The Oludalo Engine: Gather the Circle

Welcome, planner. The Circle awaits. Will you gather it? This is no ordinary reunion. It is a remembering. A weaving. A summoning of presence —past, present, and possible. Each task you complete gathers not just people, but stories. Each choice echoes across time. Each name you call, each hand you extend, redraws the Circle. Now the flame is yours to tend. 🌳 When you are ready, step forward._ (set: $budget to 5000) You are the planner of the family reunion. Do you: [[Ask Auntie Kuku to help with food]] [[Start a WhatsApp group for updates]]

Auntie Kuku says yes — but only if there’s a goat. Do you: [[Buy the goat now]] [[Ask Uncle Eetoo to contribute]]

The group is live! Cousin Nawa asks about transport. Do you: [[Book a minibus]] [[Let each family arrange their own transport]] :: WhatsApp Group You create a WhatsApp group. **Title:** *The Circle: Oshike She Tu Eta* One by one, names trickle in. Some send 👋🏽. Some ask “What is this for?” You reply with love and clarity. → [[Create the Shared cloud drive containing Docs, Sheets and forms]]

(set: $budget to $budget - 900) You buy a goat for N$900. Auntie Kuku is very happy. Current budget: $budget [[Continue]]

(set: $budget to $budget + 600) Uncle Eetoo pledges N$600 toward the food budget. Current budget: $budget [[Continue]]

(set: $budget to $budget - 1200) You book a 16-seater minibus. Transport secured. Current budget: $budget [[Continue]]

Some families are fine. Others are confused and start calling you. You lose time dealing with logistics. [[Call a last-minute meeting]] [[Let them figure it out]]

The goat is secured. Now Auntie Kuku wants help preparing the food. Do you: [[Ask Cousin Pewa to help cook]] [[Hire a caterer (costs N$1500)]]

You call a last-minute meeting on Zoom. About half the families join. Some offer to help coordinate taxis. Others are still confused. (set: $budget to $budget - 200) You buy data for Auntie Pewa to join. It helps. Current budget: $budget [[Create a shared Google Sheet for logistics]] [[Ask Cousin Tom to call each family]]

You stay quiet. On the day of the reunion, 3 families arrive late, one misses entirely. Uncle says this would never happen in the old days. (set: $budget to $budget - 0) [[Play Again]]

Your reunion was a success! You ended with N$ $budget left. Families shared meals, laughs, and stories. Auntie Kuku says it reminded her of the old days. Thank you, planner. [[Play Again]]

Your family reunion was a success. Memories were made. Voices were heard. You helped build something real. Play Again--->[[You are the planner of the family reunion.]]

:: Create the Shared Sheet A Google Sheet is born. Tabs for pledges, tasks, costs. A digital ledger of intentions. → [[Try Again]]

Cousin Tom says yes. He calls all the families and sorts out transport. Everyone is now on board. (set: $budget to $budget - 100) You buy him a Coke to say thanks. Current budget: $budget [[Prepare the program]]

You type out a full agenda for the day: 1. Welcome 2. Storytime with elders 3. Children’s performance 4. Lunch 5. Music + Photos Everyone is excited. (set: $budget to $budget - 50) You print 10 copies at the internet café. Current budget: $budget [[Family Reunion Day]]

It’s a beautiful day. The goat is ready. The families are present. The program flows. You are called forward to thank you. (set: $budget to $budget) You end with N$ $budget left. You have sent out the final excel sheet. 🎉 Reunion score: 10/10 🎉 [[Play Again]]

:: Create the Shared Cloud Drive Containing Docs, Sheets and Forms Your uncle volunteers to take charge of logistics. You know this means you’ll need a centralized place to collaborate. You open your browser and: - 🗂 Create a new **Google Drive** folder titled “Oludalo Planning 2025” - 📝 Add a Google Doc: “Master Plan” – to collect ideas, notes, quotes from elders - 📊 Add a Google Sheet: “Budget & Contributions” – members input what they can offer (cash, goats, transport, catering) - 📆 Add a Google Form: “Event Preferences Survey” – members can vote on dates, preferred venues, food, and more You grant **editor access** to core planners. Everyone else gets **viewer access**. > “The elders must be able to read the plan on their phones.” > —Your cousin, holding up their cracked screen. You post the link to the WhatsApp group. Reactions flood in: 🔥🔥🔥 Do you: - [[Schedule a Zoom Call to Align Roles]] - [[Ask Cousin Tuli to Design the Logo]] - [[Begin Collecting Stories from Elders]]

:: Try Again You reach out again. Not every cousin answers the first call. You ask with more softness, not less. → [[Assign a Storyteller]]

:: Assign a Storyteller Someone to tell the story of why, and why this moment in time. Someone must remember. You appoint a Storyteller. They archive quotes, record voice notes, capture laughter. → [[Circle of Seven]]

:: Circle of Seven You choose seven stewards: • Budget • Food • Transport • Elders • Youth • Ritual • Play Each holds a torch. → [[Print the Timeline]]

:: Print the Timeline You print a schedule. It goes on fridges and in chats. One rhythm, one dance. → [[Virtual Sit-Down]]

:: Virtual Sit-Down You schedule a call. Voices warm the line. Someone laughs too loud. It’s perfect. → [[Directory of Skills]]

:: Directory of Skills You start a list. Uncle knows a sound guy. Cousin codes websites. Auntie sews. Everyone contributes something. → [[Quiet Pledge]]

:: Quiet Pledge A form. Anonymous. Some give in silence. Some give everything. That too is love. → [[Prepare for Rain]]

:: Prepare for Rain You pack umbrellas. You prep backup meals. You leave room for things to go wrong—and still be beautiful. [[Play Again]]

:: Schedule a Zoom Call to Align Roles You send out a Doodle poll. Surprisingly, most cousins respond within minutes. > “Thursday 18h30 works for me.” You host the call. 11 participants show up — 3 with video off. Roles are proposed: - Cousin Naita = Transport & Travel - Uncle Eetoo = Catering - Auntie Kuku = Traditions & Elders - You = Coordinator The meeting ends with cheers. “Let’s make it unforgettable.” Do you: - [[Create a Shared Calendar with Milestones]] - [[Upload the Call Recording to the Cloud Drive]] - [[Start a Countdown Timer on the Website]]

:: Ask Cousin Tuli to Design the Logo You text Tuli: “Could you make us a logo?” > “Already halfway done!” she replies, sending 3 mockups. You hold a quick vote in the WhatsApp group. Logo 2 wins. Tuli offers to design: - T-shirts - A banner - Stickers for kids She says: “Let’s make it look like something future cousins will find and say, ‘Wow.’” Do you: - [[Send the Logo to the Printer]] - [[Use the Logo in the Event Invite Email]] - [[Ask Elders for a Family Motto]]

:: Begin Collecting Stories from Elders You sit with Uncle Kasha under the Omuve tree. He speaks slowly, with pauses like punctuation. > “We came from the water... but not just water. There was rhythm.” You record the stories: - A tale about the walking drum - How Auntie Meme fed 47 people with one goat - The wedding where 3 storms danced overhead You realize these stories need a place to live. Do you: - [[Create a Digital Archive Folder in the Cloud Drive]] - [[Invite a Cousin to Illustrate the Stories]] - [[Turn the Stories into a Mini-Performance at the Gathering]]

:: Create a Shared Calendar with Milestones You open Google Calendar and create "Oludalo: The Gathering." You add milestones: - Finalize guest list - Transport confirmation - Catering orders - Elder storytelling night - Cleanup day Reminders are set. People begin RSVPing through the links. Do you: - [[Print the Calendar as a PDF for Auntie Meme]] - [[Share the Calendar Link in the Family WhatsApp Group]]

:: Upload the Call Recording to the Cloud Drive You compress the Zoom file and upload it to the shared drive. The folder is named “Oludalo: Planning Meetings.” Minutes are also uploaded. You title them: “Circle 01: Roles & Rhythm.” Uncle Eetoo comments: “Watched again. Let’s add music next time.” Do you: - [[Create a Folder for Weekly Check-ins]] - [[Assign Cousin Aina as Archivist]]

:: Start a Countdown Timer on the Website You install a simple countdown widget on the homepage. Days Remaining: **41** Below it, a message fades in: > “The drums grow louder. Oludalo approaches.” Cousins screenshot it. “It’s real now,” one says. Do you: - [[Add a ‘Join the Circle’ button beside the Timer]] - [[Let visitors submit ideas for activities]]

:: Send the Logo to the Printer You email the final file to "Village Ink Press." Options selected: - 50 T-shirts - 3 cloth banners - 100 stickers Delivery estimated in 6 days. Printer writes: “Beautiful design. Looks like rhythm.” Do you: - [[Ask for Volunteers to Pack the Shirts]] - [[Include a T-shirt in Each Welcome Package]]

:: Use the Logo in the Event Invite Email You open Mailchimp. Add the new logo to the header. Subject line: “🎉 Oludalo Is Coming. Are You Ready?” CTA: “Tap here to confirm attendance. Let us know how you’ll contribute.” Click rate spikes. Do you: - [[Send Follow-Up Emails in Regional Languages]] - [[Create a ‘Meet the Organisers’ Page with Bios]]

:: Ask Elders for a Family Motto You visit Auntie Meme and Uncle Kasha. You ask: “If we could sum up our family in one line...?” They think. They sip tea. Then: > “Together, we walk. Even if the path is sand.” The WhatsApp group erupts in approval. Do you: - [[Add the Motto to the Logo]] - [[Include It on the Welcome Banner]]

:: Create a Digital Archive Folder in the Cloud Drive You open the drive. A new folder appears: **“Family Stories & Artifacts”** You upload: - Voice notes from elders - Hand-drawn family trees - Photos from the 1984 gathering Uncle Kasha’s story gets 11 emoji reactions. Do you: - [[Transcribe Audio Using AI Tools]] - [[Ask Youth to Interview Elders with Their Phones]]

:: Invite a Cousin to Illustrate the Stories You message Cousin Loide, the one who always drew in the margins. > “These stories need your touch.” Loide replies with a scanned sketch — Auntie Meme balancing a pot and a goat. Do you: - [[Feature Loide’s Art in the Welcome Brochure]] - [[Print a family Storybook for the Children]]

:: Turn the Stories into a Mini-Performance at the Gathering You gather 5 cousins. Together, you write short scenes from the elders’ tales. Rehearsals begin in someone’s garage. Roles: - Narrator: Auntie Meme’s youngest - Drummer: Borrowed from the school - Goat: Played by a very committed toddler Do you: - [[Ask for Costume Donations]] - [[Livestream the Performance for Absent Family]]

You export the calendar as a PDF and send it to Auntie Meme. She prints 3 copies—one for her fridge, one for her church friends, and one “just in case.” [[Share the Calendar Link in the Family WhatsApp Group]]

The link is live. People begin reacting with fire emojis and thumbs up. [[Create a Folder for Weekly Check-ins]]

You create a “Weekly Syncs” folder in the drive. Each week has a new note. Cousins start adding action points. [[Assign Cousin Aina as Archivist]]

Aina accepts. She uploads scanned posters, minutes, old event flyers, even the original WhatsApp voice notes. [[Add a ‘Join the Circle’ button beside the Timer]]

The timer is counting down. You add a button: “Join the Circle.” When clicked, it opens the sign-up form. [[Let visitors submit ideas for activities]]

You activate anonymous submissions. One cousin suggests “Drum and Dance Relay.” Another: “Oshiwambo Proverbs Challenge.” [[Ask for Costume Donations]]

You upload interviews from elders. The AI gets 90% right. You fix the rest with Aunt Meme's help. [[Ask Youth to Interview Elders with Their Phones]]

The youth are briefed. 5 elders are interviewed. Stories surface about migration, healing, and love. [[Send Follow-Up Emails in Regional Languages]]

You choose Loide’s digital painting of the riverbend. It lands on the cover. The elders tear up seeing it. [[Print a family Storybook for the Children]]

Pages filled with ancestor names, riddles, poems. Printed in full colour. You pack it into the welcome kits. [[Ask for Volunteers to Pack the Shirts]]

Auntie Meme donates 2 traditional shawls. Youth volunteers offer old school drama costumes. It’s happening. [[Feature Loide’s Art in the Welcome Brochure]]

You set up a phone on a tripod. The family circle is complete—even for those across oceans. [[Play Again]]

Cousins arrive with folding boards. A production line forms. The living room becomes a mini factory. [[Include a T-shirt in Each Welcome Package]]

Every welcome bag has one. Sizes mostly match. A cousin calls it “the softest shirt in years.” [[Transcribe Audio Using AI Tools]]

You send emails in English, Oshiwambo, Khoekhoegowab and Afrikaans. The responses are heartfelt. [[Create a ‘Meet the Organisers’ Page with Bios]]

Photos. Roles. Short bios. Family members finally know who’s been working behind the scenes. [[Add the Motto to the Logo]]

You open Canva. Add “We Gather. We Remember. We Rise.” It fits beautifully beneath the tree icon. [[Include It on the Welcome Banner]]

The banner is ready. Bold. Colourful. Hung over the entrance like a crown. [[Livestream the Performance for Absent Family]]