Bruno Giussani is a writer, the European Director of the 
Here is a very good use of blogs: tell the stories of the people of an African village ravaged by AIDS - Nata, a community of 5000 in Eastern Botswana, not far from the Zimbabwe border, where two out of five people are infected - and help raise funds for the sick and the orphans.
The Nata Village Blog is the result of a fortuitous meeting between Canadian traveller (and web designer) Jon Rawlinson and Peace Corps volunteer Melody Jenkins, who is working there. Jon wanted to offer some help and set up the blog (on top of producing a short documentary about the village, which will be broadcast by CurrentTV). Melody and some villagers post regularly about daily life in the village, the healthcare and education efforts, refugees, local culture (you can download mabogo songs in MP3 format) and traditions (such as the lobola, where a man pays the father of the woman "for the privilege of marriage") and much more.
Recently, a reader of the blog living in Hong Kong - Nikki - travelled to the village in the scope of researching her master thesis. The use of the money donated by the blog readers is also chronicled. The blog is rich in pictures (some of which I'm reproducing here), and it features also a few videos about village life.
When Nikki was there, they had a great fundraising idea: "A night IN for Nata". Here is how they explain it: "we discussed how much people spend on just one night out in Hong Kong and she came up with the idea of "A night IN for Nata". She will invite her friends to her house and show her photos and discuss what she saw and everyone will donate the cost of a night out in Hong Kong".
Thanks so much for the support Bruno. We really appreciate it. Its people like you that are helping to make a difference in the lives of the Nata villagers.
Cheers,
JON.
natavillage.org
Posted by: JON | October 13, 2006 at 08:02 PM
Thanks so much Bruno. It's people like you that keep me going!!!! Love, Melody
Posted by: Melody | October 19, 2006 at 12:19 PM
Melody, Jon, your work deserves attention. One always wishes to do more. Maybe I will find a way. Thank you for your work. B.
Posted by: BG | October 19, 2006 at 02:37 PM
Thank you Melody,Jon,Bruno for realizing the need to help the people of Nata Village.May your good work be acknowledged by the world.My big ups go again to Mr Tiro and the HIV/ Aids mobilizer in the village,your marvelous work is appreciated.
keep the spirit going
Happy villager
Chawa
Posted by: chawa | May 15, 2007 at 10:00 AM