Author Archives: Clinton Bergsma

We climb the hill, and pass a goat hanging in a tree.  My occipital lobe (somewhere in the back of my head) tells me goats shouldn’t be this acrobatic.  We greet the two butchers and their 5-year-old apprentices; this is … Continue reading →

It’s a well-entrenched tradition now.  There’s a small bottle of whiskey, a handshake, enquiries about one another’s family, and an agreement to share dinner together that night.  He’s Pak Rozali, Director of TLM, the micro-finance organisation I work with in … Continue reading →

I started some studies this year in community development, and am currently researching an assignment on ‘the potential contribution of lament in community development.’  It’s raining outside, perhaps a little inside too, and this emerged in the mix:   As … Continue reading →

I cast a quick eye over her.  She’s heavily pregnant and deeply worried.  Her eldest, three days out from his fourth birthday, has a fever, and seems sullen, lethargic.  It’s a warm day, like any here; humid, 30-something.  I put … Continue reading →

He rambles.  Be warned. It’s like they’ve joined forces against us; the sun searching out any uncovered skin so it might leave it’s searing mark; the road attempting to untie ligaments through bone jarring and rattling whatever it can; the … Continue reading →

A few days in the life of a wannabe community development practitioner…   Day 1: There’s an excitement in the air as the community huddles around the pump, newly made by a local welder in the city. A few of … Continue reading →

Three potential journal entries from this past week in Eastern Sumba: Monday 24th Feb. 2014 Its 4pm; coffee time.  The rain has been and gone, washed everything clean.  We sit and talk about all sorts: raising kids, hydrams, favourite foods, organisational … Continue reading →