Happy Halloween!

There is no Halloween or change of time in Mozambique!

It is much hotter this trip as the rainy season is beginning. I have not experienced any storms – just humidity. Yesterday was an information gathering day in Mossuril and Meconta Districts. These are west of Nampula City towards the Indian Ocean – 2 ½ hours. The roads are better in this area as many people travel to the Isle Mozambique and seaside homes on the weekend.

The villages where I will be training have similarities to Nametil from my last trip. Small farmers with limited resources and minimal cash crops. In this area, peanuts are again important as well as maize and cashew nuts. Along the road are boys will bowls of cashews for sale; the nuts have been “fried” without oil and are not seasoned. At the first training site, 40+ people greeted us to talk about the content of the training. There are the same issues: how do we talk to bankers? What do they need? How do we make more money and use it? At the second training site, one older lady asked how she can keep her animals from running away. The third site is much closer to Nampula, only 1 hour.

I anticipate a larger percentage of women will be attending the classes in the first two sites as men are the primary fisherman. An additional emphasis of this project is women entrepreneurs. I am hopeful that fourth training site will be in a village known for its baskets.

An interesting analogy to my time in Ghana. When I was in the villages of Ghana I was told of a “banking” activity called “susu”. This was run by the villages. Each week everyone in the Susu group contributes money; the Susu manager holds the money and makes “loans” to one person in the group every month or quarter, depending on the Susu rules. In Mozambique, I am told there is a similar process – called “STIK”. (pronounced sticky). One villager has the key, one keeps the lock box, and one has the records. I will explore this when I am training.

A difference in my Mozambique experience from my year in Ghana is the reaction of young children in the villages. In Ghana, the very young were afraid. In Mozambique, they laugh at me and want to play! It may be a factor of time as my Ghana experience was over 10 years ago.

I have brought English books and pens for the young man in Nametil who was taught English by a Peace Corps volunteer when he was a child. I am hopeful that I will see him or at least get the items to him.

My Mozambique friend, Phil Gray is in Oregon. I will have to eat Chinese food alone.

Election Day

October 28th is National Elections in Mozambique. Voting here is a process that may take hours, waiting in line. Most of the businesses are closed; Sergio, CNFA Country Manager and I went to the CNFA office but the landlord has bolted the business so we are all working at home (or hotel for me).

I will leave tomorrow for Nampula and the north east. I will be working for a new host in several new areas but on the same subject area - helping farmers' associations understand business planning and financial analysis. It is important that farmers are more effective and efficient in production AND that they are better in business also!

Thought for the day: Freedom which is obtained by a people is valued and appreciated. Freedom which is given to people may be taken for granted.

Mozambique Again.

I am leaving early on Sunday the 25th with the same routing - San Diego to Atlanta to JoBurg South Africa and then Beira Mozambique. I will be traveling again to the north east part of the country with assignments in Chocas Mar (close to Mozambique Island) and Namialo (between Nampula and Mozambique Island). I do not know what kind of farmers are in these areas. More news en route.

I am taking books with me for a young man in Nametil who was taught English by a Peace Corps volunteer 10 years before. I was very fortunate to be visiting Shawn Jones and Mark Askew when their local library held a "sale" so I purchased several books for $5 total! I am also taking school supplies for an elementary school in Nampula.

I am thrilled to be returning. Mozambique is filled with wonderful people.

Back to Mozambique but October 25th!

A one week delay in plans. The national elections in Mozambique conflicted with the earlier date. More news as the date approaches!

Back to Mozambique!

I am thrilled to be going back to Mozambique on October 18th. Will return home early in November. More later!!

Still in San Diego

The Angola trip is postponed. My passport is still at the Embassy. Hoping to be gone soon.