Jesse Samba Wheeler on fieldtrip to Malawi
In March 2009 I traveled to Embangweni, Malawi, where I acted as photographer, sound recorder/designer, and 2nd camera on the production of a documentary about health care and community. I had been invited to take pictures of birth practices for A Midwife’s Guide, a manual for midwives in Malawi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, so while there Salome Chasnoff (Beyondmedia Education -- www.beyondmedia.org) and I took advantage of our access to the inner workings of Embangweni Hospital to investigate how the interface of community practices and international aid is inscribed on and in the bodies of those reliant on the Hospital for health care. Embangweni Hospital serves over 100,000 people with one doctor. The working title of the documentary is Delivering Malawi. We plan to return in March to gather additional footage and record more music. It is hoped that the film will be ready for release in summer 2010. While there I met the members of the Sinda Jazz Band who make their own instruments on which they play acoustic dance music and sing topical songs about health, family, religion, poverty and more. We filmed them performing in their village and the documentary will feature some of their music. I am beginning conversations with a record label about producing a CD or DVD.