May 2, 2014
Greetings from Zimbabwe,
Susan and I have been on the “Fast Track” since the minute we touched down in Zimbabwe. This is the first time I have had time to even think about writing to our supporters and family in the U.S. So many things have happened that I hardly know where to begin.
The garden and maize plot that are irrigated are looking wonderful. Tomatoes are ripening. The field maize that is not irrigated did not do as well as in past years. The issue was lack of rain at a critical time. HCOC did not have enough yields to carry them through the year. This is discouraging since, in the past, they have been able to provide all the maize used in the feeding program.
I wish that I had the space to include all the pictures I have taken of Albert’s house, garden, lawn and flowers. The place is looking so nice. There is a row of banana plants that separates the lawn from the garden. He has a Flamboyant tree planted in his front yard. It will be beautiful when it blooms in October. Beauty has planted the flowers in the raised planter at the front of the property. They plan to plant trees on the street side of the planter. I have been very impressed with the appearance of the property.
Susan’s time has been so short. She wanted to see some of the child-headed households. On this day we visited Innocent, in the red shirt. He is only 15 years old and lives alone in the house in the background. When asked what his problems were, he said that the house leaked when it rained and he wanted space so his young sister could live with him. My heart goes out to these children. In spite of everything his room was neat and as clean as is possible under the circumstances. There was a tomato plant growing by the door and he had baby chicks in a confined area. Innocent told us when he needs money he sells a chicken.
Rodders is one of two boys who live alone. William, the older brother was not at home when we paid a visit. Rodders had lunch ready and was waiting for William to return. We were pleased to find mosquito netting hanging in place where they sleep at night. When asked what the greatest challenges were, he explained that while they were at school one day, someone broke in and stole the battery out of their solar light. Now they use small bunches of grass for light. HOW SAFE IS THAT???
The Moringa fields are a bee hive of activity. Seedlings are ready for transplanting. Ground is being prepared for planting. This is all being done by hand labor. We have no tractor. They are digging trenches and then back filling with black soil and compost. Compost piles are being prepared, others are ready for use in the fields.
I have visited with Trevor, the person that installs pumps in our wells. He has been kind enough to line up a well driller and says they are available for the week of May 12.
Jangez, the solar person that I work with is coming to the site tomorrow. I have a number of things to go over with him. Hopefully he can make some recommendations for lights at the Poultry runs. I want him to evaluate the solar power for the Orphan Home at HCOC and make recommendations.
I am exploring the possibility of putting in portable solar lights so that the Moringa can be harvested and processed at night when the temperatures are cooler. Chris, the person managing the Moringa, agrees that it makes sense to harvest when it is cooler. This may be too expensive; I will see.
In closing I ask for prayers especially for the child-headed households. We have 20 families of children living on their own with no adult supervision. Orphan Care Givers check on them periodically but do not live with them. When we paid a visit to Innocent yesterday, he seemed so lonely. He has nothing to do but exist. He has nothing to read, no games, no cell phone, no I-pad.
In His Service,
Roberta