farewell pemba... see you soon

Willard and I in front of the office

Working with Willard at IDE has been a wonderful experience. I wouldn't have gotten through these past 4 months without his support. He is one of the most easy-going and most patient people I have ever met. When I would be frustrated about things, Willard would be there to pick me back up. During weekends, he would welcome me into his home to spend time with him and his family (those rascal little kids). Thanks Willard for a great 3 months. (The man needs a promotion)

Field work isn't easy; especially when the amount of output is so small compared to the amount of time, energy, and effort put into it. Despite the frustrations, I fully understand and truly believe in it's value and the importance of getting it right. It is in the field where the actual interactions with beneficiaries take place. It is in the field where smallholder farmers learn and grow. I will try my utmost best to bring these lessons that I have learned to my work with CARE-International's ADAPT project come January.

Me facilitating a farmer workshop

Willard's son Chinyanta (on top of me), and his niece and nephew.

last week with the family

On Sunday, 20th of December, I'll be moving back to Lusaka in preparation for my next placement with CARE International. These past 3 months in the village have been one of the most humbling and most valuable life experiences. When I arrived in October, I immediately felt at home. The Muzuma family is wonderful and the food they cook is absolutely delectable. I am really going to miss them.

This past week, my host father has taught me so many things about life, about hard work and about nurturing those who are trying hard to succeed in a complicated environment. At 73, his level of energy and alertness has completely blown me away.

Despite the language barrier, my senior host mother (Mr. Muzuma's first wife), definitely took care of me like I was one of their own. Her, and Mrs. Muzuma Jr.'s ability to manage a gigantic family is absolutely beyond me.

I will definitely be back a few times to visit the family within the next 8 months.

Silas Muzuma

Noria Muzuma (Sr. wife)

Albetina Muzuma (Jr. wife)

Banene - the funniest grandmother!

Me a few of the kids

Lunch at the Muzuma's

Host father preparing his field of Irish potatoes

Me with the junior wife's side of the family

Dinner with the Muzuma's

Pre-dinner warming up

Mrs. Muzuma junior cleaning the residuals from the wheat

born to be wild

My sweet ride in Pemba. I'll miss that motorbike.

frog infestation... kermit's not so cute anymore

So after a week of meetings in Lusaka, I come home to my hut only to find a family of frogs lounging around my stuff. Now, these frog don't bother humans and prefer to hide in dark areas. Normally, I would just scurry them out of my hut. But yet they kept coming back. Some nights I would be startled when my garbage bag would start moving, only to find pesky little Kermit inside.

My host father, Silas, says these frogs have a tendency to attract snakes. Snakes?! No thank you! So he taught me how to whack'em. At first, I was like "ooooo poor froggie"... but after they kept returning, I showed no mercy. I think I'll be set for those carnival "whack-a-mole" games when I return to Canada.