
Lily
9 years old in 4 days

So what can an old girl do when she realises she can never fulfil her dream? Create a new one? That could be another disappointment.

How about I save myself the pain and put all my energy into making Lily a star! I know this seems flippant, but I can understand why some parents are tempted to live their dreams through their children. It is probably easier than creating new dreams for yourself. Just pretend to be the ‘supportive’ parent instead. It goes to show that dreaming isn’t always easy.

"My dream is to be a teacher. I have already
started teaching my brother how to write.
I am really good at it."
Abbey
6 years old

I think that it is inspiring that even though many of the children in the communities that World Vision works with dream of the basics of life – from clean water, to loving caregivers – they don’t stop from dreaming big. They dream to be nurses, firemen, basketball players, prime ministers, heads of the UN – world changers and history makers.

"My dream is to be Spiderman"
Nathanael
3 years old

Proverbs 29:18 states that ‘Where there is no vision the people perish.’

It is truly distressing meeting a child who cannot dare to dream. If they cannot envision their future, whether it be as a good man or as Superman, it can feel like darkness is winning over light. However, if a child can dream, in any circumstance, to be whatever their heart dares them to be and anything their imagination can conjure – hope still survives.

So my hope is that all children will be free to dream, and if they can keep dreaming big, then so can I!

http://www.sharemydream.org

“My dream is to perform as
Eponine in Les Miserables.”
Gwen
33 years old
#Not2old2dream



My Week in Tanzania: Days Five & Six

Catch up on Days Three & Four

Day Five

The confident children of Nkoma

The children at this primary school in Nkoma are a delight. There are so many girls, which is a great sign of development in an area where an educated girl is not worth as much as a girl with no education when it comes time to marry.

In Luguru as soon as my camera came out the children would run away. In Nkoma they fight to get in the shot! I love their playful confidence.

The headmaster of this school is a fresh-faced, enthusiastic young man. He tells us how thankful and fortunate he feels for all the assistance the school has received from World Vision, including classrooms, an office, a water tank, desks and books.

He tells us that because of these improvements, school attendance has increased and children are achieving better results.

Girls from another primary school in Nkoma learn
about hygiene at one of the shallow wells.

Last year, 25 out of 46 students at this school graduated from 7^th grade to secondary school. That number seems far from satisfactory, especially for an area where World Vision is removing its assistance. I asked how many students would have graduated before World Vision’s help. His reply was – at the most – four.

There is a long journey ahead for Nkoma but for this school to go from having 8% of students graduate, to 54% is a massive achievement.

It is so important to look at where these communities have come from and not just where they are, and to give them the grace to continue on their journey.

Some children leave home when they are adults, while some leave home when they are still teenagers. They may technically be able to look after themselves, but they still have some lessons to learn. Nkoma ADP is a mature teenager about to leave the care of its parent – World Vision. However, World Vision will be there to counsel and guide if needed.

Although the initiatives that the community wanted World Vision to help them with have been completed, not all are fully utilised yet.  It is a reflection of a model of development that World Vision has learnt from and has caused us to focus more on empowerment, as witnessed in Budekwa and Luguru.

This is not to say that the achievements in Nkoma have been in vain – far from it. The health centre, shallow wells, the dam, the schools, and so on have set a solid foundation for the community to build on so that the lives of families continue to improve. It is clear that the leaders of Nkoma have the vision for this to happen.

When God appeared to Moses and told him to deliver His people from Egypt, Moses felt so incapable of doing what the Lord was asking. So God  asked Him, “What do you have in your hand?” All he had was a shepherd’s staff – but God was able to use that, even to part the Red Sea.

The people of Nkoma have a lot in their hands, which they can do so much with. I look forward to celebrating these things with them tomorrow at the closing ceremony.
View the achievements in Nkoma on the WVNZ website

Day Six

In my WV gear for the Closing Ceremony

The closing ceremony was quite emotional for me. It was touching to hear how far the community has come in so many areas.

 A community leader shared many achievements;  farmers now harvest 17 bags of maize per acre instead of 4, cows produce 12 litres of milk per day instead of 1, 99% of children attend school instead of 50%. The achievements went on and on. But there are still challenges. So he called on the local government to support the community.

The government officials responded in the affirmative. They say that they are here to ensure that the development work continues and does not go backwards. If the government and the community can work together to make this happen, there will be a bright future ahead for Nkoma.


Seth Le Leu, the Chief Advisor for
International Development and HEA at
WVNZ, but more importantly - my travel
buddy, gives a speech on behalf of
WVNZ and the Kiwi sponsors of Nkoma.
(Translated into Swahili here by
Machibya Mwalla, our excellent host from
WV Tanzania.)

It was wonderful to hear World Vision being honoured by the people. They acknowledged that World Vision worked with people regardless of tribe, religion or gender. This is something that I have told many sponsors over the years so to hear it being testified by those who experienced it makes me so proud.

Most of all, it was moving to hear our sponsors acknowledged. The people know that sponsors are not necessarily rich and they appreciate their commitment to supporting Nkoma.

As a Kiwi, I am so proud that 5000 New Zealanders have changed the lives of 50,000 people, including 23,000 children, half way around the world in Nkoma. The impact of a little country like New Zealand helping Tanzanians who they will never meet will last long after the final dollar is donated.

The Regional Commissioner put it best at the ceremony – “This kind of giving is not about wealth, it is about the heart. If we can learn from this kind of giving, we will be able to move ahead.”

Party time!

Some of the children of Nkoma, sharing
about the changes in their community
in the form of a rap

Now I am starting the long journey home and there is a lot for me to reflect on.

At the beginning of the week, when we arrived in Mwanza, it rained and our driver told us that if it rains on the day that you arrive in a place, it is a sign that you are bringing a blessing. Only the people I have encountered will be able to say whether that has been the case. I pray it has.

This lovely little boy Joseph really liked me,
and/or my camera

How blessed I have been this week! It is a blessing just to be in Africa, this vast and beautiful continent with amazing people. It is a place with so many resources and so much potential. I can understand why many people lose their hearts in Africa, even though I have only glimpsed Tanzania.

Surprisingly, the people who have made the biggest impression on me during this trip is our World Vision staff who live and work in the communities. I could write about them all day long. These wonderful Tanzanians, a few of them from the areas where we are working, are some of the loveliest people I have ever met. They are passionate about seeing the lives of the communities they work with change for the better. Some of them sacrifice a lot to achieve that, including living apart from their own families.

I have witnessed their determination at the beginning of a project, as they come to terms with the many barriers to development and prepare to work with the communities for the next 15 years to create sustainable solutions.

I have seen them struggle with loss as the project enters its final year. These communities are not just ‘projects’ to them, they are friends and family and it is a bittersweet time as they prepare to say farewell.

I have enjoyed celebrating their successes and seen the pride in their eyes as the communities take their final steps towards having full responsibility for their own development.

My final reflection is this –

I have continually been prompted to think of when Thomas refused to believe that Jesus was risen. When he finally saw the Christ with His own eyes and touched His wounds,  Jesus said to him, “You believe because you have seen.  Blessed are those who believe but have not seen.”

Our sponsors are amazing. They believe in what we have seen. 

Seeing an image on a screen is nothing to seeing it in person. Yet our wonderful sponsors trust us, they believe in our testimony and they take action. They take a leap of faith when they sponsor a child, but we need to help them keep the faith by showing  them the impact of their financial sacrifice in the lives of all sponsored children and the communities we serve.

I never thought I would cry for our sponsors while I was in Tanzania, but I feel so privileged to get this opportunity to be here, a privilege that most of them will not have, and now this opportunity feels like a huge responsibility.  I leave Tanzania asking myself what I will do about what I have seen.

So perhaps I have been changed, just a little, after all.

Happy to be home with my proud family

http://www.worldvision.org.nz

My Week in Tanzania: Days Three & Four

Catch up on Days One & Two

Day Three
I have always thought of myself as someone who has an appreciation for the hard task ahead of our ADP staff. Now I know that I was not even close to comprehending the difficult issues they face.

This classroom is now too unsafe to use. 

Today we went to one of the Primary Schools in Luguru. The noise of hundreds of children is such a happy sound. Yet some of them were in classrooms with no furniture, some of the buildings were so unsafe that they were unusable, and instead of having the 49 toilets they require, they had 3. But there were bigger issues than what could be seen.

The children were moved to this classroom,
where they have no furniture.
The class that was in this room now meets outside. 

Only 40% of children in the community attend school and of those, only 50% finish primary school. Children are kept at home to work or look after other children, girls are given over to early marriage and boys have to take cattle to other areas in dry seasons.

We also went to a shallow well, which was not shallow at all. It was deep and dangerous. There, I learnt that the women are the lionesses of these communities. They collect the water, cook for their families and care for the animals. The men are busy – busy getting drunk. Alcoholism is a big problem. Men drink for pride. Men who do not drink are stigmatised.

The "shallow" well.

How do you change a culture? A mind-set? A tradition?

You can build a school but how do you convince families to send their children to school and not to work?

You can build wells, but how do you convince husbands to share the burden with their wives?

I cannot even convince my children to eat all their vegetables.
 

Some of the wonderful people of Luguru

But I see hope. My hope is in the people – in the community leader who has mobilised people to build and plaster classrooms at the school, because he says that the children in his community deserve better, and he has done this without WV’s help.

It is in Elizabeth, the midwife who has worked in the clinic in unbearable conditions for 10 years.

Volunteers hard at work in Luguru

It is in the attitude of so many of the men and women I met who want a better life for their families and are increasingly becoming brave enough to change.

My hope is also in the World Vision staff I have met in the ADP. They are incredible. They know the families and have gained their respect.

 

Some of the incredible staff in Luguru ADP

They have already faced struggles in visiting families to register children and dealt with suspicion that they would be taking the children away, even sacrificing them one day. The process of gaining the trust of the community has been a very long one, and it is ongoing. 

The heart of development is not about buildings or programmes, it is about people and I believe in the people of Luguru.

Not once have I felt like crying over their plight because they are not helpless. They are intelligent, hard-working, and ready to work even harder to change their communities. And they have to be so brave to do this, because this requires taking a risk.

We are asking farmers who have been growing cotton, rice and maize for generations, to try growing millet and sunflowers which is drought resistant. That is so easy for us to ask, but if the crop fails, it is the farmers and their families that will suffer. So our staff have a massive task of growing the confidence in the people they are working with, but they also require grace to allow the people to make their own decisions.

I believe that the staff at Luguru ADP can do this though. They are highly skilled and clearly love this community. They tell me with real conviction that they want Luguru to be the best ADP in the world. I believe they are on the way to making this a reality.
Find out more about Luguru on WVNZ's website

Day Four
We met the ADP manager for Budekwa for a short time the day before. He seemed very flat, no energy, even sad. Something was up.  We eventually realised what was going on when he informed us that there are only two staff in the ADP as of this week. Everyone else had moved on or been made redundant as part of the process of transitioning more responsibility to the communities.

Although this makes sense for an ADP that is one year from closing, it was clear to see that this was a man mourning the loss of his friends, perhaps even experiencing some survivor guilt. We feel so blessed to be here to encourage him as he embarks on this important final year. As we get to know him more he cheers up, laughs and jokes a lot. As he shows us around the community, we see what a capable man he is. We know he can finish this race well.

It is so encouraging to go to a place like Luguru, at the very early stages of the ADP, and then go to Budekwa.

Esther, one of the Well Management Committee
members, infront of one of the 120 wells in Budekwa..

I think of the shallow well that I saw just yesterday, and compare it to the one I have seen today. This well is safe, beautifully cared for and one of 120 in the area. The shallow wells the community once used are now only used for washing clothes and feeding animals.

Water is life. Having access to clean water means that the children do not get sick so often, which means they can go to school, which sets them on a path to a much brighter future.



Another contrast with Luguru is the pride on the faces of the women who are part of the community group responsible for raising the funds to help build and maintain the well.

“We are taking this well somewhere else”, we joke. “Over my dead body” they respond. “You can come and try out the well but you better take your shoes off!”

These women are proud and feisty and I love it.



Me, giving one of the wells a try,
with my shoes off of course

I compare them to the women of Luguru who, when asked, sounded so uncertain as to the difference they could make. In 15 years it would be great to go back and see if the women of Luguru develop the same confidence as these women of Budekwa.

I also saw the community in action through the local mill. Farmers do not have to travel to a mill far away. They can mill their crops locally, and the mill’s profits go towards caring for vulnerable children, particularly orphans, ensuring they are able to go to school.

These are great examples of the community helping themselves. World Vision just has one more year to help them – and then we can get out of the way.
 

The lovely Elizabeth

It was a truly great day that ended on such a high note. We met Elizabeth, a 16 year old sponsored child. This girl is a stunner, Her favourite subject is biology and she would like to be a nurse. The only sadness in meeting her was when she told us that she had not received anything from her sponsor since she was 10, even though she wrote to them every year. In her words, this made her feel terrible. We have to find a way to encourage sponsors to write to their children that does not make them feel guilty, but also does not sugar-coat the reality of the impact this has on children who send annual reports and greeting cards to our sponsors every year, but receive no reply.

However, with the brightest smile on her face, Elizabeth spoke about the changes that have come about in her community through World Vision’s help – from furniture in schools, to child rights – she covered so much in just a couple of minutes.

Once again though, it wasn’t just what she was saying – but this girl who was the triumph. In an area where it is common for young girls to look away when speaking to adults, particularly men, she spoke with such confidence, grace and hope. When I look at Elizabeth I see the bright future in store for her and the other children in her area, a future that would not have been possible without the help of World Vision and Kiwi sponsors.

Elizabeth is the symbol of success for Budekwa.
Find out more about Budekwa on WVNZ's website

 

My Week in Tanzania: Days One & Two

Day One

I started working for World Vision when I was 17 – 3 months after I finished High School.

An NZ Herald article from
my first year at WVNZ

It was only supposed to be a short-term gig while I figured out what I wanted to do with my life. At first that seemed to be working out, as I left 9 months later to study, but I was back just over a year later, diploma in hand.

I am now 33 years old, married with 4 children, and the pattern that I started at the age of 17 has continued. I have come and gone from World Vision for study, travel and babies.

Over the past 16 years of my life, 12 have been spent at World Vision New Zealand.

Since I have been around so long, a lot of the people I work with have often been surprised at the fact that I have never travelled to the field to see World Vision’s work in action. To be fair, I was never in a role that required it, so it was not something I resented. I also did not feel that I needed to see the work for myself because we have a lot of excellent people who do that on my behalf. However, I did have the desire to see WVs work for myself “someday”.

Well “someday” has arrived. I am writing this in a hotel in Bariadi, Tanzania. I was honoured to be selected to represent WVNZ at the closing ceremony for Nkoma ADP.

I feel like I have been travelling for a week just to get here. I have travelled as far as Scotland – but I have never felt further from South Auckland.

Being in Africa is so surreal. Probably because I am seeing for myself what I have been hearing about for nearly half my life.

We drove three hours from the airport to the hotel and I quickly discover why WV needs sturdy vehicles. It is a rough ride most of the way. My eyes were wide open the whole time. I did not want to miss a thing. (Apologies for the Aerosmith reference.)

There are people everywhere! They are walking along the roads, herding cattle, riding bicycles and motorbikes. I kept wondering - Where are they all going? Where have they been? What are they doing?

Tomorrow I will be going to Luguru ADP. This ADP is so new that no children are sponsored as yet. I feel completely open to what may be in store. Although I also feel apprehensive. I am supposed to be advising the staff on filming Child Greeting Videos. What if I don’t do a good job? What if I cannot answer their questions? What if it is just too hot to work?

My biggest fear is how much this trip will change me. I have seen people come back from trips like this and they have been so impacted by what they have seen that they are never the same. I can be scared of change – as evidenced by my employment history.

Bob Pierce - The founder of World Vision

Bob Pierce, the founder of World Vision, prayed for his heart to be broken by the things that break the heart of God. I don’t feel brave enough to pray that right now. Unfortunately, I am pretty sure that I prayed that when I was younger and braver – so I fear that God may remember that prayer and answer it.

When I first became a mother I struggled with working for World Vision because suddenly every child was not just some poor child overseas. They were Lily, Melody, Abbey and Nathanael. I didn’t see strangers anymore. I saw one of my babies.

Although I found a way to deal with that, I am afraid of being overcome tomorrow when I go into the communities. What if I look at these children and start crying? That will be completely inappropriate. So I have decided to set the bar low. If I can get through the day without crying or accidently offending someone then the day would be a success.

Day Two


WV staff show the twins
their Child Greeting Videos

It is strange to think that only yesterday I felt like I was on another planet, because today I learnt that whether you are from South Auckland, or Bariadi – everyone is the same. I saw so much to remind me of home.

For starters I met a pair of twin girls who are fraternal, just like mine, one is considerably taller than the other, just like mine, and they have a sister who is two years younger, just like mine. When we asked if we could film their Child Greeting Video, they said yes, but not in what they were wearing. They wanted to put on some nicer clothes. What child does not want to look their best on camera? When they appeared in their best clothes they looked so lovely.  Later we met a mother who we wanted to film, and she exclaimed,  “You can’t film me wearing this!” I love that. I love that we are all the same.


The Luguru Dispensary

Unfortunately the contrasts in a place like this are startling, none more so than in the dispensary. This supposed clinic is made up of three rooms – one for seeing patients, one for giving vaccinations, and one for the mothers to give birth in.

Today pregnant mothers were coming to the clinic for their check-ups. 100 pregnant women arrive at the clinic every Monday. There are 7 staff who help to deliver at least 20 babies each week and care for all the mothers. They would like to have 12 midwives, but there is nowhere in the area for them to live.

Only 40% of women give birth at the clinic, but they face appalling conditions. There is no incinerator, and even though the women were speaking Swahili, I clearly heard the term ‘placenta pit’.

Most shocking of all is the fact that the clinic is lacking the most basic necessity – water. Women have to bring their own water to the clinic when they are in labour. How can this be a clinic if there is no water? This is incomprehensible.

Elizabeth, the Head Midwife, has worked
at the Luguru Dispensary for 10 years.
She is overlooking the site for the new Health Centre.

Change is coming though. We were shown plans for a new health centre that will hopefully be built in the next year. Several agencies are contributing to this centre, including World Vision and the government. But the most meaningful contribution is from the community. Every family will be making a contribution towards building the centre.

In the past World Vision would have seen the situation at this clinic and built the health centre ourselves. However, that makes it a ‘World Vision’ Health Centre. The community has no ownership of it. Having every family in the community contribute tells them that this is not our health centre – it is yours. World Vision will leave one day, but you will always have this centre.

The children loved looking at themselves on my phone and taking photos with me. (I might have liked it a bit too!)