Boys are Back

Just a couple days ago, I traveled to Joburg to pick up Alex and Abhi from Tambo airport. Had a big ol smile on my face when I saw my boys walking down the terminal with all their bags. Finally, my team is here and what a great feeling. Ive realized that Ive been working with them for so many years now that when we work separately, the project feels incomplete. Its wonderful to have colleagues to debate ideas with (emphasis on debate).

 

Made them dinner at the backpackers lodge and we left right away the next day for Swaziland. To save money, we used public transport (mini-bus). The mini-bus was packed with people; people sat on stools in the middle of the aisle! However, it was fast and it only cost 160 rand a person versus 400 rand per person on the backpackers bus. To be sure, given Joburg's reputation for being the murder capital of the world and recent escalation in violence with the "xenophobia attacks", we definitely took a calculated risk. But here at swaziAID, that's how we do.

 

I introduced them to the stesh boys (the guys hanging around the braai all day), taught them some elementary siSwati, showed them how to get around on the kombis, and toured around downtown Mbabane. We did a little work on the way; reserved the Emafini conference center for our first general conference for moringa trials in Swaz. We want to make sure that everyone has a clear idea of what we are going to do separately and together, what we will provide, and what kind of concerted action we can take to get the support of MOAC.

 

Yesterday, we went to Manzini to scout out the building and agricultural stores. We spend the day there and found pretty much all the materials we will need for setting up the plots; fencing, drip irrigation piping and heads, greenhouse building material, and all the tools. We found some good prices and will be able work with minimal costs but still make it all work well.

 

This coming week, we are setting up a low-cost simple greenhouse to start the moringa plants to seedlings. While we are not yet planting it on the ground, this is in preparation for MOAC's permission. Then we are heading up to Piggs Peak for a 3 day farming workshop hosted by Vusumnotfo. This will be Abhi and Alex's first trip to the bush and see the average rural Swazi farmer lives. This is a wonderful opportunity because it is the rural Swazi farmer that will benefit the most from moringa.

 

If you remember, we will be working with a rural women's group to produce and market some very nice handbags. We will apply what we have learned from Makers United to help them sell these hand-made bags. This is important for them because for most of them, it is their only source of income. The money earned from the sales put their children through primary school. Abhi, our business specialist, is going to spearhead this project.

In the pictures... two guys selling 2nd hand clothing from the US at the Joburg Wanderers station, of course, they were wearing an Ohio State jacket and an FSU jacket, unbelievable. and I was of course wearing my UF hat. Another picture is abhi trying out his new hemp at the hardware. also a stall at the Mbabane farmer's market.