Greetings from Zimbabwe,
I visited the Moringa project this morning. About 10 days ago, the Moringa in one area was harvested, approximately 20 trees. I was amazed to see the new growth that had taken place. Upon close examination, I discovered numerous sprouts coming out all around the main branches. It appears that when the rains come, these few plants will be able to be harvested again in late December. The soil is adequate but we need another well and drip irrigation to propel this project forward. We have been serving cold Moringa tea to visitors that come to see us. It is a flavor that takes some getting used to when served with nothing added.
The pots on the right are some that are planted with Moringa seeds in an effort to increase the production of Moringa. Each pot is planted with three seeds. Albert has a goal of 3,000 pots planted before the rains begin. This will provide 9,000 plants. That will about triple their present Moringa grove. The new plantings will have to be hand watered since there will be no irrigation in the new area for plantings. It is not possible to install drip irrigation without first drilling a new well.
The rainy season is fast approaching. We have had some showers and the wind has been blowing in the afternoons and evenings. The air is more humid and some areas have already had good rain fall. The rains will reduce the amount of hand watering that is necessary.
Community members, pictured below, volunteered their time yesterday to come and begin filling pots with soil and planting the Moringa seeds.
Yesterday, Vickie and I were invited to the Secondary School. This gave us an opportunity to meet all of the staff and the new SDC (School Development Committee). Albert was elected by the community to serve on this committee. He represents a large part of the student population (the orphans).
It was apparent during the meeting that one of their greatest needs is for water. We walked to their well that is some distance from the school. It only has a bush pump in the well. There is an electric pump in our warehouse that could be put in the well. The school has already purchased a meter base and the electric company is scheduled to come and connect the meter. Now the need is for storage tanks, tank stands and piping. The teachers have volunteered to dig the trenches for the pipe.
The school is prepared to raise vegetables for the feeding of the orphans, which has not been the case in the past. The school also has 10 or 12 hectares of virgin land that they are willing to use for raising Moringa for HCOC. The soil quality is better than at HCOC. As soon as water is available this can begin to develop. Their attitude and support gives me great hope for the future of this Secondary School.
I really have a positive outlook for this Secondary School to become an exemplary school just in the changes that I have observed recently. Students are in class with an instructor. Classes are being conducted. There is a disciplinary policy in effect for students and teachers alike. God does answer prayers!
Late in September I wrote about 1500 baby chicks arriving. Last Thursday night, October 31 the Company buying the chickens came to pick them up. They came at night because it has been so hot. It isn’t wise to transport them during the day. As it was they lost four or five during transport because of the heat. Unfortunately, the chickens were so big that they were unable to take all of them. They took 1,156 of the 1,500 we started with. The rest will be marketed locally or in Harare. It is unfortunate that they were unable to get rid of all of them.
This is the beginning of our last week in Zimbabwe. There are still many things to be resolved. It is promising to be a very busy week. A dedication of the new Orphan Home is planned for Friday. There will be many people here from Murewa and elsewhere. I hope we have a cooler day than some we have had.
In closing I ask for your prayers that Vickie and I have a safe journey back to Denver.
In His Service,
Roberta