This is probably not the advised method of moving archives around a town; but we have too much paper and we’re trying to resort 2000 files from Equatoria Province in a small house with no air con. Give us a break.
But at least I’ve managed to recruit a large number of interested archaeology/history students from Juba University! Marlene, our indefatigable, classy and highly organised visiting South Sudanese student doing an MA at Makerere, organised a field trip today to the tent, where nearly 20 well-dressed students got down and dirty trying to sort loose paper into something resembling safely bundled piles ready for transfer to a less, well, horrible place.
And early next week I’m giving a talk on the archives project at Juba University, mostly to the History students, and also taking the Catholic University students on a tour of Munuki’s archive collection. Basically the thing that will save the archives in the long term is sustained local pressure and interest; in my last six weeks working on the archives, this is what I’m going to try to start up.
Last six weeks working on the Archive, Nicki? Beg to differ, but think you and Sarah are in this for life….! Great stuff, looks really good.