Polly Green/Flair Films

Video Blog ~ Wairoa Extreme Race recap

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:12:00 +0000

Wairoa Extreme Race Final

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:32:00 +0000

8 Feb, 2010 - The Gisborne Herald- Fire is back — ‘I’m going to win’

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:25:00 +0000

Kristine Walsh

POLLY Green’s mate reckoned that if she started training now, she could be in the top 10 at the 2011 whitewater kayaking freestyle world championships, in Germany.

He should know — German kayaker Arnd Schaeftlein is considered a legend in the sport. But Green says she did not receive his praise with much grace.

“I’m not interested in being in the top 10,” says the US-born sportswoman and filmmaker, who settled in Gisborne in 2007.

“I’m going to win.”

A bold claim but, if anyone’s going to make it, she is. This is the woman who last year told The Gisborne Herald she wanted her second short documentary — Soft Power Health, about kayaker Dr Jessie Stone’s humanitarian aid efforts in Uganda — to be an award-winner. The film was last month named jury winner of best action sports film at California’s Mammoth Mountain Film Festival.

She has a strong foundation to work from. As a fine arts student at the University of Colorado, she was already a hardcore sportswoman when she took up freestyle kayaking in the early 1990s. In 2003, she was fifth at the world champs in Austria.

Though she gave up competing two years later, Green believes her experience and ability to work under pressure will stand her in good stead.

Taking a top place next year will not be easy. In 2009 the championship in Switzerland was won by US kayaker Emily Jackson, at 19 half Green’s age.

“But it’s certainly do-able so I’m stoked that my sponsors, Jackson Kayaks and Kokatat Watersports Wear, are back on board.”

Green is already doing her part — a seven-hour-a-day, six-day-a-week schedule that combines flatwater training on the Waimata River with cycling, yoga and meditation.

To supplement that she plans regular trips starting this week to Rotorua’s Kaituna River which, with its grade five rating, will give her the whitewater she needs to perfect her tricks.

“But because I don’t really want to leave Gisborne, much of my training will be on flat water — which means a lot of the work I do will be mental,” she says.

Schaeftlein will coach her via the internet. Today she is in Auckland for a session with neuroscientist/sports coach Kerry Spackman, whose book The Winner’s Bible is a source of inspiration to her.

She will also appear on tomorrow’s 8.20am edition of the Sunrise television programme to talk about both her sport and her filmmaking.

She has a meeting booked with the New Zealand Film Commission to talk about funding for A Fire Burning, the feature film she intends to make documenting her comeback into whitewater kayaking.

The first shoot for the film has already been done and Green has assembled a team that includes co-producer/co-writer Darnelle Timbs and co-directer/co-photographer Jo Tito, with high-profile Gisborne-based US duo Peter and Sarah Dixon on board as mentors.

“You have to approach these things with a sense of humour, so the film should be quite funny as well as being very personal,” Green says as she buckles on her helmet for the day’s training session.

“It will be very raw, very real but should have a few life lessons along the way.”

Polly Green in part blames The Gisborne Herald for her coming out of retirement, after it reported comments she made last year about not having won the world championship she coveted.

“Seeing it in black and white brought it home that I hadn’t achieved my goal to be the world No. 1 and I knew that if I didn’t go for it, I’d regret it.

“So now I’m absolutely committed. The fire is back.”

Training and Filming

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 23:02:00 +0000

Last week was a big one. Starting off with an interview on TV 3 Sunrise.

http://www.3news.co.nz/Gisborne-film-maker-creates-award-winning-documentary/tabid/418/articleID/140835/Default.aspx

-click on this link to view the interview

Then I went to Rotorua where I starting my first training back on the river. Training was filled with both ups and downs. It was great to be back on the river again, but I also experienced alot of frustration. Its been over a year since I have even been in a kayak so I felt really rusty and uncoordinated. And have high expectations of myself, knowing what I can do and am capable of.

I am super lucky to be getting coaching from Arnd Schaeftlein who brings to the table years of experience and a German no nonsense manner that is kicking me into shape whether I like it or not.
He gave me no choice in whether or not I was going to compete in the Wairoa Extreme Race. He said "Polly you will race and that's all there is to it". I was apprehensive as I hadn't been down the Wairoa in 5 years and hadn't even been down the Kaituna river yet. So it was strait into the frying pan and luckily German paddler Andi Uhl was there before my start and gave me a rundown of the lines for the time trial. I surprised myself and had pretty good lines and then found myself getting ready for the first of the head to head races. Once again I had good lines and kept advancing through my heats until I was in the final race. The whole way through the race I was focused on having good lines and having fun which I did, without focusing on the outcome. I ended up narrowly missing out on the win but felt great about my performance especially coming right off the couch so to speak.

So I think my lessons from last week are to be entirely in the moment and not focusing to much on the outcome.

We also began filming last week for a Fire Burning and I am starting to edit the trailer this week. We got some amazing POV shots thanks to Arnds new little Hero POV camera which is tiny but delivers amazing quality.

I am super grateful to my amazing production team and excited about the start of this journey! And also have to thank Andi Uhl who carried my boat up after each of my races which was a massive help and I appreciated so much, and was to me a true example of being a winning person, helping me when he didn't have to and going the extra mile. I am feeling so supported and it makes all the difference in the world!

Production begins on A Fire Burning

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:59:00 +0000

A Fire Burning Week 2

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:23:00 +0000

It's been a busy week with pre-production meetings for A Fire Burning, training, and getting organized for next week.

I am so grateful for the people that work with me and their dedication and enthusiasm. We have done some great brainstorming and have gotten clear with the essence of the film and what we want to achieve.

I think A Fire Burning is in some ways a response to comments I have gotten from my other 3 films. People want to help or make a difference but don't necessarily have the means or time to go to Africa and volunteer or money to donate. The underlying theme of A Fire Burning, is that to create positive change it begins with you and the person you are in the world. It is a simple as that. Taking a good hard look at our selves and the energy we put out. When someone leaves an encounter with us do they feel better than before or worse? Are you gossiping, complaining, and focusing on the negative? or are you optimistic, joyful, and full of gratitude?
The way we are in the world makes a massive difference and that is where true change begins.

Choosing myself as the main character for a Fire Burning is so that I walk my talk. I am constantly checking in with myself and the way I am being, and pretending the camera is rolling at all times. How can I be better? How can I make the world a better place?

My goal in life is the satisfaction in knowing that I did the absolute best I could with what I have been given and that by me being here on the planet I was able to make a positive impact.

So these are all reasons behind making A Fire Burning.

An amazing team of people have come together to share the passion behind this project and I am so grateful for them and their efforts.
I love working with people that get things done and do what they say they will do.
Next week we begin shooting.

I am having a coaching session with Kerry Spackman the author of the Winner's Bible on Monday, which feels like a dream come true and can't wait!
On Tuesday morning 9 February at 8:20am I have an interview on TV 3 Sunrise and will be talking about Soft Power Health and also launching the new film and my kayaking comeback.

So it will be a big week.

Thanks for following the progress of A Fire Burning. I have so much excitement and vision for this film, and know that the process of making it will be just as important as the finished film.

A Fire Burning

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:45:00 +0000

Its official, I just had my first shoot for A Fire Burning, my new film about my comeback into whitewater kayaking, and training for the 2011 World Freestyle Kayak Championships.
It was a little weird at first filming myself, but after awhile I got into it and feel like I am talking directly to the viewer. Being the camera operator and the subject adds a whole new twist and I think I like it. I think it will make the film a lot more intimate and I think the viewer is going to get sucked in and involved. Plus it was fun, which is my main goal.
We are having our first pre-production meeting on Monday and begin the official shoot 10 Feb up on the Kaituna River.
I am really excited to be kayaking again and am feeling stronger than ever. I have just been training on flat water this week, but so far so good. I am also cycling 2 hours a day, doing yoga for an hour+, and meditation 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour at night.
So my days are pretty full. I am reserving Saturdays to do my artwork and take the day off from training.
My whole goal is to have balance, and make room for everything that's important, which is something I was lacking last time I was training.
I am feeling good and happy and healthy and will be making regular posts about the progress of the film and how my training is going.

Soft Power Health Official selection NY International Film Festival and Jury Prize Mammoth Mountian Film

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 19:33:00 +0000

Soft Power Health has just been announced as an official selection in the New York International Film Festival and has received the Jury Prize in Action Sports at the Mammoth Mountain Film festival in California.

SOFT POWER HEALTH
What an incredible and inspiring documentary! Dr Jessie Stone should win a humanitarian award for her efforts. Dr Stone helps people in Uganda receive mosquito prevention sleeping nets to prevent malaria, contraceptive education and much more. Polly Green has done an excellent job with professional videography & editing as well as some amazing shots. Very informative and a must see documentary!
Anoo Cottoor
Executive Artistic Director
New York International Film Festival

Gisborne Fimmaker Finalist In Los Angeles film festival

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:07:00 +0000

From http://www.infonews.co.nz/news.cfm?l=1&t=72&id=43589
FILM 20 October 2009, 1:18PM
Gisborne Filmmaker Finalist In Los Angeles Film Festival
By Adage Business & Media Services

GISBORNE

Gisborne Filmmaker, Polly Green’s latest film Soft Power Health, a short documentary film about professional kayaker Dr. Jessie Stone’s humanitarian aid efforts in Uganda, has just been announced as a finalist in the My Hero Short Film Festival in Los Angeles, and is up for the Dan Eldon Activist Award.

Three years after the debut of her first short film, Nomads, filmmaker Polly Green returned to Uganda to follow the progress of Soft Power Health, the non-profit organization started by kayaker/doctor Jessie Stone. While Nomads profiled three women kayakers each with a different passion to help others, Green’s new film, aptly called Soft Power Health, explores in depth what Soft Power Health does today.

Green has cleverly integrated paddling shots and Nile river views throughout the film, but the focus is on the organizations work on land. Picking up where Nomads left off, Green shows the Soft Power Health clinic and several health outreach programs, including the incredible progress of the first one that Dr. Stone started, the malaria education and prevention program. With the rapid construction of the Silverback Dam on the Nile river, Green captures beautiful shots of what will soon be gone, something that all of us will be grateful to have forever.

Polly completed the film in June and is “ecstatic to be a finalist in The My Hero Festival”.

“My passion is telling stories about people doing positive things ” says Polly, and The My Hero festival is the perfect platform to showcase films that honor heroes from around the world.

Polly is passionate about making inspiring films that leave the viewer feeling empowered, and telling stories about people who are doing positive things in the world.

Polly, a permanent New Zealand Resident, moved to Gisborne in 2007, because “ I love it here, Gisborne is a beautiful and inspiring place that feeds my soul.”

Her next film is about Maori carvers of the East Coast.

She plans on attending the Los Angeles festival and has her fingers crossed that the film wins.

The Winner's Bible

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 21:01:00 +0000

I finished reading The Winner's Bible over the weekend, and want to Blog about it because I can already feel it working. It is always amazing when you come across a book that makes a profound impact in your life and this is one of them. This is what sticks out in my mind the most about the book.

Make the most of everyday - Carpe Diem
Appreciate what you have
Realize that life is short and all about balance
We are not our careers
What feeds your soul?
Giving and being the best you can be towards others
The wheel of life = work, play, passion, art, sport, knowledge, relationships
all are equally important
A meaningful life is more about who your are and not what you have achieved

A big recommendation goes out to The Winner's Bible! And thanks to Kerry Spackman for writing it!

Nomads- Wandering Women of The Whitewater Tribe

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:31:00 +0000

Nomads, my award winning documentary film, is about three women kayakers who give back to a small village in Uganda. It has been an official selection in over 30 film festivals world wide.

Runtime 20 minutes $19.99

Available now on www.trademe.co.nz
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=244681799&ed=true

How You Can Make a Difference

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 02:37:00 +0000

How you can make a difference

Making a difference begins with you. For you to make a difference in your community and the greater world you first need to give to yourself.

• Make time for yourself –
Sign up for that class you have always wanted to take: yoga,
Aerobics, spinning, art, dance, doing something just for you will bring more joy, calm and peace in your life and you will have more to give to others. When you feel good it rubs off.
–Slow down, take a walk, breathe and notice the beauty around you.
-make a conscious effort to bring more joy into your life -do something nice for you!

• Go on a negativity diet –
Avoid negative people, negative news and TV shows; keep negative comments and gossip to yourself. Focusing on what’s good in the world and your life will create more good. –Write a gratitude list every morning of everything that is good in your life. We all have so much, and it is easy to focus on what we don’t have rather than what we do have. The fact that we have electricity, good health, medical facilities, water, enough food, shelter etc are all things we tend to take for granted, but they are huge gifts to be grateful for.
- smile while you are buying your groceries and be nice to the check out person
-Always say you can, so much is possible if we believe it is.

• Give-
Compliment someone today, bring someone flowers, help someone who needs your help, bring a friend a care package when they are sick (soup, medicine, lemons and honey, magazines), tell your employees how much you value their work.

• De-clutter – get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past year and donate it to your local charity. You will feel renewed energy and the charity will benefit as well.

• Charities

Find an organization you feel passionate about and volunteer your services. Volunteering can come in many forms.

o If you are a marketing specialist, for example, pick a charity you believe in and help raise their profile. If you are a web designer do some design work for a charity that needs a website. Giving of your expertise is a great way to give back and make an impact. Fundraising Institute of New Zealand www.finz.org.nz is a place to start.

o House DVD screening party- organize a house party, invite your friends and colleagues to watch a film that focuses on a charity/issue that you believe in. After the film, facilitate a discussion, ask for donations and send them to the charity.

o Social Networking – promote your favorite charity through your social networking circles (Facebook, Twitter)

Support people and organizations you believe in and are passionate about. There are so many good charities out there, and it’s important that you truly believe in what they are doing. Do a bit of research, and support something that is close to your heart.
I believe that if you can impact even one person positively you are making a huge difference.

HER Success and Independence

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:44:00 +0000

Yesterday I had a phone interview with HER Success and Business Magazine http://www.hermagazine.co.nz.
I am feeling very grateful to have the chance to talk about Flair Films and my mission to inspire millions of people thru my films. Getting interviewed is a great opportunity to get even more clear with my mission and saying it out loud makes it come to life.
Also, giving examples of the people I know that have been inspired still brought tears to my eyes.

Here's just a couple of examples of inspired viewers:

A highschool age girl saw Nomads, and told me she had always wanted to play rugby in Canada and never thought it was possible, and now she is going to!
A South Island medical school student went to volunteer with SOFT POWER HEALTH in Uganda after seeing Nomads
A 14 year old boy in Massuchusetts is doing his own presentations on the clean drinking water issue after being inspired by the Blue Planet Run and Running For Water
A girl in Montana decided to learn how to kayak after seeing Nomads

These are just a few of the stories I have heard lately about how my films have affected people and it is so great to know that they are having a positive impact.
Thanks again to HER Magazine for the interview. I will post the link when it comes out in the November issue.

Homes To View

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 23:53:00 +0000

My new website is now live! http://www.homestoview.net

The new site is a branch of Flair Films and geared for people who are interested in having an online video of their business, or real estate listing. It is also a great idea for motivational speakers or people that want to have a quick look at what you do online. We also do instructional DVD's. Check it out!

One Person Can Make A Difference

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:22:00 +0000

Polly Green - show reel

This is my current show reel which includes footage from my award winning documentary Nomads and footage from Running For Water, the first ever around the world relay race. My mission as a videographer is to tell stories that are inspiring and make a positive difference in the world. I do promotional videos for NGO's, not for profits, businesses, musicians, artists, authors, and real estate. Please feel free to contact me for your video needs. polly@flairfilms.com

Gear Review- Kata HB-205 hiker backpack

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:03:00 +0000

This blog is on the kata HB-205 hiker camera backpack, which I purchased recently for my last shoot in Uganda.

I did quite alot of research and ended up choosing the kata 205 and am glad I did. It worked really well for the shoot and was the perfect size to fit in the overhead locker on the airplane. I also purchased the trolley wheels that came in handy on the massive journey from New Zealand

to Uganda. My Panasonic AG-HVX-202EN fit perfectly as well as spare batteries, microphones, and camera rain cover. I am sold on having a backpack vs. a shoulder bag as I was able to shoot with the backpack on my back and didn't worry about having to leave it on the ground as a theft temptation. It also looks discreet, and is super comfortable even fully loaded. I highly recommend the Kata HB-205 backpack and definitely feel like I made a good choice.

Photo: The Kata HB-205 hiker backpack in action: Polly Green on location shooting in Uganda- Photo by Will Clark

Client Testimonials

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 20:50:00 +0000

“I just finished watching your Soft Power Health film and I think its great - I really like it and I think you touched on everything that's important for us and did it in a really good and effective way. The filming is also really beautiful! I am excited to watch it again too! I think you did a fantastic job and I am really psyched about the piece.”

– Jessie Stone - Founder Soft Power Health

Film making on a shoestring part 2

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 09:59:00 +0000

This blog is a follow up on film making on a shoestring.

A question got asked about editing.

I recommend using Final Cut Pro as your editing program, and definitely on a MAC.

A really great website that teaches Final Cut Pro along with other creatively orientated programs is:

http://www.lynda.com

I highly recommend this way of learning and it has been invaluable for me, and wish I would have found it years ago!

have fun and good luck!

Filmmaking on a shoestring

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 03:10:00 +0000

I recently got asked if I had any advice on filmmaking on a shoestring and thought it was a good topic to write about here.

I think that the bare essentials in terms of gear are:

Broadcast quality camera- why bother making a movie and investing all of that time money and energy if you don't have a quality result. You never know who may like your film and you may even be able to onward sell footage after your done shooting.
Good microphones- sound is essential to a good film. It is imperative that you invest in good mics. I recommend Sennheiser wireless lavelier microphones and also sennheiser shot gun mic. http://www.sennheiser.com
Tripod- nothing is worse than a shaky shot. (unless that's the look you are after). But using a tripod is key when possible.

I know all of this will add up to a few thousand dollars. If you are dedicated to making your film you will find the money somehow.

I also recommend contacting David Epstein at A2Z technologies http://www.a2ztech.co.nz david@a2ztech.co.nz

he is a very helpful and knowledgeable salesperson who has helped me heaps with my video gear purchases.

Also crucial to your film is a good story line and compelling characters. Not everyone is good on camera so it is important to suss this out ahead of time. If your character isn't believable on camera the audience won't connect with them, and there goes your movie.

I just found out about a good indie film making website http://www.indiegogo.com

I hope this helps! Good Luck!!

Malaria Education and Prevention- Soft Power Health

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Professional kayaker Dr. Jessie Stone is educating Ugandans about malaria and helping to prevent it by distributing subsidized mosquito nets. Her grass roots model has reached over 100,000 Ugandans and she has distributed over 30,000 mosquito nets. See how she does it in my latest Soft Power Health video.

Soft Power Health

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:35:00 +0000

Soft Power Health

This is the latest video I have been working on about Dr. Jessie Stone and her amazing humanitarian work in Uganda. She is helping to educate people about malaria which is the number one killer in Uganda, and sells subsidized mosquito nets. She has also opened a rural health clinic, and is doing family planning outreach. She is truly an inspiration and example of how one person can make a difference.

Uganda 2009- Nile River Dam

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:28:00 +0000

Polly Green and Jessie Stone infront of Nile River Dam site (BOO!)

photo by Morgan Koons

17 Feb 2009

It was a big day of filming yesterday. The most exciting shots were filming the girls coming

back from kayaking on their bodas (mopeds) I was filming from a boda as we were going along bumby dirt tracks. It felt like “extreme” videography somehow and fun to capture the action in motion. I also got shots of the dam that is being built here on the Nile and when it is completed will completely flood the top half of the river where at the moment there is still great rapids. It is truly sad to see this dam and how it has transformed the landscape that was once beautiful into a pile of destruction. They have relocated people that lived by the river and have promised power to people here. The reality is that they are going to sell all of the power to Kenya and the power really won’t benefit the local people what so ever. Very sad, but am once again grateful to have time on the river before it is turned into a massive lake.

Uganda shoot -2009 Soft Power Health

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:23:00 +0000

For some reason this time to Uganda has been harder for me in terms of the discrepancy between what I have being western and what life is like for the local Ugandans. I don’t really have any conclusions. It just seems like luck of the draw. Why was I born into a western country with every opportunity put in front of me and not into a Ugandan village living in a mud hut with no running water or electricity. Why? These questions have no answer and as my time comes near to an end here I think that at least I am doing what I am meant to be doing. By making this film at least other people will see what it is like here. It has also made me think about giving back and making a difference and what it all means. At the end of the day a feeling of gratitude first and foremost is what I am taking away from here. Who knows if my film will make a difference but at least I have gotten reminded again of how good my life is and how lucky I am.

We went on another field patient visit to see a little baby with heart trouble. I asked Jessie how she decides who she helps in the field, as it seems to me there are countless people here that need it. She said it depends on the severity of their illness. I guess the possibility of even one person being helped is worth it.

I was talking to a friend of mine last night who has lived here for many years and she said to survive here you need to be resilient. That is the truth. She said its not like they can wake up and say I don’t feel like walking to get water today. They have to. It is survival. We in the west don’t even think about these things that for these people are a matter of life and death. Which is all around. The saying life is cheap here I have heard a few times, but people still smile and wave and dance in the face of extreme hardship.

After a very hot, dry, tiring day of filming a malaria education session and net sale we went to stay in a beautiful lodge with a stunning waterfall, amazing food and hot shower. I was so happy to have a real shower, and thought about the people I was filming who will probably never experience this in their whole lives. I am grateful for these things. A hot shower, access to medical care, enough food, the list goes on and on and the opportunity to come back here and be reminded.

Uganda 2009-Soft Power Health

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:09:00 +0000

Jessie Stone handing out mosquito nets-Uganda

Polly Green filming

photo by Morgan Koons

Uganda Shoot- Soft Power Health-2009

polly@flairfilms.com (polly green/ flair films) — Tue, 19 May 2009 02:02:00 +0000

For the past few weeks I have been filming in Uganda for Jessie Stone who is the founder of Soft Power Health, a non profit organization that does grass roots malaria education and prevention, operates a rural medical clinic and does family planning. This is my third time back to film in Uganda, and it is always inspiring and challenging.

On one of the most emotionally difficult days, Jessie, Jessica(Jessie's interpreter/educator) and I went with the clinical advisor (social worker) from Jinga(the nearest town) to evaluate a two year old HIV positive baby who had been brought in to the clinic a week prior with serious burns. Jessie and her Ugandan translator, Jessica, had determined that the mother was unfit to care for the child.

We went to the family’s small mud hut, which was down a narrow path in a rural village. Upon reaching the hut we immediately heard the baby crying. Jessie and the social worker entered the hut. The baby sat on the mud floor, dirty, malnourished and severely undeveloped for his age. Tears were coming to my eyes as I was filming the sad state of this poor little being. The local equivalent to a social worker began interviewing the very thin father as the mother did the washing up on the ground. The social worker was furiously writing while Jessie, Jessica and I anxiously awaited his decision of the baby’s fate. The mother began washing the thin baby in a plastic basin on the ground and dressed the child in clean clothes.

At this stage we began to deduce they were going to hand the baby over to us. The mother hands the child to Jessica and the parents follow us back down the narrow track to the car. The mother has no display of emotion about her baby’s departure. The father waves goodbye as we make the journey over bumpy washed out dirt road to the HIV positive children’s home in Jinga. We arrive 30 minutes later. Jessica carries the now quiet baby and we all walk into the children’s home. About twenty children of various ages are sitting on the clean cement floor eating their chipati dinner. The children look clean, well fed, and healthy. Jessie reviews the baby’s history with one of the homes caregivers, as we wait for “Mama Holly” the woman who runs the home. Mama Holly arrives and Jessie explains the situation. Mama Holly welcomes the baby with open arms, and says “this is why we are here”. We thank her and say goodbye. Jessie and I commented on how fortunate it was that a home like this existed and how lucky it was that maybe now this baby will have a chance at survival.

This story still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it. Not all of the stories here have a “happy” ending, and even tho this one was “happy” all of the things I have seen here make me realize how lucky I am to have been born into the Western world and how trivial my concerns are most of the time.

For more information on Jessie’s work in Uganda please go to www.softpowerhealth.org