African Community Project

I did not think that being away would create so much work when I returned home to Victoria. Perhaps it is because things are moving along very nicely. We have decided on using the fax machine more to shuffle documents back and for since not everyone is close to the internet. It also gives the facilitators practice in writing reports and managing budgets. We are starting to expand into Northwest Province with Jackson leading the way. Bicycles are no longer an option for transport for the crew. The distances are getting further and further. We need motor bikes. I used a Honda 125 when I was with VSO and have found it the best; so the next thing is to source the money for them. Like I said I am busy, perhaps I should change that to very busy.

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.

I may not have been able to go to Zambia in 2009 because of my illness but it is not that I was not able to communicate with all the crew. Because of the time difference I can lie in bed and I am able to text message with everyone. Each text only costs about 10 cents and so we can keep up on things going on. Setting up transporting seeds back and forth across the country. Discussing and planning the project has become so easy.

Cell phones have made life much easier for the every day Zambian. Although with this convenience comes a cost. Perhaps some Zambians are spending too much money on talk time instead of food but we all spend money on things we cannot afford.