O relato a seguir, em inglês, foi enviado pela editora do Servas International Newsletter, Jane Guilffould, para sabermos o que a organização tem feito lá no outro lado do Atlântico -- mais precisamente, na África. Boa leitura!
Servas in Africa Meets in Zambia
Between 6 and 10 of December 2007, 27 people from 6 countries in Africa met for an Africa Area Meeting (AAM) in Livingstone, Zambia. We were hosted by nine Servas members in the city above the “Smoke that Thunders” (Victoria Falls). Besides a large contingent from Lusaka and Livingstone, five participants came from Botswana, three from Malawi and one from South Africa. All these Servas members travelled overland by road, by bus or in cars. In addition two delegates were able to fly in, one from Uganda and one from Brazzaville (Congo) in Central Africa. Missing were delegates from Namibia, Kenya, Mauritius, Tanzania and Ethiopia, in East and Southern Africa, who had originally planned to attend. No participants from West Africa were able to make it.There was a welcome guest from Servas Britain. The AAM noted with regret that Demelza Lewis Benbow, Malawi, was unable to be present but congratulated her on her new son, Taron.
Over the four days the diverse group played start-up games led by Malawi, and covered a long agenda beginning with the 18 pages of minutes from the last Area Conference in Malawi in 2003. Items for consideration included the history of Servas, twinning, Servas areas in Africa, country reports, administration of national groups, reports from travellers and people hosted, communication issues, finances, the future and evaluation. The evaluation was very positive. The Zambian hosts were congratulated, particularly Clare and Vimbi Mateke, at whose home we met.
Each delegate had a folder of documents in advance that was more than 28 pages long. Chairperson and recorders were rotated. Minutes will be available in early 2008. The gathering did recommend to Servas International that the areas in the continent of 54 countries in the future be three: West Africa, North Africa and Eastern and Southern Africa (and not the current Anglophone/ Francophone Africa). Members were encouraged to use FaceBook to post notices and exchange information on Servas activities. There was time for excursions on different days to the Falls, a National Park and the Livingstone Museum. In conclusion on Sunday evening there was singing and dancing, with the Congolese cha-cha-cha being ranked tops.
The following were elected unanimously by National Secretaries. E&SA Coordinator, Sheldon G. Weeks (Botswana); Deputy Coordinator, Clare Mateke (Zambia); Youth Coordinator, Chris Misuku (Malawi); E&SA Host-list Coordinator, Christine Fischer (South Africa); E&SA Newsletter Coordinator; Cathy Chikabadwa (Botswana); and E&SA Web page Coordinator, Rey Joseph (Mauritius) (not present, but agreed to continue in this position).
-- Sheldon Weeks, Botswana
Africa in Action
As well as the Africa Area meeting, representatives from Africa have been taking part in other meetings. Here are some of them: Local meetings in the new West African members of Ghana, Sierra Leone and Cameroon. Peace meeting in Ghana reported by Yama Sellaisse Ababio in Servas Monthly News (June 07). Youth event at Dalesbridge, England in July and August had the pleasure of welcoming Moses Kigozi from Uganda and Mary Boloweza from Malawi.
Over the four days the diverse group played start-up games led by Malawi, and covered a long agenda beginning with the 18 pages of minutes from the last Area Conference in Malawi in 2003. Items for consideration included the history of Servas, twinning, Servas areas in Africa, country reports, administration of national groups, reports from travellers and people hosted, communication issues, finances, the future and evaluation. The evaluation was very positive. The Zambian hosts were congratulated, particularly Clare and Vimbi Mateke, at whose home we met.
Each delegate had a folder of documents in advance that was more than 28 pages long. Chairperson and recorders were rotated. Minutes will be available in early 2008. The gathering did recommend to Servas International that the areas in the continent of 54 countries in the future be three: West Africa, North Africa and Eastern and Southern Africa (and not the current Anglophone/ Francophone Africa). Members were encouraged to use FaceBook to post notices and exchange information on Servas activities. There was time for excursions on different days to the Falls, a National Park and the Livingstone Museum. In conclusion on Sunday evening there was singing and dancing, with the Congolese cha-cha-cha being ranked tops.The following were elected unanimously by National Secretaries. E&SA Coordinator, Sheldon G. Weeks (Botswana); Deputy Coordinator, Clare Mateke (Zambia); Youth Coordinator, Chris Misuku (Malawi); E&SA Host-list Coordinator, Christine Fischer (South Africa); E&SA Newsletter Coordinator; Cathy Chikabadwa (Botswana); and E&SA Web page Coordinator, Rey Joseph (Mauritius) (not present, but agreed to continue in this position).
-- Sheldon Weeks, Botswana
Africa in Action
As well as the Africa Area meeting, representatives from Africa have been taking part in other meetings. Here are some of them: Local meetings in the new West African members of Ghana, Sierra Leone and Cameroon. Peace meeting in Ghana reported by Yama Sellaisse Ababio in Servas Monthly News (June 07). Youth event at Dalesbridge, England in July and August had the pleasure of welcoming Moses Kigozi from Uganda and Mary Boloweza from Malawi.
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