We're Back!

Dear Friends,

“Siyabonga siyanconcosa” is Zulu for “Thank you, thank you very much” (actually, I’m guessing on the spelling of the second word/phrase—I learned it out-loud). Your support for the trip I took to KwaZulu Natal, South Africa is greatly appreciated by me and the people who shared their stories with me. I have hope that the radio stories and articles I generate will help draw attention not only to the profound struggles that region faces due to HIV and AIDS, but also to the bold, faithful, and incredibly loving work that some people are doing as they fight that overwhelming tide. There is so much more to do, though.

Honestly, I am scared out of my wits to think that I have the chance to maybe move people to action, if I do my stories well enough. It’s hard enough to write a decent story about an emotional issue without resorting to cheap, sentimentalized manipulation.

Some of the things that strike me as issues that will either inform or become my stories are the immense nature of the problem of AIDS orphans (11.6 million in sub-Saharan Africa, and growing by the day); the way that issues of nutrition, poverty, infrastructure, education, and racism (and the mistrust it breeds) all affect the way AIDS spreads; the lack of young, native men involved in either acquiring or providing care; and the way that AIDS both retains a stigma EVEN WHILE THOUSANDS are dying of it, and even more living with it, and also has become an accepted, non-dramatic part of life and death—such that I could watch a group of people laughing hysterically at an amateur scene played out of a man, despairing over his diagnosis as HIV positive, instead being killed by a passing truck. How does AIDS become, not a punch line, but the SET UP to a punch line?

I will begin my work on my stories right away this week, and logging of my 30 or so hours of recorded sound will be the bulk of my up-front work. I had hoped to get some of that transcription done when I was still in country, but our schedule was so packed, and the emotion of the things we had seen was so raw and muddled in my wounded heart, I didn’t get any of that done.

My vision currently (again, without having truly logged my tape, nor having talked to our news director about what HE thinks would be best) is for five or so 4-minute stories, plus maybe a 10- or 20 minute documentary-style program that would fit into our news magazines here on IPR. I haven’t decided if I will write articles for the paper on the same things as my radio stories, which would take more time and delay the impact, or if I will use the paper articles and radio stories to feed off and support each other (which will take even MORE time to coordinate topics and broadcast/printing schedules) and build understanding and momentum within the space hanging between them. It seems to me, currently, that the second option would be best. I wish I were a better written-journalist, to better see how the medium should most effectively be used. I also want to make sure I am doing enough work for the station to justify its investment of my time and your investment of your support. I take that last part especially seriously.

I thank you again for the investment you made. I will do my best to make sure you see a return on it, and soon. I hope my stories and work will encourage people to make a difference in the AIDS epidemic, however they so choose. One of the things I saw most clearly in South Africa is that IT IS POSSIBLE to make a big difference. Find the people that know what needs doing, that have the gifts to do it well, and that are accountable, responsible, and visionary. Find those people, and get them what they need to do the job even better. I saw amazing people doing amazing work, and I saw what a difference the right kind of support for them can make. I’m still trying to figure out what I want to do, what I feel led to give, and to whom and how.

But I know my family and I will be making some changes. It would be dishonest of me to put together a bunch of emotionally-laden stories directed to breaking hearts and changing life decisions…without being willing to make those changes myself.

There’ll be more to say, and I’ll be sure to share as much with you as I can, even before my stories come together. You deserve that much, as a way to honor you for your support. I know your gifts will make a difference in KwaZulu Natal…and our community.

Thank you again for your trust, support, and encouragement. They mean the world to me.

Marcus