Livingstone
01:20 pm
I am finally back where I can send emails. Yesterday we travelled to Livingstone from our newly created Kamalamba Demonstration Forest and Nursery off the Great North Road where we have been getting things organized. We also planted out trees from the nursery and replanted in the nursery with more seeds. There is 70 hectors of denubbed forest that will be reforested within KDF.
We left at 3:00am and arrived in Livingstone afternoon. Our trip was interrupted at Zimba (80 kilometres from Livingstone) when the engine in our transport seized. The bearings have gone. We continued by mini bus to Livingstone and are now settled in to start work. The road into Livingstone is being redone by a Chinese company. It is strange to see coulees working in Africa.
Donations are always needed and appreciated to expand our program of Reforestation and Environmental Education.
New Demonstration Forest
09:49 am
It is Monday afternoon here in Lusaka and things are moving along. Lots of small curves like my phone is giving me trouble on the communications side. I am waiting for the facilitators to come for a small workshop. It is good to get them in so they can visit and be brought up to speed on things. Yesterday we visited our Demonstration Forest and admired the progress of the seedlings. The nursery there will be upgraded and slashing will continue to prevent wild fires later in the dry season. In the photo I am with Geoff and behind 2 Jatropha that we planted just a short year ago when we first started got the land.
Back in Zambia
04:59 pm
It has been a year since I was here but it seems like I never left. I am settling in to lodgings for the next 2 weeks here in Lusaka. Will get the crew in for their workshop next week.
I AM OFF!
06:43 pm
Well here I am writing my last blog in the comforts of my own home. The chair is comfortable, and the computer is fast. What will happen in the next month is an adventure I have done many times but as always there is a certain rush to it. I will try to keep things posted here as much as I can. The wallet is a little thinner and the credit card is full but what the heck you can’t take it with you!
Zambia Itinerary
06:42 pm
The last year has been a steady climb back to health. In January of 2009 the Doctors had given me a few hours to live and I was ready to go. But as the medicines started to take effect so did my will to live and now I am ready to continue. If it had not been for my crew in Zambia working unselfishly toward our goals things would be different. Special thanks to Ryan Kratzer who has turned out to be a great asset. What a volunteer! I leave Victoria on the 6th of April going through London and Addis Ababa to Lusaka. In Lusaka I have many meetings with officials in government (some postponed for a year) and a workshop with the whole crew. This workshop will enable us all to get together and review the booklet I have composed. It looks more like a book since it has 250 pages. Then it is off to Livingstone to break ground on our Eco-tourism Centre close to the falls. And finally to Petauke my old stumping grounds to pay visits to as many community schools and tree nurseries as possible. A visit to the new school site of Nkhola Community School to see how the brick making is coming along for the school. Lots to do. The month will go fast. So will the money. But it always seems to get done. Thanks to the many donors who keep faithfully sponsoring the project. The web page is continually being up graded by Reed Kirkpatrick a volunteer in Victoria.
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!