Twalumba

So the past two weeks have been quite interesting in my area. The Chinese contractors that built the irrigation system for my area were out testing to receive a certificate of completion so they could receive their final payment. Unfortunately the system failed pretty much everywhere and I feel that whats most unfortunate is that I wasn't there biking and watching the whole thing they probably would of tried to just tell everyone it passed. Anyways since it failed so bad and it took them so many years to finish we have decided to fire them if the community agrees to do the corrections themselves. Should be interesting because apparently now I will be the manager of the work so we will see how that goes. I feel pretty good about, especially since it is work that I have basically done my whole life but I have never had to be one of the point people to decide what equipment should be bought with the basically half a million dollars that we are saving by not paying the contractors the last payment, should be very interesting. One aspect that will be less fun is I have to go to the capital far more then I would like to since the project managers will want updates, the city is just way to expensive for a volunteer that is all I know.

I also found out that one of the research stations about 25 km from my house was actually beginning to build rope pumps a couple years ago under a program that I was connected with last month run by Mr. Henk Holtslag. That got me very excited since I was planning to build them in my area and wasn't sure where to start but since they already have a lot of the materials and basic training it should be much easier to get it going again, especially since I about ten farmers that would buy the pumps right now in Manyonyo. Now I just need to build some EMAS drilling set ups and pumps and groundwater should be flowing very nicely soon in the Neganega river basin!

My garden is looking delicious, already getting some beans and zucchini. Tomatoes, peppers and water melons are not far behind. Even though food is extremely cheap in the village it is going to be nice to just walk to my backyard and get some veggies. Chickens will be coming after rainy season, probably April. Also I made a deal with my host father that for every fruit tree that he buys I will buy one too. He says he will be buy fifty, not sure if I believe him yet, but if he does that will be awesome because he will have an awesome orchard and maybe if we just plant fruit trees everywhere the trees will stay instead of be used for charcoal. I will be heading to Victoria Falls for the first time at the end of next month, pumped about that, and what is even better is I found work to do down there so I don't even think I will have to use vacation days or pay for a hotel because the man owns a hotel as well but needs help with his fish ponds. Should be a nice workcation. It is pretty funny that even here in Zambia I don't know how to go anywhere without trying to do work at the location, I guess that will just never change.

So anyways life, is lovely, almost getting to busy but haven't gotten there yet, still able to complete things when they are suppose to be done. I think that is also because it is Zambia and things are somehow always delayed a little bit so I have more time then I think. As always packages and letters are beautiful, if anyone wants to send me an espresso maker I would be very happy, just saying!