Can you say football?

It is now Tuesday afternoon. The whole country is celebrating as the Malawi football (soccer) team defeated Algeria yesterday afternoon. It was unexpected! 3-0! The African Cup matches are being played in Angola; as you may have heard, the team from Togo was fired upon and 3 of the staff are dead. That team withdrew from the tournament. A sad event which makes FIFA in South Africa in the Spring somewhat tarnished.

The weekend was great. There is another volunteer here – George Kegode – an ag prof from Northwest Missouri State University. He is originally from Kenya and says he is a “weed man.” We walked all over and he collected weeds. There was a good internet café in town which we used both days. On the walk back, into a bar which said ‘slots”. But alas, no such items – just good beer and pool to watch. Saturday night was goat curry and wonderful.

Went to an Anglican Church with my hostess, Nellie at 7:30am. I could follow along but some difference from All Saints Episcopal in San Diego. The biggest was a hymnal that had only words, no music. Even on the hymns I knew the notes were different. I was asked to stand as a visitor but I think everyone knew already!

I am reading a lot and hope that I will not run out of books as I am in the next to the last. Nellie is thrilled to have my cast offs. The TV is on football constantly as James (husband of Nellie) and George are enthusiastic followers of many clubs.

The weather has been glorious for me – I will repeat, it is like Maui. However, it is very bad for the farmers as this is supposed to be the rainy season. In church, there was a very specific prayer for rain! It is still quite warm (80’s), blue sky and sunshine. I wouldn’t mind rain at night.

I have 90% of the project completed and will finish on schedule by tomorrow. This has been much more like a consulting assignment versus my training in Mozambique.

So adieu for now and hoping that all of you are having a glorious beginning to 2010!

Could this be Maui?

Greetings from the top of the tallest building in Blantyre Malawi! As I look out the window on Friday morning it is almost like Maui. The area that I am in has the same tropical, mountain feel with palms and trees. Flowers are everywhere.

The company that I am working with is Naturals. Started by Towera Jalakasi several years ago, it produces juice from the “powder” which surrounds the seeds of the Baobab tree. The process is 90% manual labor so the two locations employ more than 15 people in production, sales and distribution. It has grown very rapidly and recently was the recipient of a grant. It is Towera’s vision that the local villages can use the seeds (which are a by product of her process) to produce an oil; it is especially suitable for cosmetics and soap. There are two locations for Naturals – Lilongwe and Blantyre. My project was to work with her to create the Human Resource function: Personnel Policy Manual, Job Descriptions, Employment Contracts, Organizational Chart and Performance Appraisal forms. To accomplish this, I have studied the Employment Law of Malawi passed in 2000 and interviewed all of the staff. This has been quite a different project from my training in the villages of Mozambique!

I am staying in the home of a lovely family who are friends of Towera. The wife, Nellie and Towera are part of a women’s group of business owners. Nellie and her husband James are owners of several businesses – including a travel agency, property development, and fish wholesaling! I have a bedroom with private bath – and two resident geckos. Just like Hawaii. I wish there were more as this is the rainy season and insects are prevalent. I have cereal, banana and yoghurt for breakfast at 6:30 am after waking at 4:30am. As always, I am eating my energy bars for some meals.

No surprise to many of you, but I had a great Chinese dinner last night with Nellie and her youngest son who is in medical school. There are three other sons – all professionals. One is in Indiana; one in Manchester England; and the third in Malawi.

Everyone in Malawi is very gracious and welcoming. As the majority of the population speaks English, I have not had a formal translator with me. During interviews of the staff at Naturals, there were some production workers who did not speak English so another of the staff assisted. As an interesting note, I miss having a translator as that person was always a good source of information about the country (as in Mozambique).

Saturday is the large farmer’s market in town and I will walk to see it. Sunday I will attend the Anglican Church at 7:30 am for the English session. The 9:00 am is in the local tribal dialect and I may stay for part of that.

Internet has been very difficult in the lodging and the company. Only today I am in the CNFA office where I am wired.

Wishing all of you a wonderful weekend and great upcoming week. It is unlikely that I will post again until I am back in the office later this coming week.

Rain on a tin roof

I am staying at Cluny Lodge, a B&B in Lilongwe Malawi. It is run by a South African couple who have "retired" here to be near grandchildren. Besides me, there are two forensic accountants staying in the 4 rooms. Nice simple dinner with boxed South African wine. (It was ok - especially after the second swallow) It has been raining hard and the house has a tin roof. I remembered the sound from the farm house in Athens OH - a very long time ago when Rob was born.

Off by car to Blantyre and my host organization, a female owned company Naturals who make products out of the plants grown in their region.

Go Chargers!

No "ghosts" on my Delta flight to JoBurg

Happy January 2nd! In my previous flights to and from Johannesburg South Africa to Atlanta I was very fortunate to have an empty middle seat next to me. Makes sleeping so much easier. Ah, but 2010 was different. A completely full flight with many, many children - mostly young and with well developed lungs. I did sleep but not my usual 8 hours. I am still very grateful that the flight was safe.

In the hotel in JoBurg. The country is gearing up for the World Cup FIFA championships in the Spring. Everyone is very excited. Everyone hopes that there are no incidents.

Off to Lilongwe Malawai on a South African flight in the morning of January 3rd.

Happy New Year!

I am leaving on January 1st for an assignment in Malawi. I will be working with a women's company in the Blantyre area for several weeks. As always, I am very grateful for this opportunity even though I will miss all of the BSC football bowls!

Happy New Year and may 2010 be wonderful for all of us.

I will post as I can.

Leaving Mozambique

I am packing for my trip home to the US. I leave today for Beira Mozambique, overnight and then Beira to JoBurg South Africa, Delta from there to Atlanta and San Diego. A long trip,

I walked to the Cathedral on Sunday. As I may have mentioned on the 1st the Cathedral was closed as the priest was out in the countryside. When I arrived on the 8th the Cathedral was overflowing – hundreds of people sitting and standing. There were dozens of priest – some white and some black – in the most beautiful garments. All were white with African embroidery. Obviously a very special Sunday. I walked to the open Sunday market; met with Abdul – my translator of this trip- and then enjoyed the multitude of people and things. I bought fabric ($2US for ~3’ X 8’), some wood objects (mainly black and brown ebony), and a hat for John Rosales of Las Vegas.

Dinner was Lebanese with Bob the US Aid pilot from Beira. He had flown in to pick up some US Aid staff for 3 or 4 days of visiting projects. Monday another volunteer arrived – Bob Rice from PA. He is a soy bean expert. We walked the city, had Chinese lunch and local dinner. He will be here for another week.

A country of wonderful people, unlimited potential, limited resources. I am grateful for this opportunity. This trip I trained more than 165 adults and dozens of children!

Are cashews nut or fruit?

I have finished my training assignment for ADAP and will prepare the report for that organization and CNFA.

Thursday’s village was only 80 km from Nampula. We were met by 40+ adults (and many children) in a very prosperous village. Again, I taught under a large tree. Friday was somewhat different – a smaller group – 24+ - mostly women in a village known for its pottery. In this case, I also focused on production as well as farming. The first question from the female head of the Association was, “How do we prevent having so many babies?” At the end, the women sang and danced in the traditional way. My translator Abdul said they created the song about me! My host purchased a small pottery bowl for me – it is very simple and basic; fired in the style of raku so etched and its cost ~30¢.

Some interesting experiences:

Cashew nuts grow as part of a fruit which looks like a small apple. The fruit is made into juice – and can be fermented into alcohol. I was given a bottle by the women. However, it “exploded” in my hotel room due to excessive “gas”!

There is a central market building where farmers daily bring produce from the countryside. It is a cornucopia of sights, sounds, and smells. In addition, there is the Sunday market which has everything! Shirts, shoes, fabric, baskets, pottery, wood, and ivory. As I mentioned on my last trip, this is very common in Mozambique markets.

BMI Bank has the contract with the Mozambique government for all salary direct deposits. The lines for the bank offices and ATMs are always more than 25 people long. On Fridays, the lines triple. BMI is open on Saturdays but the other banks are not. Bankers’ hours are 9-12; lunch break; 2-4.

Today is Saturday. I am looking for a TV with US channels for football!

Reflection: In Eastern Europe, I looked like the natives but could not communicate without a translator. In Ghana, I did not look like a native Ghanaian but could speak with everyone in English. In Mozambique, I do not look like a native and can not communicate. It is an isolating experience.