By beth duncan | Program Manager
From Vision to Reality—Bushman Renaissance
May 2018 Project Update
Submitted May 3, 2018
Dear Donors,
As always, we are very grateful for the ongoing support we receive from you, our Donors, which makes our work with the Khomani San Bushmen of the Kalahari possible.
The Wisdom Weavers of the World conference on Hawaii (see January report) last quarter gave us an opportunity to meet with Khomani San Bushman Healer and Elder Lys to learn more about the current situation within her community. During our time together, we spoke with her about what her vision is for her people, especially the youth who are particularly vulnerable.
Because they were moved off their ancestral lands to lands with no water, no schools, etc. and because two liquor store owners were given permission to open stores in the midst of the community, selling booze for less than water in some cases, the problems of alcoholism, domestic violence, illness and more are escalating in the community. Lys and her husband provide a safe house to kids in the community who are in violent or abusive situations.
Lys’ vision is this: to bring the Khomani San youth out to their ancestral lands and to Bushmen lands in Namibia where the culture continues to live on their ancestral lands and has remained more intact. This will give the youth an opportunity to learn the trance dances of their ancestors and to see first hand what is possible through healing, through remembering. She also seeks to build a healing hut on their lands through which she will be able to teach the girls in the community the ancient practice of “smeer,” a healing massage of the Bushmen. Her husband Isak will also use the hut to show the male youth the medicinal plants used for healing, and both he and Lys will be able to receive international visitors in this hut.
WISN has provided Lys and her community with the funds to build this hut and the construction and clearing has begun. It should be completed in the next month or so. And though we will continue to raise funds for the Mobile Addictions Treatment program, in the meantime, we will support the Bushmen—on their own terms—to empower and build from within their community.
Thank you again for your support, dear Donors, and for helping us spread the word about this project and others.
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