African Community Project

Well I have been home in Canada for a few weeks now and getting used to life here. My trip was very successful getting almost everything done that I had set out to do. Actually more because of other things that cropped up: unexpected meetings have open more doors: meaning more projects are coming on line. All was done within the budget that was set before I left. I was very fortunate to have my wife, Maria, tag along for three weeks.

The trees that have been planted over the years have certainly grown. The Leucaena, Jatropha and Moringa around Mumbi Village are now producing seeds that will be used for planting this year. Some are already been planted in the new tree nursery that has the capacity of 25,000 seedlings. We have even been able to get enough pine seeds for the nurseries especially inNorthern Province. Lots to do; proposals to write, talks to give and fund raising! Our biggest hold back is the limited funding and it will get harder and harder as the world suffers from natural and monetary hardships.

The wheels were still spinning on this truck wreck when we came around a corner on the Great East Road. It blocked the road for over an hour until it could be removed.

I have traveled with Henry on the Post Bus to Petauke; it is overloaded with both people and freight, there is no space to walk in the ailses, the conductor and passengers crawl over the freight the best way they can; back and forth to their seats at the many restroom stops (or should I say bush stops) along the way. Henry is our Out Reach Coordinator for Eastern Province, he will continue to Chipata where he lives with his wife and children. When we arrive at the Petauke Post Office I am met by Felix our Facilitator for the project in Mumbi Village, he still wears the ball cap with the Canada logo on it, which I gave to him two years ago. After buying some extra food for my stay at Felix’s we travel in a hired car to the village on a road that has not seen a grader for at least 5 years.

Well here I sit on the edge of my bed with the computer on a chair in front of me, the day coming to a close. I don’t know where the time goes. I have had Maria with me for three weeks and we have had a great time, traveling to Livingstone to our project there, returning to Lusaka just long enough to do some business and then it was off to Kasama. Our trip to Chitanga School and to see Fred who not only is the ACP facilitator for the area but is Head Teacher at the school. I was very happy with the progress there, even though they desperately need more funding to do what should be done. The school qualifies for two government teachers if we could just build them a residence each. The pump at the well has been repaired so we can now expand our tree nursery and garden at the school. Anyway time has found me sitting on the edge of my bed with the computer on the chair catching up on the book work. My next stop is in Eastern Province where I will spend the next week with Felix in the village visiting the many surrounding villages that have been growing trees for a few years now. It will  be interesting to see how they have made out.

We are visiting a little school called Chitanga Community School this week. It is located 65 kilometres outside Kasama towards Lake Tanganyika. We are supporting the school with a breakfast program, school supplies, a school garden and tree nursery.  Our next task is to upgrade the water pump at the well that is pumping little water because of no maintenance since it was installed 10 years ago. Fred Maliaka the Head Teachers and the two volunteer teachers are very good, the school teaches over 200 children mostly coming from substance farming families in the area. The girls have received 85 new dresses made by caring women in Canada. Next comes the boy’s clothes.

Well my time in Livingstone is coming to an end. We have covered lots of ground and even got to show Maria some animals. The trees in Mukuni Village will be ready to be planted out in selected areas soon. Plans are in place to continue with another planting then at a bigger location as soon as this happens in 6 weeks. The crew will even have room to grow some veggies at the new site. While in Livingstone I was invited to take part in a radio program about governance and the environment on Mosi – o – tunya Community Radio. It was hosted by the very knowledgeable Ruth Banda. It went so well we continued on the air for another 2 more nights. There was even a call in section. We head back to Lusaka in the morning for a day before departing north to visit Chitanga Community School and our breakfast program.