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After another hot and humid night without power at the Kanzimbi Lodge in Bangula, we woke up to a quick cup of coffee or tea. The rains started as we boarded the bus with our boiled eggs and sandwiches to eat on the way to the Chigumukire Child Care Centre for the 3rd day. Our tasks were to continue: the assembly of the irrigation project, sponsorship updates, and an irrigation ‘fix’ at another Timotheos Foundation Centre at Njamatutu. Together with the farm workers, most of the team worked on header pipes and drip lines. The gentle morning rains were a pleasant reprieve from the heat and soaked us to the skin; however, as soon as it dried up, so did our clothes. At lunch, we were served the tsima again, as this is a staple in Malawi, and the children eat this daily as well. Today’s sides were cabbage, soup, and a boiled egg. Definitely got our protein in this morning. We filled the next hour with more donor updates and some more field work. A trip to the crocodile farm was planned, so at 2 pm the kids escorted the team to the bus while shouting and singing songs. At the Thangadzi Conservatory, we were greeted by Alex, the owner and informative guide, Robert. Innocent, our driver this whole week, skillfully manoeuvred our bus through the mucky mud to the crocodiles. The ponds and waters contain approximately 300 of the impressive yet intimidating beasts. Another farm worker ‘clucked,’ and more and more crocs would come on land to greet us. Ruben was also very impressive with his clucking. On our way ‘home,’ we stopped for a group picture in front of a massive Balbab tree, which Robert guessed to be 600+ years old.
Malawi is a beautiful and vibrant country, and its people are very friendly. There’s not a time you walk the grounds alone at the Centre, as smiling, happy children crowd around to hold your hands, to laugh and ‘chat,’ and play. What a blessing and impact this all has been.
