Greetings from Zimbabwe,
Vickie and I returned to Harare on Wednesday night after a short trip to Victoria Falls. It was a good get-away and time to reflect on all that is happening at HCOC.
We spotted the Fish Eagle on an early morning game drive. I was lucky that the bird stayed put while I focused in close. They are a magnificent bird. Later we watched as he swooped down and picked a fish out of the river.
We walked to Victoria Falls from our hotel the first afternoon. Cape buffalo, Wart Hogs and Baboons were sited along the way and signs that Elephants were around. It was a very hot walk.
The water level of the Falls was way down from what I have seen in the past. There was still considerable spray but not enough that we required raincoats. It always is an awesome experience even though I have been there numerous times.
It was a long day when we went to Botswana. The morning was spent cruising the Chobe River. Our guide explained when the rains came the island would be completely covered with water. Hundreds of Cape Buffalo, Elephants, Water Buck and other animals would return to the main land. During the cruise we saw hundreds of animals including crocodile, hippo and a variety of birds.
After a lunch we were taken on a game drive in Chobe National Park. It had to be well over 100 degrees. The drive was largely over sand and it radiated heat like an oven.
Lions are usually hard to spot. This lion was the first animal we spotted. He was trying to stay cool in the shade of a tree. Fortunately, he was not at all concerned about having his picture taken. We saw hundreds of elephants as well as Zebra, Kudu, Puku, Impala, Sable and Water Buck.
This morning Vickie and I went to see how the carpenters were progressing. We found that they had completed all six bunk beds for the Orphan Home. Next week they are to sand and varnish the wood. All that will be left is to build in the closets.
Purchasing the mattresses will be done on the next trip to Harare. It will be good to have this all complete before we leave to come home. Vickie now has money to purchase all of the bedding that will be needed.
A group of Village Heads and Orphan Care Givers gathered at HCOC this morning. The purpose was to enlist their support in growing Moringa for HCOC. This was only an introductory meeting. The Village Heads were very interested and requested another meeting after they have had a chance to talk with their respective Villagers. A second meeting is scheduled for November 8 just before we leave to come home. It looks very promising. They will raise the Moringa and harvest it but will deliver it to HCOC for processing and grinding. Albert indicated that we would test each batch delivered to make certain no chemicals had been used in growing the Moringa.
Albert is in the process of preparing to plant Moringa seeds in pots. The villagers can purchase the seedlings for a small fee or they can come to HCOC and provide their time in planting some of the pots. In return they will be given seedlings ready for their fields.
This project is fitting perfectly with the Governments push on Conservation Farming. Nyamashato Primary School has been picked as the outstanding rural school in Mashonaland East. They have sent three teachers to several workshops to learn about Conservation Farming. They have started several test plots in the school garden and are training local groups of people.
As always when my time is running out, lots of things begin happening. Vickie and I have only two weeks left before our trip home. Every day until our departure is packed full.
Much work lies ahead. Building a processing building is a key part of the project. Expensive items for the processing are stainless steel work tables and stainless steel wash tubs for washing the leaves, the purchasing of solar dryers and grinders for making Moringa powder.
Please pray that we can get the Moringa Project launched before we leave.
In His Service, Roberta