Bulawayo Zimbabwe Week 2 July 2012

The majority of my week was in the CNFA office on the computer. I revised and rewrote 3 modules that will be used for an advanced business management training course for Agrodealers in August. These dealers have already attended two one-week courses last year: one on technical training on seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other agricultural topics and one on business management topics. The advanced modules are Cash Flow, Business and Project Planning, and Accessing Credit. A natural fit as I have written materials and books in those subjects! I also had the delightful pleasure of working with 20 young people who are enrolled in a very special program called Vanavevhu (Children of the Soil). These are orphans with responsibility for their younger siblings and grandparents as most parents have died from AIDS. Elizabeth Mhangami (Loyola University Chicago BA) came back to her home city and began the program three years ago. Each new group of 10 young people form a cohort which develops a money making project. Monday through Friday there are educational lessons as well as work on the projects at a 5-acre property. I did a 3-hour consulting on the business aspects of candle making! Go to www.vanavevhu.org for more info. Looking for a grassroots charity – this is the place to give funds. I continue to walk into Bulawayo every day and enjoy the small town feel. It is very different from Huambo Angola. Both are the second largest cities in their countries. Both are in the agricultural areas. But the differences are dramatic. Huambo Angola was one of the epicenters for the 35 year civil war. It was bombed and shot up; sidewalks are non-existent and buildings still show the scars of the conflict. Bulawayo Zimbabwe has good sidewalks (better than parts of Hillcrest in San Diego) and lovely buildings – both colonial era and new construction. Bulawayo also does not smell. Huambo’s sewer infrastructure was also a victim of the conflict. People in both places are friendly and say hello when they see an old, large white woman walking down the street! I don’t stop traffic as I once did in Ghana (late 1990’s) but I am still a curiosity. The average life expectancy for Angola and Zimbabwe is 50 years old. In the US, it is 81 years for women so I may be around for a few more years. I am leaving a small suitcase in Bulawayo as I have delivered my gifts – microwave popcorn, San Diego plates, maple syrup, dill pickles, ball caps, and red licorice. The supermarkets here are well stocked but there are some odd items that cannot be found. In San Diego, peri peri sauce is impossible! Home on Thursday the 19th!

Bulawayo Zimbabwe Week One July 2012

My Delta flights were full as always. However, I volunteered on the Atlanta to Joburg flight to give my seat to the father in a family and I was then seated next to a “ghost”! I was able to get a fairly good night of sleep. However, our 777 was an old one with 2 of the 5 Economy restrooms broken. Long lines. Arrived in Joburg and luggage was there. TSA had gone through my large bag; they need re-packing lessons. Stayed at the City Lodge – showered and slept. Off on the 30th to Bulawayo. What a treat to arrive here on a plane……not a 6 hour bus ride. Petros was waiting to collect me. My last time in Bulawayo I stayed in the Cresta Churchill Hotel. It was an old, Colonial style property in the countryside. This time I am at the Holiday Inn (just like Kansas Toto). It is a modern hotel. My room is just normal and everything works. There is a large supermarket around the corner and an Italian restaurant (which has not been open so far.) I am able to walk to the office; it takes 30 minutes at a normal pace so I think it is just over a mile. Flat and sidewalks. I met with the Gwanda Agrodealers Association on 4 occasions – Monday to determine the three days of training topics. This is a very young association as it was only registered in March of 2012. Unfortunately, there are only 16 dues paying members. The Executive Board asked for training in two major areas: financial management and association development. I have attached two PowerPoint presentations which were created for the Wednesday – Friday sessions. The training sessions were held in one of the national training centers. The classroom was fine with electricity! There were 6 members of the Executive Committee in attendance all 3 days; 2 were female. In addition, a local policeman came on Thursday (to check out the program). Lunch was prepared each day – chicken and beef with rice and sasza. Graduation was Friday. Saturday, I walked to town. On the way, I spent 3.5 hours at the National History Museum. Excellent! It combines the history of men in the area (Bushmen, Bantu, English, etc), the geological influences (coal, gold, etc), and the animals. I recommend this for every volunteer in Bulawayo. In town, I just wander around – exploring supermarkets. Had Chinese lunch which was again very good. Sunday I walked again into town to explore the architecture as very few shops were open. Found the High Court and Bulawayo Club buildings which are excellent examples of British Colonial. Spent some time outside of a Catholic church listening to a full voiced choir. All is very well. I have significant review and rewrite for ASP-Z on the Advanced Business Training modules and developing practical cases to use in that program. As Taswell is in Sierra Leone on a CNFA assignment, I will be working independently.