Sunday September 5th

Hello to all! College football is underway.

It is my custom to attend church services throughout the world. The hotel directed me to the nearest (only 8 blocks) – Se Cathedral, a Catholic church. Services were 6am, 8am and 10am. I walked over for the last service and found it was packed with several hundred participants outside, sitting on stools. Everyone was very dressed up – much more than my casual pants and shirt. I stayed outside, listening to the joyful choir. There is also a large percentage of Seventh Day Adventists in Huambo who celebrate the Sabbath on Saturday. I walked by that church as it is preparing for a wedding today.

I have changed rooms in the hotel: it is smaller (good), a working toilet (good); hot water in the shower (good); and two windows that open (excellent). It is also cheaper (logical?).

Last night dinner was local pizza – the crust is so thin that it is very difficult to pick up! The pizza was cheese, tomatoes, green olives, and small pieces of “bacon”. I gave ½ to a young man from Rwanda who asked if he could talk with me. Back to protein bars today.

I am walking the town this entire weekend. All of the buildings retain the scars of the Civil War – bullet and mortar holes. I am ignorant about the conflict; my breakfast companion Thomas (born in Angola of Belgian parents) said there were 3 rebel groups fighting; the one with Portuguese arms won. In his opinion, the Portuguese are still in control. At another breakfast, a Portuguese Angolan Victor joined me. He has lived in South Africa for 30+ years but is now conducting an irrigation business in Angola. His son, a banker from Standard Charter, will be arriving soon to talk about financing.

The project with Chipipa has been different. It is like walking in quick sand as it is never clear on a daily basis as to what is expected of me from the Coop. We have not been given the data/ information from the President/Executive Committee to create the Excel Spreadsheets. The President asked me to repeat the Financial Management classes to new Cooperative members; that objective was completed Friday. On several occasions in the last week, the President has requested a meeting with Luciano and me – but then has not shown up.

The CNFA office has a permanent Angolan Country Director – Chipilika Barbosa. When I was here in February, Dr. Nelson Jacobs was an interim director. The two Project Coordinators, Luciano and Angelino are still extremely effective; the Office Manager, Victoria is out on medical leave so I am able to use her office and internet connection but I miss her.

The weather has been excellent – blue sky, sunshine, and 80’s but very low humidity. Off for another walk.