more questions than answers

We've had some intriguing interviews the past two weeks.

Our team has spoken with Orthodox priests who give out holy water that historically has healed people of disease. We had a great conversation with the head of PEPFAR under USAID for Ethiopia. We've talked with numerous families that have successfully relocated from Entoto Mountain. We've witnessed the holy water ceremony that involves stripping naked, huddling together and being sprayed with water blessed by a priest.

The aim has always been to tell the story of the people living on Entoto Mountain, a place with historical significance and modern travails, becoming a sanctuary or more appropriately a "leper" colony for HIV infected outcasts. It's a microcosm of the human struggle to meet and assess the needs of those completely marginalized by society, including significant health and economic risks. All the major players are present: the church, the NGOs, USAID, the government and of course the people themselves.

We've not discovered answers as much as we've encountered more questions. That's appropriate, we believe, as the aim has never been to persuade but rather inform and allow the audience to discuss and ruminate for themselves.

I'm not sure what will be produced, but the process has been life-changing.