It is the last Sunday of my assignment in Zimbabwe so it is time to record the events of the last 2+ weeks. My Delta flight from Atlanta to Joburg was 2 hours delayed so I missed my connection to Harare Zimbabwe. Delta paid for the Proteus Hotel and meals in the airport but I could not have my checked luggage so same clothes the next day on my flight to Harare. I arrived safely but my checked bag did not. Off to the Bronte Hotel in Harare where I have stayed before. Lovely property with beautiful plantings and Shona stone statues. Back and forth to the airport and the bag arrived! On Sunday I met Linda Nielsen of the Zimbabwe National Association of Dairy Farmers. NADF is supported by many NGOs including Land O’ Lakes. She gave me great background on the milk collection association that I would be working with the following week. Lunch with Tim Bergstrom, Country Director for CNFA and another US Aid consultant. On an early bus to Bulawayo and 6 hours later arrived. I am staying at the Cresta Churchill this assignment. It is 15 minutes out of the downtown so very quiet. Charming old English style including a fireplace in the bar! My first week assignment was financial and organizational training for the Umzingwane Milk Collection Association. Held outside – a roofed concrete pad with over 50 participants! Wonderfully interactive! The Secretary of the Association, named Talent, acted as my interpreter and he was excellent. Although most people speak English in Zimbabwe, the rural areas are more comfortable with local language. Breaks in class were bread sandwiches with butter and jam, hot tea and coffee, and juice. Friday May 25th was Africa Day which celebrates the date in 1963 when 30 of the 32 independent African countries met to form OAU (Organization of African Unity). Only 5 countries have a public holiday - Ghana, Mali, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. I spent a quiet weekend of work on the computer. The second week was moderating a conference of agro dealer Provincial chairmen and others in Gweru. Agro dealers are retailers who sell all types of products in a village store as well as seeds, fertilizer, chemicals and tools. They form into District Associations as well as Provincial Associations and are working to become a national group. It was a very lively and spirited discussion on all three days! Part of my job was to keep the group pointed toward the completion of its self directed goals!! I have also been working with Tim and Taswell Chivere, who was my main contact on the first trip, to refine the next three modules in the Agrodealer Business Management Training. The additional topics are Cash Flow Analysis, Business Plan Development, and Sourcing and Obtaining Credit. Packing today for my Tuesday 7am bus back to Harare. Tomorrow is a full work day in Bulawayo! Flights begin on Thursday. Home on June 8th. I voted by mail before I left and I encourage all Californians to vote and make your voice heard.