Today began with an early start for Gerald, Alex and Sam. David woke them up with a cup of tea and they set off to film the sunrise. Sam has filmed some challenging links for Stephen to pick up when he goes to the Global Health Conference in Washington at the end of next week. We are filming a package for that conference plus links that make it look as though Sam is here in Africa at the same time that Stephen is on the ground in the States – the wonders of television!

There are so many stories to tell that we could make a complete documentary. After breakfast, we packed up, said farewell to Roni and Jesse, then headed off to Illinge’s Multi-Purpose Hall, about 30 mins from Bholotwa. This community space is today home to a travelling healthcare facility – the Health Train. It is brought here by two organisations, the Small Projects Foundation and Phelophepa, which means ‘good, clean health’. Both bring healthcare to areas where it is not readily available. The Health Train comes to Illinge once a year. Today, the train had to stop in Queenstown and make the last part of the journey by road. It was as if the circus had come to town!

There were tents for eye tests, general medicine, dentists, HIV testing and counseling, gardening, nutrition, a pharmacy and one massive marquee where there were presentations all day about HIV/Aids and remembrances for Candlelight. We met Dr Paul Cromhout, the inspiring South African behind this initiative. Usually the people of Illinge would have to travel to Queenstown to see a doctor, some 30 km away. Of course they don’t go, because the choice is often between taxi fare or feeding the family. Medicines, which are supposed to be free are sometimes prescribed by healthcare workers who use their position to make a little extra themselves.

Sam interviewed Paul, walking through the crowd. As they progressed, they attracted growing attention. Both adults and children crowded round to see what all the fuss was about! Lots of the children (and the CCW) that we met yesterday came up for a hug, which was lovely. The queues to see the medical specialists grew by the minute. It was first come, first served and if anyone hears me complaining about the NHS again – shoot me!

We finally persuaded Monica and Heidi to be interviewed. So, back to the project house for a little peace and quiet. Heidi was really shy and I was worried that we were spoiling her birthday. But they are doing such fantastic work here, we should all be shouting about it!!

Sadly it was time to go. We said our farewells and look forward to welcoming Heidi and Monica in London this autumn. We managed to find our way back onto the right road this time. An uneventful journey except for Gerald having to do a little financial management for Ciaran on a layby in the middle of nowhere. Arriving at our B&B, we thought longingly of our lovely retreat at Bholotwa – no comparison (the only thing in this place’s favour was the warm running water).

An early start in the morning as we leave for Malawi, so off to bed.

Day 3, or what we prefer to call singing and dancing day! After a goodnights’ sleep, although slightly fitful on my part thanks to the snake episode, we grabbed breakfast and all set off to Ilinge which we first visited yesterday morning. The team consisted of Monika and Heidi, David and websedgetv. Liz briefly mentioned H+M before, but I think we have all been touched by these amazing ladies. They have come to an area where AIDS is rife and have built up 3 centres, helped over 30 Community Workers (CCW) get trained and touched the lives of hundreds of children. What these 2 modest and unassuming women have achieved in the face of a seemingly huge and daunting task is truly inspiring.

We arrived at the Ilinge Isibindi project, where many of the CCW were waiting for us, although we were ahead of quite a few of them…..African time! They had come in their traditional clothes for us, which are the kind of clothes they would still wear for big occasions. We were treated to a wonderful array of traditional singing and dancing! Not only do they have great voices and rhythm, but they seem to sing as an ensemble effortlessly a good analogy for the way their work together. Alex filmed a lot of the music, and Gerald has unearthed a new vocation as a sound man. The CCW’s got the hang of the filming very quickly-even offering to do entire songs again for the benefit of cut aways! In the afternoon Alex played back some of the mornings filming for the CCWs a ‘very raucous affair’ apparently.

Then suddenly out of nowhere we were swamped with 150 children, singing and dancing of course and also playing. Gerald wasted no time joining in the netball, a definite Wing Attack in the making. Meanwhile Alex and camera proved to be a massive attraction. Alex reports he has found himself a replacement should he ever need one. Other children were delighted by Liz’s camera, they had an amazing time taking photos of themselves………she has just downloaded 351 photos.

Amidst all the ebullience we all had a sharp reminder of the reality of these children’s lives. One young boy who was orphaned a while ago arrived and Monica pointed out that the bed bound grandmother who they had been living with and caring for them had died this week. Leaving this boy and his elder brother of 16 years old alone. This is what is known as a Child Headed Household and is sadly an all too frequent occurrence. After more games and singing the children went home and we took our leave, it has been a wonderful day and the smiles and the attitudes of the children will stay with us all for a very long time.

I’m aware I have already gone on for far too long but I must quickly mention 2 other fascinating gentlemen we met today: Reverend Jesse Sage who was here at the beginning of this project and helped rebuild the retreat we are staying in. He has led an amazing life and as an English vicar was deported from South Africa during apartheid, he has seen the success and growth of the Isibindi project. As has Rev Lisa Nsokuma, who has lived and worked in the area for many years, both were full of praise for the projects, the CCW’s and above all for H+M.

We’ve just finished a special dinner for Heidi’s birthday, we cooked something special and original……a Brai again, every night we seem to have more and more food! Finally we have been inspired by the singing and we are hoping to come back with a special websedge song, Alex has retired early to work on his composition. We’re planning to get up for a sunrise walk so we’re calling it a day on what has been an incredible day……until tomorrow.

Later in the day we visited Ezibelini. This is the township for Queenstown.

The children had arrived for their after school care. They play games, sing songs and have a chance to talk to their CCW about any problems. Unlike Illinge, these children are not necessarilly orphans. Many were brought to the safepark having been found playing on the local dump sometimes with dead animals. The children put on the most wonderful dance and singing show. The highlight was the Gumboots dance, which was a traditional miners dance in wellies.

At the end of the day, we returned to the safe haven in Bholotwa to great excitement. Confirming Sam’s worst fears….Roni had discovered a poisonous adder crawling across the grass to where David had been reading. Fortunately it was now hanging on the fence after a sharp pop on the head. Gerald cooked it. Evidence below…

Where it all ends and it all begins - the graveyard. It stretches as far as the eye can see. And the graves are freshly dug earth. Mostly the graves bear birthdates in the 1970’s onwards. A whole generation is missing in this place. It is where the families come to grieve, to remember and to celebrate. The Xhosa way elevates death and reveres ancestors. But it is also a place of tragedy. The most visible sign of the terrible cost of HIV/Aids on these people.Illinge was a product of Aparthied. Political ‘troublemakers’ were uprooted from their homes, dumped on this land behind a mountain and forgotten. Now with 60 per cent unemployment, massive social problems and HIV/Aids, the Isibindi projects is a little oasis in the midst of this community.

From the graveyards, which are in the middle of the community, Heidi and Monika took us to the building where the project is based. A low, unassuming building that only stands out from the shacks around because of the brighly coloured play equipment and the white painted bricks that flank the little gardens.

As soon as we arrived, we were serenaded by about 15 women and three men with lively Xhosa songs. After introductions and Xhosa handshakes we followed then in to hear about their work. These are the childcare workers (CCW), selected from the community to work with the orphans of the HiV/Aids pandemic. It would be so easy to become completely overwhelmed by the exent of the problem or to throw quick money for quick solutions. But the Isibindi model works from the inside out, empowering the community to help itself.

Heidi and Monika arrived three years ago and are already recognising that their work here will have an end, when the childcare workers are qualified and leaders have been identified to carry on the work.Each of the men and women had their own harrowing stories to tell both from their case studies and from their own families. The support they give one another was tangible. These are women who would have no other destiny other than to be left at home, caring for extended families, in abject poverty often with absent or abusing partners. With the qualifications they will receive, they have futures and touch the lives of many around them as inspirations that there is hope of a better life and that change is possible.

Next, two of the workers took us on two house visits. First to a breeze block shack - recently built by the government with running water - except there is no water (it has to be carried in buckets from a distance away). The house was 3 rooms, in total about 4 times as big as the office kitchen. This houses 8 people. Children move in as parents die to be cared for by extended families. One two year old boy here had been sent down from Johannesburg but the grant that comes with him hadn’t caught up yet. Apparently families often argue for these children because of the grant that comes - a tiny, tiny amount of money.There was nothing in this house but it was absolutely spotless. The CCW visits this family daily to get the children dressed for school. They help with the whole business of life - applying for grants, hospital visits, sorting out complex family entanglements, even accompanying members to hospital and being with them when they die. Just as we were leaving, a girl came back from school carrying a loaf of bread that she had been given at school because the family has nothing to eat. There is no-one in this family able to earn anything.

Our next visit was to a girl of maybe 15 who was looking after her 9 month old disabled baby. Her CCW had helped her arrange physio and all the other stuff that babies need. Alex was very impressed and learnt a thing or two! Back to the centre and a quick game of football with the balls that we brought.

More experiences to come….

Day 1 of our visit to this beautiful land. We arrived this morning after an 11hr flight into Joburg. First scary moment was nearly missing our connecting flight due to missing tripod flight case. Undetered by keen porters, Alex and Sam guided the trolley up the escalator and we made our flight to East London. It’s on the east coast of South Africa about half way down.

Second scary moment… We managed to miss the right road and took a 100km detour past the most dangerous school in the country (we later found out).

We are staying in a township called Bholotwa in an old missionary building, which was derelict for years. Now the most wonderful place. Basic and beautiful. The water is running low, we eat by candlelight because the generator keeps the neighbours awake and we cook for ourselves. Life is ruled by the sun here. We were warmly welcomed by Heidi and Monika, two amazing women, of whom more, later and David who is also over here from the UK, Roni the housekeeper and her rather flea ridden dog who has a great smile. Gerald and Alex were soon into the swing of things collecting wood for the brai. Gerald has been freaking Sam out with tales of poisonous snakes and scorpions…..

The house is surrounded by mountains and our distant neighbours live in the shacks in Bholotwa. As the sun went down, the stars came out. We located the Southern Cross and the view of the Milky Way was incredible. So our first impressions are of the deafening silence and the darkness.

Tomorrow we are visiting Illinge, site of the first Isibindi project in the area.

View of Bholotwa:

May is really hotting up for all of us at WebsEdge. We started off with our local government employee of the year awards. The aim here is to find those council workers who go over and above the call of duty in delivering excellent services. We’ve gone round the country making videos of the 41 finalists and now it’s down to the public vote. View the finalists videos on www.localgovernmentchannel.com.

And you know, something extraordinary has happened. On the first day we had over 5,000 votes and we expect over a quarter of a million before this thing ends. And this is in a field where apathy normally reigns. Local Government the world over has a poor reputation and people often don’t bother to vote in local elections. But if you make the stories real – and about people – voters engage.

We also started a new television service for secondary school teachers. Again, this was very well received. It seems examples of best practice, when told well, are really interesting to professionals. View the videos on www.nahttv.com.

And a bunch of us have spent the last week in Detroit. We’ve been looking at the whole issue of regeneration and how we can bring our inner cities to life. What have we found? That whilst regeneration means billions of pounds are spent on new buildings it only really happens when it extends to peoples lives. And again, it’s those people stories which really count. View the stories on regenerating brownfiled areas at www.icmatv.com.

Most exciting of all four of our colleagues are setting off for South Africa this weekend. They have a couple of jobs to do. We’re covering a major international event in Malawi. But we’re also stopping by our friends in Illinge in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. We’re really excited about that and can’t wait to see how they’re getting on.

So it’s quite a month and we’re not halfway through yet! But what ties all these activities together? You know it’s interesting. These events are global. But in each case we’re talking about community engagement and what makes a difference in people’s lives. And we’re just delighted to be able to play a small role in all of that.

So what’s caught my eye this week here at WebsEdge? Well it’s interesting. The headlines are full of news of the iPlayer and the iPhone. And as regular readers will know I’m a great fan of both devices.

But what’s really grabbed my attention is the work that’s being done to help communities engage using on-line video. More often than not it’s actually practical applications that are making a difference. Let me give you some examples.

We’re currently working on an initiative with Norfolk, Virginia to let job applicants get more of a feel for both the city and the job specification through the use of on-line video. Straightforward enough you might think. But it’s actually making a real difference to their recruitment. They’re finding it much easier to get people to relocate after watching the video.

Another is the work we’re doing with the International City Managers Association based in Washington DC. We’re helping them run a simple competition where young people can upload their own videos and have people vote on them. Again, nothing too complicated but it facilitates two way communications and lets people feel a part of things.

And I think this is the way things will develop. There’s a great demand for top quality content delivered on-line – be in Doctor Who or CNN’s Doctor Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Literally millions of people a month are consuming television in this way. And running alongside that you’ll see lots of different communities coming together in a very 21st century way through the growth of on-line video.

You’ll be pleased to know that family meltdown was narrowly avoided in our house this weekend. It was the much-awaited launch of the new Doctor Who series. And despite the best of plans we managed to miss the start of the programme. But thanks to the BBC’s iplayer all was not lost and our children won’t have missed any of the gory details.

And they’re not alone. According to the statistics around 500, 000 people are accessing content in this way. There’s other research too. A recent report from the Convergence Consulting Group states that one in ten traditional TV viewers look to the web for video content - and that in a few years one in four will be watching programmes on the web.

But it isn’t all plain sailing is it? At the same time some of the sparkle seems to have gone out of the on-line video business model. Millions of venture capital dollars have gone in but profits are thin on the ground. Recent rumours have it that even market leader Joost is starting to struggle.

So what’s going on? It’s clear that there is a very strong consumer driven demand for on-line video. And people want to watch high quality programming too. But the catch is that they might not be willing to pay for it. So where’s the business model to support on-line video?

Most pundits say it will come through advertising and we just need to wait while this catches up. But I don’t think so. We’re seeing a totally new medium here and it won’t be supported in this way. So we need a new plan.

And I think we’re starting to see it. People will pay for content that actually adds value – take for example the success of programming on the new iphone. And organisations will pay to do the same.

Look at our work with the AAC&U (the Association of American Colleges and Universities), which provides a variety of videos on US higher education.  This type of content would, once upon a time, be reserved for news programmes, or to be shown during conventions and meetings.  But the professionally produced content as online video allows it to be watched by anyone at anytime.  I’m proud to say that the production quality is good enough to be on traditional television, or hosted on a website.  Check it out for yourself here.

What’s a web based tv channel look like? Perhaps that’s a pretty strange question coming from me. But I’m concerned that we’re getting so caught up in the jargon (IPTV, video on demand, broadband tv, and so on) that we’re losing sight of what’s really happening here.

The reality is that people are now flocking to the web to watch video. The figures are quite staggering. Let me give you an example: during February’s Super Tuesday US electoral campaign coverage CNN.com boasted 8.3 million unique viewers watching a total of 86.2 million minutes of online video. And we all know about the 11 million streams from the BBC’s iplayer in January.

What’s more all this is actually changing behaviour. A recent informal survey which investigated how North Carolina students at Fayetteville State University, Methodist University and UNC-Pembroke obtained their news on the US presidential campaign, revealed that forty-six percent turn to the internet as their main news source, while 41 percent prefer television. Not one student claimed to rely on print editions of newspapers as a first source.

All this is ironic because newspapers started producing credible online versions in the 1990’s and that process is now accelerating as readership declines. Online publishers nationally and regionally have been revamping their websites to include video and audio to consumer demand. Publishers have adopted a broadcast model by effectively turning online readers into viewers by delivering on-demand over dedicated video channels.

So there are now plenty of video content providers matched by an array of technology. You can watch your episode of the hit show Damages on digital TV, through an IPTV set top box, on your PC or even downloaded through iTunes on to your iPod. And I guess that’s the point. The demand is massive and it doesn’t really matter how you access content or even who you get it from. All that matters for broadcasters of all shapes and sizes is that you stay relevant to your audiences and that you have the correct economic model to thrive in this new environment. 

However you look at it the revolution is happening! We’re seeing amazing numbers of people tuning in to watch their television on-line.

The figures around the US Presidential elections are truly amazing. Just look at the viewing figures for Super Tuesday. CNN’s video portal provided 2.7 million video streams along with 600,000 live feeds of the election day. Similarly, to date, MTV’s sites ChooseorLose.com and MTVNews.com had their busiest days for online video.

Where is this all coming from? I see two large factors influencing the increased online viewership this year: first and foremost is the updated technology has allowed more simultaneous viewers to watch smooth streams. Secondly, I think people are finding video online for their search for relevant content.

This is an incredibly tight presidential nomination race which has an impressive amount of the US public attached to it. A large portion of the voters are tuning in to follow the overall campaign coverage and specifically to hone in on their top candidate. Ultimately, this is where standard TV fails and IPTV succeeds- traditional TV is designed for everyone, catering to the interests of all the public where as online video is specific and tailored to a specific audience.

Online video allows viewers a more personal look at topics and content that addresses their targeted interests. If you are watching a single channel on traditional TV you are stuck with the topic the channel is covering at that moment. If you want more information on a subject the process to go about getting more information can be cumbersome and there is no telling if you will get it.

With the uptake in adoption to online video, everything changes. Your viewing habits become more targeted, you can engage with the subjects being discussed and ultimately - you select videos to watch about specific topics (or regions, in the case of the primary elections) that are relevant to you. If you want more on a topic, many sites provide the option to view similar videos.

We are at a major turning point regarding online video and the 2008 election will play a large role in influence and shaping the way we utilize online video. The rules and methods of broadcasting are changing with online video and viewer’s want to share their thoughts and ask questions about what they are viewing but more importantly they want answers too — the 2008 election will continue to serve as a great example of how this new medium of viewing content is evolving the way we communicate not only a government level, but with the communities we build on shared topics of interest.