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Lilongwe, Malawi, 4 November 2011
After 2 days and 3 long plane rides, I finally arrived in Lilongwe. Zion was there to pick me up and accompany me on the 6-hour journey north to Nkhata Bay. First thing first, we had to do an always-dreaded gas run before our departure. The fuel crisis was even worse than when Quinn and I had been there 6 months earlier. Malawi hadn’t received fuel imports in more than three months, which resulted in people having to buy gas on the black market. The morning I arrived they had just acquired a desperately needed fuel supply from Tanzania. Chaos at the pumps was sadly understandable, but after 5 hours in a fierce line, I was ready to be on our way.
We arrived in Nkhata Bay around midnight. I checked myself into my usual place, Big Blue Backpackers, where I normally go to get acclimated. I was excited but exhausted. Time to get rid of the jetlag and prepare for 2 months of hard work. It was a beautiful summer night; I had arrived in one of my favorite places at one of my favorite times of the year.
Nkhata Bay, Malawi, 6 – 20 November 2011
First thing in the morning I presented Zion with the wonderful computer gifted to him by GV donors. A Mac book Pro was the best donation to help GV keep communication with Zion and ensure that the needs of the garden are met. Zion was completely overwhelmed with appreciation and with that excitement in the air it was time to get to work. Days would be spent at the gardens and evenings at Zion's house discussing current and future collaborative projects.
Early morning hikes to Chikale were instantly rewarding. I arrived just in time to witness an entire harvest from start to finish. Over the first week however, we started to notice half of the garden stunted, potentially from prior pesticide use. We began to consider relocating options, not only for the aforementioned reason but also because of an interest in expanding the garden. Zion decided that it was time for us to go and have a talk with Chief Kamoza of Chihame village. The chief, a kind man, has both a large amount of land and a passion to see his children succeed in education. Naturally, if given the opportunity, this would be a perfect place for us to consider moving.
Chihame, Nkhata Bay, 26 November 2011
Following traditional Malawian customs, chiefs have the ability to lend their land to whomever or use however they see fit. Zion and I headed off to plead our case to the chief.
The meeting was incredible. The chief agreed to give us land under the agreement we use the profits to go toward the schools in Chihame. Our game plan would be simple and sustainable. Plant 1.5 acres of vegetables and 1 acre of soy. A percentage of each harvest would go toward re-harvesting and paying our farmers (Elton & Obvious), while the remainder would go toward educational materials for the schools. The acre of soy would be used to make porridge for the children in the morning. We would begin with the Chihame nursery, which hosted 50 children and was the most in need of our attention.
Chihame, Nkhata Bay, 1 December 2011
We broke ground at the Chihame garden. Obvious and Elton had to slash and burn the area, build the beds, and dig the drains. The rains were coming and any large amount of precipitation would wash away our garden before it even had time to grow. We also had to haul 35 wheel barrows of manure and rice grains to fertilize our first round of vegetables which included: beans, bonoyme, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, cucumber, potatoes, lettuce, okra, pumpkin, radish, rape, red onion, swiss chard, soy, tomatoes, watermelon and white onion.
The gardens were on track and Zion and I had the evenings to discuss how we could expand our partnership and visualize new projects in Nkhata Bay. Zion had long imagined a community center that catered not only to the needs of children but to all those in NB that suffered from lack of education and/or financial opportunity. Converting his multi-building lakeshore house into a sustainable business and volunteer center was exactly what Growing Voices was looking to support. A place where widows, single parents, orphans, the elderly and the audio and visually impaired could find an opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Quinn, Zion, and I decided to begin the process of registration for Zion's "HOPE," a certified Malawian non-profit that not only adopts GV's sustainable garden program but also builds a sustainable community center for the people of Nkhata Bay.
Nkhata Bay, Malawi, 19 December 2011
It was time to head home. Over the course of two months we managed to exceed our expectations by creating a strong template for sustainable gardens that produce profits for surrounding schools. We had also gone through the process of incorporating a new Malawian non-profit in partnership with our great friend, Zion Kennedy Phillips. I was leaving NB truly excited about GV's accomplishments and goals! It was time to get home and get started.
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JANUARY 7, 2011
Nkhata Bay, Malawi
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