It was a rainy start this morning after a wild night last night. Most everyone on the team was awoken around 2 a.m. to an amazing thunder and lightning spectacle, including at least two brief power outages. I am fairly sure that I have never heard or felt such thunder.
This morning we met Ida, a Habitat Mozambique employee, who accompanied us to the build site as Magaia was en route from Maputo (with Maria’s luggage) and Afonso was under the weather. We all traveled to the site where Jean, Mike, Rick, Ron, Susan and Tamara worked on Day 1 where, after careful consideration, a decision was made not to build due to the inclement weather.
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| Willing troops unable to work due to rain.... |
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| .... but the cows need to be herded rain or shine |
While there, we congregated under a large tree where Ida spoke to us in depth about Habitat Mozambique, and in particular, the Chiconela community and the two families for whom we are building homes. Ida said that Habitat works with the local government and community partner to determine which family is selected and that, depending on each family’s needs, Habitat may provide a latrine, a mosquito net and water purification system, home repair (such as a roof) or a new home. As well, Habitat assists the children’s caregiver in preparing a Will to ensure that the children’s interest in the home is protected if the parent or grandparent passes away. I was amazed to learn that even though Habitat has only been working in Chiconela since October, 12 homes and at least 16 latrines have been built. This is good news indeed. However, I have to acknowledge that for me, the joy this brings is tempered by the sadness in coming face to face with the reality of HIV and the impact it has had and will continue to have on the people we have met and on the community as a whole.
One of the most wonderful experiences has been the children. While on this site yesterday and today, there were many children who for the most part seem to love having their picture taken, as long as you show the picture to them immediately thereafter. The joy of digital photography! Today a group of children began singing and dancing, accompanied by a boy playing the drums (an upside down bucket). It was truly beautiful. A number of us took video on our cameras, and then, of course, had to show the kids a number of times!
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| Mozambique´s Got Talent!! |
From this site, we went to the Team Anderson site to visit that family. It was particularly heart wrenching given that Ida had earlier said that the mom’s life is very hard. Very hard by Mozambique standards seem overwhelming to me. I am so glad we are providing a hand up to this family.
One comment about the lunch yesterday – it appears that Mom had prepared the lunch for the local labourers, not for us. However because they had eaten at the other site with us, they did not eat the food she had prepared. Given how uncomfortable many felt about what happened, Ida spoke to the mother on our behalf to explain how grateful we were for her contribution.
After lunch at the restaurant - fish with eyes and head attached but reportedly delicious (I had Portuguese steak) – each of us enjoyed the afternoon as we chose - napping, reading, journal writing and sending email home were common pastimes – before dinner. Several of us went for a walk towards the Limpopo river. We didn’t see the river but did discover the local football stadium where it was cool to watch a game was in progress. After dinner, we had ``Habitat 201``, a discussion about where Habitat has been and where it is going, led by Dennis and Melannie (ED of a Habitat affiliate).
As one of two Global Village ``virgins`` on this trip, I am truly grateful to be here. It is a profoundly personal, yet amazingly communal, journey. I believe the impact of my experience will continue long after I return to Canada, and yes, Melannie, I will contact the local Habitat affiliate to see what work I can do for them during the remainder of my sabbatical from my employment.
- Susan
