Greetings from Zimbabwe,
This has been a very sad time for me. A friend in Denver made a size-able donation to Renewed Hope in the last week or so. Our treasurer had just notified me that he had wire transferred the money. Yesterday, I was notified that she had passed away. I had not even had the opportunity to send her an email to thank her for her support.
Bryce left very early this morning for the long trip home. I think he was anxious to be on his way. He was missing the family.
Bryce has been a big help and I hated to see him leave. He was able to erect the second wind generator at the new Orphan Home. All that needs to be done is for an electrician to connect the wires to the solar batteries. Bryce went on line and learned that it could be done. He felt that during the rainy season there might be days with little solar power but there would probably be wind power. He explained to me that the wind generator automatically shuts down when the batteries are fully charged. The Orphan Home should not have to ever be without power for lights, computer, refrigerator etc.
The other Wind Generator that is installed at Albert’s house will need batteries, a battery rack and an inverter. This will provide power for Albert when there is no electricity from the power company.
Rev. Gumunyu came to visit Vickie and I on Thursday. He is the United Methodist Pastor in the area and is stationed at Dandera. He is ready to begin his work at the schools in Ward 1 as the Spiritual Leader. He plans to spend Mondays at Nyamashato Primary and Secondary Schools. Thursdays, he will spend at Inyagui and Guzha Primary Schools. The schools teach Bible facts much like a history lesson. Rev. Gumunyu will focus on the Spiritual Development of the children. He plans to use common everyday experiences as examples for application of his lessons.
Tuesday was Harare day. There were lots of errands to take care of and then a Rotary meeting to attend. I presented a short program on Moringa. The people knew little or nothing about Moringa and were very enthused afterward. They are ready to sell Moringa seedlings as a fund raiser. This Rotary Club will be helping Albert with the Moringa project.
The girl in the white jacket is one of our Orphans. She is THE outstanding student at boarding school. In fact she is the top student in her school. A Rotary member is her sponsor. In January she will be entering the University. Her sponsor has promised to fund her if she chooses to get her PhD. Munuradze is a lovely young lady who did not have a hope of a promising future. She is so appreciative. She gave me a big hug when she left.
Today, Vickie and I had a three hour meeting with Albert and Angelbert Deketeke, a local farmer who is interested in our Moringa project. He has been a big help for Albert. He is willing to grow some of the Moringa for us and HCOC would do the processing. He plans to help Albert prepare for starting the nursery for the plants. HCOC is looking for more land on which to expand the Moringa project. We need virgin land for growing organic Moringa. We are going to look at a site near the Inyagui River. It would be possible to irrigate with river water. Albert will have to apply for the right to use the land.
The picture on the left is the brick kiln being fired. Fires are built in the openings at the base. Then the openings are bricked closed and mudded over. You can see the steam boiling off the top. The kiln is kept fired for three days and then allowed to cool for a week. It stays hot for several days. The ability to make brick is dependent on the termite mounds in the area. Termite mounds are everywhere. Termites bring clay to the surface from deep in the earth.
Tomorrow Vickie and I are flying to Victoria Falls for a couple of days. Vickie is hoping to see some game animals while we are there. We both are looking forward to hot showers. We will have an opportunity to step back and ponder all that has happened in the last few days. Much work lies ahead before and after we return home.
Please pray for a safe journey and a bit of rest. Roberta