Greetings to all from Califon:
Wanted to update Jake's conditions, since there hasn't been a posting on his site for sometime.
In spite of all the adversity Jake is facing from his living in squalor to local political bullshit, he's doing well and his spirits haven't been dampened.
It seems that anyone even remotely connected to the local village hierarchy is corrupt and on top of that it seems to be a way of life. Just as the male-female caste system is. It's part of the cutural luggage. This makes getting things done quite difficult.
Coupled with this, Jake just received a package from Sarina , a friend from New Jersey that was sent in April. He also recently received a box of supplies that he shipped to himself prior to his departure. Letters arrive within 2 weeks though, so I encourage everyone to write. Jake can receive email when he gets to a computer about once a month, but he can't send anything out on the internet.
His solace seems to be working with the children at the local school where hei working with the kids on environmental projects. Of course , all of the local officials have to be worked around and not directly involved, otherwise everything becomes a quagmire. If anyone out there is looking to really help Jake and the people, know that the school desparately needs school books. Almost any level and any subject would do. Let's get "Building With Books" involved. Personally, I,ve been taking discarded books home from school and at some point will try to get them shipped out.
Long Island Joe is making arrangements to travel to Malawi to visit with and assist Jake in some of the projects. He plans to leave early January and will come out to Califon to pick up some supplies Jake requested. A true friend, as is Tony Paul, who has sent more food and drink than I suppose the whole city of Lilongwe sees in a year. Not to slight others who I know are friends of Jake, but these guys deserve some mention. For that matter, Jake is thinking about all of you all the time and misses all of you very much.
...Thanks for caring about my first born son.
Love to all.
Califon Dad
He should be careful there,when he is coming back?
Posted by: Justas at November 22, 2004 07:58 AMHi Jacob, Happy Birthday!! I am so happy that Dad was able to speak with you. We've all been trying for quite some time. Jon, the girls and I sent some packages to you over a week ago. Hang in there. We think of you daily and we are always talkng about you to the girls.
Love,
JEssica
Hi, Jake!I'm so happy that some new information about you was posted.I'm being very proud of you and I'm telling many of my friends about your experience in Malawi.Some of them are really intersted in what you've been doing there and even a little bit of jelaous, because it all sounds so much like real life.But I know how hard it must be,we all know how much courrage requires to be in such a hard situation all alone.I've tried to write you a letter, but it didn't work, just because my life seemed so unsignificant compared to yours.I'm thinking a lot about you, Jake.
Kisses.
I have books. Many many books. The school where I work is overloaded with books. Any idea what kinds of books he needs? They probably won't get there until 2012, but I'd be happy to send them...
Posted by: Andrew Turner at November 23, 2004 01:23 PMDzeikai, sveikiname tave gimimo dienos proga. Laimes, dziaugsmo, sveikatos ir... kelk i naujas aukstumas Afrikos samone ir uki.
Kaip atsventei gimatieni? Ar nebuvo karsta? Pas mus jau daug sniego, vaziuosime i pirti ir eisme pasvanoje ant jo pasivolioti... bus ir alaus ir dar ko nors...atvaziuok.
Linkejimai is Birzu. Pasiilgome taves.
P. S. Tiesa, i Kupiski buvo Say atvaziaves. Del to savo filmo.
He Jake.
Happy,happy birthday. I hope you have been getting my letters. I am preparing one in honour of your bday. I hope things will keep moving and remember when things get a little bumby, that nothing lasts forever and there is a reason for everything. Cheers mate!!!!
Hugs
Jnana
Yo Jake,
Too long man. Wanna drop a line here cause I know your family is on point with the communication and letters from Lith probably will never get to you.
All is well man, the film thing continuos dispite the standard set of problems. I had to cancel the shoot and I'll try and pick it back up in Spring. I have to reorganize everything and recast it. I'm gonna use people from the region, so that means a lot more time working on the actors skills, but in the long run is the only realistic way. Working out of the capital won't work, was a hard lesson, but I'm wiser.
This November is completely different than anything we saw here before. It started snowing a week and a half ago and has held with no melt. Its been beautiful with some sunny days and not really all that cold.
I've got another project I'll start next week. We're gonna try and do a road movie about two old men going to see a friend in Berlin. We leave on the train next week and we'll shoot it documentary style. If that one crashes and burns at least we can enjoy the trip!
Think of you all the time man and wonder what's going on. You know we've all got mad respect for what you're doing down there, I look forward to what's sure to be a very educational visit.
Be well brother,
Cy
Hi Jake,
Hope you get this---we have tried sending messages before----
Happy Birthday----We Love you----
Love,
Rich Uncle Al & Rich Aunt Pam
Posted by: Al & Pam at November 27, 2004 04:14 PMHey Jake!
Listen, you have no idea who I am. I live in St. Louis, MO. I was just nominated for a position in Africa a couple of weeks ago. I was looking all over the Internet for some research on the area, and I came across your website. I was wondering if you would mind filling me in on what you TRULY think of the experience. I am real nervous about going to Africa and I am certainly not 100% convinced yet. What is life like there? Is the experience what you expected? Let me know what is going on. I would really like to hear what you have to say.