Amazing Grace

More stories from the meeting with Choogna Goat project members:

Mr. Muntanga is still telling us about his hopes and dreams for his community and what they are accomplishing at present. The community has now been trained, through the Kalomo ADP agricultural programs in conservation farming; a method of crop rotation to help preserve the land, rejuvenating the soil with compost of plants and manure - a sustainable way of using the land. In the ‘old days’, Mr. Muntanga told us, as the soil became depleted from over use, the families would move on to new plots of land. As the population grew, the availability of new land became increasing hard to find and so families, communities and villages stayed put. This is what has lead to the poor production of crops and the hardships they face in feeding their families; but now with the new farming techniques being taught things are improving for everyone. They have learned to dig deep pits, that they fill with layers of vegetation and manure, layer upon layer, until it is ready to be spread on his 3 hectares of fields. He told us, that this year alone, they have been able to harvest 400 - 500 bags of maize, an amount they have never seen before. The use of the goat droppings as fertilizer is a huge advantage for them, as it’s free! Buying fertilizers before was very expensive. Mr. Muntanga has also been trained as a community livestock assistant and has vaccinate approximately 400 animals, so far in May; his target amount is 1100 animals. He told the ADP he would like to be able to get around faster to the other farms and so was also given the gift of a bike. He is one happy man! By having someone close by to vaccinate the animals, it has stopped most of the outbreaks of diseases in the goat population, therefore ensuring less loss and more profit. His hope, as they raise more money from fruit, vegetable and goat sales, is to be able to gather more of the vulnerable youths (orphans) into the community and give them hope and a safe place to live.
“this”, he said, “are the results Canadians have made through World Vision”

We were then introduced to Jimmy Macambu, who told us about the vulnerable youths that live within the community (himself being one). The youth (all boys, it seemed) grew tomatoes last year, using only goat droppings as fertilizer and were blessed with a bumper crop. They were able to sell their extras and raise $415,00 kawacha (about $80.00) with which they bought 5 goats. World Vision also donated sewing machines and now the boys are learning to sew and tailor, at present making small items and trying to find a market for them. They can sell a child's dress for about 8,00 kawacha, or trade for maize. I was very interested (being sewer myself) to see where they have their shop, and the machines, but was told it was to great a distance from where we were. They too commented that they are so thankful to Canadians for the chance to be able to support themselves.
They took us on a short hike trough the tall grass to where their garden is located (next to a pond, for easier irrigation, using a treadle pump) where they have a small bed of tomato seedlings ready for transplant into the larger beds, and we were given a demonstration on watering techniques. I noticed that it is not unusual here to see young men walking, with fingers linked or hands held. I suppose when you have been left an orphan and have seen and been through some of the things these young men have had to endure, that it is a means of support, just letting each other know - ‘you are not alone’.

We next visited the goat enclosures, where a very old gentleman, dressed in his best suit, came to greet us. We had the opportunity to cuddle baby goats (oh so soft and cuddly, missing my kitties) and a few of us took the opportunity to try a milk them, much to the delight of the keepers. My pathetic attempts were met with much chortling and gawfs. I realize they eat the goat meat and drink the milk, but when I asked if they made goat cheese, I was met with a look of dismay! They have never heard of goat cheese and when I told them it was very popular here in Canada, their eyes lit up with the thought of yet another opportunity at a new market.

Leaving that area, I spotted these huge bags of something laying on the ground, with cute little children peeking over the edges. When I asked, I was told the bags cotained cotton! I didn't know they grew cotton here!

Walking back to the seating area, we noticed a man and woman sitting and shelling peanuts; another of the popular crops grown here. We asked if we could help and took handfuls back to our seats and started the shelling process, again to smiles and giggles. It seems we were very slow. Things were quite, as we proceeded, the women of the community sitting to the outside of the seating area on their maize bags (another whole blog could be written on the 101 uses of the maize bag!). I suggested to Christy that w start a song, that might invite the women to sign along wit us, Christy having a beautiful signing voice. I decided that Amazing Grace; being one of the few hymns I know all the words to, would be a good choice and so Christy and I began, her beautifully, me not so much. I guess that is a more Western song, as no one joined in, but they did seem to enjoy it.


We were then invited to take turns at pounding the peanuts into crumbs in a wooden pestle, with a very heavy wooden mortise. “make sure you do not make the peanuts jump like the frogs” we were told. Periodically the concoction was emptied into a strained and shaken vigour sly, which none of us could quite get a handle on, the larger pieces then put back for more grinding. That chore accomplished we were served their favourite drink, which is a mix of maize, water and a root for thickening, boiled vigour sly and cooled. When drunk, much sugar was added. I suppose it would be a good drink to re-hydrate while working the fields, and the ground corn at the bottom of the glass would almost be a meal in itself. It was not something I wasn’t particularly enamoured with, but Colin enjoyed it and Utant had 2 or 3 glasses. He told us later, that if left to ferment for a few days, it becomes their beer and much partying and celebration would be had.




It was now time to leave and head back to Zu’s for lunch and the afternoon photo workshop. We have discovered that the workshops will need some tweaking on any subsequent trials, as there were only 2 students that showed up, but more strangled in at different times, I suppose as chores and homework allowed. One student later in the week commented that he didn’t come as a friend had asked him to accompany him to a neighbouring village and this was thought to be more important, a the friend needed the support. It’s to bad he missed that days workshop, but it goes to show, yet again, the sense of community and the feelings of looking out for each other that is the norm here.
Dinner was again eaten at Zu’s, but I am a little tired of rice so decided to pull a Marie Antoinette and ‘EAT CAKE’.