For those who wish to follow up

Over time I have shared many of my creative projects on this blog. Often, I take you through aspects of the process - from inception to completion. The two projects listed below are still 'open' (i.e. in motion, in the works). Please see below if you are a regular reader of Now is Wow and are interested in following up on their progress and eventual outcome (beyond the blog).

Veronica's House
Habitat for Humanity has partnered with us to ensure that the house for Veronica and her children is built. Once the necessary 'red tape' is cleared (e.g. Town and Country Planning), work will officially begin. All things running smoothly, the house will be finished within 2008. Those who wish to be involved in the construction as volunteers can contact me at nowiswowisnow [at] yahoo [dot] com for further information. Or you can contact Habitat directly (see their website for contact info) and indicate your interest in being a volunteer for Veronica's House and/or other Habitat projects. You do not have to have prior construction experience. Volunteers will be needed for all kinds of tasks, from making phone calls to painting walls to more 'concrete' jobs, literally.

Within the next few weeks, the designer of the Veronica's House website will update it to reflect the recent changes (as a result of Habitat coming on board as a partner).

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Source of photo

The Tree of Dreams
The Tree Planting Ceremony will take place as announced on Saturday 3rd May, 2008. Thus far 20 of us have confirmed our attendance and, on that day, will be making the hike up the mountain to plant the dreams which various people placed into the Dream House. I have chosen the Flamboyant as our Tree of Dreams. When the flamboyants are in bloom on the mountains, their vibrant orange presence cannot be ignored. They are visible from far and wide, like fires (i.e. fires of flowers, not flames) on the mountain range. One day our Tree will be one of those striking orange beauties, standing testament to the blooming of our Dreams.

Demolition of house and book

Yesterday while I was in the writing workshop, the contractor was demolishing the old house on the land where Veronica's House will be built. Amazing how different a piece of land can look after demolition of whatever structure was on it. In parallel, I'm sure the first draft of my novel Lily will look and feel different from what it is now (and has been since 1998) when I demolish it and build something else.

Lily is what I am attempting to rework in this workshop. I had written it over two or three days in 1998 when I was living in Woodbrook. I had woken up one morning consumed by the sudden impulse to write out what was streaming through my head. Perhaps it had come from a vivid dream, because everything was so markedly visual. I hurriedly started writing out the images I was seeing and did nothing else for two or three days and nights (except bathe and maybe drink water). It was like taking dictation from a boss who spoke rapidly and didn't let me go for coffee breaks. I had never been (and have never been since then) so consumed by any creative process. The visual descriptions were beginning to tell a story from the perspective of a camera. I didn't have a computer or a laptop then, so I had to borrow a friend's laptop, to enable me to keep up with the speed at which everything was coming. I didn't intend for it to be a book, but before I knew it, that's what I had. But it didn't feel like a 'book book'. It was a visual, moody, atmospheric piece which somehow had a particular rhythm, like a long piece of music using words as notes. (As I had been writing it I was also hearing the music, which is the reason why I went and got a loan and bought my keyboard Haniel).

A comment the writing tutor put at the end of the extract I had submitted (we had to submit 5 pages prior to being selected for the workshop): You use language here well. Your sentences sing. I think however you need to give your reader more clues, to follow your narrative line.

What she is saying is right and reflects what I always felt about Lily. The musical/lyrical aspects are the dominant parts. They are what swept me along. A narrative line is there, but all over the place and needing 'orchestration'. Literally, like a dream that I woke up from and tried to explain in concrete terms. It is also the 'vomit' she spoke about - what comes out first and needs to be reworked many times before becoming the publishable novel. So saying, I think it is very interesting vomit, with wonderful colours, textures and shapes ... but (again, as she told us) can we eat it right now?

Official Veronica's House website

Scene from 'Invisible': Veronica and her 4 year old daughter.
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Those who are interested in knowing what is happening with Veronica's House can log onto our new official website, kindly created by Roger Kirton.

There are different tabs, as you will notice. Have a look around.

ABOUT US gives you an overview of the project.
MEDIA gives you the film and an Express newspaper article.
MAKE DONATIONS gives banking info (Canadian info and Paypal to come)
TORONTO will give updates on what is happening in Toronto as Katie has linked up with some people there to organise a few fundraising screenings and events
OUR TEAM gives an idea of the team (names to be added) and a thank you list (names will be added as time goes on)
CONTACTS gives you main contacts

The website is a work in progress and there are still a few tweaks to be made. We will most likely be adding a WEEKLY UPDATES tab, so that you can log on weekly to easily get detailed progress reports.

Eventful day & Français

I started off the day by making an appearance on the Morning Edition, to talk about Veronica's House. I felt a bit nervy, since (a) I don't like being on TV (b) I did it alone (c) I was talking about things I am a novice at (construction, etc). But those who saw it reported that I looked very calm and put it across well, so I guess my fears were unfounded. Along with an article which appeared in today's Express (on VHouse)*, it's a double thrust for the cause all in one day. Definitely now more people will be aware of it. I did get one important call after the show which struck me (among other things) for this reason in particular: within our conversation the woman described the thing she was telling me about (in relation to VHouse and the video) as "a window of opportunity". As she said those words, a bell went off in my head ... because of course that was the name I used for the window before it became 'Dream House' ...

* (I can't find the link to the article or I would have included it here).

And soon there will be a dedicated website ... for anyone who wants to check in and see what the VHouse progress report. Things are happening behind the scenes and abroad as well.

French exams are later today at 5:00 p.m. I have been distracted and threfore neglecting French this year ... compared to last year when I was more naturally focused on it. Did some cramming yesterday with one of the other students ... and I will do some more in a short while.

Wish me 'bonne chance'.

'Invisible' on Youtube

INVISIBLE: Children Living with HIV/AIDS
Length: 10 minutes 55 seconds
A mini documentary created in 2007 by Happy Hippy Productions for the TTCRC (Trinidad and Tobago Coalition for the Convention on the Rights of the Child)

Thank You ... and a final update for now

Scene from 'Invisible': Veronica and her daughter

A lot has happened since last Friday. Energy and interest continue to be generated around the mini-documentary 'Invisible: Children living with HIV/AIDS' and the cause that arose from it (the building of a home for Veronica and her children). Moved by the situation, various individuals and organisations have stepped up and made offers of support: financial, advice, media, service, materials and otherwise.

Scene from 'Invisible': Veronica giving her 4 year old daughter her medication

It is necessary to build Veronica's House within a certain time frame (by end of July). It is also necessary to recognize that 'Rome wasn't built in a day.' Now is a time when those who have offered to help will be meeting with their groups and superiors to determine what will tangibly be given or done. At some point, words will become actions and the work will begin. When that time comes, an online update will be given on Veronica's House.

Meanwhile, on behalf of Veronica and her children, we thank the following individuals and organisations for their involvement thus far.

(From 'Invisible'): "She's not the first and she won't be the last ..."

THANK YOU
(In first-name-alphabetical order):

Angela Lee Loy
Ann Duncan
Barry 'Tiger Woods' Eligon
Camille King
Charisse Cardenas
D. Coord
Emmanuel Alleyne
Everyone who wrote Dreams
Gayelle
Glenford Bhagat and Afford Office Line
Greenlight Network
Hakeeb and Joanne Nandalal
Hyacinth Cross
Janine Mendes-Franco
Joanne Allong-Haynes
Kathryn Duncan
Kikipotamus
Kim Kranich
Mala Morton-Gittens
Mark JH Franco
Martin O'Brien
Mike Gutowski
Mrs. Sharma
Mrs. Sloane-Seale
NACC
Nalini Sharma
Nikola Lashley
Nisha Ojar
Nurse Reverly Downes
O'Leo Lokai
Priya Ganess-Nanton
Public donators
Brahma Kumaris/Raj Yoga Centre
Richard Defreitas
Sean Lennard
Sheldon Holder
Tanya Barnes
The Divine
The Trinidad Express/CCN TV6
The women of the Interclub
TTCRC
W.O.U.P.
Wendy Bhagwansingh
YMCA

If there is anyone whose name is not on this list but who has contributed in any way thus far to the Veronica's House initiative, the omission is not intentional. Please consider yourself thanked.

Sincerely,
Elspeth (TT)
Katie (TO)

Yesterday at the Raj Yoga Centre

Yesterday there was a screening of 'Invisible' at the Raj Yoga Centre in St. Augustine. All efforts to get a projector fell through (I think I need to buy my own) ... so I ended up using a TV, which served the purpose and, at the end of the day, was easier to set up and operate.
A scene from 'Invisible' where Veronica gives her daughter her medication: "She doesn't know that she is HIV positive. All she knows is that she has to take her medication ..." The full 'Invisible' video can be viewed on Trinidad Express TV (online for a few more days, so share the link with friends and associates at home and abroad). Simply click on "Click to view web news" to view.
Those present wrote their dreams and slipped them into the Dream House window lamp at various points throughout the evening. In this photo, Nisha (who was at the launch last Friday and wrote a dream there) got busy writing several more!
Hyacinth Cross, the head 'mummy' at Cyril Ross Nursery, returns to her seat after placing her dream into the Dream House window lamp.
Little call cards with the account number for anyone who wants to make donations to Veronica's House.
Backview of section of the intimate audience of about 25 people ... as they listen to a short talk on HIV/AIDS (definition and other details) given by Nurse Reverly Downes of the QPCC.
Those in attendance included representatives of NGOs and other organisations (invited specifically to see how they could assist with Veronica's House), members of the public who were interested in seeing the film and one or two members of the Raj Yoga Centre, St. Augustine, who kindly gave their space as a venue for the screening. A very worthwhile evening for all.

Where do you think the Dream House should go next? Somewhere indoors, preferably somewhere that lots of people go (but not a bar, in case people spill drinks, etc on it), somewhere that's not too bright - in order for its glow to be evident. Any ideas/suggestions?

This weekend: See the film 'Invisible' on Trinidad Express TV

One of the illustrations from 'Invisible', used to illustrate bits of Veronica's story as their faces could not be shown.
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To see the whole 'Invisible' video, please visit http://www.trinidadexpress.com/ and click on the screen at the top of the page that says "Click to view web news". It will be running until Sunday, so don't miss your chance to see it.

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Below is a letter I received this evening from Robert Cordner, based in Botswana, after his viewing of 'Invisible' on Trinidad Express TV. (Letter published here with his permission):

I have been privileged to have seen your production on the Trinidad Express website and was moved by this woman’s bravery as well as disgusted that as Trinidad & Tobago citizens we have lost the ability to be empathic about HIV / AIDS in 2008. We have a national vision 2020 which has within it components of what banto people call BOTHO, meaning humanity. If we can fire a woman because of her status and prevent her kids from being educated because of their status, then something is really wrong with our society, and I can now understand why so many social ills exist.

I currently live and work in Botswana , Southern Africa , a country that at one time had the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence in the world. I have lost more friend and acquaintances in the last 10 years in Botswana than I have in a whole life time at home in Trinidad . I have friends that are HIV positive and have known orphans to the disease.

I think that your efforts are in the right direction and will make an attempt to contribute to Veronica’s house. Should you need any information what so ever in terms of program management for HIV / AIDS related intervention strategies, please feel free to contact me.

Regards

Robert Cordner

Link to 'Invisible' video online (so you can see it)

If you would like to see the 'Invisible' video online, please visit http://www.trinidadexpress.com/ and click on the screen that says "Click to view web news". There you will see the video.

Trinidad Express TV came to the screening on Friday and, after being moved by Veronica's story, they have been offering a lot of support. One of the things which they kindly offered to do is put the video online (I think it is up until Sunday).

Many people have been moved by this cause and many have come forward with offers of assistance (financial and otherwise). What started off as Katie and I working on a video and then highlighting the cause that arose from it is daily blossoming into something which will benefit so many lives - not only those of Veronica and her children. It is also exposing people who are kind, caring, helpful and giving. It is showing a world of hope and love rather than a world of despair.

Thank you on behalf of all involved. (Names will be listed in time).

Screening and Dreaming (an invitation)

DREAMING

Great news for those of you who missed Friday night's Dream House launch and would like the opportunity to place your dream(s) into the lamp. The Dream House window lamp has moved from Alice Yard and is currently at the Raj Yoga Centre, lower St. John Road, St. Augustine. Feel free to go there at any time of the day or early evening and, once someone is present to open the door for you, please enter. There is a peaceful vibe inside. Spend some quiet time feeling out what you want to say, write your dream and slip it in to the Dream House. (Remember, when the real house is built, our dreams will be placed in a time capsule and buried in the forest, with a tree planted over them).

SCREENING

For those of you who missed the world premiere of the film, 'Invisible', this is an open invitation for you to attend a small but special screening this Sunday at the Raj Yoga Centre. If interested in attending, please contact me by phone (786-2539) by the close of today. I would like to confirm numbers to ensure adequate seating and refreshments.

'Invisible' screening
Date: Sunday 24 February 2008
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Venue: Raj Yoga Centre, lower St. John Road, St. Augustine
Admission: Free

The screening will be followed by a discussion and progress update on 'Veronica's House' and a discussion on the situation in TT involving children living with HIV/AIDS. Audience participation will be encouraged.