Two Sleeps To Go
Maureen Bird
Thursday was the handover of the school. Two ladies from Kachere came to the event as we sold the menstrual kits to the senior girls for a nominal price. We were able to deliver 40 and there may be more needed.
Joyce with champion sewer, Soage
Friday 6 of the group left, some having a couple of days in Addis Ababa before returning home.
Joyce Westlake was in that group so I made the last trip out to Kachere after buying things for lunch like chickens and greens. The main grocery store had chickens but couldn’t sell them as Their scales weren’t working. Welcome to Malawi. So off to the halal butcher and a quick trip through the market for veggies. Edgar (EI) had forgotten salt for the group and sent me to the same store where we had picked up the bulk sugar. But that store doesn’t sell salt so back across the road I go to the salt store. It makes me wonder how anything ever gets done. Our driver from Dignitas has been marvellously patient with us.
I spent a lot of time with the ladies about business plans, manufacturing and marketing and suggesting other products they could make for the tourist market. We are still struggling with the treadle machines but Ben Voss from Africycle and EI will look at the bearing part that seems to be wearing out on all of them. After lunch it was a teary goodbye. I hope to see them again.
Wednesday we had visited one of my favourite ladies, Florence, who has been ill and it was a real emotional meeting as it is probably the last time we see her.
Saturday we went out to Lake Chilwe, a lake with no outlet. We were poled across (9 in the boat) and happy to have Mike bailing the whole time. The hike was more than anticipated so those of us who turned back early were very glad we did. This is a rice growing area and it was interesting to see the rice being dried on plastic sheets stretched out even onto the road. Free milling by the cars!
We are going in to Blantyre on Sunday to stay overnight before our return starting on Monday. It has been another very interesting and rewarding trip. We have made many contacts with others trying to make a difference while respecting and admiring another culture.
Zikomo