First Training Workshop

Whoof... the anxiety is over.

We just did our first moringa workshop for 52 guests in the Lowveld. The
Red Cross was holding a three day gardening training and commissioned us
to teach moringa cultivation and utilization on Wednesday afternoon. It
was a great deal for us getting moringa out to the communities; they
funded Thokozane's time, printing, materials, seeds, and even gave us a
venue.

The training was out near a place called Mpaka. The group was mostly
women. Why? Because the men go earn money in town, women take care of
the homestead. The women grow food for the family and care for the
children (which now typically includes orphans from extended family).
These women are aged between 25-45, some brought their babies with them.
Some even nursed their babies in the front row.

Thokozane told them how to grow moringa, how to use it. They asked so
many questions! All of it was in siSwati. I sat in the back, looking
dumb and hoping for the best. The worst was when everybody laughed.

"What? What? Was that a good laugh?"

After Thokozane spoke for a long time, everybody cheered and clapped. I
turned and asked one of the Red Cross people; somebody asked where they
could get seeds and Thokozane said that we would be providing everyone
with 10 seeds. Cheers all around!

Yeah yeah, everybody gets excited for free stuff. They also wanted to
buy more seeds however. A few of the women pressed for the sample powder
we brought along. They literally wouldn't let us leave with it. Of
course, we didn't want to start a trend of giving away our stock. The
going price is 60R that jar-full. I told her the price thinking she
would give... this old woman in this in classic old Swazi woman dress
and a mischevious smile just whips out 60R on the spot! What could I do?

We sold it to her and we're leaving another batch with a a Peace Corp
Volunteer for another woman from the group.

In this workshop, Thokozane just taught them how to grow moringa. In 4
months, once their trees are ready for first harvest, Thokozane will
return to teach them how to harvest, prune, and process it.