Heading
Thursday came and went in a blur. We started with breakfast and had a quick planning session for the day. We made a plan to teach the farmers how to use their system most efficiently by breaking the field into management zones.
We spent the morning and early afternoon checking several final touches off the list. This included finalizing the main field hydrant (picture attached), completing the valves on the tank, connecting the vegetable irrigation lines, reorganizing and inventory count of the irrigation stock in the pump house, and much more. This was an impressive to do list as the morning also consisted of entertaining the kids and getting so many notes gifted to us and working around the pouring rain. Playing with the kids is always a treat, Caleb got taken down by a bunch of 5 year olds, Colton was getting jumped on by kids in trees, and Loyd had all the kids believing he had a baby chick in his hands.
In the morning Ruben, the head teacher, Joseph Billy (student), and myself went into the community to find the last child we needed a picture of for updating sponsorships. We needed to take Joseph because addresses are not really a thing down here. We turned off the main road and it was quick to see how prevelant poverty is here. We drove past a public school which consisted of about 70 kids sitting under a tree as they don't have classrooms. Then we walked further and came across a few kids who can't attend the public school because they have to help their dad fish. We ended up finding the right house, with the help of some neighbors and Saikonde came out for his photo. We knew he was home sick but I just assumed he had the stomach bug or something we have all likely had at one point or another. He came out with his walking stick, barely able to walk, and updated the head teacher on his health. He has had weak legs for some time, however he now has a hard time walking, has back pain, a sore stomach and headaches. He had tried going to the hospital but unfortunately it was to busy to see a doctor. His family will take him to the hospital again to try to see a doctor again. This was all very eye-opening on the day to day realities these individuals face.
After we wrapped up our to do list and had another lunch of nsima with a side of surprisingl tasty soy, we headed to Nsanje for the market. We were split into 3 teams and we were tasked with a scavenger hunt to collect items for the teachers gift baskets. We ran through the market in our teams, trying our best to breath religiously through our mouth to survive the fish portion of the market. Ard, Caleb and myself were fastest but Colton, Stephanie, and Loyd did it the cheapest. After we experienced the sketchy market, we headed to the dock to see the river thar seperates Malawi and Mozambique. We enjoyed the view of the fast moving river from the dock as it was too high and dangerous to venture down by boat. Caleb also got some great drone footage and entertained all the kids that followed us from the market with his drone.
After this eventful day we returned back to Bangula for our dinner and devotionals. I'll leave it at that as there is an Uno game I'm eager to join.
