Chris' Blog 28th & 29th April

The trip 28 – 29 April – Chris

Monday was one of the busiest days we have had. We start the day off after a hearty breakfast, at eh local provincial Nursery school. It is an orphanage that is supported by the local club. While we are there we plant some orange trees. The school is teaching the orphans skills that they will be able to use, which in this case is agriculture. At the school they grow Maize, mangos and other fruit and vegetables. The produce is then used to supplement the food that is purchased or donated to the school.

We then visit the sleeping quarters and some of the facilities. The nun that runs it has some plans to expand what they produce to fish.

Following this it is off to a project that the club started off with a micro credit loan (to initially purchase a sewing machine and materials. This group (10 at the moment) in Mabassa make shoes (thongs / flip flops depending where you are from) from old car tyres and old leather clothes. Between the 10 of them they make and distribute 17 pairs a day which they sell for about US$2.50 each. Production costs are US$1.25, so half of every pair are the proceeds that can be distributed. The production group are now all going to school, and with their determination have set up small class for the local children to learn, which stops them causing mischief and being open to predators). The most interesting thing with this group is that many of the production group does not have legs… For me to date this is one of the best programs that I have seen. All for an initial cast of about US$15, which has been paid back!!!!

After this we visit the local medial college. It prepares people for careers as nurses, and other roles in hospitals and clinics with a 2 year program. If any of the students decide to go on to become doctors it is another 7 years!!

We then visit the local Agriculture Poly (ISPM) where we make our presentation to the club and about 100 students. After an initial quiet spot when we open to questions we are over run and take up a good 70-80 minutes with the students. After that it is off to another village school to look at some of the architecture built by the villages. The village has built the buildings, however due to some lack of expertise, it is expected that the buildings here will need to be rebuilt in 10 years.

We then fly home for lunch (3.30pm) and then the team goes for a walk and some shopping. On our return we have a farewell dinner with the club and some of the members of the Rotoract club.

Tuesday

Up and left Chimoio by 5.30am (in the mini bus). Transfer the Tete members at 10am at Changara. Tete at 11.30am, Lunch in the Car and off to our border crossing at 3pm. After waiting in No man’s land for an hour, we cross the border after meeting the GSE team from D7010 Canada. Then of to Lilongwe, where we arrive at 5.30pm, home to our hosts and we present to the RC of Lilongwe at a meeting at 7pm. Top effort team!!! 700+km across some shocking roads.