My flights home were fine - just very long 32+ hours. I am finally getting back on local time.
This was one of the best projects that I have worked on because it went so far to implementation. The Cooperative is 95% of the way to Warehouse Receipt Process Completion which will allow the farmer - the Cooperative - the Provincial Government - and the bank to work for the betterment of the community. At the last meeting, there were over 25 farmers present who all supported the efforts of the Board of Directors.
The Board has now authorized monthly meetings, open to membership, and minutes will be posted. This transparency is very new and will require some adjustments on everyone's part.
I am very anxious to return to Tanzania - and hope that I can contribute my knowledge of this Process to other Cooperatives.
Have a great summer. I will be spending 6 weeks in Michigan training for RMA.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Friday June 18th
Only a short note as the electricity is off and on in Arusha. I am very sad to be leaving. This has been the most fulfilling assignment to date – wonderful people, a small town Babati with an incredible Cooperative, and more local brews to sample. I will write when I am back in San Diego on Sunday.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Happy Thursday June 10th
Last night I dreamed about goats - bleating. This am as I left for my walk, there were 6 goats in a Heifer International truck - off to a rural family. This is a wonderful NGO and I value all of the Christmas donations that people have given me over the years. There are "Lynda" goats in many countries.
I leave for my walk at 6am every day but already there are many people walking to school and work. Bicycles are common here; private cars are not; there is a motorized vehicle with 3 wheels - the passengers sit in the back and the driver operates "scooter" controls in the front. Fortunately, CNFA has provided a car and driver for me for work assignments. On Sunday I walk.
Houses here are built of concrete block rather than hand baked bricks as I saw in Mozambique and Angola. Roofs are metal rather than thatch. It may be in the more remote villages that the basic shelter is different.
My assignment is going well. The goal is to ensure that the Gendi Cooperative is accepted for the Warehouse Receipt System. More on that later. Needless to say, it is complicated as it involves the Cooperative, a bank, various government officers and the Tanzanian Warehouse Board. I have said it is like herding cats.
The Cooperative's main cash crop is maize; followed by two crops that I can not compare with; then beans and coffee. Most farmers have ~2 -5 acres of cultivated land; oxen; sheep; goats; chickens; ducks; and large families.
Have a wonderful day! I am off to talk with a potential candidate for the Collateral Manager position (Warehouse requires it) and then training on financial statements.
I leave for my walk at 6am every day but already there are many people walking to school and work. Bicycles are common here; private cars are not; there is a motorized vehicle with 3 wheels - the passengers sit in the back and the driver operates "scooter" controls in the front. Fortunately, CNFA has provided a car and driver for me for work assignments. On Sunday I walk.
Houses here are built of concrete block rather than hand baked bricks as I saw in Mozambique and Angola. Roofs are metal rather than thatch. It may be in the more remote villages that the basic shelter is different.
My assignment is going well. The goal is to ensure that the Gendi Cooperative is accepted for the Warehouse Receipt System. More on that later. Needless to say, it is complicated as it involves the Cooperative, a bank, various government officers and the Tanzanian Warehouse Board. I have said it is like herding cats.
The Cooperative's main cash crop is maize; followed by two crops that I can not compare with; then beans and coffee. Most farmers have ~2 -5 acres of cultivated land; oxen; sheep; goats; chickens; ducks; and large families.
Have a wonderful day! I am off to talk with a potential candidate for the Collateral Manager position (Warehouse requires it) and then training on financial statements.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Happy Monday June 7th!
Yesterday the electricity was off for most of the day. Fairly common on Sunday in this part of Tanzania I am told. It reminds me of Angola - no power at night as all were expected to be sleeping. For those of us in the world where electricity is a right, having none is always more difficult. No power - no hot water so I was back to the bucket bath with hot water from an open fire.
I walked into Babati (1.5 miles) and wandered around. Every business has a sign and all were donated by Coke. This includes businesses with no connection to food. Pepsi is nowhere to be found. The town is very clean which is a difference from Nampula Mozambique and Huambo Angola but similar to Blantyre Malawi. Both Moz and Angola were former Portuguese colonies while Malawi and Tanzania were part of the British group.
There are two open markets in town - one is a farmers' market with crops and meats. One banana was a dime and delicious. The other market is for household goods. There are no arts/crafts as Babati is off the tourist map.
I must remember to bring black pepper with me when I come again to southern Africa. This is the 4th country where it is non existent.
I attended church at Children of the Promise. I have no idea what was said or sung but it was joyful. Much of the country Roman Catholic with Protestant denominations ranging from Anglican to Pentecostal to Seventh Day Adventists. There is a large Muslim population.
My hotel room is very basic. The pillows are solid foam so more like a block of wood than I am used to. Fortunately I have my own "pillow" which I carry on the airplane. I am sleeping under mosquito netting but still accumulating a series of bites. Yes taking Malarone daily. My bathroom is very small with the shower pan in the middle of the floor - have to jump over to use the toilet. No problem with falling down as there isn't room.
I am walking every morning to the top of a close hill. Everyone greets me and the school children want to talk - English. As compared to Malawi, I have found that fewer adults speak English here.
Off to work with the Cooperative. First a joint meeting with the local Government District Cooperative Officers; then a 4-5 hour training session.
Have a great day!
I walked into Babati (1.5 miles) and wandered around. Every business has a sign and all were donated by Coke. This includes businesses with no connection to food. Pepsi is nowhere to be found. The town is very clean which is a difference from Nampula Mozambique and Huambo Angola but similar to Blantyre Malawi. Both Moz and Angola were former Portuguese colonies while Malawi and Tanzania were part of the British group.
There are two open markets in town - one is a farmers' market with crops and meats. One banana was a dime and delicious. The other market is for household goods. There are no arts/crafts as Babati is off the tourist map.
I must remember to bring black pepper with me when I come again to southern Africa. This is the 4th country where it is non existent.
I attended church at Children of the Promise. I have no idea what was said or sung but it was joyful. Much of the country Roman Catholic with Protestant denominations ranging from Anglican to Pentecostal to Seventh Day Adventists. There is a large Muslim population.
My hotel room is very basic. The pillows are solid foam so more like a block of wood than I am used to. Fortunately I have my own "pillow" which I carry on the airplane. I am sleeping under mosquito netting but still accumulating a series of bites. Yes taking Malarone daily. My bathroom is very small with the shower pan in the middle of the floor - have to jump over to use the toilet. No problem with falling down as there isn't room.
I am walking every morning to the top of a close hill. Everyone greets me and the school children want to talk - English. As compared to Malawi, I have found that fewer adults speak English here.
Off to work with the Cooperative. First a joint meeting with the local Government District Cooperative Officers; then a 4-5 hour training session.
Have a great day!
Friday, June 4, 2010
June 4th - Week 1 from Tanzania
I have been in Babati Tanzania for almost a week - and the only "game" I have seen are one mongoose and two swarms of bees! The bees are at my hotel trying to find a new home. So far, no problems.
The town is very small but has electricity. My hotel is 2 miles outside of town and very quiet in the country. Yes, on some days I have a hot shower; others I use the cold water and scoop from the bucket. Makes an interesting walk up call. I do have a tv with one English language channel so am keeping up on all the tragedies in the world.
Breakfast is scrambled eggs with toast and very strong coffee. I purchased a hot water pot for my room so I can fix decaf and soup on my own schedule. I will leave it with the CNFA office for future volunteers along with the books and DVDs that I finish. Lunch or dinner is rice with chicken or beef in sauce, some chopped green vegetables and beans. The alternative to rice is a maize product called sima - all eaten with fingers.
I am told that there are 13 local Tanzanian beers. I have tried 4. All excellent for me as light. (Rob you would not like them!) There are some dark beers also.
To work (even as a volunteer) I had to obtain a Work Permit. The process is very long and tedious but we successfully finished on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday we journeyed to 3 out of town Cooperatives that have successful Warehouse Receipts Programs. This allows farmers storage facilities and the ability to borrow against that collateral. One of my deliverables on this project to help the Gendi Cooperative set up the program in Babati.
As always, the farmers are wonderful and very open. We met with two maize coops and 1 that handles rice. I am going to do one day trainings for them as a "thank you" for the information which was given to CNFA and the Chairman and Treasurer of Gendi.
My translator is with the Ministry of Agriculture. He is an expert and a great trainer in his regular job so I am very grateful to have him by my side. He is more of an economist and will conduct part of the training related to pricing and market dynamics.
So I am well. My luggage arrived; the food is excellent; the beer cold and the countryside is peaceful.
My best to all of you. I love emails but please do not send big attachments or photos as the internet is marginal.
Lynda
The town is very small but has electricity. My hotel is 2 miles outside of town and very quiet in the country. Yes, on some days I have a hot shower; others I use the cold water and scoop from the bucket. Makes an interesting walk up call. I do have a tv with one English language channel so am keeping up on all the tragedies in the world.
Breakfast is scrambled eggs with toast and very strong coffee. I purchased a hot water pot for my room so I can fix decaf and soup on my own schedule. I will leave it with the CNFA office for future volunteers along with the books and DVDs that I finish. Lunch or dinner is rice with chicken or beef in sauce, some chopped green vegetables and beans. The alternative to rice is a maize product called sima - all eaten with fingers.
I am told that there are 13 local Tanzanian beers. I have tried 4. All excellent for me as light. (Rob you would not like them!) There are some dark beers also.
To work (even as a volunteer) I had to obtain a Work Permit. The process is very long and tedious but we successfully finished on Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday we journeyed to 3 out of town Cooperatives that have successful Warehouse Receipts Programs. This allows farmers storage facilities and the ability to borrow against that collateral. One of my deliverables on this project to help the Gendi Cooperative set up the program in Babati.
As always, the farmers are wonderful and very open. We met with two maize coops and 1 that handles rice. I am going to do one day trainings for them as a "thank you" for the information which was given to CNFA and the Chairman and Treasurer of Gendi.
My translator is with the Ministry of Agriculture. He is an expert and a great trainer in his regular job so I am very grateful to have him by my side. He is more of an economist and will conduct part of the training related to pricing and market dynamics.
So I am well. My luggage arrived; the food is excellent; the beer cold and the countryside is peaceful.
My best to all of you. I love emails but please do not send big attachments or photos as the internet is marginal.
Lynda
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