Slow But Steady

Tuesday – Aug 5th, 2008

I have now completed the needs assessments of the 5 villages I have targeted. Which isn’t so bad, considering that I’ve been working at the Dedza office for only 3 weeks and have had several events either cancel or postphone my work (funerals, equipment breakdowns and power outages).

Friday (Aug 1st) I finally got out to Ntcheu district to see the last 2 sites, Chinyamula and Njuli. They were at fairly opposite ends of the development spectrum.
Chinyamula has an extensive irrigation system dug for their crops and they had recently extended it to form their pond. I was impressed with the work they had done on the canals actually. They dammed off a river with sandbags, dug a 300m canal with hoes that took them 1yr to complete, and used the canals to irrigate their crops (maize, tomato, cabbage) as well as their new fishpond. They had several hundred fish in the pond already, which were obtained from the fingerling pass-on project initiated by CADECOM (the NGO where I work). They identified the biggest problem facing them was that they have not yet harvested because of lack of harvesting gear. They built the pond 2 yrs ago. That and of course lack of training.
The pond at Njuli has only been dug recently and needs a lot of work. The canal system is small and narrow, sourced from a nearby natural spring. They lack all of the equipment and any training. Apparently they have only 20 chambo in the pond, bought from pooled money from their fishpond committee, which they cannot harvest either.
All the villagers are very self-empowered and enthusiastic despite their lack of resources and training. However, they are using very rudimentary systems and lack very basic aquaculture knowledge which has led to some bad habits. They do not want to drain the ponds to harvest the fish, instead they insist on using nets even if it’s their mosquito nets. But they don't realize that bacteria can build on the bottom of the pond over time and may kill the fish. Not to mention the chemicals on the mosquito net that is now in the water. As well there is valuable fertilizer just sitting at the bottom of the pond… Aw I have so much material to cover in the workshops. I have started developing a basic training manual to leave with the NGO staff and the community extension officers (which I need translated into Chichewa) before my placement ends. So much to do, so little time!!

So the latest drama/development obstacle: there is a weeklong power outage in Dedza. Apparently someone stole oil out of the electricity-transmitting tower for the town and it broke down as a result. ESCOM has to order another one and it will take at least a week, happy happy joy joy. There is a generator that powers the main office building at work, but I work in one of the side buildings so my office doesn't have power even with the generator. To mitigate this I have now set up a make shift office in the reception. At least I can charge my phone and laptop there. Alas, there is no generator at the house, so we cook and heat water over a paraffin stove and charcoal stove. Catherine and I joke it’s just like camping. Well I knew I wasn't going into this expecting luxury...it’s a far cry from downtown Toronto. But honestly I can’t say that its really all that bad considering the good work that I am doing for the villagers here. So it’s a sacrifice I am willing to make.

On the brighter side on things, Anna has finally arrived in Lilongwe to start her internship. Anna is a friend and fellow classmate from IPMP and it is great to have a familiar face around. I’m hoping to go into Lilongwe this weekend to see her. And also to have electricity and the internet café again!!