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.