TICKET TO ZAMBIA!
11:27 pm
I bought my ticket to Zambia today. I leave Canada on April 6th. This trip is only for a month but it will be a very busy one.
Getting Ready To Go!
09:01 pm
It has been some time since I visited Zambia. Being sick restricts ones movements. But I am just waiting for the exact day that I will leave for Zambia. This trip will be very busy because it is only go to be for one month. I just want to make sure the body can handle it. The mind is ready and so is the body. There will be lots of meetings and a workshop in Lusaka for all the staff. I will present my how to book to them to make sure it is what they want. I will go to Livingstone for a week to start our new Environmental centre which will take a couple of years to complete. After that it will be a short trip to Mumbi Village in Petauke District. The crew has been handling things on their own so I feel confident that the trip is already a success.
CELL PHONES
04:01 am
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GOATS!
04:51 am
I have written many times about my love: hate relationship with goats. They destroy many seedlings that are planted out every year in our project. Villagers spend lots of time trying to protect their new trees, building thorn and pole fences around their trees.
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OK. That is my hate side now for the love side! When the young man comes to the back door with goat parts on the back of his bike just after dawn you make your selection. Usually a full shank, skinned but still lots of hair stuck to it and still warm. The brazier used for boiling water is usually still warm from making coffee so you cut your shank into eatable chunks put it in a large pot and parboil it for at least an hour. Let it cool and keep the flies off it until supper time. Than onto the barbie! Yummy! That is how I love my goats!
NORBET GETS HIS MEDICATION!
01:13 pm
Norbet Nguluwe the son of Felix finally got his medicine today for Rabbi's. It has been a long wait since I sent the money in January for the Rabbi’s shots. But I am relieved. Since he was the youngest of Felix’s kids he would always ride in the cab of the truck with Felix and I, when we would go out visiting the villages taking school supplies or seeds. I know Felix and Charity are relieved that their son is going to be OK (we hope); I sure am. Now let’s get back to work!
STILL NO MONEY!
03:58 pm
I feel so hopeless sitting here in Canada waiting for news on the fate of Felix’s son, Norbet. The money I sent in January has still not arrived in Petauke sent by Western Union. Western Union is moving very slowly on this problem or should I now say not moving at all! Even sending more would not help. Felix is travelling every day to Petauke over 30 kilometres. The rains are preventing him to use his bike so he walks. He could catch a bus but his money has run out.
MAD DOGS and MONEY
02:54 pm
On the 28th night I got a message from Felix telling me one of his boys had been bitten by a mad dog and that he desperately needed money for a series of Rabbi shots. This message came in the middle of the night here in Canada so first thing the next morning I went to Western Union and sent the money needed. We use Western Union to send money because the facilitators can just go to the Post Office and pick it up. Yes it is costly but banks at this time are not an option. Western Union money is sent within 2 hours. Here is where the problem is. The Post Office has no money. Felix has been travelling the 40 kilometres on his bike to pick it up every day but no money. It is now a week! The boy is still waiting for his medicine. Today is Friday and there is still no money in the Post Office. I am now waiting for Felix’s call to see if it has finally arrived.
By : garry | Category: Bio Fuel Production | Comments [0]
January
10:22 pm
January is gone! The crops will be well on their way and weeding will start to slow done. I have been told the crops will be good. That is if the weather cooperates. They still need rains; not too much, but we will never know with all this climate change until the crops are safely in the storerooms. I am almost finished my ‘how to book’ and will be booking my flight to Zambia for the first part of March. I will spend much time in Lusaka doing business with the government and a week long workshop with all the facilitators and staff of ACP from all over Zambia.
New Photos
12:45 am
I have just received some great photos taken by Ryan at the project during his visit just recently. Take a look I will be adding them a few at a time. Thanks Ryan!
SEEDS
03:55 am
The rainy season is well on its way. Crops are in and growing. Erosion from the violent rains this time of year are in control. Roads and paths are now waterways, rivers and streams are running muddy and eating away banks that are exposed because of overcutting and total removal of any vegetation along their banks. The goodness from the soil is working its way to the Indian Ocean via the Zambezi River. The answer? Trees; lots of them. Along every waterway. Along exposed hillsides overcut for field extensions, charcoal and timber. Planting trees to be used for firebreaks, wind breaks, firewood, charcoal, hoe and axe handles, house timbers, fences, timber export and the list goes on and on. One more time, the answer? Trees! That is where seeds come into play. It takes a lot of planning and logistics to get those seeds into the ground. Seeds delivered to village nurseries and communities. Pine seeds from Petauke to Kasama, African mahogany from Livingstone to Petauke. Seeds to our demonstration plantation outside Lusaka. Seeds to Rwanda for a project there.
Let us not forget the education side of things. People must be educated on why these problems exist and what can be done about them.