Chris' Blog - 26th & 27th April

The Trip – 26-27 April

After a small meeting (and a long night) of wonderful fellowship and food, with the Rotarians at Tete the night before we bid farewell to Tete and off to Chimoio. The Rotarians form Tete dropped us off at the provincial boarder (about 130km) at a town called Changara and we met our new hosts. It was then off into a tight fit in a van with Nela and the president of the club. With another 300+ kms to travel, we discovered why Mozambiquen's say the roads are bad. Over 4.5 hours later we arrive in Chimoio.

We are all being hosted by Nela and Joao in their house and guest house. We then share dinner with a get together of members and friends.

Sunday starts with Greg, Fran, Jodie and I going to church. While it is Catholic, and it is all conduced in Portuguese, it is a fantastic experience, with the beautiful singing and the service. At one stage, following the collection, members of the congregation brought in foodstuffs, including eggs, bananas, fruit, other items and a live chicken. Amazing.

After that we visit some of the projects of the local club, including furniture building (tables, chairs and beds) a donation a living kit to a pair of teenage orphans that have their own hut. (Their parents left them with two functional huts and one that needed work. The one needing work has been cleaned up inside and had a new roof attached (a piece of plastic with straw over the top). With the other two huts they have the other filled with other relatives that are orphans and the third rented to pay for some of the fees of another brother who is a uni. (the rent a grand total of 100 met a month (about $4)).

For lunch we visit a local orphanage that is run by the Catholic Church and supported by the local interact club. This is one of the best orphanages that I have seen in my travels in developing countries. The grow food to sell, have a well equipped (by Mozambiquen standards) school. (with Celron computers!!). Most of these facilities have been donated through links with the church or Rotary. They are about to expand from 22 residents to 128 with their new facilities. Unfortunately, some of the food aid they have been receiving through food aid is about to be cut. I think it is a case that the place is going too well. So much for supporting those that help themselves.

After that we go off to a farm (about 50km+ away). The farmers are two Australians!! And a former Zimbabwe farmer, and is about 20km form the Zim border. It is interesting to see the number of zim plated cars, and English signs increasing. But no we turn off before the border.

Peter, one of the farmers is from WA and he and his partners have tried grow a range of crops, tea, tobacco etc. Their latest try is Banana’s for the SA market. It is interesting hearing about their difficulties and support (or lack of at times) from the government.

After this, it is a long drive back (and driving on Mozambiquen roads at night is interesting) to dinner at a restaurant with members of the club. A great day.

Cheers Chris